The Gist: Tusk Talk – Why Cuomo Leads and the Subways Smell Like Sh*t
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Host: Mike Pesca
Guest: Bradley Tusk
Introduction
In this episode of The Gist, hosted by Mike Pesca and produced by Peach Fish Productions, political strategist and venture capitalist Bradley Tusk joins Pesca to dissect the current landscape of the New York City mayoral race. The discussion delves into why Andrew Cuomo remains at the forefront of the polls despite lingering scandals and examines pressing city issues such as public safety and the deteriorating state of the subways.
New York Mayoral Race Overview
Candidate Landscape
Bradley Tusk provides an insightful analysis of the nine candidates vying for the mayoral seat in New York City, highlighting the prominence of Andrew Cuomo and Zoran Mamdani. Tusk emphasizes the diversity of the field and the strategic interviews he conducted with most candidates, aiming to uncover their governance visions beyond typical media portrayals.
Notable Quote:
"I had dinner with Derek Thompson maybe a month or two ago and I love his podcast but I'd never met him before and it did feel like a little surreal..."
— Bradley Tusk [10:06]
Polling and Public Sentiment
Cuomo leads the polls with approximately 40% of respondents. Tusk discusses the complexities behind Cuomo's polling strength, attributing it to a unique combination of citywide challenges and Cuomo's ability to align with the current zeitgeist. He contrasts this with the low public awareness and participation in the mayoral primaries, which suffer from historically low turnout rates.
Notable Quote:
"The only way to solve this is to radically increase participation and turnout."
— Bradley Tusk [40:05]
Key Issues Impacting the Race
Public Safety and Crime Perception
The conversation shifts to the critical issue of public safety in New York City. Tusk addresses the troubling state of the subway system, citing increased perceptions of filth and disorder despite some statistical improvements in crime rates. He underscores the dissonance between reality and public perception, noting that tangible negative experiences in public spaces heavily influence voter sentiment.
Notable Quote:
"I've never smelled human shit at the level that I have in the past year or two on the New York City subway platforms."
— Bradley Tusk [23:05]
Cuomo’s Scandals: Sexual Harassment and Nursing Home Policies
Cuomo's resurgence in the polls is scrutinized in light of two significant scandals: sexual harassment allegations and contentious nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tusk provides a nuanced perspective, suggesting that while the sexual harassment allegations severely damage Cuomo's reputation among certain voter demographics, the nursing home policy may not be as impactful electorally due to its complex nature and the prevailing narrative surrounding pandemic responses.
Notable Quotes:
"No one has ever brought up the nursing home scandal."
— Bradley Tusk [37:17]
"He's better off mainly not going to community forums and most debates."
— Bradley Tusk [39:46]
Voter Participation and Democratic Engagement
A significant portion of the discussion centers on voter turnout and its implications for the mayoral race. Tusk highlights the exceptionally low participation rates in local elections, using past New York City Council primaries as examples where candidates could win with as few as 8,000 votes. He advocates for technological innovations, such as secure mobile voting platforms, to enhance engagement and representation in future elections.
Notable Quote:
"With so few people participate, you get a mayor who frequently is totally on a line with the values of the city as a whole."
— Bradley Tusk [40:05]
Analyzing Andrew Cuomo’s Leadership Style
Tusk explores Cuomo's leadership style, characterized by assertiveness and a confrontational approach to governance. He assesses how this style has both benefited and hindered Cuomo, particularly in handling institutional challenges and navigating the polarized political environment of New York City.
Notable Quote:
"You need to have the balls to stand that down."
— Bradley Tusk [43:44]
Concluding Insights
Bradley Tusk concludes that Cuomo's leading position in the polls is a product of both his substantial name recognition and the specific challenges facing New York City at this moment. Despite ongoing scandals, Cuomo's ability to resonate with voters' immediate concerns about safety and urban management secures his frontrunner status. However, Tusk remains cautiously optimistic, suggesting that shifts in public perception and strategic alliances among other candidates could still influence the race's outcome.
Final Notable Quote:
"The public loses here because so few people actually participate in the decision-making process."
— Bradley Tusk [40:05]
Takeaways
- Andrew Cuomo's Lead: Despite scandals, Cuomo's leadership style and alignment with current city issues keep him ahead in the polls.
- Public Safety Concerns: The pervasive issues in the subway system and general public safety perceptions are central to voter sentiment.
- Low Voter Turnout: Extremely low participation in local elections undermines democratic representation, necessitating innovative solutions to boost engagement.
- Impact of Scandals: The sexual harassment allegations significantly tarnish Cuomo's image among key voter groups, while the nursing home policy remains a complex and less electorally damaging issue.
- Future of the Race: While Cuomo currently leads, continued campaigning, potential candidate alliances, and shifts in public perception could alter the race dynamics.
About the Guest: Bradley Tusk
Bradley Tusk is a seasoned political strategist, venture capitalist, and author known for his deep expertise in New York politics. As the CEO and co-founder of Tusk Venture Partners, he has a rich history of advising political campaigns and advocating for political reforms, including primary election reforms aimed at increasing voter participation and reducing political extremism.
Listen to the full episode of The Gist for an in-depth discussion on New York City's mayoral race and the factors influencing its outcome.
Note: The timestamps referenced correspond to the provided transcript and may differ slightly in the actual podcast episode.