Zohran Mamdani: The Democrats' new power broker?
6/24/202641 min
There was something of a political earthquake in New York overnight. Three left wing Democratic candidates, endorsed by Mamdani, sweeping out established Congressional characters and hailing in a new era of progressive politics in the Big Apple.
Mamdani's political stardust shows little sign of waning - is he now the most powerful figure in his party? And what does that mean for the future of the Dems?
We speak to Ben Rhodes, one of Barack Obama's closest aides during his presidency, and author of a new book 'All We Can Say' - a history of America through political speeches - about the magic of Mamdani, and the malice of Donald Trump.
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Ben Rhodes· Guest0:33
Mamdani's speaking to that hunger that people have. That's when you kind of unleash a different kind of force. I think he's really got it, and I think the Democrats need to kind of learn more from him.
Jon Sopel· Host0:43
There are bits of Obama that you feel coming through.
Ben Rhodes· Guest0:45
The Mamdani campaign in New York reminded me of the '08 Obama campaign because they were having fun.
Emily Maitlis· Host0:51
People tend to get up there and rage about the thing that isn't working rather than explain the context of, of the problem they have.
Ben Rhodes· Guest0:57
This is a political earthquake, not just in New York City, in the Democratic Party. Because the message that people keep sending, we don't want typical politicians. We want people who seem different.
Emily Maitlis· Host1:07
He is doing for the Democrats what Trump is doing for MAGA.
Zohran Mamdani· Soundbite1:10
New York, we know anything's possible with a great team.
Brad Lander· Soundbite1:14
I'm Brad Lander, and I'll block billionaires from buying our elections.
Speaker 11:19
I'm Maria Lisa Avila Chevalier, and I'll defend New York by abolishing ICE.
Speaker 71:23
I'm Claire Valdez, and I'll stand up against bad landlords and greedy corporations.
Zohran Mamdani· Soundbite1:28
Get out