Even if Mamdami didn’t believe that, it would still be the smart thing to say. Elections are a popularity competition, there’s no prize for saying the truth; just ask a climate scientist. The point is to change things.
It’s important to get out of the liberalist mindset of thinking electoralism (here and now) should be about honestly stating every policy and correct position. We don’t live in a marketplace of ideas where simply being correct is worth anything. If the bulk of the population isn’t on board with socialism, then an election seat is either useful for milquetoast mild reform or for propaganda platforming (e.g. Sanders making “socialism” a more approachable idea despite Sanders clearly contradicting socialism in many other statements).
No, it wouldn’t be the smart thing. He could have dodged the question, but by affirming the imperialist narrative he supports the Empire’s current aggression on Venezuela, and blocks discussion from mainstream leftist discourse.
You’re right, dodging the question would have been much smarter. I haven’t seen the context but I doubt there’s any need for the mayor of New York to declare a position on these two leaders, and Mamdami has already famously dodged the Zionist Regime visit question in the primaries debate.
I am a communist. The liberal electoral system is systemically rigged towards the bourgeoisie and it would be ridiculous to approach it in good faith.
If your middle of the road beliefs were correct, he wouldn’t have won the primary.
What do you mean? Mamdami’s primary platform didn’t depart from capitalism as far as I saw. Furthermore, the primary has a different voting audience and calls for different tactics (even if using the same strategy) to improve chances of winning that popularity contest.
A right-wing candidate would never condemn Bolsonaro or Melei or Orban. They’d either praise them or attack their enemies.
That’s the smart thing to say. Whenever they’re cornered by reporters and asked about far right leaders in other countries they never condemn them, because it’s a signal to the base that they’re True Believers and it helps build coalitions across the right.
When are Democrats going to learn from Republicans? This is a winning strategy that the right has mastered. We can do it too.
Even if Mamdami didn’t believe that, it would still be the smart thing to say. Elections are a popularity competition, there’s no prize for saying the truth; just ask a climate scientist. The point is to change things.
It’s important to get out of the liberalist mindset of thinking electoralism (here and now) should be about honestly stating every policy and correct position. We don’t live in a marketplace of ideas where simply being correct is worth anything. If the bulk of the population isn’t on board with socialism, then an election seat is either useful for milquetoast mild reform or for propaganda platforming (e.g. Sanders making “socialism” a more approachable idea despite Sanders clearly contradicting socialism in many other statements).
No, it wouldn’t be the smart thing. He could have dodged the question, but by affirming the imperialist narrative he supports the Empire’s current aggression on Venezuela, and blocks discussion from mainstream leftist discourse.
You’re right, dodging the question would have been much smarter. I haven’t seen the context but I doubt there’s any need for the mayor of New York to declare a position on these two leaders, and Mamdami has already famously dodged the Zionist Regime visit question in the primaries debate.
Yep, agreed!
If your middle of the road beliefs were correct, he wouldn’t have won the primary.
You centrists are a danger to this country. You create the space for fascism to thrive.
I am a communist. The liberal electoral system is systemically rigged towards the bourgeoisie and it would be ridiculous to approach it in good faith.
What do you mean? Mamdami’s primary platform didn’t depart from capitalism as far as I saw. Furthermore, the primary has a different voting audience and calls for different tactics (even if using the same strategy) to improve chances of winning that popularity contest.
Riiiight. Just a classic ol’ communist, who advocates for centrist campaigning and defends liberalism. That totally adds up.
You people are so bad at this.
A right-wing candidate would never condemn Bolsonaro or Melei or Orban. They’d either praise them or attack their enemies.
That’s the smart thing to say. Whenever they’re cornered by reporters and asked about far right leaders in other countries they never condemn them, because it’s a signal to the base that they’re True Believers and it helps build coalitions across the right.
When are Democrats going to learn from Republicans? This is a winning strategy that the right has mastered. We can do it too.