Host (19:22):
Politically, I think I have to ask you this question, just going back to socialismo, do you think that Miguel Dias Canel in Cuba is a dictator?

Mamdani (19:30):
I haven't thought much about Miguel Diaz, I'll be honest with you. I think mostly about these five boroughs and how we can actually deliver affordability for New Yorkers.

Host (19:40):
But do you think Nicolás Maduro is a dictator in Venezuela.

Mamdani (19:44):
I think he has done many a horrible thing.

Host (19:47):
But again, do you do you think it's important that you say that they are dictators and that people understand here in New York that you are not aligned with them.

Mamdani (19:56):
I think it's clear and it's important for me to showcase how this a vision for the people of the city, and as you said, it is in stark contrast to the experiences that many others have had. And I think when I hear from a number of Venezuela New Yorkers about what drove them to come to this city, the conditions that they had to live through. I understand their skepticism,

(20:17):
I understand their caution, and yet I have found in them and understanding that my vision is one that is distinct from that experience.

Host (20:26):
But I wonder if you're reluctant to call them dictators in Cuba and Venezuela.

Mamdani (20:31):
I'm not reluctant. I just haven't thought about them that often. I'll be honest with you. I think that Maduro's government is one of repression, There's no question about it.

Host (20:40):
and also it's happened in Cuba Since 19598.

Mamdani (20:45):
Think that the repression that whether we're speaking about Cuban New Yorkers or Venezuela New Yorkers, that they have had to live through is a repression that stands in a clear contrast from what our vision is here.

What's interesting is this is the first episode of this podcast beyond their "announcement" episode. Jorge Ramos is a fairly well-established journalist/news anchor for Univision. Mamdani clearly hasn't prepared an answer to this question it would seem.

[–] CoolerOpposide@hexbear.net 11 points 1 month ago (3 children)

See this is really interesting because he obviously wasn’t just outright agreeing and calling them dictators. I know he personally doesn’t believe they are, and I have no idea why and campaign strategists closer to him would think he has to clarify that position. I didn’t hear anything at all about this podcast or anybody being upset about him giving a pretty obvious non-answer on whether or not Cuba and Venezuela are dictatorships.

The answers he gave were questionable but whatever. The clarification was moronic and total bad campaigning and unforced error.

[–] RedWizard@hexbear.net 12 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I have no idea why and campaign strategists closer to him would think he has to clarify that position

Because the strategists are all Democratic operatives now, aren't they? It's perfectly in line with the kind of bullshit appeals they make all the time.

Elle Bisgaard-Church, Mamdani’s chief of staff in the state assembly and the manager of his primary campaign, will become chief adviser, people familiar with campaign operations told CNN. Her new role reflects Mamdani’s desire to begin long-term planning – not technically transition work, since he has to win in November first – and thinking through the implementation of his sweeping ideas.

She will be succeeded as campaign manager by Maya Handa, who ran the mayoral primary campaign of state senator Zellnor Myrie. Handa has worked for notable local and national progressive figures including former New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, as well as the locally powerful Working Families Party. >

[–] MizuTama@hexbear.net 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Eh, I've heard in several places NYC-DSA has a pulse on this and the heads seem to be endorsing the triangulation.

[–] RedWizard@hexbear.net 8 points 1 month ago

That doesn't surprise me for some reason.

[–] CoolerOpposide@hexbear.net 7 points 1 month ago

It was more rhetorical, I know that’s actually why. He needs these ghouls off the election team when things were working just fine before

[–] WildWeezing420@hexbear.net 11 points 1 month ago

Obama pulled the trigger reluctantly as well, with sadness in his voice. It doesn’t matter

[–] SickSemper@hexbear.net 10 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I specifically did call this out in a reply on a post of yours https://hexbear.net/comment/6518535

“Shame he decided to label Venezuela as a “government of repression” while we’re killing their fishermen. At least call Maduro a dictator, this gets nobody on your side.”

I’m happy he took my advice

[–] WildWeezing420@hexbear.net 10 points 1 month ago

For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: the Tankies were right again