The Rude Pundit: Zohran Mamdani Will Win Because He's Showing How Hope and Joy Works Against Hate and Division

[babylonsister]

https://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2025/11/zohran-mamdani-will-win-because-hes.html

The Rude Pundit
Proudly lowering the level of political discourse
11/02/2025
Zohran Mamdani Will Win Because He's Showing How Hope and Joy Works Against Hate and Division


Have you really taken a few minutes to look at the campaign of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City? Because lemme tell you: as despairing as I've been about the vast networks of fuckery arrayed against sane people, Mamdani is providing a double-barrel face-blast of absolute hope and joy, and of course people are eating it up. What's the choice here for mayor? Another sexual predator running on racism and fear while kissing Trump's ass and sucking billionaire dick or the dude who just held a soccer tournament for his supporters?

No, seriously, two weeks ago, in a park in Coney Island (which, if you don't live up here, is a neighborhood and not just an amusement park), Mamdani's campaign co-hosted, with a local football organization, the Cost of Living Classic, a free day-long soccer competition for teams from each of the five boroughs. A clever, lively ad had Mamdani inviting players, and a good-sized crowd showed up to watch, especially when Mamdani spoke before the final game. It was a brilliant move, and one that connected Mamdani with a multiracial sports community that has become huge in NYC.

That's been how Mamdani has campaigned. It's been about how we all have far more in common than the shit that the GOP uses to divide us, and he's reached out to many different racial and ethnic groups. The difference with Mamdani is that, unlike virtually every politician (especially white ones), he looks completely at home fucking everywhere. I mean, look at his most recent ad, where he speaks Arabic and hangs out in small grocery stores and restaurants. Look at the ad where he speaks to the Latino community in Spanish and laughs at himself as he gets some pronunciations wrong. Look at him speaking to the Black parishioners at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, connecting with everyone and talking in ways that join all working class people in common cause. That's some talent right there.

snip//

Above all else, Mamdani looks like he's having fun, and that's gotta be pissing off everyone from worthless corporate Democrats who refuse to endorse him to Fox "news" hosts to self-fellating podcasters. A big hip-hop lover, he's kicking it with the Wu-Tang Clan. He's DJing at gay dance clubs. He held a fuckin' scavenger hunt for supporters. The campaign expected 500 participants. They got thousands of people showing up. It's just a blast to watch this all unfold.

When he wins on Tuesday, Democrats everywhere should be studying Mamdani's refusal to play by the Democratic consultant rulebook. They should understand that this is the motherfucking future. People want to a politician who is a whole human being, not a talking points machine, not someone constantly warning us about how shitty things can be, not someone moderating their beliefs to appeal to shitty people. In a time of misery, joy is a weapon and self-assurance is a shield. Use them widely and without apology.

[LearnedHand]

1. Oh man inject this shit straight into my veins!

This is exactly the right way to play neither by the republican playbook nor the consultant class handwringing focus-grouping advice, but to remind people of fun and joy.

[Festivito]

12. People like hope and joy but listen intently to scary division and hate. Mandami made scary, ...

...repeat, made scary: hope and joy. A how to on how to be with other races (OTHER RACES!) while at a sports event. A how to on how to be Christ-like in a nightclub (CHRIST IN A NIGHTCLUB, HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? SCARY!).

He picks controversial ideas that scare people. People pay attention to what scares them. That is self-preservation attracting our attention.

Saying that I 'm going to make health care affordable is BORING.

Saying that here are people with cancer that you and I can get and I want to work to help you and me get this treated. Is a little scary and a little hopeful. If scared a little, I'll listen a little more.

[dalton99a]

2. Hope and Joy sure didn't work for Kamala

[leftstreet]

4. Incumbents can't really run on that

It's always been a handicap for sitting VPs

Add to that the disillusionment and lack of trust in government and politicians that's been bleeding off voters for decades.

People want "outsiders." Harris couldn't overcome that

[Torchlight]

6. Does it necessarily follow?

Are all ingredients, room temperature and cooking equipment precisely the same that VP Harris used?

[IronLionZion]

11. Plenty of other factors that year, like a short campaign time for her

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. This is so right on! Thank you, my dear babylonsister, for your excellent post!

When he wins on Tuesday, Democrats everywhere should be studying Mamdani's refusal to play by the Democratic consultant rulebook. They should understand that this is the motherfucking future. People want to a politician who is a whole human being, not a talking points machine, not someone constantly warning us about how shitty things can be, not someone moderating their beliefs to appeal to shitty people. In a time of misery, joy is a weapon and self-assurance is a shield. Use them widely and without apology

[Passages]

5. Yep.

[NNadir]

7. It is, at the end of the day, Obamaesque.

[canetoad]

8. Fingers crossed Sis

Tuesday here. I'll catch the action later on.

[rubbersole]

9. Preach, Rude! Preach!

[mountain grammy]

10. He was on with Steph this morning

Yes and yes. A thousand times yes!