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.
When he was attacked for criticizing Israel, Mamdani, who is Muslim, didn't change his position or try to come up with squishy ways to describe his beliefs. Fuck no. He explained why he believes what he believes and he went directly to Jewish groups to make his case. And now he's been endorsed by Jewish leaders, including orthodox and Hasidic rabbis. Not once has Mamdani hidden who he is, with a speech that talked about racist, Islamophobic insults against him and about how Muslims were treated after 9/11 and another video showing him breaking fast on Eid.
Every move Mamdani has made has been with an open heart and open arms. When he goes after Cuomo (or, before he dropped out, Eric Adams), it's with an irrepressible, fuck-this-guy attitude. His man-on-the-street videos are object lessons in how a candidate can connect with the anyone. He unabashedly proclaims his love and support for the trans community and has promised to back up that support with policies. He talks about "Trump-proofing" New York City against ICE and against the White House's attack on worker rights. And his focus on the cost of living in NYC is something that is music to every average person's ears, including free buses. (Seriously, read his policy papers. They are some thorough, well-conceived liberal positions, the kind of stuff that makes "moderate" Dems shit themselves at their think tanks.)
One thing that demonstrates how effective Mamdani's approach has been is not just the savagery with which the right has attacked him, trying to turn him into a radical communist who is going to burn down Manhattan. It's that the hysterical right just looks dumb tearing into Mamdani for things like, no shit, not knowing Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind." Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to the city if Mamdani is elected. Do you know how cool all this makes him look to young voters? Yes, you old fucks, keep shitting on joy.
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.