Concerns Over Democratic Direction
Peter Orszag, a former Obama administration official and businessman, expressed concerns on Thursday that the Democratic Party is veering toward anti-capitalist and anti-Semitic sentiments.
His comments came during an interview with CNBC, following the victory of Democrat Zoran Mandani in the New York City mayoral primary, a win attributed to the support of American democratic socialists.
“I feel compelled to say I’m worried that the Democrats are increasingly adopting anti-Semitic and anti-capitalist views,” Orszag remarked. “Straying from essential moral principles through anti-Semitism or socialism rarely leads to positive outcomes. That’s a significant concern I, and many others, have about the Democratic Party’s trajectory.”
When pressed for clarification regarding allegations of anti-Semitism, Orszag noted, “The mayoral candidate has promoted the concept of a ‘global intifada,’ which is troubling. Beyond the context of the mayoral race, I’ve seen Jewish donors receiving fundraising emails from senior Democratic operatives, who seem primarily focused on tax cuts. Additionally, the party’s leadership still appears to lack awareness of its stance on Israel, which is problematic.”
The interviewer then inquired whether Orszag was considering a shift to the Republican Party. He replied, “Our hope is for Democrats to alter their course. History indicates that adopting neither anti-capitalist nor anti-Semitic views is essential for achieving favorable results.”
When asked about Mandani’s potential impact on business in New York City if elected, Orszag opted for caution. “Let’s first gauge the outcome of the general election, and then see if any policies shift. We’re committed to New York, but it remains to be seen how things will play out.”
On October 8, 2023, the day following a Hamas attack on Israel, Mandani released a statement that notably did not mention the group directly. In a December 2024 interview with MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan, he stated that if elected mayor, he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit the city, asserting that New York’s values align with international law.
Tim Miller from “Bluework” questioned Mandani about controversial phrases like “the globalization of intifadas.” He responded that he doesn’t subscribe to a practice of banning certain terms.
Orszag is the CEO and chairman of Lazard, an international financial advisory and asset management firm. Previously, he served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget under Obama and as the director of the Congressional Budget Office.
