A notable clash is unfolding in New York City, with Mayor Eric Adams confronting the disgraced former governor, Andrew Cuomo. Both are affiliated with the Democratic Party, yet they are not competing in the same primary, as Adams is running as an independent.Upon closer inspection, this seems to be a strategic move by a man confronted by damaged political networks overtaken by Cuomo's former allies. However, from a broader perspective, we can observe a significant shift within the Democratic Party, which is potentially setting the stage for a major clash in 2025, marking the beginning of an internal struggle.This isn’t a healthy division; Democrats like Adams were embraced by the party just a few years back.
Recall nine years ago (it feels like an eternity). Republicans were anxious. The bold and brash figure from Queens was Governor John "I am the Prince of Light!" Kasich (R-Ohio), and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) waged a frantic battle to regain momentum.At the same time, former President George W. Bush quietly pondered whether he would be the last president from his party, while discussions in DC were misguidedly focused on reconnecting with party members before the convention battle. Influential Republicans were discreetly looking for Democrats who might fracture their own party for future endeavors.Back then, individuals like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel (D) represented the ideal of the New Democrat. Amidst tensions with President Barack Obama’s transformative agenda driven by black leaders, Emmanuel's background incorporated notions of pragmatism, budget precautions, and law enforcement priorities.For those who advocated for an end to the Democratic hegemony, a split appeared inevitable. The consensus among them was that Americans were simply not <em><em>that</em></em> progressive. In this divide, figures like Andrew Cuomo would align with Emmanuel and similar leaders.Cuomo was aligned with the Clintons. Remember, in his early 30s, he was President Bill Clinton's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He leaned left during the New York Governor primary and was later entangled in an abortion fiasco but managed to secure the left-wing vote (and the primary against a "Sex and the City" actress who opposed his stance on illegal immigration and drugs but supported protecting unborn babies).However, the perceived triumph of neoliberal Secretary of State Hillary Clinton diminished the last remnants of the Democratic Party’s “moderate” factions. My observations were shifting. Issues like abortion, gender identity, and other contentious topics had ignited fervent debates, leaving little room for moderation. After enduring two politically taxing terms, Emmanuel sensed defeat looming and opted out of a third run.Then came Covid. And George Floyd. And soon after, a figure like Cuomo stated, "America was never great."The party that once sought to outline its future began to turn inwards, grappling with its own ideological drift as it became disconnected from fundamental realities, leading to unpopular views during its time in the White House.Adams is not an ideal candidate. He has a tendency to compare his adversaries to both Christ on the Cross and Adolf Hitler in the same breath. His interactions with law enforcement are complex, and his personal life has raised eyebrows, often leading to ridicule.Nevertheless, he has opposed President Joe Biden's stance on immigration, which led to a slew of unfounded attacks against him. Now, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://x.com/Breaking911/status/1907877218337845656" target="_blank">in his announcement address</a>, he often hears the voices of Trump supporters within the city's anticipated anti-government sentiments and criticisms of bail reform activists.This division does not reflect a healthy state of affairs. After all, Democrats like Adams were once embraced within the party just a few years ago. The New York Times' coverage from the summer of '21 highlighted his "diverse coalition." <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/nyregion/nyc-eric-adams-primary-results.html" target="_blank">Reports</a> indicated "his backing from unions and traditional Democratic alliances among black and Latino voters."Note: These are the very voters the Democrats are losing! Yet, they have criticized this man for not towing the party line. Now, a disgraced politician with a tarnished reputation is seeking to reclaim the presidency from his political exile.It’s intriguing to anticipate the outcome of this scenario, but it seems the next confrontation in the Democratic civil war is emerging, with moderation now a thing of the past.Flame News: Mayor Adams abandons his primary and sets sights on a "deep state"
Ruy Teixeira: Democratic delusions won’t disappear soon
The New York Times (2021): How Adams crafted a diverse coalition propelling him in the mayoral race
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