If you’re looking for hope, I really think Javier Mabry (and a few other Denver state reps) is the future of the Colorado democratic party! He was my rep and he hasn’t been wrong on any issues in my book. Tenant rights lawyer, was behind the recent pro-union bill (that Polis vetoed), very outspokenly pro-Palestine and against the dem establishment.
I recognize the name but haven’t looked into any of the policy stances. I will definitely do that.
Polis has been a real treasure 🙄
Every time a glimmer of progress rears its head, Jared steps on it.
That prick was only slightly less annoying when he was responsible for those terrible electronic greeting cards. His policy moves generate that same terrible video game failure arpeggio in my head every time he crushes good legislation.
"While I’m under no illusions that this means that the Democratic Party is reformable, even I, a communist, can understand the significance of this win and what it means for the fight against Israel and for economic justice everywhere." This, along with your point about how this isn't about Mamdani himself and how big of a blow this is to the Israel/Zionist lobby, in my mind really hammers home the broader picture and implications from this win. Mamdani is able to play the role of the charismatic, well-equipped public face to deliver the message of this campaign: people are tired of the politics of the past and are ready to transform into something better for us all. 50,000 volunteers, over 1 million doors knocked, countless phone calls and emails is organic, genuine, grass-roots energy that can be contagious and palpable when channeled and directed effectively.
"But that isn’t the important part of the story. What matters is that the Israel lobby and its lackeys suffered a devastating blow." Not only was this a blow to the Democratic establishment and all of it's depraved and belligerent lackeys, this was also a MASSIVE middle finger to the Israel/Zionist lobby and their ability to tar and feather candidates beyond repair. All of the insanely racist attempts to pin Zohran down failed spectacularly and ended up working against them. Your point about who could come after Zohran to keep taking those next steps is a really exciting one as well: "This has opened a space for someone even bolder, even braver, to speak the truth rather than cower before AIPAC. There is finally a visible horizon for mandatory political support for Israel."
The night is darkest just before the dawn but it seems like, finally, the dawn may finally be coming. We absolutely can celebrate this as a meaningful moment, but we should simultaneously recognize that the work is FAR from over and that there are many battles for us left to fight. The establishment won't go quietly into that goodnight. We must maintain this pressure, expand upon it, and give no room for the likes of the Democratic and Republican establishments to try and creep their ways back into the fold. The path before us now is becoming clearer - time to keep breaking free from our chains and reclaim our futures!
I always love reading what you write Scarlet. Keep up the phenomenal work and thank you again for another fantastic and hope-filled read!
I think we have to try to learn from the mistakes of Bernie and not expect one guy to lead us to the promised land. It's up to us to do something with that nascent political activation, otherwise when he inevitably lets us down it'll zap all that energy from the movement. We have an opening to bring people in and I hope we take it. For now, I'll enjoy all the Zionist tears.
Yeah absolutely. Emphasizing this moment being bigger than Zohran is how we can begin to learn from the mistakes of Bernie. It's never about a single person, but rather the movement they're able to help foster via the energy of politically activated and malleable people seeking a better world. Zohran will ultimately struggle to combat the capitalist bureaucracy that I've seen impact my own mayor here in Chicago (albeit far from the same situation but still reminds me of it). The more we can see these campaigns happen all across the country, the better chance we stand of ridding ourselves of our duopoly and actually building a movement that puts us people and workers first. The Zionist tears are one of the most enjoyable parts about this moment. We gotta relish in those when we can!
I hear your arguments, and they make sense in my head, but I can’t muster the will to believe it. I know that’s not a good thing. I know it’s not useful, but I just can’t.
Winning an election is one thing. The real challenge is actually governing. Trying to implement policies and navigate a media class who will do everything in their power to destroy you. A party apparatus that will not defend you in anyway and instead actively undermine you.
I don’t know how much will even be achieved and there is a very real possibility Zohran will be seen as a complete failure who over promised and underdelivered. That even his far from radical policies will be see as pie in the sky Utopianism. That he will be a rallying cry of the liberal establishment as to why the left needs to shut the fuck up. Status quo is the only thing that works. You all better line up so we can fuck you even harder. Get in the conga line down to get fuckedville population your ass.
I wish I had the hope and optimism to believe this will work out but I don’t. I don’t even have faith that Mamdani will stick to his principles. Momentum is one thing but if that momentum isn’t used effectively, none of it matters. If Mamdani fails, it could take years to clear the miasma that will cloud the political landscape. God knows the ruling class will be kicking into maximum overdrive to make it happen.
I do want you to be right. Fuck, I hope I’m wrong. Hopefully the worsening material conditions, alongside the shattering of the wests image as having any shred of decency, will make the status who impossible to maintain. There is something in the air, I just don’t know if anything good will come of it. I’m sorry, I wish I could have hope.
I hear you and totally understand that feeling. What I think is our task as socialists is to wrest this new base from reformism and bring them into struggle. We've been given an opening. We should also try to run independent candidates who are willing to tell the truth about Israel because there's proof you can do that and win. Arguably, the failure of the bernie movement was not taking those people and funneling them into real mass politics. All that untapped potential just left there. We as socialists need to not make that mistake again. I think it's undeniable that he will disappoint but this is about what the public wants and what the public believes. Watching them turn on Zionism and towards "socialism"(even if it's not real socialism) is an opportunity to engage with people willing to hear you.
Yeah, you’re right. I can’t speak to Mamdani’s personal beliefs but he certainly didn’t run as a socialist. Wishful thinking would be that he tempered his rhetoric in favor of electability. I don’t doubt he did that to some degree but I don’t have faith in candidates, I have faith in movements. Hearing him say Israel has a right to exist makes me throw up a little bit.
Regardless his potential failures will be our burden. It’s up to us to maintain that momentum and channel it into something worth a damn. To radicalize people further. To bring real socialism. Thanks for the piece Scarlet.
Nice analysis. As something of an anarcho-socialist, I agree. If Mamdani can win the general election, and I think he can as more and more evidence of Israeli depravity comes out, it could be the beginning of the end of AIPAC's power over our politics.
Anyone positing the Republicans v Democrats doesn't understand that they are all on the same page, executing on the same position papers written by the same think tanks that are funded by the same gangster corporations. NYC Dems just voted for another gangster-run candidate. Somewhere in his portfolio of positions is a reference to think tank papers where you will find who runs him. This is the way the Empire works and has always worked.
I've really enjoyed seeing democrats take all the wrong lessons from this election. Zohran shows the importance of short-form video! The popularity of the Abundance agenda! The value of charisma! etc. etc.
They are physically incapable of admitting anything he is promising is actually what people want.
And also I love all of those same people who were saying there was no way he would win (all the way up until he did) now being like, "oh, you're shocked a democratic socialist could win in an East Coast progressive city against a scandal ridden opponent? 🙄"
Well argued…
Meantime, we’re still getting this crap rammed down our throats in Colorado
And our Rep just laps it up, despite the fact that he knows better
https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/25/opinion-boulder-attack-jewish-community-support/
The tides are turning but it won't be all at once sadly
If you’re looking for hope, I really think Javier Mabry (and a few other Denver state reps) is the future of the Colorado democratic party! He was my rep and he hasn’t been wrong on any issues in my book. Tenant rights lawyer, was behind the recent pro-union bill (that Polis vetoed), very outspokenly pro-Palestine and against the dem establishment.
Thank you.
I recognize the name but haven’t looked into any of the policy stances. I will definitely do that.
Polis has been a real treasure 🙄
Every time a glimmer of progress rears its head, Jared steps on it.
That prick was only slightly less annoying when he was responsible for those terrible electronic greeting cards. His policy moves generate that same terrible video game failure arpeggio in my head every time he crushes good legislation.
Polis has been my opp for 5 years, I’m so glad the progressives are showing everyone who he really is!
Along those lines:
https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/26/colorado-governor-polis-ice-subpoena-judge-ruling
In every aspect of Colorado politics and media representation…
With the exception of one brave and intelligent Boulder City Council member (Tayisha Adams)
The Zionism goes hard (Polis, Bennet, Neguse, etc.).
Hickenlooper tries to walk shit back every once in a while, but when he gets called on it, his house of cards crumbles completely.
The next election cycle is going to be a dark exercise.
Gen Z is super sour on the CO Dem establishment. We’ll see.
"While I’m under no illusions that this means that the Democratic Party is reformable, even I, a communist, can understand the significance of this win and what it means for the fight against Israel and for economic justice everywhere." This, along with your point about how this isn't about Mamdani himself and how big of a blow this is to the Israel/Zionist lobby, in my mind really hammers home the broader picture and implications from this win. Mamdani is able to play the role of the charismatic, well-equipped public face to deliver the message of this campaign: people are tired of the politics of the past and are ready to transform into something better for us all. 50,000 volunteers, over 1 million doors knocked, countless phone calls and emails is organic, genuine, grass-roots energy that can be contagious and palpable when channeled and directed effectively.
"But that isn’t the important part of the story. What matters is that the Israel lobby and its lackeys suffered a devastating blow." Not only was this a blow to the Democratic establishment and all of it's depraved and belligerent lackeys, this was also a MASSIVE middle finger to the Israel/Zionist lobby and their ability to tar and feather candidates beyond repair. All of the insanely racist attempts to pin Zohran down failed spectacularly and ended up working against them. Your point about who could come after Zohran to keep taking those next steps is a really exciting one as well: "This has opened a space for someone even bolder, even braver, to speak the truth rather than cower before AIPAC. There is finally a visible horizon for mandatory political support for Israel."
The night is darkest just before the dawn but it seems like, finally, the dawn may finally be coming. We absolutely can celebrate this as a meaningful moment, but we should simultaneously recognize that the work is FAR from over and that there are many battles for us left to fight. The establishment won't go quietly into that goodnight. We must maintain this pressure, expand upon it, and give no room for the likes of the Democratic and Republican establishments to try and creep their ways back into the fold. The path before us now is becoming clearer - time to keep breaking free from our chains and reclaim our futures!
I always love reading what you write Scarlet. Keep up the phenomenal work and thank you again for another fantastic and hope-filled read!
I think we have to try to learn from the mistakes of Bernie and not expect one guy to lead us to the promised land. It's up to us to do something with that nascent political activation, otherwise when he inevitably lets us down it'll zap all that energy from the movement. We have an opening to bring people in and I hope we take it. For now, I'll enjoy all the Zionist tears.
Yeah absolutely. Emphasizing this moment being bigger than Zohran is how we can begin to learn from the mistakes of Bernie. It's never about a single person, but rather the movement they're able to help foster via the energy of politically activated and malleable people seeking a better world. Zohran will ultimately struggle to combat the capitalist bureaucracy that I've seen impact my own mayor here in Chicago (albeit far from the same situation but still reminds me of it). The more we can see these campaigns happen all across the country, the better chance we stand of ridding ourselves of our duopoly and actually building a movement that puts us people and workers first. The Zionist tears are one of the most enjoyable parts about this moment. We gotta relish in those when we can!
I hear your arguments, and they make sense in my head, but I can’t muster the will to believe it. I know that’s not a good thing. I know it’s not useful, but I just can’t.
Winning an election is one thing. The real challenge is actually governing. Trying to implement policies and navigate a media class who will do everything in their power to destroy you. A party apparatus that will not defend you in anyway and instead actively undermine you.
I don’t know how much will even be achieved and there is a very real possibility Zohran will be seen as a complete failure who over promised and underdelivered. That even his far from radical policies will be see as pie in the sky Utopianism. That he will be a rallying cry of the liberal establishment as to why the left needs to shut the fuck up. Status quo is the only thing that works. You all better line up so we can fuck you even harder. Get in the conga line down to get fuckedville population your ass.
I wish I had the hope and optimism to believe this will work out but I don’t. I don’t even have faith that Mamdani will stick to his principles. Momentum is one thing but if that momentum isn’t used effectively, none of it matters. If Mamdani fails, it could take years to clear the miasma that will cloud the political landscape. God knows the ruling class will be kicking into maximum overdrive to make it happen.
I do want you to be right. Fuck, I hope I’m wrong. Hopefully the worsening material conditions, alongside the shattering of the wests image as having any shred of decency, will make the status who impossible to maintain. There is something in the air, I just don’t know if anything good will come of it. I’m sorry, I wish I could have hope.
I hear you and totally understand that feeling. What I think is our task as socialists is to wrest this new base from reformism and bring them into struggle. We've been given an opening. We should also try to run independent candidates who are willing to tell the truth about Israel because there's proof you can do that and win. Arguably, the failure of the bernie movement was not taking those people and funneling them into real mass politics. All that untapped potential just left there. We as socialists need to not make that mistake again. I think it's undeniable that he will disappoint but this is about what the public wants and what the public believes. Watching them turn on Zionism and towards "socialism"(even if it's not real socialism) is an opportunity to engage with people willing to hear you.
Yeah, you’re right. I can’t speak to Mamdani’s personal beliefs but he certainly didn’t run as a socialist. Wishful thinking would be that he tempered his rhetoric in favor of electability. I don’t doubt he did that to some degree but I don’t have faith in candidates, I have faith in movements. Hearing him say Israel has a right to exist makes me throw up a little bit.
Regardless his potential failures will be our burden. It’s up to us to maintain that momentum and channel it into something worth a damn. To radicalize people further. To bring real socialism. Thanks for the piece Scarlet.
I want my country back.
Any blow to Zionism is welcomed!
Nice analysis. As something of an anarcho-socialist, I agree. If Mamdani can win the general election, and I think he can as more and more evidence of Israeli depravity comes out, it could be the beginning of the end of AIPAC's power over our politics.
Surely a good thing.
Anyone positing the Republicans v Democrats doesn't understand that they are all on the same page, executing on the same position papers written by the same think tanks that are funded by the same gangster corporations. NYC Dems just voted for another gangster-run candidate. Somewhere in his portfolio of positions is a reference to think tank papers where you will find who runs him. This is the way the Empire works and has always worked.
A significant win but I think you are overstating its importance. After the second win and certainly the third, we will know.
November!
I've really enjoyed seeing democrats take all the wrong lessons from this election. Zohran shows the importance of short-form video! The popularity of the Abundance agenda! The value of charisma! etc. etc.
They are physically incapable of admitting anything he is promising is actually what people want.
And also I love all of those same people who were saying there was no way he would win (all the way up until he did) now being like, "oh, you're shocked a democratic socialist could win in an East Coast progressive city against a scandal ridden opponent? 🙄"
They have no shame!