14 Comments
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Susan's avatar

I thought of you, Bess, last night when his race was called. He’s an impressive man and his speech was electrifying. It would be wonderful if he could accomplish even some of his goals. Finally we get some real wins!

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Bob Morris's avatar

For the first time in too long, I’m feeling pretty darn optimistic.

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Linda Blatnik's avatar

Thank you for talking a strong stance for Mamdani and the Palestinians. I know and appreciate the fight you are in. I was contacted by a Rabbi in my immigrant justice group,

whom I do not know. He told me he would leave our group if I didn't stop sending petitions for the Palestinians using the word genocide. I told him I would keep sending them; he could sign or not. I also stated I sincerely doubted his commitment to immigrants if my support of the Palestinians affected

it. Of course, during the course of the conversation,

he mentioned anti-semitism. All my Jewish friends express the same feelings you do, Bess. The evidence is there. Mamdani gives me hope now.

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TPWK's avatar

I was in Chicago the night Obama won his first presidential election and the air was just electric. I'll never forget that feeling. You describe it so well, Beth. I'm glad that New Yorkers had the chance to experience that sense of radical community aliveness, and I feel hopeful although thousand of miles away.

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Jane Pence's avatar

When they called it for Mamdani last night, one of my first thoughts was that I hoped you would have a post today, the day after the wonderful victory, and you nailed it. Hope.....there is hope. Last night was a great night for so many, which gives me hope that we can survive all this and that people will turn out to vote in the midterms to right this ship. It won't be easy, but there is hope.

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Meredith Holmes's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for writing so vividly I feel like I was there -- part of the celebration. Out here in the hinterlands, we ousted a bad mayor and elected a good one, and we all feel the hard-won joy of the people of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

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Jessica Reaves's avatar

Thank you, Bess, for your beautiful, insightful and compassionate writing about this campaign. I’ve been so appalled by the attacks on Mamdani, the stubborn, sometimes

bigoted unwillingness to HEAR what he is saying (vs what his detractors think/suspect he has said). Absolutely thrilled for New York — and reveling, along with all of you, in this rare moment of joy.

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Nicole Barlass's avatar

Beautifully written, Bess!

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Alex's avatar

There were swastikas painted on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn this morning. He needs to condemn that. He also NEEDS to keep Jessica Tisch on at the NYPD, because she’s the most powerful Jewish woman in NYC and she’s damn good at her job. That’s how he makes inroads with my nervous Jewish friends and family.

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Bess Kalb's avatar

He is keeping Tisch on. And that’s in his speech.

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Alex's avatar

Good. I was skeptical because of his supporters who may not like the what Tisch family represents

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Rosie Neitzel's avatar

I am in awe of your writing. You are able to put into words the thoughts and hopes I have in my heart and my mind. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Joy is a perfect description of how I feel.

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Ayanda's avatar

🥺🥺🥺

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Lauren's avatar

So excited for New Yorkers today! It’s great to see democracy at its best.

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