This week, Reason editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson to analyze Zohran Mamdani’s primary win over Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s mayoral race and what it signals about the future of Democratic politics. They also discuss the Senate GOP’s version of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and how Republican views on gay marriage have shifted since the Obergefell decision in 2015. Finally, a listener question prompts a discussion on Modern Monetary Theory and the risks it poses from a libertarian perspective.
0:00—What does it mean to be a party pollster?
2:53—Socialist Mamdani wins NYC Democratic primary
11:59—The politics of the housing crisis
15:18—The abundance agenda and Mamdani
21:15—Mamdani as the Trump of the left
27:07—Listener question on Modern Monetary Theory
37:15—Senate GOP version of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”
42:45—Republican voters shift on gay marriage
48:28—Is the GOP more libertarian under Trump?
50:28—Chances Trump might prove us wrong on Iran strategy
54:22—Weekly cultural recommendations
Mentioned in the podcast
“On Housing, All New York Politicians Are Socialists,” by Christian Britschgi
“Libya, End Zone Taunting, and the Success Curse,” by Matt Welch
“Sovereignty Is Such a Lonely Word,” by Matt Welch
Upcoming Reason Events
The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC!, July 15
The Soho Forum Debate: Jacob Hacker vs. David Goldhill, July 16
Today’s Sponsors:
Future of Freedom: If you’re tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you’re looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty, then it’s time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here’s the twist: This isn’t a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you’re ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom wherever you get your podcasts.
- Producer: Paul Alexander
- Video Editor: Ian Keyser
