Even though some Democrats on the national stage seemed to dodge associating with openly socialist New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, former President Barack Obama called him on the phone.
The phone call was first reported in a New York Times opinion piece by Mara Gay.
Former Obama aide Jeffrey Lerner is the communications director for the Mamdani campaign, and told the Times, “Much like my former boss, Zohran embodies thoughtful leadership, moral courage, and a unique ability to inspire hope in those who’ve been left behind by politics as usual.”
The Times also reported that former Obama advisor David Axelrod met with Mamdani. He told the Times: “You may not agree with every answer he’s giving, or every idea he has, but he’s certainly asking the right questions, which is how do we make the country work for working people?”
The Times reported that after the June Democrat Party mayoral primary, Obama “offered him advice about governing and discussed the importance of giving people hope in a dark time.”
The Times headline noted, “Some Democrats Panicked Over Mamdani. Obama Called Him.”
While some Democrats have been cautious, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have strongly endorsed Mamdani.
Mamdani, a state Assembly member and the Democrat Party nominee for mayor, leads in the race against disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Guardian Angel founder Curtis Sliwa. Cuomo and Adams are running as independents. Sliwa is the Republican Party nominee.
Although Obama hasn’t publicly endorsed Mamdani, New York-based Democratic strategist Max Burns told the Washington Examiner the call could be a signal for the Democrat Party establishment.
“Obama doesn’t make decisions lightly,” Burn said. “If he’s comfortable letting his name be linked to Mamdani so directly, it’s a good indication that we should expect some more establishment names to come out for Mamdani in the coming weeks.”
Burns added, “It’s a big blow to Cuomo, who would have really preferred Obama keep being too busy to comment.”
Mamdani has called for government-run grocery stores, city-financed transgender surgeries, and numerous other “free” services for New York City residents if elected.
