How Newsom can emulate Mamdani: Give voters a strong, positive message

One takeaway from last week’s elections: The role model for California Gov. Gavin Newsom as he runs for president should be New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

- GEORGE SKELTON COLUMNIST CAPITOL JOURNAL

YUKI IWAMURA Associated Press NEW YORK Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, shown giving his victory speech, was aided by charisma, authenticity and a message of hope.

Actually, Mamdani should be emulated not only by Newsom but by Democrats running for office anywhere.

Neither Newsom, of course, nor any candidate outside the most leftist burgs in America should wear the label “democratic socialist,” as Mamdani calls himself. That would frighten too many voters.

But what does appeal to voters — and always has in America — is a strong, positive message of hope. People like to think that a candidate understands their daily troubles and has a vision of how to make their lives better.

Mamdani is a 34-year-old Ugandan-born Muslim of Indian descent and a backbench New York state assemblyman who the political experts would never figure to win a top-tier elective post such as New York mayor. But he has charisma, exudes authenticity and fills voters with hope.

OK, some of his campaign promises are undeliverable, even in liberal New York: free bus service, free child care and city-run grocery stores. But I suspect many voters didn’t take those pledges literally. It was the boldness and commitment to change for their betterment that drew people to him.

It's a message framework that has been a winner throughout history.

Franklin D. Roosevelt promised "a new deal for the American people" and gave them hope with his radio fireside chats during the Great Depression.