Chronicle poll results: Mamdani’s past vs. recent rhetoric
We asked our readers how important is a candidate’s past rhetoric versus their more recent rhetoric? Here's what they said.
Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “In evaluating Zohran Mamdani’s record regarding antisemitism, how important is a candidate’s past rhetoric versus their more recent rhetoric?” Of the 256 people who responded, 28% said past rhetoric is more important than recent rhetoric; 9% said recent rhetoric is more important than past rhetoric; 59% said both matter equally; 2% said neither matters much; and 2% said they were unsure. Comments were submitted by 73 people. A few follow.
I’m always suspicious when rhetoric changes. Usually it’s to get votes.
Recent rhetoric has been sanitized for the campaign. People can and do really change, but sudden changes are suspect. Absent evidence of real personal change, past behavior establishes a trend line and we should look at where that line leads.
In this particular case the Trump-inspired Republicans are using fears of antisemitism to advance their regressive social agenda. More Jews will benefit more by the New York envisioned by Mamdani than will be harmed by it.
For a candidate, saying what will get them elected is less important than what was said when they were not looking for votes.
What about Cuomo’s past actions as opposed to rhetoric, in which he sexually harassed 13 women and caused senior citizen deaths in nursing homes during the COVID crisis? Mamdani is a breath of fresh air in comparison.
It’s a question of whether the individual has changed their rhetoric because of how they want to appear, or whether they have changed their views. How can we possibly know which is true?
Hold politicians accountable for every word they’ve ever uttered officially in public.
Believe what he said when he wasn’t running for mayor.
Mamdani becoming the mayor of NYC would be utterly disastrous for Jews everywhere, not just there: He exemplifies the mainstreaming of Jew hate, thinly but slickly disguised as anti-Zionism.
It bears repeating that support for Palestinian rights and opposition to Israel is not the same as antisemitism.
An antisemite never changes his stripes. PJC
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