WASHINGTON — Lefty California Rep. Ro Khanna has informed The Put up that socialist New York Metropolis Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is just too radical even for him on at the very least one main difficulty — his commie economics.
Khanna, a self-described “progressive capitalist,” mentioned in an unique interview Monday that Mamdani went too far by expressing help for “seizing the technique of manufacturing” as lately as 2021 and claimed he “strongly disagreed” with the notion.
“I consider, clearly, in innovation and free enterprise,” Khanna mentioned.
Nonetheless, the California Dem insisted Gotham will fare simply superb economically beneath Mamdani’s management, though he mentioned he already warned the incoming mayor to face crime head-on — and to “go overboard’’ in reassuring Jewish residents he’ll shield them.
“I feel the most important place — and I’ve informed him this straight — that he can’t mess up is on crime,” Khanna mentioned, including that he urged Mamdani to reassure NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch that his time period received’t ignore public-safety points.
Mamdani denied whereas campaigning that he nonetheless supported “defunding the police” however has since tapped a lefty political strategist who backs the anti-cop motion.
Former prime brass on the NYPD warned earlier than the election that officers could even start fleeing the power if Mamdani received.
Influential metropolis rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, in a chilling sermon after the election, additionally claimed Mamdani’s victory may “severely threaten Jewish security in all places within the metropolis.”
“I feel he must go overboard in assuring the Jewish-American group they’re going to be secure,” Khanna mentioned of Mamdani, who has been accused of being an antisemite.
However Khanna sought to reassure voters that he expects Mamdani can be a “pragmatic” mayor in Gracie Mansion — and resist being overly “ideological.
“His election was a sea change in what’s electable,” the Silicon Valley Democrat mentioned. “I imply, if a man like him can win, wow. I didn’t assume he would win. … I did after the first.”
Mamdani’s platform centered on problems with affordability and the financial system, with marketing campaign guarantees to subsidize government-run grocery shops, freeze rents and canopy bus fares for New Yorkers — all whereas elevating taxes on companies by as much as 11.5% yearly.
“New York goes to be nice. I imply, it’s the monetary capital of the world,” Khanna mentioned, claiming Mamdani was “not speaking about controlling the monetary capital or tech corporations.
“He’s saying, ‘Look, folks have to get hire that they will’t afford. Folks have to have childcare that they will afford. Folks have to have meals that they will afford.’
“I name myself an FDR Democrat,” Khanna mentioned.
“I name myself a progressive capitalist. I consider in ethical capitalism. However I consider that it has not been working for too many Individuals proper now.”
