In a recent appearance on Fox News' "Hannity," Newt Gingrich, the former Republican House Speaker, expressed his belief that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will inevitably endorse Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat New York mayoral nominee.
Despite Mamdani's self-proclaimed socialist ideology, Gingrich argues that the Democratic leaders will have no choice but to back him, given his victory in the party's primary election.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Mamdani's triumph in the Democratic mayoral primary has sparked a mix of reactions within the party. While some Democrats have openly supported the socialist nominee, others have remained hesitant to offer their endorsements.
During the Fox News segment, host Sean Hannity questioned Gingrich about Schumer's potential apprehension in confronting the "radical rise" within his party, especially as his popularity wanes in comparison to Democrat New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Gingrich responded, "No, I think that Schumers problem is that hes both out of his time, 20 years behind the real world, and he looks it, and he feels it, and hes not getting anything done. But in addition, Hakeem Jeffries problem is you do an eight hour and 40-minute filibuster as though youre in the Senate. Nothing changes."
Gingrich further predicted that both Jeffries and Schumer would ultimately endorse Mamdani, stating, "My prediction is theyre both going to endorse Mamdani. Now, at that point, the two top Washington leaders of the Democratic Party will have accepted a Marxist, socialist, radical left winger as the titular head of their party in a way that I think is going to put them into a tiny minority, maybe for a generation."
The nomination of Mamdani has not only stirred controversy among Republicans but has also caused a divide within the Democratic Party. His policy proposals, such as increasing taxes on affluent neighborhoods and his reluctance to denounce the phrase "globalize the intifada," have been met with skepticism by some lawmakers. Former Democrat New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, however, has lauded Mamdani as the future of the party, arguing that the term socialism has been unfairly "weaponized" as an "anti-American" slur.
Conversely, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has voiced his opposition, asserting that Mamdani is not "even really a Democrat" and expressing disagreement with nearly all of his political platform. Gingrich emphasized the predicament faced by Democratic leaders, stating, "How do they avoid it? He won the Democratic primary. He is their nominee."
In June, both Jeffries and Schumer issued statements commending Mamdani's campaign following his nomination, indicating their intention to meet with him. Despite their apparent reservations about Mamdani's controversial rhetoric, such as his refusal to denounce "globalize the intifada," the potential for their endorsement remains, as noted by Politico.
This development underscores the ongoing tension within the Democratic Party as it grapples with its ideological direction and leadership.
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