Lucas: Healey, Wu aren’t joining Trump’s buddy list
In a recent article, the author reflects on the contrasting political strategies of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu compared to the newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. While Healey and Wu, both progressive Democrats, have chosen to distance themselves from former President Donald Trump, opting instead to rally their left-wing base with anti-Trump rhetoric, Mamdani has taken a more pragmatic approach. Despite his previous criticisms of Trump, labeling him a “fascist” and a “despot,” Mamdani recognized the importance of collaboration for the benefit of New York City and reached out to Trump for assistance. This strategic pivot highlights a significant difference in political tactics, suggesting that while some leaders prioritize party alignment and ideological purity, others are willing to set aside differences to achieve tangible results for their constituents.
Mamdani’s meeting with Trump marks a notable moment in political discourse, as it demonstrates the potential for bipartisan cooperation even among ideologically opposed leaders. The young mayor, who campaigned on a platform of progressive ideals, realized that to implement his ambitious plans—such as free daycare and city-run grocery stores—he would need support from the federal government. In a surprising turn, Mamdani sought Trump’s help, focusing on common ground such as affordability issues while sidestepping contentious topics like immigration enforcement and law enforcement policies. This willingness to engage with Trump, despite the backlash from some within his party, exemplifies a pragmatic approach to governance that prioritizes the needs of the city over partisan politics.
The article suggests that Healey and Wu could learn from Mamdani’s example, as their refusal to engage with Trump may ultimately hinder their ability to address pressing issues in Massachusetts. The author argues that the politics of one-party dominance in the state often overshadow policy considerations, leading to a cycle of political posturing rather than effective governance. As the political landscape continues to evolve, leaders who prioritize collaboration and practical solutions may find greater success in serving their constituents, regardless of party affiliation. Mamdani’s bold move to engage with Trump could serve as a blueprint for other progressive leaders, urging them to consider the benefits of cooperation over confrontation in the pursuit of effective governance.
That could have been Maura Healey or Michelle Wu standing beside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office the other day.
All Governor Healey and Boston Mayor Wu had to do was pick up the phone, call the White House and ask for an appointment the way Zohran Mamdani did.
Trump meets with everyone, including war criminals like Vladimir Putin.
But they won’t. The pair of Democrat progressives would rather “stand up” to Trump — and appease their left-wing base — than work with him to benefit their larger constituencies, meaning the city and the state.
Wu, in fact, arrogantly insists that she has no interest in a “bromance” with Trump.
In one-party Democratic Massachusetts, politics beats policy every time. And the politics call for Democratic office holders to hurl hate bombs against Trump no matter the consequences.
What will they do when Trump is gone?
Mamdani, the brash 34-year-old mayor-elect of New York City, and a Democratic Socialist to boot, threw the same hate bombs at Trump in his campaign for mayor.
He called Trump everything from a fascist to a despot.
“We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks,” Mamdani said in his belligerent victory speech.
Trump, not to be outdone in the insult department, called Mamdani, among other things, “a nut job” and a “lunatic” communist. He would have labeled him “Moscow Mamdani” had he thought of it.
But a funny thing happened that changed everything.
Mamdani was elected.
He then realized that he needed help to run the biggest city in the country and keep people safe.
So, after brutally attacking the New York police, he first asked Jessica Tisch, the effective law-and-order police commissioner, to stay on the job and promised to keep the number of cops at their present level.
Then Mamdani realized that he needed help to pay for all the free stuff he, like a true socialist, promised, things like free day care, free buses, city-run grocery stores, and so on.
But, instead of reaching out to other Democratic Socialists, like Sen. Bernie Sanders or Sen. Elizabeth Warren, for instance, who offer nothing but socialist platitudes, he reached out to Republican President Donald Trump, the capitalist who can do things for him and for New York.
It was a shrewd maneuver on his part, and for Trump as well. Three months ago, nobody knew who Mamdani was, and here he was in the White House meeting with the most powerful man in the world.
The socialist had come hat in hand asking the capitalist for help.
The key to the success of the meeting was that the pair discussed what they could agree on — helping New York on affordability issues — while ignoring what they differed on, like ICE rounding up criminal illegal immigrants, law and order, Israel, protecting Jews in New York, and Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the Intifada.
While Mamdani stood by a seated Trump, like pupil and teacher, Trump said, “Some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have.”
“We’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York,” Trump said.
While Mamdani faces criticism from militant Trump-hating socialists for cozying up to Trump, it was a bold move on his part. Mamdani put the policy of helping New York over the politics of hating Trump.
Others should follow suit.
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas can be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com.
Mayor Michelle Wu, seen here as she arrived with this year’s Christmas tree from Nova Scotia, has said “I’m not interested in a bromance with the federal regime.” (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald) .
