The people of New York City have elected a mayor who is unlike any of his more recent predecessors. In many ways, he is more like the City’s most famous mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Mayor Eric Adams has the panache and flamboyance of LaGuardia – a snappy dressing populist. In his first days in office, Adams rode to work on public transportation – witnessing a crime from his elevated platform. On Another occasion, he rode to work on a bicycle.
Adams is a high-energy vegan who admittedly burns the candle at both ends – rises early to start his busy workday and likes to “hang out” with the boys on occasional evenings. But he is also a family man of the modern culture. He has a “domestic partner” – Tracey Collins, Senior Youth Development Director for the New York Department of Education – and one son.
Like La Guardia, Adams is an anti-establishment reformer. He is a departure from the stereotypical progressive types that have ruled over the Big Apple for more than 60 years — and who only see themselves as reformers. The progression toward radicalism from the left reached its apex with Adams’ predecessor Bill de Blasio. Adams is, in many ways, the anti-de Blasio.
To earn the right to move into Gracie Mansion, Adams had to defeat the progressive old guard. His opponents included such establishment and far-left personalities as New York Sanitary Commissioner Kathryn Garcia and former de Blasio aide and MSNBC panelist Maya Wiley. At the onset of the campaign, pundits gave Adams little chance to win the race. His tough on crime and pro-police positions were anathematic to the New York Intelligentsia and ruling class. His victory was a surprise if not a total shock to them.
Adams is a fresh departure from the angry scolding politicians who dominate the current environment. His almost constant broad smile beams confidence and trust. His speeches are filled with hope and optimism. The man has something sorely lacking in today’s political scene — charisma.
From his recent appearances on television, Adams is shaping up as one of the more effective and persuasive public speakers. He does not equivocate. He makes sense. When questioned – or even challenged — on his position of in-classroom learning, Adams clearly and persuasively makes his point. In New York City, the children will be in school – not only because of the damage done by keeping them out, but because the data shows that they are safer from Covid in school than at home.
Adams is one of those folks who seem to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. CNN Briana Taylor learned that in her interview with Adams. She tried to challenge his school position. Adams shot back that she was wrong … period. With his ever-present smile, he said that we have got to stop scaring the children with sensationalized reports.
There are probably no greater qualities that benefits a politician than credibility and instilling confidence – and Adams has both of those in abundance. Of course, he is new to the office, so we will have to see how he does in the long run.
Democrats may have a superstar in the making. His political magnetism is already influencing the orbits of the left-wing solar system. He has people like Al Sharpton talking more about the need for law enforcement than defunding or demeaning the profession. Adams is more in line with where America is trending and many Democrats know it – except for those on the far left who represent the center-of-gravity in the Party.
The only thing that could make me like this guy more is if he was a Republican. But I will take his mostly conservative “Republican” political philosophy even without an “R” after his name.
So, there ‘tis.