As the Democratic primary contest winner, Eric Adams is a virtual lock to be the next mayor of New York City. Adams is stirring up media attention by going after the socialist and anti-police factions of his party.
The New York Post reported last week on a speech made by Adams at a fundraising event co-hosted by a Republican NYC councilperson. Adams told attendees that his enemies are not in the Republican Party but are members of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Adams said, “I’m no longer running against candidates. I’m running against a movement. All across the country, the DSA socialists are mobilizing to stop Eric Adams. They realize that if I’m successful, we’re going to start the process of regaining controls of our cities.”
Adams didn’t mention Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) by name, but DSA proudly touts her as its “foremost socialist superstar.”
Adams was invited to a private meeting with Democratic members of New York’s congressional delegation the day after the New York Post report aired. Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez later informed reporters that Adams had been advised not to disparage Democrats.
Velazquez said, “I said I wanted to remind him that in the age of social media and communications, that we needed to be careful as to what we say and that it is important that we treated everyone with respect. I want for him to know that I am prepared to call people out.”
Ocasio-Cortez also provided a suggestive quote: “It is always a good idea for any mayor to respect all of the members that are responsible for representing the delegation, and not just to respect us as individuals but to respect the communities that we represent.”
Politico recently quoted Adams as saying, “Look at me, and you’re seeing the future of the Democratic Party. If the Democratic Party fails to recognize what we did here in New York, they’re going to have a problem in the midterm elections, and they’re going to have a problem in the presidential election.”
Adams’ campaign’s anti-socialist and pro-public safety direction set the tone early for his plans for the city.
At the speech last week, he also said of New Yorkers:
“You don’t believe you can go to Times Square and not have a 3 -year-old child shot. You don’t believe you take the subway system without having someone with mental health crises, who did not get the services they deserve, shove you on the subway track.”
“You don’t believe you can go to the Department of Buildings and have a damn permit issued so you can open your restaurant.”
“You don’t believe. But I’ll be damned you’re going to start believing when I become the mayor of the city.”
