Latest news with #BasilSmikle
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democratic lawmakers pushing for Trump admin to release Epstein files
There are growing calls from the MAGA base and Democratic lawmakers for the Department of Justice to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Democratic strategist Basil Smikle and Republican strategist Susan Del Percio join Ana Cabrera to share their political analysis on people from both sides of the aisle focusing on the Epstein case.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Democrats need to stop trying to be influencers.' Cameron Kasky on Dems' Project 2026 strategy
Democrats are hoping to take advantage of public backlash against Trump's budget law for the midterm elections. This includes House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaking of a Dem Project 2026 plan. But, is that going to be enough? MSNBC Political Analyst Basil Smikle and The Bulwark's Cameron Kasky join The Weekend Primetime to discuss what Democrats need to do to win back voters going into 2026.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The pain that is about to come': The reality of Trump's mega-bill takes hold
With Donald Trump set to sign his tax mega-bill into law, the race is now on to define this legislation in the eyes of the American people. On one hand, Americans who know about it don't seem to like it very much. The question is: how many Americans are even aware of it? Peter Baker, Sam Stein, and Basil Smikle join Symone Sanders Townsend on The 11th Hour.
The Independent
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Another politician who demanded Cuomo resign as governor now endorses him for NYC mayor
A growing number of Democrats who called on Andrew Cuomo to resign as governor amid sexual harassment allegations are now backing his comeback bid for New York City mayor -- including one of his opponents in the race. On Friday, state Sen. Jessica Ramos became the latest to flip-flop on Cuomo and endorse him, casting the former governor as the candidate best suited to run the city. 'We need results, we need experience and someone who knows how to deliver under pressure,' she said at a press conference held by the Cuomo campaign in Manhattan. Though she is backing Cuomo, Ramos said she will remain in the race to advocate for 'higher wages, more housing, and a stronger voice for working people.' The reversal from Ramos, who had called on Cuomo to resign in 2021, came just months after she described him a 'corrupt bully' who 'brings nothing to this race but baggage" when he entered the race. With her endorsement, Ramos joined lawmakers such as Rep. Adriano Espaillat, state Assembly member and Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, along with others who have changed positions on Cuomo and now welcome his leadership ahead of the city's Democratic primary later this month. 'There are a lot of elected officials that have decided they want to look past any bad behavior because they want to look at more immediate needs,' said Basil Smikle, a Democratic political strategist and professor at Columbia University. 'They seem him as a strong person. They probably think he's the only one that can push back against Donald Trump.' Cuomo left office after the state attorney general released a report that determined he sexually harassed at least 11 women. He has said he did not intentionally mistreat the women but had instead fallen behind what was considered appropriate workplace conduct, while at the same criticizing the pressure for his ouster politically motivated. For Cuomo, securing the endorsements of those who once castigated him could ease voter concerns about his past scandals and bolster his long-held thesis that he was wrongfully forced to resign. In a statement, Cuomo said he was proud to have Ramos' support and looked forward to working with her to "put this city back on the right track and make this a stronger and more affordable place for all working men and women.' 'We're both proud Queens kids and with it comes a 'Queens attitude' that is both tough and protective of our families and our neighbors and by extension all New Yorkers,' he said. Ramos' endorsement came a day after U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threw her weight behind mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist who has surged in the months leading up to the primary. Ramos has grown critical of Mamdani as the left flank of the Democratic Party has coalesced behind him. She jabbed at the social media-savvy Mamdani during a debate this week, saying she wished she'd run for mayor sooner but 'I thought I needed more experience but turns out you just need to make good videos."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Exactly Why We're Not Winning': Dem Strategist Nails 1 Of Party's Biggest Problems
Democratic strategist Basil Smikle called out his party on Monday for failing to reach voters with a message they can relate to even as President Donald Trump's approval rating plunges. Appearing on MSNBC, Smikle was asked about a New York Times report that party insiders were spending millions on meetings in luxury hotels and programs on how to reach young men, including studying the 'syntax, language and content' of viral media. 'I really have no understanding what that is because honestly, if somebody needed to come talk to me, just come talk to me. Actually go find me and come and talk to me. Don't do it in a hotel. Don't study me like this is some academic exercise,' he said. 'That is exactly why we're not winning: because we Democrats have been accused of looking and sounding too elitist. That's a problem.' MSNBC's Chris Jansing said focus groups show many voters souring on Trump ― but those same voters don't like anything about the Democrats, either. Smikle said the party's current fixation on former President Joe Biden and his reported declining health during his term in office are a perfect case in point of why they aren't connecting with those voters. 'There's been a lot of conversation about what people knew about Joe Biden and when did they know,' he said. 'If you actually go into communities and talk to voters, they're not asking about Joe Biden. They're asking what do we do now. And if Democrats don't have an answer for that question, they're going to continue to lose support.' He urged Democratic insiders to get out of the hotels and into the communities instead. See more of his conversation with Jansing and Meghan Hays, a former special assistant to Biden, below:
