To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Matt Bennett: Lessons Democrats Can’t Ignore
Nov 18, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Matt Bennett, Executive Vice President of Third Way, explores why New York Mayor Mamdani's success shouldn't be a model for swing-state Democrats. He emphasizes the need for a strategy focused on persuasion, rather than ideological purity, and highlights the importance of reaching out to working-class voters. Bennett outlines the strengths of moderate candidates and warns against alienating language. He encourages a pragmatic approach to governance and messaging to reclaim support from crucial voter segments.
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NYC Is Not A Nationwide Blueprint
- New York City is a deep-blue outlier and not a model for swing-state America.
- Bennett notes Mamdani underperformed moderates like Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger on crucial constituencies.
Working-Class Voter Gap
- Mamdani relied heavily on highly educated, high-income voters while losing working-class support.
- Bennett warns Democrats must win back working-class voters to flip competitive districts.
Moderates As Majority Makers
- Since 2018 far-left candidates haven't flipped swing House seats while moderates flipped dozens.
- Bennett argues majority makers are moderates like New Democrats, not the far left.