Nicole Gelinas: Drawing New York’s road map after ‘The Power Broker’

From the moment he became mayor of New York City in 1966, John Lindsay faced a city in turmoil when subway workers walked off the job and went on strike for 12 days. In many ways, it never got any easier for Lindsay, who ran the city in a time of national upheaval.  In part two of a three-part podcast series by Spectrum News NY1, Errol Louis explores John Lindsay’s chaotic first term, in which the mayor tried to continue pushing forward, combating a string of labor disputes while attempting to create a more livable city. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide, give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message, or send an email to [email protected].

In 1965, New York City was teetering on the edge of an uncertain future, but a Republican congressman from the Upper East Side was determined to save it. Fighting traditional power brokers and machine politicians, John Lindsay improbably was elected mayor that year; his eight years in office became one of the most tumultuous and transformative times in New York’s recent history. In part one of a three-part podcast series by Spectrum News NY1, Errol Louis explores John Lindsay’s turbulent New York, focusing on his early years in Congress and building up to being elected mayor in a dramatic three-way race in November of 1965. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

This week, Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie officially launched his campaign to challenge Eric Adams in next June’s Democratic mayoral primary. The senator also unveiled an ambitious housing proposal that looks to build one million new homes across the five boroughs, or 70,000 homes per year. Sen. Myrie joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss his bid to unseat Adams. They also talked about the dire situation surrounding the city’s prisons complex on Rikers Island, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team and treating nonprofit organizations fairly. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

A fierce New York intellect, Nicole Gelinas has closely followed the trials and errors of urban public policy in her columns for the New York Post and her work for the Manhattan Institute. In a new book, Gelinas looks at what has happened with New York’s transportation system in the wake of Robert Moses, whose legacy was painstakingly dissected in Robert Caro’s “The Power Broker.” Gelinas picks up where Caro left off in “Movement: New York’s Long War to Take Back Its Streets from the Car.”  Speaking with NY1’s Errol Louis, Gelinas discusses why she felt compelled to write her book, also tackling its relationship to Caro’s biography, what Mayor Eric Adams should be focusing on, why New York City often continues to make the same mistakes regarding mass transit and how the messaging behind congestion pricing could be better.  Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

Since Donald Trump’s victory two weeks ago, some people are worried about one of his main campaign promises — to launch the largest deportation operation in American history. What does that really mean, and how feasible is it that it will happen at the scale the president-elect is promising? This week, NY1’s Errol Louis spoke to three experts — Lee Gelernt, the deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants’ Rights Project; Elora Mukerjee, director of Columbia Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic; and Luis Gomez Alfaro, an attorney in New York and New Jersey, with extensive experience in immigration law — about what Trump can truly do legally. They also discuss the possibility of ending birthright citizenship, what will be happening at the border and the impact Trump’s plans will have on millions across the country. And they provided some specific, practical information for immigrants who are worried about being detained. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide, give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message, or send an email to [email protected].

One week after Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris, many across the country are wondering how he won so soundly and what this means for the country moving forward. Trump has wasted little time naming cabinet members to his incoming administration, while Democrats are scratching their heads and pointing fingers about what went wrong. At the same time, while the president-elect won all of the swing states on his road to the White House, Democrats either held onto or won Senate seats in four of those battleground states that Harris lost. So, is it a red wave or just a Trump wave? To help make sense of all of this, veteran North Carolina Spectrum News political anchor Tim Boyum joined NY1’s Errol Louis to share his perspective as someone who watched the race play out in a swing state where Trump won the presidential race but the Democrats won the race for governor. They also discussed the realities of mass deportation, and the GOP retaining its House majority. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide, give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message or send an email to [email protected].

Easily winning on Election Day, Donald Trump will be returning to the White House as the nation’s 47th president. While New York was one of the few states Vice President Kamala Harris won, the margin of victory was significantly lower than usual for a Democrat, marking the party’s worst presidential performance in the state since 1988. Down-ballot, however, New York Democrats won some key congressional House races, as they will retake some of the seats they lost in the midterm elections in 2022. So what does all of this mean for New York? Spectrum News political anchor Susan Arbetter joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the results of the election and the impact it will have on New York. They also discussed why they were surprised by the country swinging right and the trouble in predicting elections. Additionally, Errol weighed in on how New York City Mayor Eric Adams may be feeling following Trump’s victory. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani announced his mayoral run last week, looking to unseat Mayor Eric Adams, who faces an uphill battle for reelection as he fights federal corruption charges. Mamdani is running as the most progressive candidate in the crowded race so far and has already received the endorsement of the New York City Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss his decision to run for mayor. The conversation also touched on his thoughts on the Adams administration, his role in helping taxi drivers, the war between Israel and Hamas and ways to improve the MTA through new technology. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

The first indictment in modern history against a sitting New York City mayor has dominated local headlines. Where is the case headed? What will this mean for the administration’s ability to move forward with day-to-day operations? And what are the political implications if Mayor Eric Adams runs for reelection — or steps down? Vital City and the Columbia Journalism School hosted a virtual conversation featuring perspectives from law enforcement, journalism and government on the political and legal consequences of the allegations against Mayor Adams. The conversation was moderated by Errol Louis and included Stan Brezenoff; former First Deputy Mayor Carrie Cohen; former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Tom Robbins; and investigative journalist and political strategist Basil Smikle. Before that, Errol sits down with Spectrum News Chief National Political Reporter Josh Robin to discuss a brand new national special, “In Us We Trust: A Crisis of Confidence.” Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide, give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message, or send an email to [email protected].

Since 1984, American historian and professor Allan Lichtman has correctly predicted nine of the last 10 presidential races. Lichtman, however, does not use polling data. Instead, he has developed a set of 13 metrics — or, as he calls them, keys. Lichtman appeared on the podcast in February to discuss his elaborate forecasting system, and he promised he’d return after he announced his pick for president. Now, Lichtman joined Errol to discuss why he believes Kamala Harris will be victorious in November. The pair also discussed the possibility of an October surprise, how past predictions have made him unpopular, and why it is governing, not campaigning, that ultimately matters. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected]