I felt similar resentment to BDB, from seeing him out and about during the strict quarantine of the Spring (no, those photo-ops were not essential) to seeing him dance around an almost empty Times Square on New Years. There is nothing new with politicians telling people, "do what I say, not as a do". The only gaff here is that he admitted to it.
I don't see where I should be outraged. He said ""We live in a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan," Yang told the Times. "And so, like, can you imagine trying to have two kids on virtual school in a two-bedroom apartment, and then trying to do work yourself?"" He's not say -- I cannot imagine it because it is so far beneath me and my circumstances, he actually has the 2-bedroom apt. He's saying why he left the city during the pandemic -- for more room in the suburbs. Given that a huge number of people on here did the same, can't see why we should be outraged. Even if it was tone deaf because many people could not afford it, if they had the chance, many others would have done the same. I don't think he should have been forced to stay in the city as he is not a city leader right now.
I'm with you. It was definitely inartfully expressed (he would have done better to say something like, we were really fortunate to have an opportunity to stay in the suburbs for awhile), but he should be able to overcome it as long as this is one-time thing and not the start of a pattern yet to emerge.
"Can you imagine..."was more than a little tone-deaf. He's speaking to millions of people who can't fathom the luxury of a two-bedroom apartment JUST for themselves, their spouse and two kids. And that's not even getting into the country home thing.
ETA: Even having a job that allows for WFH is a whole lot of privilege. If he doesn't realize that, he's finished.
Please, he is not finished. This obsession with hearing the right thing from politicians, even if often it's totally staged and pure PR, is ridiculous. He is someone with great energy and thinks outside the box. He is the candidate who supported universal income even before the pandemic hit. I will be waiting to hear what his proposed plans for the city are, before I write him off. Now, if he doesn't pay city taxes, the same way many friends with second homes don't, I will count him finished.
I actually really like him as a candidate but to leave NYC at the height of its need is just completely tone deaf. I don't know if it will exclude him from being mayor but this definitely hurts him.
Could he have said it better - yes. But as someone who also lives in a two-bedroom apartment with two two kids and two working parents, it can be incredibly hard to get through the day. Leaving the city for the suburbs was probably the right choice for his kids and as he isn't leading the city right now, he should absolutely make the best choice for his family. I don't think someone should be disqualified because of one unartful comment. We do ourselves no favors by doing so if someone is the right person for the job (I have no idea if he is or not, but I don't see this as such a horrible misstep that he should no longer be considered for public office).
I felt similar resentment to BDB, from seeing him out and about during the strict quarantine of the Spring (no, those photo-ops were not essential) to seeing him dance around an almost empty Times Square on New Years. There is nothing new with politicians telling people, "do what I say, not as a do". The only gaff here is that he admitted to it.
I don't see where I should be outraged. He said ""We live in a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan," Yang told the Times. "And so, like, can you imagine trying to have two kids on virtual school in a two-bedroom apartment, and then trying to do work yourself?"" He's not say -- I cannot imagine it because it is so far beneath me and my circumstances, he actually has the 2-bedroom apt. He's saying why he left the city during the pandemic -- for more room in the suburbs. Given that a huge number of people on here did the same, can't see why we should be outraged. Even if it was tone deaf because many people could not afford it, if they had the chance, many others would have done the same. I don't think he should have been forced to stay in the city as he is not a city leader right now.
I'm with you. It was definitely inartfully expressed (he would have done better to say something like, we were really fortunate to have an opportunity to stay in the suburbs for awhile), but he should be able to overcome it as long as this is one-time thing and not the start of a pattern yet to emerge.
"Can you imagine..."was more than a little tone-deaf. He's speaking to millions of people who can't fathom the luxury of a two-bedroom apartment JUST for themselves, their spouse and two kids. And that's not even getting into the country home thing.
ETA: Even having a job that allows for WFH is a whole lot of privilege. If he doesn't realize that, he's finished.
@anonymous Lol! Ok. Yeah. He sounds like a horrible, horrible human being.
Please, he is not finished. This obsession with hearing the right thing from politicians, even if often it's totally staged and pure PR, is ridiculous. He is someone with great energy and thinks outside the box. He is the candidate who supported universal income even before the pandemic hit. I will be waiting to hear what his proposed plans for the city are, before I write him off. Now, if he doesn't pay city taxes, the same way many friends with second homes don't, I will count him finished.
Exactly. I'm looking forward to learning more about him and his full platform. So far, I like what I've heard/seen.
@anonymous Hmmm.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew-yang-kim-watkins-pay-equity_n_5d83ce34e4b070d468c96c9e
Are you kidding? He hired Bradley Tusk's firm for PR. He'll be fine.
That PR firm is going to be busy....https://www.gothamgazette.com/opinion/8801-i-was-andrew-yangs-first-freedom-dividend-recipient-he-fired-me
NY Times has already picked this up. This will hurt him for sure. He could still recover I think.
I actually really like him as a candidate but to leave NYC at the height of its need is just completely tone deaf. I don't know if it will exclude him from being mayor but this definitely hurts him.
Could he have said it better - yes. But as someone who also lives in a two-bedroom apartment with two two kids and two working parents, it can be incredibly hard to get through the day. Leaving the city for the suburbs was probably the right choice for his kids and as he isn't leading the city right now, he should absolutely make the best choice for his family. I don't think someone should be disqualified because of one unartful comment. We do ourselves no favors by doing so if someone is the right person for the job (I have no idea if he is or not, but I don't see this as such a horrible misstep that he should no longer be considered for public office).