Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
I have a piece in the new City Journal on the mayoral administration of Ed Koch. Koch was and is a liberal, but he is, in his words, a liberal with "sanity." This sanity helped him bring New York City back from a very rough period with a mix of fiscal discipline, a willingness to stand up to public sector unions, media savvy, humor, and good old-fashioned boosterism.
Today we face some similar problems, although the prospect of bankruptcy is looming and not yet actual. Unfortunately, Obama and today's Democratic party are not going to take steps to fix our problems if it means angering their core liberal constituencies, something that Koch was often willing to do. Koch endorsed Obama in 2008, unendorsed him last year over Obama's Israel stance, then re-endorsed him again recently. Here's hoping Koch jumps off the endorsement wagon again before November rolls around.
- Comment (9)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments:
Mar '11
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
This passes for sanity in a Liberal?
Dec '10
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
Tevi,
I was a democrat from birth. My Mother was a democratic committeewoman. I leafletted for her at age 12. In 1980, before I knew who Ronald Reagan was, I was sick and tired of the lying and the insanity. I became a Republican.
The reason I changed directly and didn't try to be an independent was a lesson that my Mother taught me. She said to get anything done you needed one of the two political parties. Trying anything else is an illusion.
Isn't it time for Koch and you NYC Independents to sign up Republican.
Regards,
Jim
Edited on February 3, 2012 at 11:09pmApr '11
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
David Williamson
This passes for sanity in a Liberal? · 52 minutes ago
My thoughts exactly.
Mar '11
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
Tevi: Over the course of the last half century, there have been various liberals who have tried to defend the liberal tradition, classically, on its own grounds,
I do not begrudge them. Rather, I respect them. Especially, for example, Barzun and Trilling (who, if you follow their convictions, could not help but be conservatives, broadly, today) who are of service to us.
But with this history in mind, and it's lessons, I unabashedly challenge these folks (outside of our present political environs) to the following question (not definitive, but worth pondering): Does liberalism, within itself, posses the capability to sustain and defend itslef--internally or externally--over the long run? Why or why not?
Dec '10
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
Ed Koch is often a guest on one of the local Saturday morning radio shows I listen to. I used to listen. Now I turn the channel when he comes on. His denouncing of Obama over his Israel policies was fine. But, now, he trumpets Obama's domestic policies, excoriates the Republicans as "heartless", and quite enthusiastically offers his endorsement. What is that?!!! I call it being a hypocrite, and I don't take anything he says seriously. How could I?
Dec '10
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
The endorsing/non-endorsing/endorsing does indicate sanity, as at least he is not doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.
Jul '10
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
David Williamson
This passes for sanity in a Liberal? · 8 hours ago
Not only does passing a balanced budget, but winning a fight with NYC public unions denotes both sanity and eminent competence. What I think is missing from everyone's comments on Mayor Koch is that local government is much, much less about ideology, and much more about keeping things running smoothly. As a conservative, who believes that competent, responsive and accountable government is most important at the local level, I think Mayor Koch is an example to politicians at any level. Do I disagree with him on ideological issues? Yes, as we all do. But the man governed well, made New York a better place to live and did all that while fixing the City's ruined finances. Sounds perfectly sane to me.
Dec '10
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
Tevi,
I just got back from Shabbos. I am Shomer Tevi. You didn't bother to answer my question. Are you afraid to answer my question?
Frankly Tevi, I am not impressed. If you are not ready to defend your political choices and are just interested in political nostalgia, I don't think you should be on Ricochet presenting yourself as a representative of a Jewish point of view.
Please answer my question or I simply won't take you seriously again.
With only as much respect as you are due,
Jim
Jun '10
Re: Ed Koch: The Last Sane Liberal
The fact that he is full-throated in his defense of Israel makes him semi-sane to me. Plus, unlike most liberals, the guy is actually likable (cf. Chuck Shumer, Harry Reid).