Weiner’s Attempt at Political Resurrection: A Mismatch with Modern New York?

Anthony Weiner, the former New York congressman whose career imploded amidst a series of self-inflicted scandals, is attempting a political comeback. He has launched a campaign for New York City Council, seeking to represent District 2, a position he previously held from 1992 to 1998. However, a new profile in The Atlantic suggests that Weiner’s biggest hurdle might not be his infamous past, but rather his perceived disconnect with the current political climate and demographics of the district.

Weiner’s downfall began in 2011 when he resigned from Congress after admitting to posting a suggestive photo of himself on social media and subsequently lying about it. This incident was followed by further revelations of sexting, which derailed his 2013 mayoral bid. The final blow came in 2017 when he was charged with transferring obscene material to a minor after sexting a 15-year-old girl, resulting in a prison sentence.

Despite this history, Weiner believes he has something to offer New York City. He argues that there is a growing chasm between the brand of politics being espoused by New York Democrats and what the average voter actually desires. He positions himself as a centrist, focused on improving the quality of life for residents, advocating for more police presence and fewer cannabis dispensaries.

The Atlantic writer Josh Tyrangiel, who resides in the very district Weiner hopes to represent, highlights the challenges facing the former congressman. District 2 has changed significantly since Weiner last held office. It is now predominantly Hispanic, and the liberal leanings of the area are evident in the ubiquitous "Defund the Police" graffiti. This contrasts sharply with the largely white, middle-class areas of Queens and Brooklyn that Weiner previously represented.

Weiner’s campaign seems to rest on two primary assumptions. Firstly, he believes that voters are deeply concerned about quality-of-life issues, such as subway fare evasion, unsightly scaffolding, and the dangers posed by electric bikes in bike lanes. Tyrangiel notes that this focus on "technocratic intolerance for disorder" is reminiscent of the Bloomberg administration’s approach.

Secondly, Weiner believes that to resonate with the electorate, particularly given the prevailing discontent with the Democratic party, moderates need to channel anger. He suggests that a firebrand approach, even if focused on seemingly mundane issues like garbage collection, can be effective. "You know, usually we associate firebrands with an extreme kind of thing," Weiner says. "Well, what if the fire is just, like, ‘Ya gotta collect the f—ing garbage, man?’"

Tyrangiel’s observations of Weiner’s interactions at forums and Zoom meetings reveal a willingness to challenge core constituency groups within his own party. For instance, when a union representing medical residents and interns advocated for building more housing near hospitals, Weiner questioned whether similar accommodations would be provided for firefighters and sanitation workers, forcing the issue of equitable resource allocation.

Furthermore, Weiner has publicly challenged progressive orthodoxy on the issue of homelessness. This willingness to deviate from established positions, even if it means disagreeing with voters, is, according to Weiner, a sign of authenticity. He believes that people appreciate when a politician is honest, even if that honesty involves expressing disagreement or frustration.

"Sometimes they actually kind of like it when you say, ‘F— me? F— you.’ That’s more of an acknowledgment that you’re actually listening to them than just saying ‘Yes, I agree,’" Weiner stated.

His past is unavoidable. The profile also touches upon Weiner’s history of sex addiction. He and his ex-wife, Huma Abedin, separated in 2016 and finalized their divorce earlier this year. Abedin, who was a prominent aide to Hillary Clinton, is now in a relationship with billionaire Democratic donor Alex Soros.

Weiner’s argument that New York Democrats are out of touch with voters might resonate with some, but the question remains whether he is the right messenger, given his history. His ability to convince voters that he has genuinely learned from his mistakes and is committed to serving the community will be crucial to his comeback bid. Whether his focus on quality-of-life issues and his willingness to challenge progressive orthodoxy will be enough to overcome the shadow of his past remains to be seen. The electorate will have to weigh his vision for the city against the egregious acts that led to his political demise. This attempt at redemption will undoubtedly be a closely watched test of forgiveness and the ever-evolving landscape of American politics. His ability to win over a district dramatically different from those he previously represented could speak volumes about the mood of New York City, or, perhaps, prove that some bridges, once burned, cannot be rebuilt.