The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Raging Moderates: Why Politicians are Launching Podcasts Ahead of 2028

October 29, 2025

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  • The New York mayoral race is highly contentious, featuring a late surge attempt by Andrew Cuomo against Eric Adams, complicated by deep concerns over Adams's stance on Israel and the city's affordability crisis. 
  • Political podcasting has become the new essential medium for presidential aspirants, as it effectively targets the crucial, economically-focused swing voter demographic that traditional media often misses. 
  • The final moments of any interaction—whether a job, a date, or a political campaign—disproportionately influence overall perception, suggesting that candidates should focus on ending strong rather than avoiding missteps late in the game. 

Segments

NY Mayoral Race Update
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(00:04:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Andrew Cuomo’s late appeal targets older, whiter, and Jewish voters in the New York mayoral race, narrowing his gap against Eric Adams despite scandals.
  • Summary: The New York mayoral race is heating up one week out, with Andrew Cuomo gaining ground against frontrunner Eric Adams, whose odds dropped from 95% to 90%. Cuomo is winning voters aged 45-plus, including a slight lead among seniors, while Adams’s campaign faces scrutiny over potential Islamophobia linked to his rhetoric. Curtis Sliwa’s abrupt exit from the race further complicated the dynamics, driven by pressure from powerful city figures concerned about a potential Adams administration.
NY Affordability Crisis
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(00:16:12)
  • Key Takeaway: New York City’s current economic environment favors only the wealthiest, excluding even high-earning professionals and stifling the scrappy energy essential for the city’s long-term economic health.
  • Summary: New York has become a ‘Rosewood of cities,’ amazing but accessible only to the rich, tech workers, or finance professionals making $200k-$300k or more. Couples earning $500,000 annually struggle with high housing and childcare costs, illustrating income inequality creeping up the ladder. This exclusion of scrappy, energetic young people threatens the city’s future economy, risking a shift toward a ‘butler economy’ servicing external wealth.
Moderate Congressional Races
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(00:14:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Moderate Democrats Abigail Spanberger (VA) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ) are predicted to win their respective swing state races, indicating the continued viability of a centrist national security brand.
  • Summary: Spanberger and Sherrill are testing the strength of centrist politics in purple America, with both expected to win, though Sherrill’s race may be closer. The Virginia House of Delegates results are highlighted as a more crucial indicator of the true midterm mood than these high-profile congressional contests. Democrats are showing a ‘ruthless spirit’ in redistricting efforts, like California’s Prop 50, to counteract Republican gerrymandering.
Politicians Launching Podcasts
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(00:32:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Podcasting is now the primary medium for presidential hopefuls to reach the swing-voting, economically-focused 34-year-old mixed-race male demographic, supplanting traditional door-knocking and cable news.
  • Summary: Gavin Newsom’s podcast, ‘This Is Gavin Newsom,’ is pulling 1.6 million downloads monthly, demonstrating the medium’s power, which previously helped elect Donald Trump. Unlike cable news viewers, the core podcast listener is a swing voter motivated by economic issues, making this format the new arbiter for presidential races. Politicians must embrace this medium by speaking like ‘real fucking people’ rather than adhering to outdated, politically correct scripts.
Harris and Biden Legacy
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(00:50:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Kamala Harris’s hints at a 2028 run are unlikely to succeed as the Democratic field will likely reject anyone closely associated with President Biden’s perceived fitness issues, despite his legislative successes.
  • Summary: Kamala Harris stated she is ’not done yet,’ but the hosts believe it will be difficult for anyone closely tied to the current administration to secure the 2028 nomination. Former Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s public break with the party over Biden’s treatment highlights internal dissatisfaction, suggesting Biden’s legacy may be marred by his decision to run again. The Biden presidency achieved legislative success, including the Infrastructure Act and strong initial foreign policy moves, but voters remember the final impression.