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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

You can cling to the idea that I’m out to write a hit piece on Mamdani. That doesn’t make it true, sorry.

In fact, here’s a story I wrote asking whether other Dems could learn from him. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/u...

Can Mamdani’s Energetic Campaign Be a Blueprint for Democrats?

www.nytimes.com

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I’m simply replying to the criticism. Happy to engage with it, but some people are implying things about the story that just aren’t there!

And yes, I do think it’s good for public trust to engage.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Very whiny to be asking questions.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

You might be confusing me with someone else? I never covered crypto

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Oof. Hard to say which of those was worse at this point

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Missed this. You have a lot of criticisms, but will address 2:

-The reason for singling out the “top” filers is it’s a potential data point re maybe high-income individuals are leaving.

-Would have liked to include Tiffany! I had a quote from her but got cut for space. 2 other DSA ppl quoted.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

You wouldn’t call Trump saying he’d deploy the National Guard “escalating”?

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Yep, that’s all I do, you nailed it. Great work.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

thanks for the idea

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I’m sorry, I just don’t agree. There is certainly a pro-socialist sentiment, as evidenced by the city council members being elected! There’s backlash to them. The conflict is playing out as Portland has big problems, some depicted in photos. I don’t think it’s hard to grasp both of those things.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Well, a lot of people have thoughts! Sorry to not get to everyone

Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

lol

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I don’t agree. Nowhere in this story do we argue the socialists are responsible for Portland’s problems, as people here seem to be suggesting.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Well it is certainly intended to be Mamdani-themed. But why does that automatically make it sandbagging?

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I didn’t “steal” their story. I got the idea from their great story, and went out and reported my own piece that led to my conclusions.

I also did credit them and link to them several times in the story, so now you’re just making things up. Sounds like something a disingenuous worm would do!

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I think we make it clear that those things predate the socialists, and instead they make up the bulk of the debate now between the socialists and the moderates. But I take it you disagree.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Not really. Now we are just splitting hairs.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

No, it’s that I think you’re wrong.

I don’t think this paints a scary picture of the city. It doesn’t depict Portland as a war zone. It’s not designed to get anyone to vote one way or another.

What it does do is be honest that the city still has big problems, that both sides are grappling with.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

lol

Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I don’t cover Mamdani - I cover politics in the West.

Not meaning for it to be a scare piece. If anything, we suggest the handwringing over the socialists is somewhat overblown.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Indeed it was, sorry if that doesn’t fit the ideal narrative.

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Why would I care about doing that? I’m here to tell interesting stories that inform readers!

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

Right. The county has played a big role in keeping the pre-K program, despite the governor’s efforts.

I understand people feel it’s overstated, but:
“Although moderates are spooked by their talk of higher taxes and social housing … the socialists have not yet tried to muscle through such policies.”

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Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

I disagree that it suggests there’s something inherently wrong with it.

“They argue that the dire rhetoric about them reflects the anxieties of an out-of-touch establishment, refusing to cede power to a younger generation focused on the working class.”

Kellen Browning @kellen.bsky.social · 3d

No problem. I just don’t think it’s particularly controversial to say that Portland is not a city chock full of Republicans. I was explaining why various factions on the left - including the DSA - play a big role.

As opposed to, say, Phoenix or Salt Lake City or something

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