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David Freedlander is a veteran New York City-based journalist. He writes long-form features about politics  and the arts, people and ideas, and has appeared in New York Magazine, Bloomberg, Rolling Stone, ArtNews, The Daily Beast, Newsweek and a host of other publications.

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Yes Mike, Run. But Join The GOP First
Nov 29

Nov 29 Yes Mike, Run. But Join The GOP First

David Freedlander
New York, Politics

But if Bloomberg really wants to put the billion or so he can spend on a presidential run to good use, he will turn in his new party membership, re-register as a Republican, and do battle with Trump in the GOP primary, not the Democratic one.

When Matt Whitaker Ran ‘a Chop Shop of Fake Ethics Complaints’
Nov 9

Nov 9 When Matt Whitaker Ran ‘a Chop Shop of Fake Ethics Complaints’

David Freedlander
NY Mag, Politics, Investigative

“It was one of the hackier things I ever saw”

New York State Has Entered a New Phase of Politics
Nov 7

Nov 7 New York State Has Entered a New Phase of Politics

David Freedlander
Politics, NY Mag, News Analysis

He seemed too snarling to ever be the kind of politician the left could fall in love with, too calculating for an era that prizes authenticity above all else. But he took dead aim at Donald Trump on Tuesday night, laying out a vision for the country that looks very different from his fellow Queens native.

Is Antonio Delgado Getting A Bad Rap?
Nov 3

Nov 3 Is Antonio Delgado Getting A Bad Rap?

David Freedlander

“There is a lot of pain going on. You would think the sitting congressman would know something about that,” he said. “Where is he?”

Robert Menendez Is Testing New Jersey’s Tolerance for Sleaze
Nov 2

Nov 2 Robert Menendez Is Testing New Jersey’s Tolerance for Sleaze

David Freedlander
Politics, NY Mag

“We cannot cast aside what is good in pursuit of what is perfect.”

The Democrats’ Culture Divide
Nov 1

Nov 1 The Democrats’ Culture Divide

David Freedlander
Politics, Politico Magazine

Energized progressives are thrilled with their momentum in the Trump era. But the party’s blue-collar base might not want what the new left is delivering.

In This 'Measure For Measure,' Shakespeare Has Never Tasted So Delicious
Oct 13

Oct 13 In This 'Measure For Measure,' Shakespeare Has Never Tasted So Delicious

David Freedlander
Criticism, Arts, Theater, Daily Beast

They flirt, they fight, they make silly jokes, they snort coke and dance and drink and dance and sing and make music using serving tongs as castanets”

An Oral History of Donald Trump’s Almost-Run for President in 2000
Oct 11

Oct 11 An Oral History of Donald Trump’s Almost-Run for President in 2000

David Freedlander

So somebody would have the opportunity to run for the presidency on OPM: other people’s money

New York Primaries Show Elections Are Still Won on the Ground, Not Online
Sep 14

Sep 14 New York Primaries Show Elections Are Still Won on the Ground, Not Online

David Freedlander
Politics, News Analysis

Politics wins. Good, old-fashioned door-knocking and organizing and phone banking and precinct-walking wins.

44 Minutes With Letitia James
Sep 5

Sep 5 44 Minutes With Letitia James

David Freedlander
NY Mag, Politics

The onetime shoo-in for state attorney general worries that anti-Establishment fervor will undo all her dues paying.

The Lock Him Up Campaign
Aug 17

Aug 17 The Lock Him Up Campaign

David Freedlander
Politico Magazine, Politics

Progressive favorite Zephyr Teachout promises to retool the powerful New York prosecutor’s office to go straight after Donald Trump. She’s not the only one. Is this the road Democrats want to go down?

Establishment vs. Ex-con in Connecticut Democrats’s Gubernatorial Primary
Aug 13

Aug 13 Establishment vs. Ex-con in Connecticut Democrats’s Gubernatorial Primary

David Freedlander
Politics, NY Mag

In a world which seems to give politicians nothing but second chances, Joe Ganim tests the boundaries of patience

Cuomo’s State Senate Deal Unravels As Rogue Democrats’ Rivals Gain Momentum
Aug 9

Aug 9 Cuomo’s State Senate Deal Unravels As Rogue Democrats’ Rivals Gain Momentum

David Freedlander
Politics, NY Mag, New York

It was us! We did this! We put the fear into King Cuomo! Get fired up because we are at war!

The Perils of “The Damned”: Ivo Van Hove Adapts Visconti’s Portrait of Malicious Excess
Jul 23

Jul 23 The Perils of “The Damned”: Ivo Van Hove Adapts Visconti’s Portrait of Malicious Excess

David Freedlander
Criticism, Arts, Theater

It is ultimately a story of how ambitious and privileged people comport themselves to the new realities of power; how evil comes tiptoeing in upon those who would prefer to not pay attention; and how brutality begins, and can thus only end, in the home.

You’ve Never Seen a Performance Like Available Light
Jul 11

Jul 11 You’ve Never Seen a Performance Like Available Light

David Freedlander
Arts

John Adams, Lucinda Childs, and Frank Gehry created the unique performance piece ‘Available Light’ 35 years ago. As it returns to the stage, the trio recalls its heady genesis.

Ocasio-Cortez Not Only Beat Crowley — She Beat Old-School New York Politics
Jun 27

Jun 27 Ocasio-Cortez Not Only Beat Crowley — She Beat Old-School New York Politics

David Freedlander

Minutes after the polls closed, and the first returns started trickling in, Joe Crowley knew his two-decade career in Congress was over.

The 28-Year-Old Progressive Hoping to Unseat One of the Top Democrats in Congress
Jun 24

Jun 24 The 28-Year-Old Progressive Hoping to Unseat One of the Top Democrats in Congress

David Freedlander

"Are all of the apartments smoking weed?” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asks on a fourth-floor hallway of Elmback Houses in Queens, where indeed the smell of marijuana does seem to waft from one long end of the corridor to the other.

It’s Never Been Easier to Be a Felon Running for Congress
Jun 23

Jun 23 It’s Never Been Easier to Be a Felon Running for Congress

David Freedlander

Michael Grimm strode into his campaign office, his arms outstretched, pulling his half-a-size too small blue suit tight across his brawny physique, to give double waves and double air-kisses to the room of mostly elderly volunteers for his unlikely comeback campaign for Congress

Not That Long Ago, New York City Really Was Run From a Smoke-filled Backroom
Jun 13

Jun 13 Not That Long Ago, New York City Really Was Run From a Smoke-filled Backroom

David Freedlander
NY Mag

As late as 1989, an undemocratic entity called the Board of Estimate made the city’s key decisions. When it was banned, a new political era was born

Working Families Party Mulls All-out War With Cuomo
Jun 7

Jun 7 Working Families Party Mulls All-out War With Cuomo

David Freedlander

In case you haven’t noticed, the governor isn’t keen on there being competing power centers in New York State

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