Ex-lawmakers get into live squabble after claim about NYers fleeing to Florida

A congenial discussion between former Democratic lawmaker Donna Edwards and Ohio Republican John Kasich went off the rails on MS NOW on Friday as it turned into a squabble about newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

With host Erielle Reshef looking on, Kasich made the case that Mamdani won’t have that big of an impact nationally since most U.S. voters don’t take their cues from what happens in New York politics.

For her part, Edwards, a former member of the House representing Maryland, made the case that Mamdani’s platform could spur changes across the country.

“I think that affordable childcare, affordable transportation, affordable housing are not left ideas,” Edwards remarked. “Those are ideas that are important for the American people. No matter where you fit on that bill. And so I think as long as Mayor Mamdani sticks to the things that he promised New Yorkers and as Democrats sticking to things that are important in people's everyday lives, is the key to election and the key to electoral success.”

Kasich, who also served in the House, but as a Republican, admitted, “Those are the things I think he should do,” before adding, “But you know, when you get down to it and saying you want to tax the rich who pay, you know, the bulk of taxes in the country, you're just going to drive more –– I’m in Florida right now. You know where those New Yorkers are going? They’re going to Florida.”

“Just, you know, turning around and saying, we're just going to tax the rich, that doesn't get you anywhere,” he continued as Edwards interrupted and talked over Kasich, telling him, “The overwhelming majority of American people believe that you should tax the highest income earners.”

Kasich continued on nonplussed, as Edwards spoke over him and a smiling Reshef talked over both of them and commented, “I love when these conversations get lively, but we got to leave it here.”

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