# Andrew Yang updates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 8, 2021, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019 "2021-01-08T10:15:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2021, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/21 "2021-04-14T01:28:07Z")
In the meantime, Yang was a blip in the news a few days ago because he experienced the male equivalent of childbirth. > **[Andrew Yang's Kidney Stones](https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/celebritydiagnosis/91937)** > > A closer look at this common condition OUCH. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2021, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/22 "2021-06-24T13:21:58Z")
Looks like he’s fallen short in his run for mayor of NYC: > **[Why Andrew Yang's mayoral campaign failed | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/23/opinions/andrew-yang-mayoral-campaign-failure-mitchell/index.html)** > > Lincoln Mitchell writes Andrew Yang's New York mayoral bid failed because instead of focusing much energy on Black and Latino voters, he tried to cobble together a new coalition of Asian Americans, ultra-Orthodox Jews and young moderates. And, even... ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/23 "2021-06-24T13:43:01Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Looks like he’s fallen short in his run for mayor of NYC: I don’t follow NY politics, but I guess as a casual observer, I thought he had a better chance that it ended up being. He was about fourth place or so? I do think that he has what it takes to be leader, even President. I did not vote for him in the Democratic primary in 2020(I voted Biden as the best chance to beat Trump), but I would love to see him keep going at it. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/24 "2021-06-25T05:16:45Z")
According to Zach Graumann, Andrew Yang’s campaign manager, the reason for the loss was because when they started, covid was around, so people were looking for cash relief. But as time went along, the months warmed up, the vaccinations took hold, the economy picked up and crime started to go up. People were looking for someone to deal with the crime. That’s why Adams is leading. I don’t know anything about NYC politics, so I wasn’t much interested in this race personally. I’m glad that Yang will be around to do more things now that that race is over. I still really like his platform. Not a few days go by when I see some post in a thread where someone is saying they wished that our government did X, and I think to myself that person should have voted for Andrew Yang because that was in his platform. I get it that maverick policies are not winning the day in real life votes, but maybe people will begin to see the things that are possible if the policies are continued to be discussed. Zach speaks about the mayoral campaign a day after the loss in about minutes 2-4. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Mq6p_D-BU6A/maxresdefault.jpg "Quick NYC mayor reflection--and the future of purple states | The Future Of | Yang Speaks") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq6p_D-BU6A) ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/25 "2021-10-10T03:03:24Z")
> **[Andrew Yang Has Ditched the Democrats. Can His ‘Forward Party’ Take Off?](https://nationalinterest.org/blog/politics/andrew-yang-has-ditched-democrats-can-his-%E2%80%98forward-party%E2%80%99-take-194980)** > > Is a third party the answer to crippling political polarization? Since the large majority of his support would come from people who would otherwise vote Democratic this would mean the Republicans will do better if this party attracts any interest. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/26 "2021-10-10T05:02:34Z")
Which is one of the big problems with our political system as it currently exists. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/27 "2021-10-10T16:16:19Z")
> “[The] American experiment is under siege,” MSNBC host Malcolm Nance [wrote in response](https://twitter.com/MalcolmNance/status/1445148787782062082) to Yang’s announcement. “Liberal govs are falling globally to fascism. Racism abounds. World is literally burning. What’s your genius idea? Start #ForwardParty to peel votes off [from] the only party trying to SAVE IT ALL.” That pretty much sums it up ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/28 "2021-10-10T16:25:07Z")
People like Yang can make a living by forming a pseudo-political movement and party. Yang can essentially treat his political party as his own non-profit business, pay himself a salary, and keep his little ‘revolution’ going indefinitely. He can write books. Pen articles. Make guest speaking appearances. Appear on podcasts and TV shows. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/29 "2021-10-11T00:56:12Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > People like Yang can make a living by forming a pseudo-political movement and party. Yang can essentially treat his political party as his own non-profit business, pay himself a salary, and keep his little ‘revolution’ going indefinitely. He can write books. Pen articles. Make guest speaking appearances. Appear on podcasts and TV shows. - Okay, fine–he keeps himself in the public eye and makes money. I can live with that. But if he’s serious about running, he IS going to be personally responsible for helping put Republicans into office. And that will have devastating consequences. It will be unforgivable. He’s currently—and irresponsibly in my view—trying to sell the idea that his announced 3rd-party activities are all about making it possible to use ranked-choice voting for President. He’s not stupid: he KNOWS this has zero chance of being implemented by 2024. ‘Educating the public’ is a valid goal, but his focus on RCV is distracting from the much more-pressing problems of vote suppression and state measures intended to let legislatures or other state officials overrule the voters in sending their state’s slate of electors to Congress. It is crucial that attention be focused on these immediate dangers. This is not the time for people of good will go to off on ego trips. If they go off on ego trips then they are _not_ people of good will. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/30 "2021-10-11T01:19:30Z")
Keep in mind that Andrew Yang is trying to push a gimmick (universal basic income) and he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast. He’s ego trippin. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/31 "2021-10-11T04:32:48Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > a gimmick (universal basic income) I don’t think that’s a gimmick. It’s been bouncing around since McGovern, at least. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/32 "2021-10-11T04:52:19Z")
UBI is a gimmick. If you want a means-tested minimum income scheme, I’m down, but just doling out $10,000 to everyone is just a ticket to inflation, and the poor end up suffering as a result. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/33 "2021-10-11T07:32:31Z")
The brilliance of it is that it isn’t means tested, and the money gradually goes away via income tax, instead of creating a “cliff” that people are incented to stay below. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/34 "2021-10-11T13:43:45Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > If you want a means-tested minimum income scheme, I’m down, but just doling out $10,000 to everyone is just a ticket to inflation, and the poor end up suffering as a result. That’s clearly not true since you could remove an equal amount of money through taxation without creating any increase in burocrocy. Depends on how you set it up of course but UBI can be a non inflationary way to replace our social safety net and increase personal freedom ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/35 "2021-10-11T14:02:55Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > If they go off on ego trips then they are _not_ people of good will. ALL people who run for president are going off on ego trips. It has always been a little hard for me to say whether certain third party candidates are genuinely more idealistic or just more stubbornly vainglorious. The Ralph Nader problem as it were. I honestly haven’t paid enough attention to Yang to make a judgement call there. From a practical POV of course it matters not - in our system third party candidates are almost always harmful for “our side” (whichever side that might be) in terms of realpolitik. But never let it be said that any given presidential candidate doesn’t have a truly gargantuan ego - it’s basically the minimum job requirement. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/36 "2021-10-11T14:04:49Z")
I like Yang. He comes across a decent earnest person. Politically I think he is a little flimsy but I don’t doubt his sincerity to wanting to solve problems. It’s how he thinks we should solve them I take issue with. That aside however after his dismal performance in the New York mayoral primary I’ve come to stop paying attention. He’s the biggest proof that internet popularity and going viral does not reflect real life. If he came second place in that local election to Eric Adams who had more local relations then that is understandable. But to come fourth place in an election which garnered national attention because is damning because he had by far the most name recognition and donations to work with. That tells me the more he talked and the more people on the ground, in the offline world, heard from him the less they liked him. And conversely the more they liked others. From what I saw as an outsider was he was messing up basic questions about the role of mayor and frankly what should have been easy local matters ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/37 "2021-10-11T22:28:16Z")
The reduction in bureaucratic overhead is, hypothetically speaking, a potential plus for UBI, but there’s no way you don’t have inflation if everyone is receiving $10,000. If everyone suddenly has more cash to spend, then spend it they will. The reason they invested it during the pandemic is because of mandated closures and fear of COVID. But under normal circumstances, you’re devaluing the currency. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/38 "2021-10-11T22:58:53Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > ALL people who run for president are going off on ego trips. It has always been a little hard for me to say whether certain third party candidates are genuinely more idealistic or just more stubbornly vainglorious. The Ralph Nader problem as it were. I honestly haven’t paid enough attention to Yang to make a judgement call there. … “Ego trip” connotes ‘ego beyond the average’—in this case, the average for Presidential candidates, which most reasonable people would peg at a fairly high level. Nothing in my usage said or implied that I was making a claim that Presidential candidates are normally free of ego or low on ego or anything similar. As for Yang: as things stand now, any left-leaning 2024 3rd-party Presidential candidate with name recognition is going to siphon votes away from the Democratic candidate. He (or she) will thus help the Republican candidate. This is the reality, and no amount of sophistry will succeed in changing it. If Yang decides to run, he will be helping the Republican candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/39 "2021-10-12T01:30:30Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > . If everyone suddenly has more cash to spend, then spend it they will. The reason they invested it during the pandemic is because of mandated closures and fear of COVID. But under normal circumstances, you’re devaluing the currency While there is 6 month of lag you aren’t devaluing your currency if you give everyone $1,000 and then remove and average of $1,000 per person in taxes. Then it is just straight redistribution. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019/40 "2021-10-12T02:53:57Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > If he came second place in that local election to Eric Adams who had more local relations then that is understandable. But to come fourth place in an election which garnered national attention Then again Garcia and Wiley also were known quantities in the New York City government/political ecosystem, and to the people who are politically active in the City – whose votes are more important to garner than national attention, when it comes to primaries. So yeah, Yang’s good level of national name recognition failed to impress the people in the boroughs, who were looking for someone to take care of the crime, the rents, the permits, the transit, the garbage, etc. It does not surprise me that’s what happened. OTOH, trying to do a third-party move under the current circumstances… really?? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-yang-updates/930019.md?page=3)