Cynthia Nixon’s Bagel Order Is Food for Thought in Politics

It may seem trivial, but it is part of an inescapable political tradition.

cynthia nixon
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon speaks to attendees during a rally for universal rent control on August 16, 2018 in New York City. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
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On Sunday, Cynthia Nixon, New York’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Sex and the City Star, ordered a cinnamon-raisin bagel with lox, red onions, capers, tomato, and cream cheese.

A lot of people did not care. But for some New Yorkers, this was the beginning of a major issue.

The Atlantic writes that this bagel may have gotten more attention than any other sandwich in human history. Critics of American culture and people across social media have all weighed in.

Nixon is surprised by the attention her bagel has gotten. “I’m stunned. This is my bagel of choice for a few decades now. It’s never been public knowledge, and I really am fascinated that people are so emotional about it,” she said.

But according to The Atlantic, she shouldn’t be. Since the beginning of American democracy, politicians have used their foods to show how populist they are, how much they are like the average citizen. They attend barbecues in the South, corn festivals in the Midwest, and they visit citrus groves in Florida, Mexican restaurants in California and fishermen along the coast. They eat the local speciality in front of as many people and as much press as possible. Getting the food right or wrong can have a lasting impact on the politician’s image.

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