Two weeks ago, when Sen. Ted Cruz tried to brand Donald Trump as a moneyed, socially-liberal elite who stood for “New York values,” the moneyed, socially-liberal elite Mr. Trump turned the phrase on its head. He said he did embrace the values of a city that after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 pulled together, fought together and rebuilt amidst the devastation.
Others followed Mr. Trump’s lead. They not only pasted Ted Cruz (the front page of the NY Daily News, always glorious in its lack of restraint: “Drop Dead Ted!”), many also stated New York’s true values. Among the best of these was written by my friend Virge Randall. It describes the city as well as anything I have read—especially where she speaks about New York taking in the cast-out. Here is what she has to say.