De Blasio slams Bloomberg run for president: He 'epitomizes the status quo'
New York Mayor Bill de BlasioBill de BlasioProtesters splash red paint on NYC streets to symbolize blood De Blasio: Robert E Lee’s ‘name should be taken off everything in America, period’ House Democratic whip pushes back on calls to defund police: We need to focus on reform MORE (D) took aim at his predecessor, Michael BloombergMichael BloombergEngel scrambles to fend off primary challenge from left It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process Liberals embrace super PACs they once shunned MORE, on Monday over the latter’s interest in a run for president next year.
De Blasio, who dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary in September, said Monday that Bloomberg, a billionaire who has been showing strong indications of entering the race, is aligned tightly with the political establishment and would be unable to rally voters.
“Would he be better than Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE? Of course. Should he be the Democratic nominee? No,” de Blasio told Politico in an interview. “This is a Democratic Party today that’s getting more progressive, that wants to address the concerns of working people, that does not accept the status quo. There’s no way in the world we should nominate a billionaire who epitomizes the status quo.”
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The New York mayor went on to blast Bloomberg over his handling of rising income inequality in the city during his time in office, calling the businessman “tone deaf” to issues of working families.
“When he was mayor he had no understanding of the inequality crisis. I think he was absolutely tone deaf to what working people are going through in this city,” de Blasio said.
“I’m objective about the fact that there were some things he did well,” he reportedly added. “I can certainly prefer him over Donald Trump. But does he represent today’s Democratic Party? Of course not, not even close.”
De Blasio’s own presidential bid ended earlier this year after he failed to gain traction in early primary states. The mayor’s brief presidential run was centered around support for progressive causes such as the Green New Deal and “Medicare for All.”
Reports indicated this week that if the former mayor were to mount a late entry into the presidential primary, he would forgo competing in the four earliest nominating contests.
Bloomberg previously wrote in an op-ed earlier this year that running for national office would “diminish” his ability to effect change in the country.
“I know there’s much more we can accomplish over the next two years, but only if we stay focused on the work and expand upon it,” he wrote in March. “And the fact is: A national presidential campaign would limit my ability to do that.”
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