May 16, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Mayor Bill de Blasio's presidential announcement falls flat

Bill de Blasio

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio at a New York Police Foundation gala. Photo: Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Mayor Bill de Blasio's 2020 presidential announcement fell flat with New Yorkers — including President Trump on Thursday.

The big picture: 76% of registered voters in New York do not think de Blasio should run for president, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. "Mayor Bill de Blasio's flirtation with a 2020 White House bid is prompting a rare moment of unity among New Yorkers," said polling analyst Mary Snow on April 3.

What they're saying:

  • The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York — which represents more than 50,000 active and retired NYPD officers — released a statement on Thursday assailing de Blasio for running for president saying: "It is laughable that a mayor who has shown no interest in running New York City for six years now says he wants to mismanage the entire country."
  • When de Blasio was interviewed on Good Morning America after announcing his presidential bid, he was met by protestors with signs reading "Liar."
  • Mike Gravel, former Alaska governor and fellow 2020 Democratic presidential contender, said: "I don't think he's a very good mayor," adding he isn't sure why de Blasio would even bother running, per the Washington Post.
  • Other New Yorkers think the field of Democratic nominees is too crowded and de Blasio doesn't stand a chance, per local outlet Spectrum News.
  • Even before he announced his presidential bid, some of de Blasio's closest allies warned him against a 2020 run calling it "f---ing insane," per Politico.

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