That’s gonna cut into Gillibrand’s 0 percent
May 16, 2019 5:45 AM Subscribe
Mayor Bill Announces Run For President. (The comments are funny.) Literally everyone, including his wife, wonders why. New Yorkers, who are 76% opposed to his presidential run, have responded to De Blasio's campaign announcement with characteristic wit and charm: fix the subway, you dick.
If you're starting to feel a bit bad for Bill, here's a 538 article about how he could win, even though "the people who know him best — New Yorkers — don’t particularly like him."
If you're starting to feel a bit bad for Bill, here's a 538 article about how he could win, even though "the people who know him best — New Yorkers — don’t particularly like him."
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- Brandon Blatcher
I'd always had a soft spot for de Blasio.
It's gone now. I regret the error.
posted by phooky at 6:01 AM on May 16, 2019 [35 favorites]
It's gone now. I regret the error.
posted by phooky at 6:01 AM on May 16, 2019 [35 favorites]
Yeah I voted for the guy and I don’t like him.
Does that scale?
posted by spitbull at 6:02 AM on May 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
Does that scale?
posted by spitbull at 6:02 AM on May 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
(and for the five thousandth time the city does not control the subway. He's always gotten a raw deal from the press/public, but that does not excuse this complete bullshit.)
posted by phooky at 6:03 AM on May 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by phooky at 6:03 AM on May 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
Yeah I voted for the guy and I don’t like him.
I voted for him because it was basically him, some James Bond villains, and a couple of guys in clown suits running against him for mayor. He was the default choice. And in the extremely unlikely event he wins the nomination, I’ll vote for him. But in the primaries? Ewwww.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 6:07 AM on May 16, 2019 [9 favorites]
I voted for him because it was basically him, some James Bond villains, and a couple of guys in clown suits running against him for mayor. He was the default choice. And in the extremely unlikely event he wins the nomination, I’ll vote for him. But in the primaries? Ewwww.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 6:07 AM on May 16, 2019 [9 favorites]
I honestly wonder about all these late-to-the-game candidates who have basically no chance of doing anything but diluting the primary field and are running for...what? Self-importance? Not a one of them after Warren, Harris, and Booker has said one damned thing that is more interesting, helpful, or good for the country and its people than those three have, and yet...more powerful dudes just can't help themselves.
posted by xingcat at 6:08 AM on May 16, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by xingcat at 6:08 AM on May 16, 2019 [26 favorites]
I voted for DeBlasio for mayor twice.
He won’t make it past Iowa. Hell, I doubt he’ll make it TO Iowa.
posted by SansPoint at 6:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
He won’t make it past Iowa. Hell, I doubt he’ll make it TO Iowa.
posted by SansPoint at 6:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
The thing about De Blasio is that he sucks less than Cuomo, and so I'd get a thrill to see him become President longer before Andy, the lifelong Presidential aspirant, got his shot. And who doesn't sympathize with a long-running feud between two idiots?
posted by dis_integration at 6:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by dis_integration at 6:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
This is a big step-forward for Hyperpituitary-American representation.
posted by Space Coyote at 6:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Space Coyote at 6:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Does he really want the rest of the country to know how he handled the Eric Garner case?
posted by Selena777 at 6:19 AM on May 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by Selena777 at 6:19 AM on May 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
And who doesn't sympathize with a long-running feud between two idiots?
I don't and I imagine a shit ton of other people. Mostly those who fear for their lives because the way the current US government is being run, this election might very well determine who lives and who doesn't. It's too serious for joke candidates and these clowns shouldn't just step in because it's good for their brand or to sell more t-shirts.
They need to make way for someone serious who wants to run the country with respect, intelligence, and a desire to fix a broken system that no longer serves the needs of its most vulnerable people.
posted by Fizz at 6:28 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
I don't and I imagine a shit ton of other people. Mostly those who fear for their lives because the way the current US government is being run, this election might very well determine who lives and who doesn't. It's too serious for joke candidates and these clowns shouldn't just step in because it's good for their brand or to sell more t-shirts.
They need to make way for someone serious who wants to run the country with respect, intelligence, and a desire to fix a broken system that no longer serves the needs of its most vulnerable people.
posted by Fizz at 6:28 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
All the over promoted mediocre white guys seem to think it'll be very easy to beat Trump this time when the clearly much superior candidate couldn't last time.
Worst case we could end up with president Trump again.
Other worst case: president Biden followed by president Bannon.
posted by MartinWisse at 6:28 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
Worst case we could end up with president Trump again.
Other worst case: president Biden followed by president Bannon.
posted by MartinWisse at 6:28 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
This opinion piece pins at least some of the blame on him, although I admit that the whole thing is beyond my ken.
The MTA is run by the state. Cuomo bears the responsibility for the subway's shit condition. The MTA has 17 board members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor (Cuomo). The NYC mayor gets to recommend 4 of them.
***
Anyway, De Blasio seems way too thin-skinned to be an elected official - especially the mayor of NYC, especially a presidential candidate. He seems to take offense when somebody questions his positions, especially from the left that he claims to champion, and gets immediately and bumblingly defensive. As a mayor, he's more irritant than trainwreck: his claims faaaaar outpace his accomplishments. The whole city has watched this developing 'campaign' with bemusement and a sense of wonder. Why?
posted by entropone at 6:32 AM on May 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
The MTA is run by the state. Cuomo bears the responsibility for the subway's shit condition. The MTA has 17 board members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor (Cuomo). The NYC mayor gets to recommend 4 of them.
***
Anyway, De Blasio seems way too thin-skinned to be an elected official - especially the mayor of NYC, especially a presidential candidate. He seems to take offense when somebody questions his positions, especially from the left that he claims to champion, and gets immediately and bumblingly defensive. As a mayor, he's more irritant than trainwreck: his claims faaaaar outpace his accomplishments. The whole city has watched this developing 'campaign' with bemusement and a sense of wonder. Why?
posted by entropone at 6:32 AM on May 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
Candidate #23 for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:32 AM on May 16, 2019
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:32 AM on May 16, 2019
Also from 538: Why Did All The White Guys Stampede Into The Race So Late?
I’ll leave the longer explanation of this to others, but it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that there’s a certain type of privilege in all these white guys thinking they can just drop into the race at the last minute after everyone else has been working their butts off for months.posted by octothorpe at 6:32 AM on May 16, 2019 [18 favorites]
Also, this piece from The City is a great review of De Blasio's promises and his record - reviewing both his claims and the fine print.
posted by entropone at 6:34 AM on May 16, 2019
posted by entropone at 6:34 AM on May 16, 2019
An ego big enough to supply the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Does he realize being POTUS would cut into his gym/nap schedule? I mean he does love working from home so maybe that’s why he’s into it.
posted by sallybrown at 6:37 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by sallybrown at 6:37 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Does he really want the rest of the country to know how he handled the Eric Garner case?
We know.
He needs to fix the fucking subway and leave the election to grownups.
posted by bile and syntax at 6:38 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
We know.
He needs to fix the fucking subway and leave the election to grownups.
posted by bile and syntax at 6:38 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Okay, clearly this is my moment.
I am proud and deeply humbled to announce to you, my many supporters on MetaFilter, that I am a candidate for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination.
Naberius 2020: Sure, why not?
posted by Naberius at 6:39 AM on May 16, 2019 [39 favorites]
I am proud and deeply humbled to announce to you, my many supporters on MetaFilter, that I am a candidate for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination.
Naberius 2020: Sure, why not?
posted by Naberius at 6:39 AM on May 16, 2019 [39 favorites]
A guy who is now travelling around the country running for president says that he can't take the subway because "Every minute of my day has to be used effectively on behalf of the people and that’s literally seven days a week, 365 days a year."
Even Bloomberg regularly took the subway, albeit by way of a car service that took him to the express stop...
posted by mosst at 6:39 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Even Bloomberg regularly took the subway, albeit by way of a car service that took him to the express stop...
posted by mosst at 6:39 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
De Blasio: *wins*
De Blasio: “so who should I talk to about a flex schedule?”
posted by sallybrown at 6:42 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
De Blasio: “so who should I talk to about a flex schedule?”
posted by sallybrown at 6:42 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
"the people who know him best — New Yorkers — don’t particularly like him."
Although I should point out that there is precedent for a New Yorker that nobody likes winning the Presidency despite no one ever taking him seriously as a candidate.
posted by Naberius at 6:42 AM on May 16, 2019 [63 favorites]
Although I should point out that there is precedent for a New Yorker that nobody likes winning the Presidency despite no one ever taking him seriously as a candidate.
posted by Naberius at 6:42 AM on May 16, 2019 [63 favorites]
de Blasio is limited in his ability to fix the subway. But he does have the power to address the affordable housing shortage, fix crumbling public housing, and do something, anything, to reduce homelessness. NYC is in the middle of an housing crisis, and he's come up far short in dealing with the problem.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 6:45 AM on May 16, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by 1970s Antihero at 6:45 AM on May 16, 2019 [11 favorites]
Christ.
It’s at the point where the most charitable interpretation is that all these white guys are just trying to raise their national profile for the grift.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:46 AM on May 16, 2019 [29 favorites]
It’s at the point where the most charitable interpretation is that all these white guys are just trying to raise their national profile for the grift.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:46 AM on May 16, 2019 [29 favorites]
I’m officially running: Anderson 2020. Best part is that we can just reuse a bunch of vintage John Anderson 1980 campaign merch, which will save money.
posted by SansPoint at 6:46 AM on May 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by SansPoint at 6:46 AM on May 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
(Of course, that's not surprising given that he polls at about 3% within his family.)
I flagged this post. The framing of this post is weird and antagonistic, I think. It also links a Daily Caller zinger with no evidence (the above 3% line) and a seemingly random twitter account with a lot of anti-Democrat content.
posted by msbrauer at 6:52 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
I flagged this post. The framing of this post is weird and antagonistic, I think. It also links a Daily Caller zinger with no evidence (the above 3% line) and a seemingly random twitter account with a lot of anti-Democrat content.
posted by msbrauer at 6:52 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Her?
posted by Mchelly at 6:52 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 6:52 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
It’s at the point where the most charitable interpretation is that all these white guys are just trying to raise their national profile for the grift.
Is there something new in the world of grift, though? The 17 (?) candidates in last cycle's Republican primary seemed a bizarre anomaly at the time. Am I just not remembering huge primaries before that, or is this a new phenomenon and if so, what's behind it?
posted by trig at 6:55 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Is there something new in the world of grift, though? The 17 (?) candidates in last cycle's Republican primary seemed a bizarre anomaly at the time. Am I just not remembering huge primaries before that, or is this a new phenomenon and if so, what's behind it?
posted by trig at 6:55 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
I honestly wonder about all these late-to-the-game candidates
Also from 538: Why Did All The White Guys Stampede Into The Race So Late?
Oh god can we please not normalize people declaring their presidential run a full year before the first primaries my heart literally cannot take this anymore
In September 2032 people are going to be running to win the 2036 election
About Billy boy--I voted for him in the NYC mayoral primary in 2013 and it is my number one most regretted vote of my lifetime and I voted LIBERTARIAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2000
posted by Automocar at 6:59 AM on May 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
Also from 538: Why Did All The White Guys Stampede Into The Race So Late?
Oh god can we please not normalize people declaring their presidential run a full year before the first primaries my heart literally cannot take this anymore
In September 2032 people are going to be running to win the 2036 election
About Billy boy--I voted for him in the NYC mayoral primary in 2013 and it is my number one most regretted vote of my lifetime and I voted LIBERTARIAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2000
posted by Automocar at 6:59 AM on May 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
(Have changes in campaign financing laws made this make more sense? I haven't been keeping track of the situation, and feel like I probably should.)
posted by trig at 7:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by trig at 7:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
As I said elsewhere, a minute ago:
“Dudes:
Are you thinking about running for president on the Democratic ticket in 2020? Why? Do you see yourself as a savior? Does your ego demand it? Is retirement not all it’s cracked up to be? Has your golf game recently suffered?Do you look at your current (and former) high profile elected position and think “but I want more?” Are you sure America needs you? Do you feel uniquely qualified to take on trump because you too can sound like a shouty old grouch bloviating on a park bench somewhere in the five boroughs? Have you perhaps considered woodworking or maybe writing a spy novel or volunteering, or like, doing the job you were currently elected to do? Has it struck any of you that history might remember you more fondly if you don’t run? It’s almost certain that the present day will.
But who am I? Just a another shrill woman, too far left to be useful but not left enough to be truly progressive, whose needless identity politics and desire to see actual policy would tear the fabric of this country apart and alienate the mythological, working class white midwestern centrists that still just want what the kids want in a Springsteen song. Don’t I know what electable looks like? Do I want to be part of the problem?
Whatever, dudes.
Sincerely,
Still Beyoncé/Giant Bowl of Glitter 2020
PS: The literally-you’d-never-survive-a
-Greek-epic hubris of your “Don’t
Worry, folks, I got this” last minute announcements would be galling if not so depressingly typical.“
posted by thivaia at 7:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [20 favorites]
“Dudes:
Are you thinking about running for president on the Democratic ticket in 2020? Why? Do you see yourself as a savior? Does your ego demand it? Is retirement not all it’s cracked up to be? Has your golf game recently suffered?Do you look at your current (and former) high profile elected position and think “but I want more?” Are you sure America needs you? Do you feel uniquely qualified to take on trump because you too can sound like a shouty old grouch bloviating on a park bench somewhere in the five boroughs? Have you perhaps considered woodworking or maybe writing a spy novel or volunteering, or like, doing the job you were currently elected to do? Has it struck any of you that history might remember you more fondly if you don’t run? It’s almost certain that the present day will.
But who am I? Just a another shrill woman, too far left to be useful but not left enough to be truly progressive, whose needless identity politics and desire to see actual policy would tear the fabric of this country apart and alienate the mythological, working class white midwestern centrists that still just want what the kids want in a Springsteen song. Don’t I know what electable looks like? Do I want to be part of the problem?
Whatever, dudes.
Sincerely,
Still Beyoncé/Giant Bowl of Glitter 2020
PS: The literally-you’d-never-survive-a
-Greek-epic hubris of your “Don’t
Worry, folks, I got this” last minute announcements would be galling if not so depressingly typical.“
posted by thivaia at 7:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [20 favorites]
It's actually infuriating that all these random white dudes are jumping into the race 6 weeks before the first debate, knowing they won't make it on the stage but also knowing their presence could block people like Gillibrand or Castro.
So good title!
posted by asteria at 7:05 AM on May 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
So good title!
posted by asteria at 7:05 AM on May 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
The guy is basically a joke candidate; he has nothing in particular to distinguish himself on the national stage. (Though one could rightly think that the mayor of NYC shouldn't be preening him or herself on the national stage. This is not unreasonable.)
He has a 42-44% approval rating as mayor. That's the same, within the margin of error anyway, as Donald Trump's approval rating as President. I'm not saying that he would be as bad a President as Trump—any randomly-selected mammal from the Brooklyn Zoo would be a better President, and easier on the eyes to boot—but it shows that he has about the same level of ability to maintain public support. A great statesman, he is not.
He also seems, in his public persona anyway, to embody some of the worst rich-white-guy stereotypes (self-aggrandizing gym bro with an inflated sense of self-importance, sketchy finances, layered on top of general cluelessness and hollow paternalism). It's hard to see his decision to run as anything more than very public ego stroking.
There's just no compelling reason to take him seriously as a candidate.
posted by Kadin2048 at 7:07 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
He has a 42-44% approval rating as mayor. That's the same, within the margin of error anyway, as Donald Trump's approval rating as President. I'm not saying that he would be as bad a President as Trump—any randomly-selected mammal from the Brooklyn Zoo would be a better President, and easier on the eyes to boot—but it shows that he has about the same level of ability to maintain public support. A great statesman, he is not.
He also seems, in his public persona anyway, to embody some of the worst rich-white-guy stereotypes (self-aggrandizing gym bro with an inflated sense of self-importance, sketchy finances, layered on top of general cluelessness and hollow paternalism). It's hard to see his decision to run as anything more than very public ego stroking.
There's just no compelling reason to take him seriously as a candidate.
posted by Kadin2048 at 7:07 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
What's David Dinkins doing these days?
posted by box at 7:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by box at 7:10 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
I think it's just that there hasn't been a truly open primary on the Dem side since 2004. 2008 was supposed to be Hillary's Turn, but then Obama jumped in (thank God). Which pushed back Hillary's Turn another eight years. So now we have a glut of candidates who all thought about running sometime in the past 11 years and have nothing stopping them from taking a shot at it.
posted by riruro at 7:11 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by riruro at 7:11 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Boy is he gonna be embarrassed when he winds up doing worse than Rudy Giuliani did when he ran for president.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:19 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:19 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
He then turns around and says in the exact same press conference that for other people, the subway is basically always better than driving. . . Like we are all too stupid to remember what he just said! Driving for him, but not for the little people, I guess!
To be fair, driving is absolutely the most efficient way to get around NY if you get to ignore the traffic laws, drive your SUV however and wherever the hell you want, crash into people, and cover it up.
posted by The Bellman at 7:20 AM on May 16, 2019 [19 favorites]
To be fair, driving is absolutely the most efficient way to get around NY if you get to ignore the traffic laws, drive your SUV however and wherever the hell you want, crash into people, and cover it up.
posted by The Bellman at 7:20 AM on May 16, 2019 [19 favorites]
I voted for him twice, and campaigned pretty hard for him the first time. This vanity exercise is absolutely inexplicable.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:21 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Navelgazer at 7:21 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Why are we spending so much time discussing an article from The Onion?
Wait, what? That silly buffoon is really running for President?
posted by PhineasGage at 7:27 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Wait, what? That silly buffoon is really running for President?
posted by PhineasGage at 7:27 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Just for the record, I am the only white male not running for president.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:34 AM on May 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:34 AM on May 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
So do I need to include the underscores when I write in dances_with_sneetches on my primary ballot?
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:37 AM on May 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:37 AM on May 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
Metafilter: not running for president
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:38 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:38 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
the clearly much superior candidate couldn't last time.
While I agree that Clinton was vastly more qualified, it didn’t transfer into being a superior candidate.
First, she did not have a simple, coherent message as to why she should be president. Trump on the other hand, sold a simple message - the US is suffering because we are being taken advantage of and he was the strong deal maker who could turn things around. Of course, that was a load of horseshit but people are stupid and believe what feels good, not what is supported by the evidence.
Second, she was selling a message of “I know the system and am good at running it” at a time when a large segment of the population (left and right) was saying the system sucks. She fundamentally didn’t understand why Bernie was so popular in the primaries, which meant he was able to hang around far longer than he should have (I say this as someone who voted for him in my caucus) — if she had done that, she would have understood Trump’s popularity and been able to formulate an effective strategy for beating him.
Now, to bring this back to de Blasio — just like most of the prior 23(?) announced Democratic candidates, he has nothing for the two points I make above. The current field is a muddle of people with muddled messages who are doing nothing to broadcast a clear distinction for why they are qualified to be president. The one exception, I think, is Biden whose message is “Its Trump’s fault.” and “Remember how great Obama was?” Which, quite frankly, is almost as dumb as Trump.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 7:41 AM on May 16, 2019 [21 favorites]
While I agree that Clinton was vastly more qualified, it didn’t transfer into being a superior candidate.
First, she did not have a simple, coherent message as to why she should be president. Trump on the other hand, sold a simple message - the US is suffering because we are being taken advantage of and he was the strong deal maker who could turn things around. Of course, that was a load of horseshit but people are stupid and believe what feels good, not what is supported by the evidence.
Second, she was selling a message of “I know the system and am good at running it” at a time when a large segment of the population (left and right) was saying the system sucks. She fundamentally didn’t understand why Bernie was so popular in the primaries, which meant he was able to hang around far longer than he should have (I say this as someone who voted for him in my caucus) — if she had done that, she would have understood Trump’s popularity and been able to formulate an effective strategy for beating him.
Now, to bring this back to de Blasio — just like most of the prior 23(?) announced Democratic candidates, he has nothing for the two points I make above. The current field is a muddle of people with muddled messages who are doing nothing to broadcast a clear distinction for why they are qualified to be president. The one exception, I think, is Biden whose message is “Its Trump’s fault.” and “Remember how great Obama was?” Which, quite frankly, is almost as dumb as Trump.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 7:41 AM on May 16, 2019 [21 favorites]
23 candidates you say? Maybe this is MY year! ( just kidding!) seriously no one needs 23 candidates. There’s maybe 4 with the right stuff, in the right age range, who can bring it enough to even make Trump mildly nervous.
Among the women, remember how Trump LOOOOMED and LURKED weirdly behind Hillary? I would have dropped EVERYTHING and politely but firmly requested that he sit down or stop with the weird primate dominance display. That is exactly what it was. He was showing off his greater physical size. Hillary is on the short side. Short people can own a room, but they have to make the effort. She was too puzzled. I believe she began to lose at that moment.
Any female candidate with the potential to tell Trump to sit down and wait his turn will have my vote. Extra points if she causes him to publicly wet himself.
I hear you about the long campaigns. I’m not real thrilled with it either. Here’s the deal, With absentee, vote -by- mail and provisions, a candidate *has* to start early. There is relatively little reason to start late, other than to avoid the vetting, to save money, ( FEC stuff starts with filing) or possibly to be out there to be considered as a running mate or cabinet member.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 7:45 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Among the women, remember how Trump LOOOOMED and LURKED weirdly behind Hillary? I would have dropped EVERYTHING and politely but firmly requested that he sit down or stop with the weird primate dominance display. That is exactly what it was. He was showing off his greater physical size. Hillary is on the short side. Short people can own a room, but they have to make the effort. She was too puzzled. I believe she began to lose at that moment.
Any female candidate with the potential to tell Trump to sit down and wait his turn will have my vote. Extra points if she causes him to publicly wet himself.
I hear you about the long campaigns. I’m not real thrilled with it either. Here’s the deal, With absentee, vote -by- mail and provisions, a candidate *has* to start early. There is relatively little reason to start late, other than to avoid the vetting, to save money, ( FEC stuff starts with filing) or possibly to be out there to be considered as a running mate or cabinet member.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 7:45 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
"FiveThirtyEight has a longstanding, five-month-old tradition: Whenever a major candidate declares he or she is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, we try to find a path they could use to win. De Blasio’s is gnarled, but let’s see if we can make a case."
posted by Apocryphon at 7:51 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Apocryphon at 7:51 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Oh, sure, let's re-hash 2016. Hillary Clinton is female so she lost.
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
Have you perhaps considered woodworking or maybe writing a spy novel or volunteering, or like, doing the job you were currently elected to do?
Meanwhile, Stacey Abrams is out there fighting voter supression. My respect for Sherrod Brown only increased when he said "Nah."
Getting heavy 1988 flashbacks from this primary season so far.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
Meanwhile, Stacey Abrams is out there fighting voter supression. My respect for Sherrod Brown only increased when he said "Nah."
Getting heavy 1988 flashbacks from this primary season so far.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:00 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
Not a one of them after Warren, Harris, and Booker has said one damned thing that is more interesting, helpful, or good for the country and its people than those three have
98% true; the exception is Inslee running on climate change. He's making a serious attempt to attention on the substance of this issue and has been digging into the meat before the Green New Deal was even conceived. All the other guys you complain about will of course prevent that from doing any good.
Warren and the others are going to try and address things for sure, but their level of knowledge in the details is "I believe in the science" which, as climate writer David Roberts joked, is like coming into the health care debate and saying "I believe diseases exist."
I make this comment as a Warren supporter.
posted by mark k at 8:01 AM on May 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
98% true; the exception is Inslee running on climate change. He's making a serious attempt to attention on the substance of this issue and has been digging into the meat before the Green New Deal was even conceived. All the other guys you complain about will of course prevent that from doing any good.
Warren and the others are going to try and address things for sure, but their level of knowledge in the details is "I believe in the science" which, as climate writer David Roberts joked, is like coming into the health care debate and saying "I believe diseases exist."
I make this comment as a Warren supporter.
posted by mark k at 8:01 AM on May 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
Whenever a major candidate declares he or she is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, we try to find a path they could use to win.
I've got it!
Step One: in a terrible group photo op gone wrong, all the other Democratic candidates are eaten by bears.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:03 AM on May 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
I've got it!
Step One: in a terrible group photo op gone wrong, all the other Democratic candidates are eaten by bears.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:03 AM on May 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
fucking hell Big Al, Hillary won the popular vote by 3m
let's not forget that by any sane sense of things, she won the election
never fucking forget
(sorry not sorry about getting aggro about this but i'm so tired of the reframing of that election as if Clinton just needed to do this one thing and she'd've won)
posted by kokaku at 8:04 AM on May 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
let's not forget that by any sane sense of things, she won the election
never fucking forget
(sorry not sorry about getting aggro about this but i'm so tired of the reframing of that election as if Clinton just needed to do this one thing and she'd've won)
posted by kokaku at 8:04 AM on May 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
Mod note: Hello friends. This post is already way out on one side of the editorializing spectrum; if people really need to talk de Blasio, okay, but please skip rehashing Clinton's campaign. Also ifdssn9, I mefimailed you about zapping that Daily Caller link.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:04 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:04 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Just started the City article linked by entropone.
Meanwhile, the mayor’s expansion of public school-based programs in an industry still dominated by nonprofit providers has created a pay-parity issue. Starting salaries at Department of Education-run pre-K programs are significantly higher than those offered by the nonprofits. The DOE programs are not only siphoning kids from those programs, but also luring teachers.
I mean... good?
posted by pelvicsorcery at 8:06 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Meanwhile, the mayor’s expansion of public school-based programs in an industry still dominated by nonprofit providers has created a pay-parity issue. Starting salaries at Department of Education-run pre-K programs are significantly higher than those offered by the nonprofits. The DOE programs are not only siphoning kids from those programs, but also luring teachers.
I mean... good?
posted by pelvicsorcery at 8:06 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
The healthcare stuff also sounds very good; the "fine print" is just "you can go to the ER and use GoFundMe" without copping to it.
I'll defer to those who said his reform of policing ie making the system less racist has not been good.
posted by pelvicsorcery at 8:11 AM on May 16, 2019
I'll defer to those who said his reform of policing ie making the system less racist has not been good.
posted by pelvicsorcery at 8:11 AM on May 16, 2019
I honestly wonder about all these late-to-the-game candidates who have basically no chance of doing anything but diluting the primary field and are running for...what? Self-importance?
The only thing that makes sense to me is that he's really running for a cabinet position, maybe Secretary of Education based on his successful Universal Pre-K program.
Gothamist has a very good rundown of his achievements (and lack of same). He has done some genuinely good things. But the general sense for a while now has been that he's checked out, frustrated, and unacceptably defensive.
One big example: after activist advocacy during his first campaign, he adopted Vision Zero as NYC policy, which led to falling traffic fatalities five years running during a period where they were increasing essentially everywhere else in America. (They are up again this year, but still below pre-Vision Zero levels.) HOWEVER, his support of various Vision Zero interventions seems to have waned, and he seems pissed off that people are continuing to push him on street safety - he'll do or say things that are totally antithetical to Vision Zero and then act like having adopted the policy in the first place gives him carte blanche to undermine it when he feels like it.
My biggest problem with him as a mayor, though, is an absolute 100% dealbreaker for any candidate in 2019: he is a complete fucking wimp when it comes to the police. From the Gothamist piece:
By most accounts, de Blasio learned early the consequences of crossing the NYPD—very public funeral snubbings, in his case—and ever since he has been altogether unwilling to stand up to the police force he once campaigned on reforming.
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:18 AM on May 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
The only thing that makes sense to me is that he's really running for a cabinet position, maybe Secretary of Education based on his successful Universal Pre-K program.
Gothamist has a very good rundown of his achievements (and lack of same). He has done some genuinely good things. But the general sense for a while now has been that he's checked out, frustrated, and unacceptably defensive.
One big example: after activist advocacy during his first campaign, he adopted Vision Zero as NYC policy, which led to falling traffic fatalities five years running during a period where they were increasing essentially everywhere else in America. (They are up again this year, but still below pre-Vision Zero levels.) HOWEVER, his support of various Vision Zero interventions seems to have waned, and he seems pissed off that people are continuing to push him on street safety - he'll do or say things that are totally antithetical to Vision Zero and then act like having adopted the policy in the first place gives him carte blanche to undermine it when he feels like it.
My biggest problem with him as a mayor, though, is an absolute 100% dealbreaker for any candidate in 2019: he is a complete fucking wimp when it comes to the police. From the Gothamist piece:
By most accounts, de Blasio learned early the consequences of crossing the NYPD—very public funeral snubbings, in his case—and ever since he has been altogether unwilling to stand up to the police force he once campaigned on reforming.
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:18 AM on May 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
New Yorkers, a question, why isn t he running for state office first?
Isn t half the problem with democrats is that they ignore state offices?
posted by eustatic at 8:26 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Isn t half the problem with democrats is that they ignore state offices?
posted by eustatic at 8:26 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
The only thing that makes sense to me is that he's really running for a cabinet position, maybe Secretary of Education based on his successful Universal Pre-K program.
Another very good reason to support Elizabeth Warren.
Seriously - theres nothing more disqualifying than this guy looking around and thinking the race needed him in it, but a close second would be his utterly bullshit handling of the functional apartheid of NYC schools.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:29 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
Another very good reason to support Elizabeth Warren.
Seriously - theres nothing more disqualifying than this guy looking around and thinking the race needed him in it, but a close second would be his utterly bullshit handling of the functional apartheid of NYC schools.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:29 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
fIsnt half the problem with democrats is that they ignore state offices?
Yes. Their ego doesn’t want to let them, and so they don’t have many really competent people at the state level. It’s a terrible idea, but de Blasio clearly isn’t letting that stop him.
posted by corb at 8:34 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yes. Their ego doesn’t want to let them, and so they don’t have many really competent people at the state level. It’s a terrible idea, but de Blasio clearly isn’t letting that stop him.
posted by corb at 8:34 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
New Yorkers, a question, why isn't he running for state office first?
The governor has no term limits and the mayor does (he's out after 2021). De Blasio's not gonna win a primary against Cuomo, crappy as Cuomo is. And forget about running for the State Senate or Assembly - NYC alone has like 14 State Senators and dozens of State Assembly Members, so he'd consider those offices a step down. There's no higher state-level office he can reasonably aspire to.
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:41 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
The governor has no term limits and the mayor does (he's out after 2021). De Blasio's not gonna win a primary against Cuomo, crappy as Cuomo is. And forget about running for the State Senate or Assembly - NYC alone has like 14 State Senators and dozens of State Assembly Members, so he'd consider those offices a step down. There's no higher state-level office he can reasonably aspire to.
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:41 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Meanwhile, Stacey Abrams is out there fighting voter supression.
Abrams is not ruling out a presidential run until September. As far as inspiring also-rans from 2018 go, I'd give Gillum more credit for not deigning to run in this packed race.
posted by Apocryphon at 9:02 AM on May 16, 2019
Abrams is not ruling out a presidential run until September. As far as inspiring also-rans from 2018 go, I'd give Gillum more credit for not deigning to run in this packed race.
posted by Apocryphon at 9:02 AM on May 16, 2019
De Dlas is a putz.
posted by AugustWest at 9:08 AM on May 16, 2019
posted by AugustWest at 9:08 AM on May 16, 2019
New Yorkers, a question, why isn't he running for state office first?
For better or worse, the office of NYC mayor has a pretty high profile nationally, on par with all but the most prominent U.S. Senators and Congress members. I've never lived in the northeast, but I can easily name every NYC mayor since Ed Koch.
And it doesn't bode well for De Blasio that out of all of them, his name draws the biggest blank for me.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:09 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
For better or worse, the office of NYC mayor has a pretty high profile nationally, on par with all but the most prominent U.S. Senators and Congress members. I've never lived in the northeast, but I can easily name every NYC mayor since Ed Koch.
And it doesn't bode well for De Blasio that out of all of them, his name draws the biggest blank for me.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:09 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I saw a Biden / Beto 2020 bumper sticker yesterday and was pretty sure that was the most white dude thing I'd see all week.
posted by Uncle at 9:23 AM on May 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by Uncle at 9:23 AM on May 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
His mayorship is why a large number of activists I know have abandoned electoral work.
I’m not sure a majority of New Yorkers know he’s mayor of New York.
His entire run in office has been a compelling argument for abolishing the office of mayor, we’re doing so well without a mayor! Let’s switch to a direct democracy Swiss canton system!
To put it bluntly, Warren Wilhelm Jr. is not a smart man.
posted by The Whelk at 9:33 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I’m not sure a majority of New Yorkers know he’s mayor of New York.
His entire run in office has been a compelling argument for abolishing the office of mayor, we’re doing so well without a mayor! Let’s switch to a direct democracy Swiss canton system!
To put it bluntly, Warren Wilhelm Jr. is not a smart man.
posted by The Whelk at 9:33 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
His mayorship is why a large number of activists I know have abandoned electoral work.
I think this is a really important point. Lots of smart people were completely snowed by this empty suit. Including me.
posted by Automocar at 9:36 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
I think this is a really important point. Lots of smart people were completely snowed by this empty suit. Including me.
posted by Automocar at 9:36 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Has any former NYC mayor ever gone on to statewide or national elected office?
posted by box at 9:41 AM on May 16, 2019
posted by box at 9:41 AM on May 16, 2019
New York is just a freaking monster machine politics state, I feel like if you get any kind of win against the system here you should get a medal. We have this totally unearned reputation as a liberal oasis despite our nationally awful electoral laws and a goblin faced dauphin of a governor who bent the entire system this whim lite not having a platform or charm or base outside some confused voters who think he’s his father.
2021 is gonna be buck fucking wild when basically all of the city council seats are going into play. A smart person would be preparing now.
posted by The Whelk at 9:41 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
2021 is gonna be buck fucking wild when basically all of the city council seats are going into play. A smart person would be preparing now.
posted by The Whelk at 9:41 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
when will mayor whelk fix the subways
posted by poffin boffin at 9:43 AM on May 16, 2019 [22 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 9:43 AM on May 16, 2019 [22 favorites]
I’m going back to the 1943 two system plan and demanding home rule for the subways, cut out Albany all together. A five cents fare is fair!
posted by The Whelk at 9:44 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:44 AM on May 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
> when will mayor whelk fix the subways
That's mayor the whelk to you.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:45 AM on May 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
That's mayor the whelk to you.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:45 AM on May 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
Thinking back on the 2012 mayoral primary (in which i too was taken in by his apparent potential) im not sure there were a ton of great options? Bill Thompson might have been the strongest in hindsight - it seemed like that (or Chris Quinn's predicted ascendance) was just a bit too much of the same old and we needed something new?
I guess on the upside Weiner didnt win (thought looking back something should have tipped us off when Keith Ellison endorsed him)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:45 AM on May 16, 2019
I guess on the upside Weiner didnt win (thought looking back something should have tipped us off when Keith Ellison endorsed him)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:45 AM on May 16, 2019
Well that’s the problem isn’t it? The politics of the largest city in the country have lagged behind the rest of the country because of its complete enclosure by cynical carrier placeholders and neoliberal Business ghouls.
It doesn’t have to be like this, NYC was the vanguard in a lot of cooperative and social programs, so many of our large scale projects were desired and mocked as impossible at the time but are now profitable bedrock institutions , it’s just been a combination of lack of imagination of the seizure of the city by the state and large business interests during the historical accident of the 70s crash. Nothing is inevitable or even natural. We can change this.
The throne of capital shall be its tomb. Vote Whelk.
posted by The Whelk at 9:52 AM on May 16, 2019 [16 favorites]
It doesn’t have to be like this, NYC was the vanguard in a lot of cooperative and social programs, so many of our large scale projects were desired and mocked as impossible at the time but are now profitable bedrock institutions , it’s just been a combination of lack of imagination of the seizure of the city by the state and large business interests during the historical accident of the 70s crash. Nothing is inevitable or even natural. We can change this.
The throne of capital shall be its tomb. Vote Whelk.
posted by The Whelk at 9:52 AM on May 16, 2019 [16 favorites]
New Yorkers, a question, why isn't he running for state office first?
I guess he's really running for Governor, just not yet. Today's Q&A section of electoral-vote.com addresses something similar:
I guess he's really running for Governor, just not yet. Today's Q&A section of electoral-vote.com addresses something similar:
On Monday, you had an item about several Democrats who have a good shot at a Senate seat but are instead running for president. Rather than actually trying to win the presidency, could it be a deliberate strategy for them to get in the spotlight by participating in the primary debates, and then to run for the Senate anyway? S.W., Utrecht, Netherlandsposted by DreamerFi at 9:56 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm wondering if Steve Bullock, John Hickenlooper, and Beto O'Rourke might actually be planning Senate runs and are mostly using presidential candidacies to boost their profiles. Senate campaigns don't start for a while, but the presidential campaign is in full swing. Add to that the potential to get into a nationally televised debate on key issues, and it seems like a viable strategy. It's true that they are leaving the Senate primaries open for challengers this way—but it seems to me that each one could handle a primary fairly easily. By not declaring for the Senate, they get the added bonus of not having big targets on their backs, effectively being able to campaign for a while without real opposition. What do you think? E.H., Stevens Point, WI
You both make a pretty good case. Running for president right now conveys some pretty significant advantages over officially declaring for the Senate, while also minimizing some significant disadvantages. And E.H. is right that someone with the stature of a Hickenlooper or an O'Rourke could likely clear out any primary opponents pretty easily. In fact, as we've suggested, it's possible they've already communicated such intentions to the Democratic pooh-bahs, specifically to keep their soft landing spots open.
Anyhow, we will only add one thing to your suppositions: One more benefit of running for president is that you never know what might happen. Maybe your bid catches fire? And if not, the Senate is not such a bad consolation prize. Ask Mitt Romney.
Ever since John Hickenlooper entered the race (a qualified candidate, but with no overwhelming following or reason to expect unique media attention) three things have seemed more likely to me. Not only are these good, not great candidates being encouraged to run, political consultants near them have convinced them in private that the 2020 primary might work like a karmic wait-list. In other words, potential candidates are being told that regardless of their chances, anyone who at least wants a opportunity to run in 2024 has no choice but to get involved in the 2020 primary or be forgotten. That seems to like exactly the sort thing of shady, "seems legit" argument that a self-interested consultant would give regardless of the actual political climate. It also seems to me like advice I'd be afraid of not following if I was an aging politician concerned with my legacy. You can't prove a negative, after all.
New Yorkers, a question, why isn't he running for state office first?
The only state office that would reliably improve de Blasio's prospects for a presidential candidacy is Governor. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a New York governor may serve, it's well known in NY that Andrew Cuomo wants to run for president, and it's well known that there's nothing stopping Cuomo from nesting in the Governor position for years until he has the right opportunity. Andrew Cuomo really is that good at winning New York State elections. On top of that, any New Yorker who pays regular attention to state or city politics is constantly being beat over the head with reminders that Cuomo and de Blasio strongly dislike each other, and that the two of them will do everything they realistically can with their billion-dollar budgets and national profiles to impede the other's prospects.
posted by IShouldBeStudyingRightNow at 10:02 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
New Yorkers, a question, why isn't he running for state office first?
The only state office that would reliably improve de Blasio's prospects for a presidential candidacy is Governor. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a New York governor may serve, it's well known in NY that Andrew Cuomo wants to run for president, and it's well known that there's nothing stopping Cuomo from nesting in the Governor position for years until he has the right opportunity. Andrew Cuomo really is that good at winning New York State elections. On top of that, any New Yorker who pays regular attention to state or city politics is constantly being beat over the head with reminders that Cuomo and de Blasio strongly dislike each other, and that the two of them will do everything they realistically can with their billion-dollar budgets and national profiles to impede the other's prospects.
posted by IShouldBeStudyingRightNow at 10:02 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
what’s Bill’s record on his progressive promises? Uuuuuh ...not great
posted by The Whelk at 10:06 AM on May 16, 2019
posted by The Whelk at 10:06 AM on May 16, 2019
Mod note: Edited post with OP permission to remove the Daily Caller fake claim
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:09 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:09 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
To put it bluntly, Warren Wilhelm Jr. is not a smart man.
I've been guilty of things like this myself in the past, but can we maybe not use someone's birth name like it's some sort of gotcha?
posted by Etrigan at 10:14 AM on May 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
I've been guilty of things like this myself in the past, but can we maybe not use someone's birth name like it's some sort of gotcha?
posted by Etrigan at 10:14 AM on May 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
Has any former NYC mayor ever gone on to statewide or national elected office?
No. I think the closest you get is Theodore Roosevelt, who was the New York City Police Commissioner, but even he went on to be governor before running as McKinley's veep.
posted by briank at 10:29 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
No. I think the closest you get is Theodore Roosevelt, who was the New York City Police Commissioner, but even he went on to be governor before running as McKinley's veep.
posted by briank at 10:29 AM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I saw a Biden / Beto 2020 bumper sticker yesterday and was pretty sure that was the most white dude thing I'd see all week.
Last night I saw a 50-something dude in khakis, an unbuttoned Brooks Brothers oxford, and a Stones' Lips t-shirt climb out of Range Rover. Reader, I almost applauded.
posted by octobersurprise at 10:30 AM on May 16, 2019 [11 favorites]
Last night I saw a 50-something dude in khakis, an unbuttoned Brooks Brothers oxford, and a Stones' Lips t-shirt climb out of Range Rover. Reader, I almost applauded.
posted by octobersurprise at 10:30 AM on May 16, 2019 [11 favorites]
There's just no compelling reason to take him seriously as a candidate.
I remember saying and hearing those words a lot back in 2015.
posted by biogeo at 10:53 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
I remember saying and hearing those words a lot back in 2015.
posted by biogeo at 10:53 AM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
I saw a Biden / Beto 2020 bumper sticker yesterday and was pretty sure that was the most white dude thing I'd see all week.
Last night I saw a 50-something dude in khakis, an unbuttoned Brooks Brothers oxford, and a Stones' Lips t-shirt climb out of Range Rover. Reader, I almost applauded.
Don't look back, you can never look back.
posted by maudlin at 10:57 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
Last night I saw a 50-something dude in khakis, an unbuttoned Brooks Brothers oxford, and a Stones' Lips t-shirt climb out of Range Rover. Reader, I almost applauded.
Don't look back, you can never look back.
posted by maudlin at 10:57 AM on May 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
The politics of the largest city in the country have lagged behind the rest of the country because of its complete enclosure by cynical carrier placeholders and neoliberal Business ghouls.
The city literally gerrymandered Hudson Yards into Harlem via Central Park to give the geniuses behind the Time Warner Center extra cash to waste on a small city built out to the quality you'd expect from non-union construction workers. (That was Bloomberg, but don't think de Blasio is much better.)
Which is to say, The Whelk is right.
New York is full of liberals, so that reputation has a point, but that also means it is a one-party state and therefore captured by the cynical people who have taken power. Did you know we can vote for judges except it doesn't matter because there will never be more Democratic judges than seats so you just get what you're handed? Did you know everyone hates Cuomo but no one will run against him except people far outside the system, because the party will screw them if they do?
Uh I don't know where I was going. Whelk is right and both de Blasio and Cuomo are repellent scum.
posted by dame at 11:18 AM on May 16, 2019 [9 favorites]
The city literally gerrymandered Hudson Yards into Harlem via Central Park to give the geniuses behind the Time Warner Center extra cash to waste on a small city built out to the quality you'd expect from non-union construction workers. (That was Bloomberg, but don't think de Blasio is much better.)
Which is to say, The Whelk is right.
New York is full of liberals, so that reputation has a point, but that also means it is a one-party state and therefore captured by the cynical people who have taken power. Did you know we can vote for judges except it doesn't matter because there will never be more Democratic judges than seats so you just get what you're handed? Did you know everyone hates Cuomo but no one will run against him except people far outside the system, because the party will screw them if they do?
Uh I don't know where I was going. Whelk is right and both de Blasio and Cuomo are repellent scum.
posted by dame at 11:18 AM on May 16, 2019 [9 favorites]
The politics of the largest city in the country have lagged behind the rest of the country
DeBlasio's total failure to deal with the development issue infuriates me, and if he were running again I would support any credible primary opponent against him. I can't imagine any circumstance in which I'd vote for him in a presidential primary.
But if most of the country has Pre-K for All, 10 (ultimately 12) weeks' paid family leave on top of FMLA, and free legal aid for tenants facing eviction in housing court (still being rolled out), I must have missed it.
posted by praemunire at 11:40 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
DeBlasio's total failure to deal with the development issue infuriates me, and if he were running again I would support any credible primary opponent against him. I can't imagine any circumstance in which I'd vote for him in a presidential primary.
But if most of the country has Pre-K for All, 10 (ultimately 12) weeks' paid family leave on top of FMLA, and free legal aid for tenants facing eviction in housing court (still being rolled out), I must have missed it.
posted by praemunire at 11:40 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Only just realized The Whelk could a be a freelancer from Saga. I'd still vote for ya. The Whelk 2021..."killing all the bad ideas".
posted by kokaku at 11:45 AM on May 16, 2019
posted by kokaku at 11:45 AM on May 16, 2019
New York should be leading the nation in bold policy making because it is here we have the means and capacity for great change. The climate bill passed by the council is a good start but we should be dreaming much bigger - the history of New York is a history of great public work projects people scoffed at and said could never be done. It’s is here we have the concentrated wealth, it is here we have the infrastructure, it is here we have the great numbers of people and it is here we should be showing the nation what a city made by the workers, for the workers looks like.
posted by The Whelk at 12:02 PM on May 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 12:02 PM on May 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
(That being said the current speaker who really really really wants to be mayor is saying all the right things and coming up with car free plans and such)
posted by The Whelk at 12:09 PM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 12:09 PM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
New York should be leading the nation in bold policy making because it is here we have the means and capacity for great change.
Agree.
posted by praemunire at 12:14 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Agree.
posted by praemunire at 12:14 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
There are groups working to fix the democratic party in New York. The machine is just made up of people.
posted by phooky at 12:21 PM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by phooky at 12:21 PM on May 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I mean Johnson’s eliminating car culture proposal is good but I want to like, turn the Cross Bronx into a native biome park and flood breaker with some mixed use medium density affordable housing in full LEDD compliance. No proposal should be considered too radical and very few people are actually calling for full enforcement of our currently existing labor and tenant laws cause how big there are tens of millions out there for city funds from unclaimed fines ( the wage theft in this city is impossible to overstate!) or fines that have been lowballed for decades.
Also everyone in Queens vote Caban for DA this summer - it would be nice to have one DA that is committed to ending unjust prosecution or just isn’t insanely corrupt.
posted by The Whelk at 12:33 PM on May 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
Also everyone in Queens vote Caban for DA this summer - it would be nice to have one DA that is committed to ending unjust prosecution or just isn’t insanely corrupt.
posted by The Whelk at 12:33 PM on May 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm just kind of amazed that he thinks he can get anywhere with this.
posted by freakazoid at 12:41 PM on May 16, 2019
posted by freakazoid at 12:41 PM on May 16, 2019
I'm just kind of amazed that he thinks he can get anywhere with this.
Well if "get anywhere" means "raise his national profile before he's unemployed after 2021," then this campaign does make a certain kind of sense. But the only person his campaign has the potential to benefit is the Very Tall Mayor himself.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:49 PM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Well if "get anywhere" means "raise his national profile before he's unemployed after 2021," then this campaign does make a certain kind of sense. But the only person his campaign has the potential to benefit is the Very Tall Mayor himself.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:49 PM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Its safe to say that im more interested (and invested) in Corey Johnson's campaign to quit smoking than i am DeBlasio's campaign for president.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:33 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:33 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Well if "get anywhere" means "raise his national profile before he's unemployed after 2021," then this campaign does make a certain kind of sense. But the only person his campaign has the potential to benefit is the Very Tall Mayor himself.
But how can a campaign that is overwhelmingly considered a joke and an act of hubris benefit him? Any attention is good attention? Low information voters won't remember what a dipshit he is in a few years but they'll know they've heard his name? He's putting a lot of time and money into being humiliated on a national stage.
My biggest problem with him as a mayor, though, is an absolute 100% dealbreaker for any candidate in 2019: he is a complete fucking wimp when it comes to the police.
Seriously. One of his first acts as mayor was to appoint a former Giuliani police commissioner. He's continued over the past five years to kiss police ass as hard as he can for no good reason. Setting aside entirely the moral and ethical reasons why the police should be reformed, there is no political sense to what he's done. The police will hate him no matter what. The progressives, liberals, activists etc will hate him as long as he's trying to appease the police. He could make one group happy, but has chosen a path that makes no one happy. Bill, you dumbass, the police will never love you.
posted by Mavri at 2:55 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
But how can a campaign that is overwhelmingly considered a joke and an act of hubris benefit him? Any attention is good attention? Low information voters won't remember what a dipshit he is in a few years but they'll know they've heard his name? He's putting a lot of time and money into being humiliated on a national stage.
My biggest problem with him as a mayor, though, is an absolute 100% dealbreaker for any candidate in 2019: he is a complete fucking wimp when it comes to the police.
Seriously. One of his first acts as mayor was to appoint a former Giuliani police commissioner. He's continued over the past five years to kiss police ass as hard as he can for no good reason. Setting aside entirely the moral and ethical reasons why the police should be reformed, there is no political sense to what he's done. The police will hate him no matter what. The progressives, liberals, activists etc will hate him as long as he's trying to appease the police. He could make one group happy, but has chosen a path that makes no one happy. Bill, you dumbass, the police will never love you.
posted by Mavri at 2:55 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
fix the subway, you dick.
The mayor can't fix the subway. The MTA is run by the state. Which in itself is stupid, as the state doesn't give a shit about subway riders, but there you go.
There are groups working to fix the democratic party in New York.
Also don't forget that the State Senate just changed hands in a big swing election last year, and is now run by actual Democrats (not the traitorous IDC ones) and is kicking ass left and right.
posted by fungible at 3:21 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
The mayor can't fix the subway. The MTA is run by the state. Which in itself is stupid, as the state doesn't give a shit about subway riders, but there you go.
There are groups working to fix the democratic party in New York.
Also don't forget that the State Senate just changed hands in a big swing election last year, and is now run by actual Democrats (not the traitorous IDC ones) and is kicking ass left and right.
posted by fungible at 3:21 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
There is really not a lot of logic, overt or otherwise to his candidacy. I suspect it is to raise his profile as noted above, in order to get an appointed job in a democratic administration, and, more importantly to de Blas, as a vehicle for him to continue to raise money and to take kickbacks. Once his One New York scam was shut down, he realized that there was no prohibition from taking money in a charity or campaign for a federal office. Now, anyone wanting to do business with the City will donate to his Prex campaign. To me, he is the most ethically challenged Mayor of my lifetime. Lindsay, Kock, Dinkins, Beame, Bloomberg, etc were good men or not bad men when it comes to running the city and taking kickbacks.
I would not be surprised to find out he owns part of the NY Post or has a deal with them. This idea to run for President will sell so many papers. Day in and day out the Post rips on de Blas. He is a headline making for all the wrong reasons, machine.
Besides, he is a Red Sox fan. No matter what he does, no NYer will ever forgive that. Certainly not the Yankees fans and not the Mets fans either.
posted by AugustWest at 1:13 AM on May 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
I would not be surprised to find out he owns part of the NY Post or has a deal with them. This idea to run for President will sell so many papers. Day in and day out the Post rips on de Blas. He is a headline making for all the wrong reasons, machine.
Besides, he is a Red Sox fan. No matter what he does, no NYer will ever forgive that. Certainly not the Yankees fans and not the Mets fans either.
posted by AugustWest at 1:13 AM on May 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
Naberius 2020: Sure, why not?
Sorry, I'm all-in for #1 quidnunc kid
posted by duffell at 8:31 AM on May 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Sorry, I'm all-in for #1 quidnunc kid
posted by duffell at 8:31 AM on May 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Well, De Blasio has already won the first contest: he is not this week's least relevant new candidate!
posted by zeusianfog at 12:21 PM on May 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by zeusianfog at 12:21 PM on May 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
At least a couple of these dudes have a sense of humor
posted by Apocryphon at 8:52 PM on May 18, 2019
posted by Apocryphon at 8:52 PM on May 18, 2019
Hat tip to @heynell: I've done it. I've come up with a reason Mayor de Blasio should be elected president in 2020. Hear me out. You know what, I'm sold!
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:01 AM on May 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:01 AM on May 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
EXCLUSIVE: Mayor de Blasio cuts library funding after using Park Slope branch as a satellite office for years (NY Daily News)
posted by box at 3:28 PM on May 23, 2019
posted by box at 3:28 PM on May 23, 2019
He’s such a dick
posted by schadenfrau at 3:53 PM on May 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 3:53 PM on May 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
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I couldn’t even.
posted by bilabial at 6:01 AM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]