Another day, another Democrat has entered the already crowded 2020 presidential race. This time, it’s a candidate with national name recognition: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“Donald Trump must be stopped,” he said in a YouTube video announcing his run. “I’ve beaten him before and I’ll do it again.”
He continued: "I will take on the wealthy. I will take on the big corporations. I will not rest until this government serves working people. As mayor of the largest city in America, I've done just that.”
The mayor’s main platform will be “working people first.”
He touted his accomplishments of raising the minimum wage, paid sick leave, comprehensive guaranteed health care, and free pre-K.
“Doesn’t matter if you live in a city or a rural area, a big state, small state. Doesn't matter what your ethnicity is. People in every part of this country felt stuck or even like they're going backwards,” he said in the video.
De Blasio’s entry into the race comes after months of laying the groundwork, visiting the early primary states of New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina, and Nevada. He is the 23rd Democrat to jump into the race.
RNC Communications Director Michael Ahrens said in a statement he has no chance of winning.
“Bill de Blasio is a liberal extremist who wants the government to control everything from your health care to what you eat," he said. "Americans can rest assured that he won't win, but unfortunately his socialist policies fit right in with the rest of his comrades in the race.”
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Meanwhile, here's how the announcement is going over in the Big Apple.
Today's cover: Bill de Blasio officially launches 2020 presidential campaign pic.twitter.com/g973kWfGJ3
— New York Post (@nypost) May 16, 2019
If you’re not laughing, then you don’t know Bill de Blasio like we know Bill de Blasio.
As the hometown paper and preferred foil, let us explain why Democrats across America shouldn’t waste time or money on this guy.
He is both incompetent and crooked; oblivious and arrogant. He won his current job in a fluke election back in 2013, yet ever since has seemed certain that he’s destined to be a major national figure — despite falling on his face time after time.
It’s no coincidence that de Blasio was the only Democratic candidate with net negative approval ratings among fellow Democrats in a recent national poll. He has nothing interesting to say — at least, not if he’s telling the truth. (NY Post)
The Post goes on to list a number of reasons de Blasio's been a complete failure as mayor, ultimately concluding: "Take it from those who know him best: If you want to beat President Trump, don’t waste a second on Bill de Blasio."
Update: According to a newly released Quinnipiac University poll, 76 percent of registered NYC voters think de Blasio should stay out of the race, with 47 percent believing a run will be bad for the city--and that's across all demographic groups.
Update II: Trump weighs in:
The Dems are getting another beauty to join their group. Bill de Blasio of NYC, considered the worst mayor in the U.S., will supposedly be making an announcement for president today. He is a JOKE, but if you like high taxes & crime, he’s your man. NYC HATES HIM!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2019
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