Bill de Blasio's 'Progressive Agenda' dismissed by Obama, Democrats in D.C.

WASHINGTON — Mayor de Blasio’s rollout of a 13-point progressive agenda last week in the nation’s capital drew more eye-rolling than enthusiasm from some lawmakers in his party.

Members of the New York City congressional delegation noted in de Blasio’s calls for raising the minimum wage, expanding paid sick-leave and hiking taxes on the wealthy he is promoting initiatives they had already proposed.

Even President Obama seemed to dismiss the “Progressive Agenda,” though he met Tuesday with Hizzoner.

“There was a sort of a progressive statement of principles about what it means to be a progressive by some of these friends of mine, Obama said Thursday, chuckling. “I noted that it was basically my agenda, except for trade.”

De Blasio said he went to D.C., to get income inequality “front and center in the national debate” and “change national policies” that affect New York.

The mayor said he wants to stop Democrats from “running away from the discussion of progressive economic policy.”

But Democrats who asked for anonymity to freely discuss the issue aren’t convinced. Several said de Blasio’s rhetoric may impress liberals in New York and San Francisco, where he visited Friday, but won’t sway swing voters where the party hopes to regain seats.

“That stuff is not going to help us win back the House,” said one Democrat.

Members also argued the mayor lacks ideas for moving the proposals past congressional Republicans.

“Finding common ground with Republicans is hard work. I don’t see that work getting done,” said a senior congressional aide.

“I don’t get who the audience is,” the aide added.

De Blasio’s Tuesday news conference announcing his agenda drew a group of progressive lawmakers, but no members of Democratic leadership. Just one senator — Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts — showed up.

New York City Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Yvette Clarke and Charles Rangel attended. Rep. Jose Serrano also signed on.

So did Rep. Carolyn Maloney. But Maloney said she was not sure if she will sign the mayor’s agenda.

Reps. Steve Israel and Joe Crowley, two New York Democrats who are part of House leadership, and Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand did not attend the news conference.

“There are many good ideas in there, like raising the minimum wage and a more robust earned income tax credit,” Schumer said in a statement.

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and a series of labor officials and civil rights leaders also spoke at the rollout.

The mayor also boasts of support from stars Steve Buscemi, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Cynthia Nixon and Mark Ruffalo.

“He has more has more actors than members of the New York delegation” on board, said one Hill staffer.

 

A de Blasio adviser said such critics are “looking at it the wrong way.”

“What is needed is a wide swath to progressive leaders to organize and motivate people all across the country,” he said.

While the proposals aren’t new, the adviser said, “What hasn’t been done before is pulling the pieces together and getting the word out.”

But de Blasio may have work to do at home with delegation members who groused that while he showed up to press Congress, he rarely calls.

“If he wants to influence Washington, why doesn’t he talk more to the delegation?” asked one lawmaker.