Hillary Clinton’s Biggest Challenge Might Come From NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
The progressive firebrand is positioning himself to run against Clinton in the Democratic primary, according to new report
Jordan Chariton | April 20, 2015 @ 8:44 AM
Last Updated: April 20, 2015 @ 9:30 AM
The media assumption that Hillary Clinton will cakewalk to the Democratic nomination may be wrong.
The New York Post reports New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is considering a run against Clinton in the Democratic primary, aiming to pose a more liberal challenge to the Democratic frontrunner.
The mayor hopes there will be a groundswell “Draft de Blasio” movement among progressive voters who feel Clinton isn’t liberal enough to affect real change, the Post reports.
The New York City Mayor wouldn’t endorse Clinton on a recent “Meet the Press” appearance, even though he has supported her for years. This surprised many in the political and media world, sparking chatter that de Blasio might have higher ambitions.
He also traveled to Iowa for a tour to discusss income inequality last week, cutting into Clinton’s official first week on the campaign trail.
The mayor has been in office for close to a year-and-a-half. His potential run in the Democratic primary would be a huge boon to media outlets looking for a more dramatic and interesting Democratic primary than the current proposition, which pits Clinton against weaker candidates.
Fox News, in particular, has covered de Blasio’s NYC tenure—and ties to MSNBC host Al Sharpon—at length, certainly not offering a glowing review of the purely progressive politician.
Currently, there are no declared Democratic candidates. Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders are thought to be serious about running against Clinton.
Time will tell if de Blasio is serious about launching a bid, but if he does TheWrap’s unsolicited two cents to advisors of the potential Democratic challenger: Keep de Blasio away from animals on the campaign stump. RIP Charlotte the Groundhog.
13 Unforgettable Hillary Rodham Clinton Moments: Secretary of State, Candidate and First Lady (Photos)
Photos of then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton checking her email went viral in 2011. When Clinton joined Twitter last month, she chose a shot like this for her profile page, quickly racking up 650,000 followers.
In December 2011 Hillary joyfully greeted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma. Suu Kyi led the fight against military rule in Burma, where she spent years under house arrest.
Hillary Rodham Clinton made her debut in politics back in 1974 during the Watergate Scandal as a member of the impeachment inquiry staff. She was a recent Yale Law School graduate and not yet married to Bill Clinton.
Hillary Clinton became a lightening rod on the 1992 campaign trail, drawing criticism for remarks that she could have "stayed home and baked cookies and had tea but what I decided to do was fulfill my profession" and that she was not a "some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette."
In 1996, then First Lady HIllary Clinton was put on the cover of Time magazine, with the story depicting the truth about the Whitewater real-estate scandal.
Hillary Clinton delivers a speech on the Monica Lewinsky affair with her husband and former President Bill Clinton standing by her side.
After taking on two ads that she claims misrepresented her stance on healthcare plans, an enraged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton delivers a speech on the shameful tactics used by rival Barack Obama in 2008. "Shame on you, Barack Obama!"
After losing the race for the Democratic candidacy for the 2008 election, Clinton ended her campaign with a memorable speech. "Even though we were not able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it, and the light is shining through like never before."
Alongside President Obama and other senior members of the White House staff, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton watches as the US Naval Seals take down terrorist Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.
Hillary Clinton and actress Meryl Streep share a laugh at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors gala.
After returning to work from hospitalization from a blood clot, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received joke gifts from her colleagues to celebrate her return. She received a football jersey and helmet.
In January, Clinton delivered a fiery speech to Congress about the Benghazi attacks on U.S. soldiers.
In 2013, Hillary Clinton joined the Human Rights Campaign for same sex marriage. Her support for equal marriage was received as one of her biggest contributions to the campaign upon retiring as Secretary of State in February 2013.
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A look at 10 of former First Lady's biggest moments in the White House, as Secretary of State and as Democractic candidate for president.
Photos of then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton checking her email went viral in 2011. When Clinton joined Twitter last month, she chose a shot like this for her profile page, quickly racking up 650,000 followers.