Mayor Bill de Blasio pitched his presidential dreams to a crowd of about 15 likely Democratic voters at an event Sunday morning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
With more than enough empty space to accommodate his 6-foot-5 frame, the quixotic candidate took the floor at Parlor City Pub to a smattering of applause from the sleepy brunch set.
Everything should be about our families, our lives, what everyday people are going through, what working people are going through, de Blasio told the crowd, which numbered around 15 not counting the press corps, campaign staff and Iowa state Sen. Rob Hogg, the event organizer.
If we as Democrats are talking about that, were winning, said de Blasio, before reiterating his campaign slogan, Working people first.
The pitch was met with a mixed reception by the few there to hear it.
I liked a lot of what he said, offered Carol Wickey, a 78-year-old retiree. [But] I thought in his prepared comments he focused too much on working people.
Wickey said that she feared the divisive tone would drive a wedge between Democratic voters and ultimately wasnt sold.
He did not say anything that would sway me that he would be my choice as a candidate, she said. Nothing made him stand out among the other two dozen people.
Geoff Johnson had a similar takeaway, reacting somewhat fondly to many of de Blasios ideas, but questioning whether he had enough faith in the campaigns viability to caucus for Hizzoner.
There are 25 candidates, said the 40-year-old call center worker. Hes fairly high on the list, but Im not sure he quite makes the top five at this point, but some of that may just be because of the viability situation.
Hizzoners responsibilities at home have followed him to the fair, where protesters rankled by his efforts to force a homeless shelter onto Billionaires Row passed out thousands of phony bills on Saturday bearing de Blasios face.
Added state Attorney General Letitia James, The mayor should definitely be here. He has a lot of potholes to fix in the city.
