Liberal mega-donor George Soros backs Bill de Blasio for NYC Mayor

[cali]

Liberal philanthropist and businessman George Soros re-emerged in the political spotlight on Tuesday, officially endorsing public advocate Bill de Blasio to be the next mayor of New York City.

“I am endorsing Bill de Blasio for Mayor because I believe he has the talent, vision and ability to lead New York City,” said Soros in a statement issued by de Blasio’s press team.

In particular, Soros cited the public advocate's support for universal prekindergarten and opposition to New York City’s controversial stop-and-frisk police policy, which critics say unfairly targets black men.

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In recent years, Soros has shifted his focus from politics to charity. While the Hungarian-born hedge fund manager spent $25.5 million to remove then-President George W. Bush in 2004, he remained relatively quiet during the 2012 election, Business Insider noted. His support for de Blasio marks a return to politics that could animate the city’s left-leaning Democrats.

Soros, who is estimated to have a net worth of nearly $20 billion, isn’t the only big-name liberal to come out in favor of de Blasio. At a raucous fundraising event in July, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean reenacted his infamous “Dean scream” and called de Blasio the only true progressive in a crowded mayoral race.

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http://news.yahoo.com/liberal-mega-donor-george-soros-backs-bill-de-blasio-for-nyc-mayor-152925507.html

[hrmjustin]

1. That could help. He is now trying to outshine Thompson now to get in the runoff.

I am still leaning towards Thompson but I like de Blasio.

[jakeXT]

2. Obviously not the Tax Wall Street Party

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12528324

[cali]

3. Obviously not the Tax Wall Street Party what?

[jakeXT]

4. there is a link

[cali]

5. and I'd already clicked it.

No, his candidacy is not a viable one. I wish him luck in bringing attention to the issue of Wall Street, but it's straight out fantasy to think that he stands a chance. The odds of his winning are just slightly better than my winning the lottery.

Bill de Blasio is progressive who actually stands a chance of winning.
You say:

Credico is not obscure or unheard of in New York so this candidate isn't some unattainable goal. It just takes some willingness to promote and not pessimism of the will to defeat Wall Street. If we start with NYC then we can garner a national 1% Wall Street Sales Tax so this is the most important candidate you will ever support; so be part of history and MAKE WALL STREET PAY!

Sorry, but he is obscure and he has no chance whatsoever to

[geek tragedy]

6. Yep, it's not some guy no one's ever heard of. nt

[cali]

7. People have heard of Jimmy McMillan too.

You need more than that to be a viable candidate.

[geek tragedy]

9. Credico is literally a joker

Comedian and social activist Randy Credico -- famous for his impersonation of Richard Nixon, for one -- made much of gathering well over the required number of signatures to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer last week:

...


But as you can see below, it appears that only the first few pages of some of the three-man slate's submission to the NYS Board of Elections -- which includes Credico and lists Jimmy McMillan (The Rent Is Too Damn High man) for governor and Joseph Huff also for U.S. Senate -- carried actual signatures, while the rest were blank.

...

Credico was so enraged, he said if the Demcrats try to knock him off the ballot, he'll campaign for Carl Paladino.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/07/dem-party-chair-says-randy-cre.html

[cali]

11. Performance Art

Sometimes I wonder about DU.

[geek tragedy]

12. There's already a performance artist in the race.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251318818

[cali]

13. hey, it's NYC; there's room for two.

[jakeXT]

8. It's great that the NYTimes witheld the name, I don't know if it's true but it wouldn't surprise me

[cali]

10. I don't get it. There's a candidate running who has a solid progressive record

and who has a decent chance. Why support someone who has no chance when that's the case?