What Project?
"It looks like we just got done playing Backgammon." -Bill Batson Bill de Blasio has endorsed Bill Batson for the 57th Assembly District, despite the fact that they differ in their views on the Atlantic Yards project. De Blasio's district does not overlap with the 57th, but is just north and east of Flatbush Avenue from his Park Slope district.
"The important thing is that Bill and I disagree on the Yards, but we can work together in seeking a community brokered development model," Batson said in a just-completed phone interview. "That's what I think the people in Brooklyn want right now. We want development, we want affordable housing, we just want to be onboard the planning process."
De Blasio was out of town and unavailable for comment, but at least some opponents of the project consider him to be "conditionally" supportive.
—Nicole Brydson
This is quite an interesting development for Batson. Has Bill stepped out beyond the WFP/ACORN fold who are endorsing Jeffries?
Will he get involved as heavily in this race like he has done with Yvette Clarke?
Or is he just doing the anti-Vito thing?
Anyone have any thoughts?
Good for Bill Batson-- this should help.
doesn't seem like Bill is heavily involved in Yvette's campaign
Bill de Blasio is HEAVILY involved in Yvette's campaign. The Batson thing doesn't really make sense. Bill doesn't back someone just for the sake of being anti anything. he likes to pick a winner, because he wants his name to mean something.
Endorsing Bill Batson, is just stupid because he is going to lose.
Congressman/Speaker/President Deblasio is a lying, no good, self serving, back stabber. This won't help Batson.
I guess that the Atlantic Yards Project is such a sure thing that supporters can endorse opponents. Ouch.
another 57th watcher: if deblasio likes to pick winners (and he's been in this game for more than a minute), what makes you so sure that batson can't win?
I don't know folks, we all like to pick winners. DeBlasio has won some and lost some, but I'm not sure about this one. Can Batson win? Sure. Are the odds in his favor, not really. In fact, I wonder if the DeBlasio endorsement will hurt him with his Anti-Ratner base. Anyone have thoughts about that?
I don't think it's possible to hurt Batson's anti-ratner base. They won't flock to Freddie (as she is strongly in support), and they won't go to Hakeem (i think he's disappointed them too much).
So, if they don't go out and vote for someone else, will some people lend less support, or money? I mean, DeBlasio's quote seems to suggest that if elected, Batson would probably end up taking a more accommodating approach to the Atlantic Yards debate.
Batso's campaign has serious financial problems, Hakeem has way WAY more money plus he has a lot more institutional support. I'm pulling for Batson but the odds don't look good.
deblasio's quote is promising to me, b/c even though batson's opinion of the yards is more drastic, pols still believe in their ability to work with him as an assemblyperson, b/c he is smart and capable.
local races are won on sweat, not money.
i am one of TONS of volunteers for batson right now, and more join up every day.
join the party, anonymous 3:41, we can do this!
Uh, guys, this isn't so complicated: DeBlasio and Batson are old friends, and the only thing that counts for more in politics than going with a winner is standing by your friends. Loyalty trumps.
Which is how you explain Rev. Clinton Miller (loudly against Atlantic Yards) supporting Hakeem Jeffries (Atlantic Yards waffler).
They grew up together.
Let's Go Batson! Where's TISH JAMES endorsement? Let's Go Tish! She wanted Batson to run. Their districts overlap. She's no pal of Vito! Let's Get Tish on Board!
Tish James has already endorsed Bill Batson in every sense except the words. At the DDDB anti-ratner rally in Prospect Heights a few weeks back, when Bill got on stage to speak, Tish went with him and the two of them raised their hands together in a mutual sign of support. This after Tish gave a rousing speech in which she specifically described the sort of person she wanted elected in the 57th A.D. with Batson standing right off stage looking at her.
Bill's emnity with Vito is obviously more important to him than his friendship with Bruce Ratner. Since Hakeem is with Vito, even a gambler who likes sure things can recognize that betting on the underdog is the only possible winner bet for Bill.
Is it possible that Yvette Clarke got DeBlasio to endorse Batson, hoping that Batson will in turn jump ship from Owens to Clarke? Was a deal made?
Batson is a good guy, DeBlasio is a typical, establishment opportunist. I guess his handlers at 1199 aka Patrick Gaspard whose brother is running Hakeems's campaign are up to something nefarious which is not surprising. Be careful Batson, DeBlasio will stab you in the back and in a heart beat.
and then there's eric adams (against AY) supporting hakeem...
Bill Batson is going to lose. Tish James is not going to endorse Batson.
the hakeem people seem much more intent on mitigating the batson campaign's successes than being proud of their own. do they have any?