Of course the record snowstorm in the Eastern U.S. was the primary concern for any political representative from the region. It was Martha Raddatz's turn to host This Week with George Stephanopoulos today, and she interviewed NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. She followed up questions regarding snowfall management with a few inquiries on the latest gaffe/promotion made by GOP front runner, Donald Trump.
RADDATZ: I want to ask you a quick question about one of your city's famous residents, as long as I have you here. Listen to what Donald Trump said about...
DE BLASIO: Which one, Martha?
RADDATZ: I know you have a lot of them, but you'll recognize this one. Listen to what Donald Trump said about his candidacy yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, 2016 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK, like incredible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RADDATZ: Got any reaction to that, mayor?
DE BLASIO: It's incredibly insensitive. We had a moment in our nation's history we're talking about how to deal with the scourge of gun violence. And for someone who says he wants to be president to say that, it shows he's just not presidential.
And it's incredibly arrogant, too, for him to suggest that his voters will be with him no matter what he does.
You know, this is another indicator that Donald Trump is not ready for primetime.
Staying on topic, Raddatz asked Mayor de Blasio what he thought of billionaire Michael Bloomberg possibly entering the race for POTUS, 2016.
RADDATZ: And the reaction to the possibility that former mayor Michael Bloomberg, another New York billionaire, might get into the race?
DE BLASIO: Well, I respect my predecessor for sure. But two things, I'd say. One, my candidate is Hillary Clinton, and I really believe she will be the next president of the United States.
And the second thing is, I don't think the people of this country want to give more power to billionaires at this point. I think that's what this election increasingly is about, how do we address income inequality? How do we restore the Middle Class? I don't think most Americans think that billionaires are the ones who are going to help give us a more fair economy.
RADDATZ: OK, thanks very much for joining us, Mayor de Blasio. We'll let you get back to work in your city. Thanks very much.
The difference between Bloomberg and Trump is definitely stark with regards to gun-control, but the bottom line: Democrats will certainly not line up behind a big money candidate who largely represents the interests of the billionaire plutocrats, as transparently as candidates like Trump or Bloomberg. Mayor de Blasio echoed that sentiment rather clearly.
