Councilmembers Write Letters, Post Tweets Defending De Blasio
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Under investigation, facing intense criticism, and dealing with his lower approval ratings yet, Mayor Bill de Blasio is apparently doing damage control.
Every New York mayor was bound to face some public scrutiny. But with Mayor de Blasio's administration facing multiple investigations, some city leaders are making it known they have his back.
"So based on his merit, I'm so proud to have Mayor de Blasio leading our city," said Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-10th).
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, Rodriguez and other councilmembers are stepping out to praise the mayor. Rodriguez sent out a news release calling on "all our progressive leaders across the city and beyond to continue to stand behind Mayor Bill de Blasio."
Other councilmembers are flooding Twitter with positive posts with the hashtag #ProtectProgress.
Some City Hall insiders claim the Mayor's office asked councilmembers to write positive posts about de Blasio as he has been immersed in scandal and criticism for slashings in the city and the homelessness problem.
According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, de Blasio's approval rating has reached an all-time low. A total of 52 percent of those polled disapprove of the mayor's performance, compared with 42 percent who disapproved in January.
Click here to see the full poll results.
CBS2 went straight to the Mayor's office to ask if he or his administration had been reaching out to City Council members asking them to make public statements of support for the mayor.
A Mayor's office representative said the administration did ask "certain allies to speak to the progress New York City has seen over the last two years."
But Rodriguez said no one put him up to defending the mayor.
"Not at all," he said. "I've been doing it by my own. I will continue doing it by my own."
City Councilman Mark Treyger (D-47th) said he was not approached and does not approve of the mayor's solicitation for support.
"New Yorkers are very smart," Treyger said. "They're not going to go by words. They're not going to go by letters. They're going to go by actions."
A total of 53 percent of New Yorkers who were polled also said they do not think Mayor de Blasio has strong leadership skills.
The mayor said he will be judged by results and not by polls.
