New York Post

Progressiv­e mayor’s 2020 vision

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Mayor de Blasio is trying to boost his national standing among progressiv­e Democrats — and even position himself to land on a national ticket in 2020 — by heading to Iowa next month, party insiders said Monday.

But a source close to Sen. Bernie Sanders said de Blasio has a long way to go to build trust after waffling during last year’s election before falling in line behind Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

“In the last presidenti­al election . . . Bill de Blasio did not emerge as a key progressiv­e player. He sat on the endorsemen­t sidelines,” said Symone Sanders, national press secretary for Sanders’ campaign. “He tried to put together this progressiv­e summit forum in Iowa that didn’t really work . . . People don’t know who Bill de Blasio is right now.”

Political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said there’s no question de Blasio wants to go national.

“If he’s looking to make a play on a bigger stage than New York City mayor . . . going to Iowa is one of those things,” Sheinkopf said, referring to the Dec. 19 Progress Iowa forum.

Does he have a 2020?

“He has the basic makings of a great national leader, he’s determined and he shot in doesn’t take no for an answer,” Sheinkopf said.

One New York Democratic official claimed de Blasio operatives already have been reaching out to national donors and Democratic power brokers to indicate his 2020 presidenti­al interest.

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