Blas’ Cash Grab

To hear Mayor de Blasio tell it, he’s in the political fight of his life, desperately hanging on for his survival — and that’s why he needs another $2.9 million in taxpayer money. Of course, the polls and the pundits tell a very different story: The mayor, despite sinking popularity ratings, is 30-plus percentage points ahead of Republican challenger Nicole Malliotakis.

And, as important, he’s demanding those millions for the primary season, where he faces pretty much the Webster’s definition of “minimal opposition.”

But that hasn’t stopped de Blasio from filing a “statement of need” for the full complement in matching funds, claiming he needs the cash to compete effectively.

Yet even if he gets the money — on top of $958,000 to which he’s automatically entitled for participating in the matching-funds program — he still won’t commit to debate his primary opponents. And, under the rules, he doesn’t have to. We’ve always said that New York’s publicfinancing program invites abuse and manipulation. And “technically legal” is all the invitation this mayor needs.

Yes, the cash grab looks kosher under the system’s cockeyed rules. No matter that de Blasio has already raked in $4.8 million in donations, against just $124,000 for his chief primary challenger, Sal Albanese (who can’t sell City Hall favors).

The mayor contends Albanese and Robert Gangi constitute significant opposition because of their media presence. Does he mean Albanese’s 3,374 Twitter followers (de Blasio has over 1 million), or his support from the Reform Party, with its 187 registered members in the city?

Of course, de Blasio can tout the new Quinnipiac Poll, which shows his popularity tanking: New Yorkers are now evenly split on whether he deserves a second term. But he remains far ahead of all his Democratic and GOP opponents.

The mayor may claim he’s picking your pocket for a good cause, but the cause is

him: It’ll go to feed his political machine as he lays the groundwork for a 2020 White House run and toys with challenging Gov. Cuomo next year.

In other words, your “gift” will help him spend even more time not doing his day job.

And all without the least hint of shame.