Clinton’s plan “has to include progressive taxation,” said New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, Clinton’s former campaign manager during her run for US Senate, shortly before her formal announcement.
"It has to include increases in wages and benefits. It has to include the willingness to tax the wealthy so we can invest in infrastructure, so we can invest in education," added the mayor.
New York City Council President Melissa Mark Viverito, the city’s top elected Hispanic woman, echoes Mayor de Blasio’s sentiment. "I look forward to hearing from her all on issues like immigration reform, and healthcare, and the economy," she told the daily New York Observer, adding, “Secretary Clinton has a strong record, but today’s not going to be a day of endorsements.”
Other progressives were more outspoken, slamming Clinton’s campaign announcement for not being specific about key issues.
"I was not particularly impressed with it (the announcement)," Zephyr Teachout, a New York Democrat who ran for governor in 2014, told The Guardian. "It was surprisingly free of content, lacking autobiography, policy (and) vision."
"There is a hunger for open repudiation of the financial deregulation of the first Clinton era," Teachout added.
Others insist there’s plenty of time to see what Clinton’s progressive credentials are really like.
"Hillary Clinton’s campaign launch begins an important stage of the national conversation," said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
Jared Milrad (@JaredMilrad) April 12, 2015
For its part, the Clinton campaign says a progressive platform is at the “top of the agenda” and that she’s been very specific about what types of issues they’ll focus on.
"Helping working families succeed, building small businesses, tackling climate change & clean energy. #Hillary2016" tweeted campaign chairman John Podesta.
