2014’s Most Fascinating Story – How Well Will Bill de Blasio Do as Mayor of New York City

Spectacular Success or Fall on His Face Failure?

On January 1^st the new mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio was sworn into office by former President Bill Clinton.

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Bill de Blasio was sworn in by former President Clinton.

Mr. de Blasio is a dyed in the wool liberal of the old school.  He believes that government has an important role to play in the promoting the welfare of all the citizens, not just the wealthy and connected.  He believes in equality of opportunity, that the education system should not be a lottery where a few get to go to great schools at the expense of the many who are left in underperforming schools.

Liberals do not have a great record in governing.  They are usually naïve, and do not understand the huge problem of management.  As a result, they often raise expectations far above what can be delivered, and things  then come crashing down. Conservatives underestimate what government can and need to do, people like Mr. de Blasio overstimate what governments can do.  In this case Mr. de Blasio has the right priorities, particularly in income and wealth distribution, but that is a problem that cannot be alleviated quickly or by a city.

So will Mr. de Blasio succeed?  Probably not, the odds are against him.  But sometimes the long shot does come in, that's why they play the actual game.