He should have calibrated his words differently.
Via NY Daily News
Mayor de Blasio tried Friday to clarify his defense of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver as a “man of integrity.”
The mayor said he was referring to Silver’s efforts to push the progressive agenda — but added that “insular” Albany needed a culture change.
“I spoke about my own personal experience, and in my experience he has followed through on every commitment that he’s made and he’s been consistent in his positions,” de Blasio told reporters following remarks at the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
De Blasio cited the Lower East Side lawmaker’s work in supporting the mayor’s signature push to fund full-day pre-kindergarten.
“He was in a pivotal place on that issue and he never pulled any punches, he followed through on the commitment that he made,” de Blasio said. “So I’m talking about the commitment that he made and what he’s done for the city and how he’s followed through on substantive issues.” […]
“The ghost of Tammany Hall does not haunt New York City government, but I do think it haunts Albany in general and we need a much more transparent and better approach in general,” he said.
De Blasio said he has not spoken to Silver or to Gov. Cuomo since the speaker’s arrest.
Silver was arrested Thursday morning on charges that he pocketed more than $4 million in bribes and kickbacks.
He pledged to continue in office and predicted he would be exonerated after his release on $200,000 bail.