NYC’s Bill de Blasio not ready to endorse Hillary Clinton yet

Eric Bradner
By Eric Bradner, CNN
Updated 6:49 PM EDT, Mon April 13, 2015
New York Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio celebrates his victory on Tuesday, November 5, with supporters and his children Dante, left, and Chiara, second left, and his wife, Chirlane McCray, right.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Monika Graff/UPI/LANDOV
New York City's first family —
New York Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio celebrates his victory on Tuesday, November 5, with supporters and his children Dante, left, and Chiara, second left, and his wife, Chirlane McCray, right.
De Blasio's wife of 19 years, Chirlane McCray, is his top political confidante and chief strategist.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Andrew Burton/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
De Blasio's wife of 19 years, Chirlane McCray, is his top political confidante and chief strategist.
Chiara de Blasio, 18, once called out Mayor Michael Bloomberg for saying de Blasio was using his biracial family for political gain. "Twenty years ago, my dad did not know he was running for mayor and did not seek to marry a black woman to put on display," Chiara told a crowd of reporters.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Andrew Burton/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
Chiara de Blasio, 18, once called out Mayor Michael Bloomberg for saying de Blasio was using his biracial family for political gain. "Twenty years ago, my dad did not know he was running for mayor and did not seek to marry a black woman to put on display," Chiara told a crowd of reporters.
Sixteen-year-old Dante de Blasio's 'fro-back hairstyle launched a thousand hashtags, including #fromentum and #gowiththefro.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Andrew Burton/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
Sixteen-year-old Dante de Blasio's 'fro-back hairstyle launched a thousand hashtags, including #fromentum and #gowiththefro.
De Blasio and McCray greet voters on the Upper West Side on September 10 during the Democratic primary. De Blasio entered the primary with 10% support among voters.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
De Blasio and McCray greet voters on the Upper West Side on September 10 during the Democratic primary. De Blasio entered the primary with 10% support among voters.
De Blasio and Chiara greet supporters at his primary night party in Brooklyn on September 11. He beat former U.S. House Rep. Anthony Weiner, whose campaign imploded, and also Bloomberg favorite Christine Quinn. De Blasio got more than 40% of the vote, thus avoiding a runoff.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Mario Tama/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
De Blasio and Chiara greet supporters at his primary night party in Brooklyn on September 11. He beat former U.S. House Rep. Anthony Weiner, whose campaign imploded, and also Bloomberg favorite Christine Quinn. De Blasio got more than 40% of the vote, thus avoiding a runoff.
De Blasio hugs Dante at his election night party. De Blasio's family appeared frequently in his campaign ads, Dante saying in one, "Bill de Blasio will be a mayor for every New Yorker, no matter where they live or what they look like. And I'd say that even if he weren't my dad."
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Andrew Burton/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
De Blasio hugs Dante at his election night party. De Blasio's family appeared frequently in his campaign ads, Dante saying in one, "Bill de Blasio will be a mayor for every New Yorker, no matter where they live or what they look like. And I'd say that even if he weren't my dad."
De Blasio and his family address the crowd at his primary night party on September 11. De Blasio has been the city's public advocate since 2010. He managed Hillary Clinton's first U.S. Senate bid in 2000 and served on the City Council for eight years.
Photos: Photos: New York City's first family
PHOTO: Mario Tama/Getty Images
New York City's first family —
De Blasio and his family address the crowd at his primary night party on September 11. De Blasio has been the city's public advocate since 2010. He managed Hillary Clinton's first U.S. Senate bid in 2000 and served on the City Council for eight years.
(CNN) —  

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is holding off on endorsing Hillary Clinton, saying he wants to see “a clear, bold vision” first.

De Blasio, a progressive champion who managed Clinton’s successful Senate campaign in 2000, said Clinton is among the most qualified presidential contenders in history and “she doesn’t need to be vetted.”

READ: What is Hillary Clinton thinking?

But he demurred when asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” if he would endorse Clinton – underscoring, at least in appearance, the left’s hesitance about a candidate they see as too centrist and too close to Wall Street to address wage stagnation and income inequality.

“I think like a lot of people in this country I want to see a vision. And, again, that would be true of candidates on all levels. It’s time to see a clear, bold vision for progressive economic change,” De Blasio said.

Host Chuck Todd then asked: “So you’re technically not yet endorsing her?”

“No, not until I see – and, again, I would say this about any candidate – until I see an actual vision of where they want to go,” he said.

His comments raised eyebrows given his status as a former top campaign aide and because Clinton campaigned with de Blasio during his bid for mayor.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who also appeared on “Meet the Press,” downplayed de Blasio’s comments as a bad omen for Clinton from the left. Still, the Democrat said that “people don’t want a coronation.”

Hillary Clinton accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016. The former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state was the first woman to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Hillary Clinton accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016. The former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state was the first woman to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party.
Before marrying Bill Clinton, she was Hillary Rodham. Here she attends Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Her commencement speech at Wellesley's graduation ceremony in 1969 attracted national attention. After graduating, she attended Yale Law School.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Lee Balterman/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Before marrying Bill Clinton, she was Hillary Rodham. Here she attends Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Her commencement speech at Wellesley's graduation ceremony in 1969 attracted national attention. After graduating, she attended Yale Law School.
Rodham was a lawyer on the House Judiciary Committee, whose work led to impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon in 1974.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Getty Images
Rodham was a lawyer on the House Judiciary Committee, whose work led to impeachment charges against President Richard Nixon in 1974.
In 1975, Rodham married Bill Clinton, whom she met at Yale Law School. He became the governor of Arkansas in 1978. In 1980, the couple had a daughter, Chelsea.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: DONALD R. BROYLES/AP
In 1975, Rodham married Bill Clinton, whom she met at Yale Law School. He became the governor of Arkansas in 1978. In 1980, the couple had a daughter, Chelsea.
Arkansas' first lady, now using the name Hillary Rodham Clinton, wears her inaugural ball gown in 1985.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: A. Lynn/AP
Arkansas' first lady, now using the name Hillary Rodham Clinton, wears her inaugural ball gown in 1985.
The Clintons celebrate Bill's inauguration in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1991. He was governor from 1983 to 1992, when he was elected President.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Danny Johnston/AP
The Clintons celebrate Bill's inauguration in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1991. He was governor from 1983 to 1992, when he was elected President.
Bill Clinton comforts his wife on the set of "60 Minutes" after a stage light broke loose from the ceiling and knocked her down in January 1992.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Bill Clinton comforts his wife on the set of "60 Minutes" after a stage light broke loose from the ceiling and knocked her down in January 1992.
In June 1992, Clinton uses a sewing machine designed to eliminate back and wrist strain. She had just given a speech at a convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: LYNNE SLADKY/AP
In June 1992, Clinton uses a sewing machine designed to eliminate back and wrist strain. She had just given a speech at a convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union.
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Clinton jokes with her husband's running mate, Al Gore, and Gore's wife, Tipper, aboard a campaign bus.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: STEPHAN SAVOIA/AP
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Clinton jokes with her husband's running mate, Al Gore, and Gore's wife, Tipper, aboard a campaign bus.
Clinton accompanies her husband as he takes the oath of office in January 1993.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: TIM CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Clinton accompanies her husband as he takes the oath of office in January 1993.
The Clintons share a laugh on Capitol Hill in 1993.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Getty Images
The Clintons share a laugh on Capitol Hill in 1993.
Clinton unveils the renovated Blue Room of the White House in 1995.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Clinton unveils the renovated Blue Room of the White House in 1995.
Clinton waves to the media in January 1996 as she arrives for an appearance before a grand jury in Washington. The first lady was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas. The Clintons' business investment was investigated, but ultimately they were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Clinton waves to the media in January 1996 as she arrives for an appearance before a grand jury in Washington. The first lady was subpoenaed to testify as a witness in the investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas. The Clintons' business investment was investigated, but ultimately they were cleared of any wrongdoing.
The Clintons hug as Bill is sworn in for a second term as President.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
The Clintons hug as Bill is sworn in for a second term as President.
The first lady holds up a Grammy Award, which she won for her audiobook "It Takes a Village" in 1997.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: KATHY WILLENS/AP
The first lady holds up a Grammy Award, which she won for her audiobook "It Takes a Village" in 1997.
The Clintons dance on a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 1998. Later that month, Bill Clinton was accused of having a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
The Clintons dance on a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 1998. Later that month, Bill Clinton was accused of having a sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton looks on as her husband discusses the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 26, 1998. Clinton declared, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." In August of that year, Clinton testified before a grand jury and admitted to having "inappropriate intimate contact" with Lewinsky, but he said it did not constitute sexual relations because they had not had intercourse. He was impeached in December on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Clinton looks on as her husband discusses the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 26, 1998. Clinton declared, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." In August of that year, Clinton testified before a grand jury and admitted to having "inappropriate intimate contact" with Lewinsky, but he said it did not constitute sexual relations because they had not had intercourse. He was impeached in December on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
The first family walks with their dog, Buddy, as they leave the White House for a vacation in August 1998.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Roberto Borea/AP
The first family walks with their dog, Buddy, as they leave the White House for a vacation in August 1998.
President Clinton makes a statement at the White House in December 1998, thanking members of Congress who voted against his impeachment. The Senate trial ended with an acquittal in February 1999.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: SUSAN WALSH/AP
President Clinton makes a statement at the White House in December 1998, thanking members of Congress who voted against his impeachment. The Senate trial ended with an acquittal in February 1999.
Clinton announces in February 2000 that she will seek the U.S. Senate seat in New York. She was elected later that year.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: KATHY WILLENS/AP
Clinton announces in February 2000 that she will seek the U.S. Senate seat in New York. She was elected later that year.
Clinton makes her first appearance on the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Clinton makes her first appearance on the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Sen. Clinton comforts Maren Sarkarat, a woman who lost her husband in the September 11 terrorist attacks, during a ground-zero memorial in October 2001.
Photos: Hillary Clinton's life in the spotlight
PHOTO: Gary