Bill Thompson's top supporters met tonight at the Manhattan headquarters of the United Federation of Teachers as their candidate discussed with them the possibility of ending his bid for the Democratic mayoral nomination before all the votes are counted.
U.F.T. president Michael Mulgrew, who promised that his union would deliver a primary victory to Thompson, had vowed on primary night that the campaign would go on, after Bill de Blasio appeared to finish just above the necessary 40 percent threshhold to win the nomination without a run-off. Mulgrew said at the time that he was tired of people's voices being "silenced."
Today, as he arrived for the 6:30 meeting, he sounded more conciliatory, saying he was there to make "a decision" with some "friends" for the purpose of "finding out what everyone thinks."
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who remained neutral in the primary, showed up, too. She said she was just there to listen.
Brooklyn Democratic party chairman Frank Seddio said he would support whatever decision Thompson made.
Rep. Charlie Rangel, who earlier told Capital that he could why people feel "comfortable" endorsing de Blasio now, said his advice to Thompson was to "stay strong."
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who gave a rousing primary night speech for Thompson in 2009 and backed him again this year, said, "One... what does Bill Thompson want to do? That's most important. Two, does the principle of one person one vote mean anything in New York City? And three, what's good for the Democratic Party?"
Thompson entered building through a back door and did not talk to reporters.
Mulgrew went from talking tough on primary night to not talking at all yesterday to sounding like he is ready to prod Thompson out of the race tonight.
Quick 44 hour progression from ready to go the mattresses and fight for Thompson to "Let's make a decision and move on..."
With midnight tomorrow the deadline for Thompson to pull out without triggering a runoff (if de Blasio falls below the 40% in the paper ballot counts), I bet he's out by tomorrow.
The crew showing up at 52 Broadway tonight doesn't sound like they're looking for Thompson to stay in, do they?
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