He’s back in New York City, but it seems Mayor Bill de Blasio’s brain is still on holiday in New England: At the US Open on Monday, he cheered the chances of Monica Puig — who’d been eliminated that morning.
In his visit to Arthur Ashe Stadium, the mayor was plainly looking to pander to the Puerto Rican vote by cheering the gold medalist, saying, “A lot of New Yorkers are going to be rooting for Puerto Rico’s own Monica Puig. We are so proud of what she achieved in the Olympics.”
Except that China’s Zheng Saisai had taken Puig out in the first round before de Blasio even got to Flushing.
That’s how tuned in our mayor is.
Asked if any of the mayor’s folks were aware Puig had been eliminated, spokesman Eric Phillips — continuing the notable staff work — at first declined to answer, then later said he didn’t understand the question.
Clearly, though, the goof was part of de Blasio’s remarks and wasn’t updated.
Call it fresh proof that City Hall — facing multiple federal and state probes — is having major trouble hiring the talent it needs.