The most tragic consequence of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s term ending is that we lost the best Spanish-speaking liaison this city has ever had.
Whenever a news event occurred, Bloomberg would appear on the dais, give his briefing, and then quickly read an abbreviated portion in Spanish. It was a perfect cacophony of Boston-New York accented rhythm that would somehow feel as though he spoke the entire time in Spanglish, even if he never did.
Bloomberg’s awkward, entertaining, and fascinating Spanish was enough to inspire @ElBloombito, a parody account that has personally delivered much joy. Each time New York City made national news, the entire country was often privy to a sampling of the billionaire’s sweet Spanish sounds.
On Thursday night it was current Mayor Bill de Blasio’s national debut at a turn of the language, when he appeared at a press conference about the Ebola patient.
Here’s de Blasio’s Spanish (at 3:27):
And now here is Bloomberg’s (at 0:16):
YOU BE THE JUDGE.
Or, instead, let Twitter. A sampling:
ATTENTION TWITTER: BILL DE BLASIO IS SPEAKING SPANISH
— Victoria Chiesa (@vrcsports) October 24, 2014
AND WE’RE OFF.
SPANISH DE BLASIO!!!!!
— WFANtrades (@WFANTrades) October 24, 2014
Pretty sure De Blasio just said "erecto" when trying to speak Spanish. As a result I laughed…too much. cc: @ElBloombito
— Colin (@colinxjay) October 24, 2014
So the bigger question here is…: Is De Blasio's Spanish better or worse than Bloomberg? #NYC #ebola
— REGGIEOnTheMOVE™ (@ReginaldLBarnes) October 24, 2014
NOT A QUESTION.
I don't know who's worse, Bloomberg or Deblasio speaking in Spanish? #usetranslators
— Dafi B. (@KhadafiBB) October 24, 2014
NO.
de blasio seems to speak spanish better than @ElBloombito.
— Dennis Mersereau (@wxdam) October 24, 2014
WHATEVER.
El Bloombito was so much more amusing with the Spanish than De Blasio.
— Danny Abriano (@D_Abriano) October 24, 2014
IF BY AMUSING YOU MEAN FAR SUPERIOR, THEN, YES.
Why are you even trying to speak Spanish, Mayor de Blasio? You'll never speak the language as beautifully as @ElBloombito. #never
— Julia Murphree (@Juliamurphree) October 24, 2014
PREACH.
deblasio's spanish couldn't be anymore butchered
— J. Dawson (@Dawson_JE) October 24, 2014
WELL…
de Blasio's trying to speak Spanish now. He sounds stupider then Bloombito.
— Ruben Rivera (@NYRUBE) October 24, 2014
Loved de Blasio's Spanish-language pronunciation of the word Ebola, but miss @ElBloombito
— Cristina Costantini (@xtinatini) October 24, 2014
SOBBING.
The mayor’s office didn’t return a request for comment.
(Photo: Center For American Progress/Kevin Case)
