New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called for reform within the Democratic Party throughout his speech Aug. 11 at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox. De Blasio followed 45 minutes after Sen. Vermont, I-Vt., to a much reduced crowd.

De Blasio painted himself as a progressive candidate ready to embrace policies such as tuition-free four-year college and universal childcare.

He said the Democratic Party shouldn’t go with a moderate candidate, saying the American people didn’t want incremental change.

“A little change is not enough for working Americans” De Blasio said. He said people in the Democratic Party would stay home from voting if the party didn’t nominate a candidate who was willing to make change.

He also said he supported a $15 national minimum wage, required two-weeks paid vacation, and increased access to rural health care and mental-health services.

De Blasio said the Democratic Party should be more known as the party that helps unions and workers.