Nov 12, 2008 10:09 pm US/Eastern
Mayor Diaz: "Re-Location To D.C. Possible"
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, makes remarks at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Aug. 4, 2008.
Lawrence Jackson/AP
Major political buzz surrounds City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and the possibility that he may be headed to Washington D.C.
Mayor Diaz, who spoke at the Democratic National Convention, is rumored to possibly have a place in president-elect Barack Obama's administration. Diaz confirmed to
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald that a re-location to D.C. is a possibility. He told the Herald, "It's nice to be in the mix; it feels good."
Diaz told
CBS4's Peter D'Oench he has not spoken with anyone on the Obama transition team, but his name has been mentioned in a number of published reports including the Washington Post. So we tried to find out if his parking spot with his name on it would soon be painted over with a new name.
D'OENCH: "If offered this job, would you accept?"
DIAZ: "That would be speculation. I'm not going to speculate. For now I'm going to do the job I started 7 years ago."
He did express support for Obama during the interview.
"One of the main reasons I have such support for the President-elect is his strong support for metropolitan areas."
Diaz and Obama discussed urban policy during Obama's June visit here for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which Diaz heads.
"He clearly understands the importance of metropolitan areas, that cities are economic engines, that cities are not the problem, they are the solution," said Diaz.
As mayor of a big city who pushed a building boom, Diaz could be called on to strengthen urban policies.
"Programs that are existing, see if they work, if not throw them out, and come up with new programs," he said.
Diaz does say he's flattered that his name is mentioned in connection with an office of urban policy.
"I'm extremely encouraged about the fact that President-elect Obama will create this office…that this office will exist."
The mayor does feel he's helped strengthen Miami's national image.
"It's been an honor and an inspiration to serve on the U.S. conference of mayors, the first time someone from Miami has done so and just the 2nd Floridian in 77 years….and also reaching to Hispanics."
Diaz, who is a registered independent, originally supported Hillary Clinton, but later supported Obama in the general election.
(© MMIX CBS Television Stations. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)
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