Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has long struggled to imagine a successor with the combination of star power, experience and grit to fill his shoes.
But not long ago, he was struck by an inspiration: Hillary Rodham Clinton, the retiring secretary of state.In a phone call confirmed by three people, Mr. Bloomberg encouraged Mrs. Clinton to consider entering the 2013 mayor’s race, trading international diplomacy for municipal management on the grandest scale. She would, he suggested, be a perfect fit.Much about the call, which occurred some months ago, remains shrouded in mystery. But Mr. Bloomberg’s overture to the former first lady highlights the level of his anxiety about the current crop of candidates, his eagerness to recruit a replacement who can rival his stature and his determination to become a kingmaker in the political arena he will soon exit.In Mrs. Clinton, it seems, a mayor known for his sometimes unsparing critiques of those in public life sees a globe-trotting problem solver like himself.During their conversation, Mrs. Clinton left little room for doubt: she was not interested in seeking the mayoralty, people briefed on the call said.
The Times article goes on to say that both Bloomberg and the business community that adores their Little Dictator are fretting that Christine Quinn will not be able to live up to the business-friendly standard that Bloomberg set in his 12 years as CEO of NYC/Bloomberg LP
That doesn't make me any warmer toward Quinn, who I still see as Bloomberg-Lite, but it does make me feel even colder toward Bloomberg.
Hey, Mike, worry less about your legacy and your successor and more about rebuilding the Rockaways, Coney Island, Staten Island, Gerritsen Beach and the other places still suffering from Sandy.
He most likely had his own selfish interests at heart when he made that call. If Clinton ran for mayor, maybe he could get her out of the presidential field and clear the way for his own presidential candidacy without a Clinton to threaten his possibilities. He is a megalomaniac and I wouldn't put anything past him.
ReplyDeleteI agree, although I think his presidential dreams are behind him now. Even he realize the Electoral College math doesn't work for a pro-gun control, pro-gay marriage New York reformed Jewish politician. Hard to see that kind of guy winning any red states. And third party candidates, even Bloomie, won't win many (or nay) blue states either.
DeleteI think this was all about his ego and his legacy. Which is a joke. If we had a real press who looked into the data manipulation these guys have done, the crime stats manipulation, the test score manipulation, the consultant scandals - he would go down as a failure. But the press are scared of him because he may be their boss someday. So they suck up to him instead.
I agree with your take on his ambitions, but he never has allowed reality to interfere with his aspirations. I guess it's possible he realized that an obnoxious short ugly thin lipped Jew with a whiny effeminate voice who supports liberal ideas may not work, even in upstate New York.
ReplyDeleteBloomberg by this inquiry makes if clear that he understands that Quinn who allowed the third tem by arm twisting city council members has little or no integrity, i.e..she cannot be trusted so he sticks the knife in her politically. What will his endorsement be worth now? This parallels his agreement with Randi Weingarten after she allowed the fixed income option for the TDA to be cut while Bloomberg promised a new contract, he has played both Quinn and Weingarten like a violin.
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