| From the Times:
Bloomberg Called Ready to Announce Third-Term Bid
After months of speculation about his political future, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg plans to announce on Thursday morning that he will seek a third term as mayor, according to three people who have been told of his plans.
The extraordinary move promises to upend New York City's political world.
Right now, Mr. Bloomberg is barred by law from seeking re-election. But he will propose trying to revise the city's 15-year-old term limits law, which would otherwise force him and dozens of other elected leaders out of office in 2009, the three people said.
In his announcement, Mr. Bloomberg, a former Wall Street trader and founder of a billion-dollar financial data firm, is expected to argue that the financial crisis unfolding in New York City demands his steady hand and proven business acumen.
The move represents an about-face for Mr. Bloomberg, who has repeatedly said he supports term limits and once called an effort to revise the law "disgusting." He will apparently try to do so through legislation in the City Council, rather than the ballot box.
Mr. Bloomberg's gambit carries significant political risk. The city's term limits law was passed twice by voters, in 1993 and 1996, and several polls show widespread popular support for keeping it in place. Under the plan Mr. Bloomberg has outlined to associates, those voters will have no say in the matter, raising the possibility of a backlash.
Two words: Hell no.
Bloomberg was right when he said that an attempt to overturn a law that New Yorkers have approved overwhelmingly more than once and still approve by a large margin, "disgusting." It is disgusting and it smacks of contempt for the will of the voters.
What's worse is that once again we have a mayor who is seeking to use a crisis to prolong their tenure. It was an abomination when Giuliani attempted to use the tragedy of 9/11 to do it. It is just as reprehensible now. If Bloomberg and the City Council want to change the term limits law, they should take it to the very public who has approved the law more than once. Anything short of defeat of term limits at the ballot box will be a despicable sham.
Time to nip this crap in the bud. Not just no, Hell No.
UPDATE: Call me a cynic, but this just reeks of a cynical and opportunistic City Council using the economic crisis and Bloomberg's popularity to find an excuse to stick around for another term without having to find new jobs. Shocking, I know.
Light 'em up. |
