via Quinnipeac University

October 21, 2008 - New Yorkers Tilt Against Third Term For Bloomberg, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; 87 Percent Say Let Voters Decide In Referendum 

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via the New York Times

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg visited California on Wednesday to stump for a measure that would prevent legislators there from redrawing their district maps, a practice that he contends is a self-serving way for lawmakers to keep themselves in office.

Back in New York City, where Mr. Bloomberg is stumping for a measure that would allow him to keep his job as mayor for a third term, some saw a touch of irony.

via the Wall Street Journal

Obviously the mayor believes that he's indispensable to Gotham's well-being, which will come as no surprise to any journalist who's met with him. What's passing strange is that so much of the local press seems to share the mayor's inflated view of himself.

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But the argument for extending the two-term limit for Mr. Bloomberg -- a self-made billionaire who got his start on Wall Street -- is that the city needs someone with his financial acumen to help weather the fallout from the banking crisis. The biggest problem with that argument is that Mr. Bloomberg hasn't been very adept at managing the city's finances, even though he's had record revenues to work with.

via City Room

The 23,000-member New York City Bar said the matter should be put before the voters, while a state senator said he would introduce a bill in Albany to require such a vote.

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It is critically important that voters have confidence that when they vote on a matter, it counts. Taking the decision on a change in term limits away from the voters who have twice voted on them can only serve to engender cynicism regarding the political process, derogate the referendum process and potentially discourage voter participation in the future. This is particularly so here where a majority of the Council members who would vote on the change are personally affected. It would indeed be a tall order to convince New Yorkers that in taking this matter unto themselves after having been twice affirmed by the voters, that the Council members had only the public interest at heart. In short, a change in term limits by legislative action would be bad policy, contrary to principles of good government and potentially damaging to our City institutions.

via the NY Post

CITY Council Speaker Christine Quinn's support for a term-limit extension for Mayor Bloomberg comes at a price, according to City Hall insiders. They say that Quinn , who has lost the confidence of her colleagues, will not be re-elected speaker. Rather than go back to being an ordinary council member and have to give up her big staff and SUV, Quinn will leave the council and become a deputy mayor under Bloomberg. The deal for extending term limits also includes Bloomberg - who regards Quinn highly - endorsing her for mayor in 2013.

via the NY Daily News

Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn have finally consummated their political marriage of convenience. 

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via the NY Times

On Wednesday, after coffee and cookies with the mayor at Gracie Mansion, Mr. Lauder issued an eight-sentence statement pledging not to oppose a City Council bill that would endanger his crowning political achievement by extending the limits to three terms for next year’s election. In return, he received a seat on a charter revision commission that is to revisit the term limits issue in 2010 and submit it again to the voters in a referendum.

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And so, with the sun setting and the players adjourning for the Yom Kippur holiday, the latest chapter in the on-again, off-again political life of the enigmatic 64-year-old billionaire came to an abrupt end.

via The Daily Politics

Council Speaker Christine Quinn will not be announcing her position on extending term limits today, according to her Communications Director Jamie McShane.

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That runs counter to a City Hall news report this morning that Quinn, along with a majority of Council members, has decided to support a permanent change of the limits from two, four-year terms to three and would be announcing her decision as early as this afternoon.

Despite her emphatic comments last December, it would come as no big surprise for Quinn - a close ally of Mayor Bloomberg - to support his effort to extend term limits, enabling himself, citywide elected officials the borough presidents and the Council members (including the speaker) to seek re-election next fall.

via the New York Times

To Run or Not to Run Again? Mayor’s Ego May Have Provided Answer

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via the NY Times

I AM passionately in favor of term limits. As many New Yorkers know, I helped advance the referendum for term limits not once but twice, in 1993 and again in 1996.

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My fellow New Yorkers agreed with this and voted overwhelmingly for term limits in both elections. And over 15 years, the concept has proved itself correct. Term limits gave us a more dynamic City Council. It also gave us Michael Bloomberg — a smart, competent and popular mayor. So having said all that, why do I suddenly have a change of heart on something about which I feel so strongly? Why do I believe term limits should be lifted temporarily to allow Mr. Bloomberg to run for a third term? The answer is simple.

via the NY Times

A week ago, Ronald S. Lauder, the cosmetics heir, was as adamant in his support for term limits as he was on the day in 1993 when he successfully led a campaign to impose a limit of two four-year terms on elected city officials.

But that was before Mr. Lauder met face-to-face with another billionaire, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. 

via the NY Times

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. 

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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.

via the NY Sun

Following are excerpts of remarks by the Editor of the Sun, Seth Lipsky, to the newspaper's staff:

It is my duty to report today that Ira Stoll and I and our partners have concluded that the Sun will cease publication. Our last number will be the issue dated September 30, the first day of Rosh Hashanah. I want you to know that Ira and I, and our partners, explored every possible way to avoid having to cease publication.

We have spoken with every individual who seemed to be a prospective partner, and everywhere we were received with courtesy and respect. I tend to be an optimist and held out hope for a favorable outcome as late as mid-afternoon today. But among other problems...

via Colin Beavan at No Impact Man

An open letter to NY State Senator Jeff Klein, who yesterday called me a f---ing assh-le after nearly hitting me with his Mercedes

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via the NY Times

Daniel L. Squadron defeated Martin E. Connor, a former Senate minority leader in office since 1978, in a Democratic primary for a State Senate district that covers parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Mr. Squadron, a 28-year-old former aide to United States Senator Charles E. Schumer, campaigned on a pledge to bring reform and fresh energy to Albany and was endorsed by a number of prominent politicians, including Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.