A Letter to Mayor Bloomberg
Dear Mike,
May I call you Mike? It’s so much less formal. First of all, congrats on the term limits thing. Actually, that’s sort of what I wanted to write you about. I have some thoughts about your political future, and it doesn’t include you running for mayor again.
So let’s get right to it. Here’s what you need to do: call a press conference for tomorrow. Announce you’ve decided against running for a third term as mayor. Then, even before the gasps in the room die down, announce you are enthusiastically endorsing Barack Obama for president.
Brilliant, right? Trust me, Mike, it is.. and here are some reasons why.
1. Third terms don’t usually work out
You should have talked to Mario Cuomo about this when he was at City Hall testifying on your behalf at the term limits public hearing. Boy, some irony there, huh? He’s going on about how you should be allowed to run again, when his own third term as New York governor didn’t turn out so hot. It left him in a position to lose to an unknown legislator named George Pataki, who, come to think of it, you should also consult about the wisdom of staying in office for three terms.
Voters seem to tire of a politician after eight to ten years. I know, I know, the city needs you and only you to fix the economic crisis. But knowing you, you’ll probably take care of that in a few months, and then you’re looking at three-and-a-half more years of parades and groundbreakings. You’ve got a terrific legacy, Mike. Stop now, and be remembered as one of New York City’s greatest mayors. Go for three, and you’ll just be…. Ed Koch.
2. The Money
It’s being reported that you’ll spend $100-million in a campaign to win a third term. I know that’s not much to you, but it’s a decent amount of money. If you don’t run, you can use it to buy more mansions. Or, better yet.. if it’s the legacy you’re concerned about… also announce tomorrow that the $100-million you WERE going to spend on the mayor’s race is now going to be donated to the city school system. They will build statues of you, Mike.
3. Your new pals in the City Council will turn on you
Interesting piece on the oped page of the Times today. An assistant professor at New York University says that sweet little arrangement you made with council members allowing them to also run third terms if they voted your way could backfire.
Check the mayor? I’ll bet you don’t like the sound of that.
Now we come to your endorsement of Barack Obama. Here’s why this will work for you:
1. Choose your cabinet position
If you think remaining mayor will help end the financial crisis, think about the impact you’d make as Secretary of Treasury. No? You could keep working for better schools as Secretary of Education, but that’s probably not glam enough for you. Let’s rule out Agriculture. Or let’s rule out a cabinet position altogether. You could be some kind of czar! An economic czar, or Czar of Health and Environment. You could stop people from smoking in every bar in America!
2. President Bloomberg
Ah, NOW I’ve got your attention. Hang in there as Secretary of something or Czar of something for eight years, give lots of money away while you do it, and you can write your own ticket in 2016. You might have to change party affiliation again, but that’s not a big deal for you. You’d be a little on the old side; 74, by my calculations. But what voter is going to turn away from the man who saved the economy, the environment, and the nation’s schools over a little thing like age?
So that’s the plan. You need to get on this pretty quickly; if you endorse Obama AFTER Tuesday, people will see it as opportunistic. And you’re above that.
Sincerely,
Jim
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Comments: 21
You are hilarious Jim.
Jim, if you can run a letter like this to "Mike", I think you deserve to interview Mcshame and Anchorage Annie for laughs.
Oh, dont forget about the other Letter to Jr. on his way out on
1-19-09.
Thanks. OBAMA/BIDEN '08
I would actually tune in religiously if i saw this side of you every night. the 10 oclock show is holding you down. between the video screw ups and horrible reporters giving wrong information im surprised that show is still on the air. you need to get a new gig.
best- james
Jim you're a fuckin' genius You hit it right in the head. nice job
Jim, by the way, if you get a chance {I know you're a busy guy} Send Ms Christine Quinn one of your well articulated reality check letters. I sent a few to her with hopes to persuade Her against term limits. But She also drank the kool aid. She is in "cojuts" with the other ASS. thanks for your time.
"It’s being reported that you’ll spend $100-million in a campaign to win a third term. I know that’s not much to you, but it’s a decent amount of money."
Of course, Bloomberg got tons of money to burn (he got his own TV channel, go figure), and do whatever necessary to get elected again.
I myself absolutely oppose this term limit change, which is out of touch of the voters (and we still dare to say we are living in a democratic place?).
I myself don't like the stupid congestion price he suggested before. Yeah, let's the cars on the roads of Manhattan out, and get more people in the subway stations and trains instead, which is very crowed already. And I don't trust the extra funding from the federal gov will be used efficiently, it would most likely be wasted somewhere, or end up go to some CEO's pocket, and won't improve the traffic a lot.
From that moment on, I don't like this guy (I don't care if he is a billionaire, he ain't giving me a penny), fortunately the proposal was down.
Now he wants to run for a third time? Yeah right. I like some people's saying, the whole political system is designed for a place to not to depend on a single person, but on a system. So even when a brilliant leader is out in a bad time, the place won't just dead overnight. I think Bloomberg just use the economic situation as an easy excuse to press forward. Let him try to do the same thing in normal time, I can almost guarantee he will be blasted at right away.
The point is, I don't think the whole NYC will drop dead after he is gone. And I don't trust he will keep the common interest of people in NYC in mind, instead he will just keep other rich people in NYC happy and drive out the poor and working people.
Hey Jim,
FINALLY, a mainstream "jounalist" that will openly admit that he's completely and utterly slanted to the left...It's nice to see that you have the gumption to come right out and say it in the open...you know, here, on the back page of a website that 4 or 5 people might read...why not do a piece on the 10 o'clock "news", or as I, a REPUBLICAN, like to call it, "Here's Obama!", and tell Mike what you think to his face?...I'm sure this post will be removed the second one of your people catch wind of it...I'm also pretty certain that if it does see the light of day, that the majority of the "we love the world and fight for our freedom of speech, we're so much kinder and gentler" Democrats will show themselves for who they truly are...I'm sure I'll be torn to shreds and eviscerated in short order...How about this for an idea?...Why don't you and I go toe to toe in a debate...We can discuss how the heavily left slanted liberal mainstream media has, at every opportunity, undercut and trampled on the Republican candidates in this election, and then flatly denied it...I'm pretty sure that Mike Bloomberg's idea of running for a third term is a bad one...I agree with you...but once again a "journalist" like yourself, just couldn't help himself and somehow turn it into an opportunity to promote Barack Obama...I'd have so much more respect for the lot of you, if you'd just COME OUT AND SAY IT ON TV!!...but you don't have the guts...you'd rather play it with "slight of hand" function, and continue to pull the wool over your viewers eyes...Be a man Jim...Call the Mayor...Have him on your show...Say it to his face...or to mine...I'd LOVE to see if you have that kind of integrity...You're not-so-adoring-fan,
Robert Matarazzo
Hi, Robert.. I think you're reaching some wrong conclusions in what you claim is the partisan slant of my blog post.
First of all, nowhere do I come out and "promote" Barack Obama. I'm just creating a scenario based on what appears, according to polls and (even Republican) insiders, to be a likely Obama win. I think I can safely say if Mayor Bloomberg DID endorse one of the candidates today, it's wouldn't be John McCain. Not partisan, just fact.
Secondly, as far as I can tell, the term limits matter just hasn't been a Republican/Democrat issue. The Mayor is an independent who had switched from Democrat to Republican so he could have an easier path to the nomination in 2001. It's rarely about party with Mayor Bloomberg, something voters respect him for. My commentary looks at the term limits vote as a vital municipal and community matter, not another Red/Blue mudfest.
Finally, I'd be happy to talk to or interview Mayor Bloomberg about any or all of this. I wouldn't write it otherwise. I hope this response suffices for the debate you propose between you and me.
And if I indeed only have four or five readers, let me say I'm proud you are among them
Hey Jim,
I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post...
I wasn't suggesting that you had 4 or 5 readers...I'm not that naive...You have a vast reach with the position you hold. I was referring to the difference between the reach of your viewing audience and this blog...It was exaggerated for effect, and wasn't meant as a slam...Obviously, we are in the thick of an election of great importance, that will take this country in two seperate directions...and EVERYONE thinks they are right...So, it's packed to the walls with gunpowder laced emotions...I'm not debating whether anyones choice of candidate is right or wrong...I have my view on that of course, but it's everyones right to think what they want...my point of this whole thing is, the flat denial of mainstream media that they are slanted to the left...I don't submerge myself in 24 hour Fox News and ABC Radio...I watch local news (obviously), MSNBC, etc. etc. Granted, I do this mainly to keep my eye on what's being said for debate fodder...but I do watch, and from my vantage point it's unbalanced...I'll give you the smallest of examples and see if you can explain it to me...When the mainstream news turns to election coverage, why is the lead story ALWAYS Barack Obama?...The first candidate to get face time is Barack Obama...Again, that is the SMALLEST example I'm using, but I'd like that explained...RM
ps: For whatever it's worth, I think you're a stand up guy for replying.
That was very insightful Jim. Keep up the great work. I find it very helpful reading these blogs because it allows people to see how a professional journalist actually feels about the current events, considering you can't completely express how you feel on the air.
I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment, especially in light of Bloomberg's vehement statements that he'd had enough of being a mayor and it was time for him to move on....a fact that I've noticed has been ignored by the media.
nice piece, Jim.
If only he takes your advice.....
Cool post Jim!!! Brought up some really good points. I mean I do agree that Bloomberg serving another term is an accident waiting to happen. Keep up the good work, I watch the CW News at 10 every week night. Great job, man !!!!!!!!
Cool post Jim!!! Brought up some really good points. I mean I do agree that Bloomberg serving another term is an accident waiting to happen. Keep up the good work, I watch the CW News at 10 every week night. Great job, man !!!!!!!!
I don't know why Mike had to do away with term limits anyway. Couldn't he just switch to prime minister of NYC??
Hey Jim...
Great slip-up on the news last night!!!
Loved It!
For those that missed it - check out my video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IoDmK5QWK8
I was with some of your news crew today, I made sure to tell them about it.
Hey Jim,
my wife and i watch the 10 o clock news everynight. we are huge fans. I have to tell you that you that we whole heartedly relate with your discontent on mayor bloomberg's decision to run for a third term. .i find absolutely admirable that a man in your position would actually express their political views. Please keep up the good work.
P.S. my wife jaycee says hi to katie
Hello Jim,
Mr. Bloomberg should purchase all 30 MLB teams, doable for but a fraction of his 13-billion dollar fortune. (Their total 2008 payroll was about 2.75 billion.) He can then sit back and watch them compete, while his objectivity resulting from universal ownership would allow him to turn over the competitive bidding for personnel to the GM's. They, in turn, could use another billion or two of his to finance the new contracts. Just think about it Mikey - you're guaranteed a World Series winner! And you say you miss the juice of political power? Well, the owners select the Commish. Just vote yourself in and rule away! BAN TRANS-FATS IN THE VENDED FOOD, LIMIT CROWD NOISE TO 80 DECIBELS, SUBSTITUTE THE VENDING OF WHITE WINE FOR BEER. HECK, YOU COULD EVEN VOTE IN A LANDMARK RULE CHANGE, LIKE ALLOWING REVERSIBLE SUBSTITUTION WITHIN A GAME!
Jim, please continue trying to help this guy find some other way to keep busy in the next four years than wearing out my ears and nerves from City Hall?!
Mike
Hello Jim,
Mr. Bloomberg should purchase all 30 MLB teams, doable for but a fraction of his 13-billion dollar fortune. (Their total 2008 payroll was about 2.75 billion.) He can then sit back and watch them compete, while his objectivity resulting from universal ownership would allow him to turn over the competitive bidding for personnel to the GM's. They, in turn, could use another billion or two of his to finance the new contracts. Just think about it Mikey - you're guaranteed a World Series winner! And you say you miss the juice of political power? Well, the owners select the Commish. Just vote yourself in and rule away! BAN TRANS-FATS IN THE VENDED FOOD, LIMIT CROWD NOISE TO 80 DECIBELS, SUBSTITUTE THE VENDING OF WHITE WINE FOR BEER. HECK, YOU COULD EVEN VOTE IN A LANDMARK RULE CHANGE, LIKE ALLOWING REVERSIBLE SUBSTITUTION WITHIN A GAME!
Jim, please continue trying to help this guy find some other way to keep busy in the next four years than wearing out my ears and nerves from City Hall?!
Mike
Hello Jim,
Mr. Bloomberg should purchase all 30 MLB teams, doable for but a fraction of his 13-billion dollar fortune. (Their total 2008 payroll was about 2.75 billion.) He can then sit back and watch them compete, while his objectivity resulting from universal ownership would allow him to turn over the competitive bidding for personnel to the GM's. They, in turn, could use another billion or two of his to finance the new contracts. Just think about it Mikey - you're guaranteed a World Series winner! And you say you miss the juice of political power? Well, the owners select the Commish. Just vote yourself in and rule away! BAN TRANS-FATS IN THE VENDED FOOD, LIMIT CROWD NOISE TO 80 DECIBELS, SUBSTITUTE THE VENDING OF WHITE WINE FOR BEER. HECK, YOU COULD EVEN VOTE IN A LANDMARK RULE CHANGE, LIKE ALLOWING REVERSIBLE SUBSTITUTION WITHIN A GAME!
Jim, please continue trying to help this guy find some other way to keep busy in the next four years than wearing out my ears and nerves from City Hall?!
Mike
Hi Mr. Watkins:
I know this is off topic but I could not find any info on how to contact you directly on the WPIX website. I just wanted to let you know I look forward to your appearance at the autism conference at Kean University later this month. I have just enrolled in Kean's speech-language pathology masters program and hope to one day be able to help or at least make a positive impact on children such as your son Liam. I, like yourself, also have a strong interest in journalism. I even interned for the late Ralph Penza at your former employer WNBC in the fall of 2003. After graduation I quickly learned it was nearly impossible to start a career in journalism in the New York City market but I now realize it may have been for the better. I did a lot of research on speech pathology and immediately knew it was the profession for me. I really admire you for the patience you and your wife exhibit for your son and for the success you have achieved in your professional career. I know many fathers are not even in the lives of their children who are perfectly healthy. I am lucky to have a great dad and so are all three of your sons. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you in person at the conference to speak further. I don't know if you have a public e-mail address but if you reply to this let me know. I entered mine into the e-mail address field of this comment so hopefully you see it.
Shaun
Hi Jim
I was watching (Feb 26 2009) on your News Editorial on Prez Obama stimulus Package. I also heard the the wise crack on the objections, “Surprise, Surprise from the Republicans.”
You need to go back to your Journalism basics on objectivity. "Stay neutral." it’s embarrassing to hear those wise cracks in TV land.
You might as well put on a tee shirt with the Prez Obama shit on and tell the whole World how you are fair with your News Reporting.
But, I guess it too much to ask for objectivity, because I got you all wrong and you want to crawl up Obama leg like Chris Matthews does on CNN.
Go figure