Bloomberg tries to run for third term! How do I feel about it? Find out inside!

[NoWayJose]

So Michael Bloomberg is going to try and have the term limits law overturned (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080930/ap_on_re_us/bloomberg_third_term), in order to run for a third term. His justification is that the city's economy is in such turmoil that they need their CEO mayor to stick around and help them ride it out and hopefully recover.

Full disclosure: First, I'm not a New Yorker, but I'm very bright so I feel like one. Second, my uncle is the mayor of a major metropolitan city who is also coming up on the end of his final term under current law, and who is also very popular with his constituents.

I generally hate politicians trying to reverse term limit laws. It's not as bad as those who say they will retire after a certain number of terms (regardless of how many more are allowed under the law) but then change their mind once in office because of whatever. That said, I really like Bloomberg. He's led the charge on banning smoking from public restaurants and bars, led the charge to ban trans fats from foods, etc. I also think he's taken the crime-reducing policies of Giuliani and amended them to make them somewhat less draconian but still effective. And he (much more than Giuliani) has guided New York back from 9/11 to the thriving state it's in now.

I also like that he chooses not to draw a salary from the city, and as far as I know he's never been seriously linked to any corruption charges. So he seems like a clean politician with good ideas and, like we would all hope for from a CEO, an ability to effectively get them done.

I say let him stay! I know, I'm as surprised as you are, but I guess we all learned something about NoWayJose today.

[Andrew Mayer]

I'd have an opinion, but this clearly isn't the right topic to discuss that.

This topic is all about you.

[NoWayJose]

Oh, don't be like that, Andrew! First off, if you read my post again you'll see I didn't solicit any other opinions.

But since you're here now, this topic is now about you, too! So, how do you feel about me?

[Glenn]

And yet neither you nor Bloomberg have managed to push through the bailout.

I'm calling Shenanigans.

[Andrew Mayer]

Honestly? I think you have a huge disconnect between what political opinions you think you should have versus the opinions you actually want to have.

And once you bite into a wacky idea you never let it go.

[NoWayJose]

I think you have a huge disconnect between what political opinions you think you should have versus the opinions you actually want to have.
Can you try this sentence again? Like, on a piece of paper, a couple of times, then post it again?

Did you mean to say, "the opinions you think you should have versus the opinions you actually have?" (dropping the want). Because that makes a little more sense to me.

Glenn - I'm being serious about Bloomberg. Can't you be serious? I think he's a good guy. At the time, I wished he'd dropped his hat into the presidential race, but in retrospect I'm kind of glad/sad he didn't. I don't think we'd know what to do with a guy like that and we'd just say he's another Al Gore or something stupid like that. Stupid us. :(

[JeffL]

Listened to Bloomberg being interviewed on one of the Sunday morning shows about the current economic crisis, proposed solutions, etc. and I was surprised at how impressive he was. The guy seemed to really understand the situation, potential solutions and the upside/downside of each, and it was refreshing to hear someone talk about the situation without trying to blame "the other party" (he was pretty matter of fact that both parties have screwed the pooch and not paid any attention over the years to the potential problem that was building.)

[Sharpe]

On the substantive issue, I oppose removing term limits on chief executive positions. I've come to the point of feeling that term limits on representative positions is counter productive, but I believe theres a difference between representative positions and chief executive positions. Executives have more discretion and more ability to accumulate power over time. So I feel that for chief executives (big city mayors, governors and the President) having hard term limits makes sense. So, I say Bloomberg should move on.

Disclaimer: Not a New Yorker, don't know much about Bloomberg. Just speaking on general principles.

[NoWayJose]

Listened to Bloomberg being interviewed on one of the Sunday morning shows about the current economic crisis, proposed solutions, etc. and I was surprised at how impressive he was. The guy seemed to really understand the situation, potential solutions and the upside/downside of each, and it was refreshing to hear someone talk about the situation without trying to blame "the other party" (he was pretty matter of fact that both parties have screwed the pooch and not paid any attention over the years to the potential problem that was building.)
I agree - every time I see the guy talk or read something he's written, I'm impressed. He has a good article in last week's Newsweek about saving the world that focuses on eliminating smoking in developing countries. Seems like a silly idea at first but his case for it is strong and it's probably someplace our aid dollars might do some good, instead of just being pocketed by warlords.

[NoWayJose]

On the substantive issue, I oppose removing term limits on chief executive positions. I've come to the point of feeling that term limits on representative positions is counter productive, but I believe theres a difference between representative positions and chief executive positions. Executives have more discretion and more ability to accumulate power over time. So I feel that for chief executives (big city mayors, governors and the President) having hard term limits makes sense. So, I say Bloomberg should move on.

Disclaimer: Not a New Yorker, don't know much about Bloomberg. Just speaking on general principles.
See?! I'm wrestling with the same issues! Except I think term limits are acceptable for representative positions as well! Focus on your job, not keeping it. But I also understand that moving government along can't always be done in four or six years, and we may end up with even more stagnation if we have to roll over the entire crew regularly. We need some guys in there who know how things work. Guys like... Sarah Palin?

[Glenn]

Glenn - I'm being serious about Bloomberg. Can't you be serious?Oh, sorry, was that how you start your serious threads?

Bloomberg's awesome, the existence of people like him is why term limits are stupid. Maybe he can do a travelling mayor act if this doesn't play out. LA needs a mayor that... well, occasionally spends some time mayoring.


PS, the day after I argued with Unicorn McGriddle about how much I loathe 3rd parties, my wife called me out on promising to support Bloomberg if he ran in some quixotic Presidential bid.

[Lum]

I am firmly against term limits on NoWayJose. He should be NoWayJose as long as he wants. There, I said it.

[malphigian]

I didn't vote for Bloomberg his first term, in fact I pretty much hated him and felt he bought the election (he spent more per voter than anyone ever has spent in an election).

The city when he got in office was in a bit of a fiscal jam, and Bloomberg proceeded to make budget cuts. Only he made cuts everywhere. He hit teachers, police, you name it. Heck, he suspended the recycling program (people like me savaged him for this). Unlike other mayors who would only piss off half the city, he pissed off everyone. His approval rating went into the gutter.

Then, when the money came back, he put it back. He brought back recycling in a more cost effective system.

He set up this awesome "311" service where you can call the city of NY, and it's like calling a well run company. They transfer you to the right department, answer any questions you have, etc.

He cozied up to the GOP when the RNC was in town, sure, but when some republican reps turned some anti-terror money destined for NYC into pork for their own states, he disinvited them to a big fund raising dinner (the reaction from the GOP was awesome).

A lot of people like me had to admit we were kind of wrong about him.

He's not perfect. He's overly autocratic (the calorie counts on menus, the smoking bans, etc). He badly bungled his congestion pricing plan by not properly kissing the right asses in Albany and on the council.

That said, he's a great mayor. Certainly the best NY has had in quite some time. I know Rudy Giuliani is "America's mayor", they can have him, because he was fucking horrible in just about every metric you can think of. I guess he didn't break down in tears on 9/11, what a hero!

Anyway, my theory with Bloomberg is this: he's an extremely smart guy, and he's probably the only politician I can think of who you can take at face value. He came in ready to run the city like he ran his business, and he pretty much has.

I think the reason for this is pretty simple -- he can't be bought, it's tricky to bribe a billionaire.

I hope he gets past the term limits, because with the crises going on now Bloomberg is certainly the best bet for NYC. The alternatives in the democratic and republican parties are pretty terrifying.

[NoWayJose]

I am firmly against term limits on NoWayJose. He should be NoWayJose as long as he wants. There, I said it.
My name is NoWayJose, and I endorse this message.

[Sarkus]

Whatever positive opinion of Mayor Bloomberg I had were wiped out by NWJ's endorsement.

Guilt by association FTW.

[Eric T Cheng]

But can you sit down and have a beer with Bloomberg?

[Dave47]

Despite initial distrust, I've come to like Bloomberg enough that I would like this to go through.

As an added bonus, it would apply to the City Council. It's not clear to me that the two-term limit reduces corruption enough to compensate for the loss of experience and competency that comes from starting over every election.

[Marged]

I have nothing but antipathy for undemocratic things like term limits and nothing but love for Bloomberg. The best thing about Bloomberg is that he shows us what government can look like when it's run well.

The fact that Giuliani gets any credit for being a "hero" in the aftermath of 9/11 blows. my. mind.

[malphigian]

Whatever positive opinion of Mayor Bloomberg I had were wiped out by NWJ's endorsement.

NWJ?

5

[Andrew Mayer]

FWIW New York City has a long and unsavory history of machine politics, and political dynasties. I'm not against changing the term limits per se, but eventually it's going to lead to some long-term ugliness and abuse, as sure as the sun rises over the East River.

But it's New York, so people are probably okay with that.

[AaronSofaer]

I think the reason for this is pretty simple -- he can't be bought, it's tricky to bribe a billionaire.

QFMFT.

[extarbags]

I'm not generally for term limits, but this is pretty fucking pompous. "Guys guys guys, it's a tragedy... I can't run for mayor again, and I'm the only person who can run this city! We have to overturn this law, for all our sakes!"

[extarbags]

NWJ?

5

New World Journal?

[AndrewM]

Does this mean we could see a Bloomberg vs Guiliani throwdown?

[Fooey]

Giuliani's expected to run for governor I think. Bloomberg's been a competent enough mayor, but I can't stand the guy. He's just such an arrogant ,bossy, know it all prick.