Gothamist: Mayor B Approval Bottoms Out

Alex

Fri, 28 Nov 2003 11:30:38 -0500

I've never met anyone who really understood politics and what he has accomplished who wanted him out of office. He's doing an amazing job considering tghe lack of support from New Yorkers.

Coolfer

Wed, 26 Nov 2003 16:55:28 -0500

Honestly, I find it strange that people need to find a mayor charismatic. Ari pointed to two reasons why Mike is the worst, and neither was about politics. Both were about personality. Is personality the true measure of political success? Well, people loved Clinton. He's loved all around the world. Then he goes and wastes a few years of his presidency fighting off the Lewinski drama. Imagine what he could have got done with his last term if he wasn't liked so much by beret-wearing interns. But...he made people feel good about themselves. Is that what matters? What if a politician simply does a good, smart job? Would you rather have a smart mayor who will help the city, or a guy who tells people what they want to hear? (Not that this perfectly describes Bloomberg, but I don't have the same beefs that most have with him. It's easy to hate a guy who inherited a poverty stricken city. His hole was dug before he started.) Does he/she also have to make people feel good about themselves? If he had a better smile and a smoother speaking style, would that mean he's a better mayor? I'd have to say no. When you vote based on smiles and personality and speaking style and empathy (again, no mayor in a recession is going to be called empathetic), you wind up with people like Arnold. Mike wants to be judged on education, so let's wait to see how that turns out. One thing's for sure: it would be difficult for the school district to get any worse.

Homer

Wed, 26 Nov 2003 14:49:49 -0500

Doesn't Bloomberg look like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons? ("Excellent, Smithers. Excelllllleennnnnt.")

Ari

Wed, 26 Nov 2003 14:10:11 -0500

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? What are you doing? Don't help him!! He's awful. Completely devoid of charisma and empathy. He couldn't suck any more. Let him continue to fail {spectacularly so, if I may say so myself} and eventually he'll go away or burst into flames and we will be done with him. No hints for the devil. Mwah ha ha. If he needs help he can buy it with all the money he picks out of my pockets. Yes, I'm bitter.