Four More Years? Third Term Rumors for Bloomberg

Is Mayor Bloomberg tired of being called a lame duck? A source says the billionaire may consider asking that term limits be revised so he could run for a third time.

The sources says Bloomberg is "50-50" on that idea, which would involve the City Charter being revised. But past talk--from Rudy Giuliani after September 11--of ending term limits has been unpopular. And mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser said, "The mayor is absolutely not seeking a third term."

However, another source explained what Bloomberg wants is to remain relevant, "I wouldn't be surprised if [Bloomberg] made a play for it [a third term], but it would be a play - it wouldn't be serious."

Bloomberg could be feeling restless, now that he's definitely not running for president and his pet project of implementing congestion pricing seems dead after running into the wall that is Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. A source said, "Running the [Bloomberg Family] foundation" --the non-profit he has said he will work on after leaving City Hall--"isn't enough."

A spokesman for mayoral hopeful, City Comptroller William Thompson, told the Daily News, "The mayor has repeatedly said that the current term limit is the will of the voters. We take him at his word." Well, of course they hope he'll stick to his word--Bloomberg, who spent $74 million for his 2001 election and $78 million that for his re-election in 2005, would be able to spend the pants off any challenger.

If he could run for a third term, would you vote for Mayor Bloomberg? ( surveys)

Billionaire Ronald Lauder, who backs the term-limit advocacy group New Yorkers for Term Limits, remains, per the Sun, "100% committed to defending term limits and has every reason to believe the mayor feels the same way." As for Assembly Leader Silver, he doubts the Mayor will run again, "I believe it is his spinner's way of trying to keep him from lame-duck status as long as possible."

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By Jen Chung in News on April 14, 2008 10:20 AM

Comments [rss]

Jerky

>Worst mayor ever

Yeah, bring back Dinkins. That sh*it worked well..

Really, take another hit from the crack pipe. It'll bring

back nostlagia for the Dinkins era in more ways than one....

kissel

R-C, gotta agree with you on that! let's get term limits on the rest of 'em.

Reality Czech

Normally I would have voted for "term linits are term limits" buut it seems to me that Mayor of NYC is the ONLY elected position in NY state/the United States that does have term limits!

Let's get term limits back for every elected official in this state and this country!

Until then we will just have a bunch of morons who are more concerned about their job than doing what is good and right for the people of their state!

S.D.

"The City Council fucked up, no question about that."

Yep. While I'm not for the planned implementation of "congestion pricing", if the NYC politicians really wanted it, they'd have pushed Albany earlier...

Tim N.

My friends, relax. This will be as successful as each and every other thing he's done as Mayor (see Stadium, West Side; Pricing, Congestion; President, Running for; Neighborhood, Taking Care of).

ANGRYGOD11

All this is moot.

If the goal was for Bloomberg avoid lame duck status and get more things done, then there isn't enough time to change the term limit rules for the next mayoral election.

By the way, Bloomie didn't so much as buy the last 2 elections (although he did buy the Republican nomination) as much as the Democrats put up lame, compromised candidates.

blablanyc

Why blame Silver for the end of congestion pricing? He wasn't the factor in the end for cg. You need to get your facts straight.

JMH

Ignoring that the City Council waited to the 11th hour to get it in, right?
The City Council fucked up, no question about that.

pgmd2345

Comparing Mike Bloomberg to Rudy Giuliani is like having Diarrhea instead of being Constipated.

Both are painful in their own way.

jibbly

Bloomberg's handling of the 2004 RNC is all I need to know about him.

blablanyc

We need to defend the term limits in NYC. It's too easy for Bloomy to buy the office.

kissel

bloomberg has only brought sweeping changes that increase the expenses of living or working in the city... i.e. taxes and fees while doing little to control the budget. I had high hopes for him, but they are pretty much gone at this point. He's not the worst mayor we've had by any stretch, but I expected more.

zstone

Term limits are a good thing. As for Bloomberg, he'll probably get a cabinet position in the Obama administration, so I don't feel sorry for him and his billions of dollars.

S.D.

"Bloomberg tried to implement a sweeping system that would've brought massive benefits to the working class and Sheldon Silver killed it."?

Ignoring that the City Council waited to the 11th hour to get it in, right?

BTW

Saying Bloomberg is the worst mayor ever is just ridiculous. I mean is there any real need to compare him to Rudy? That just seems like an argument that makes itself.

Spirit of 76

Can we get a new mayor who doesn't hate bicycles?

What the hell kind of poll is that? He's great because "can stand up to other politicians"? Yes, he can, and look what it got him on congestion pricing.

JMH

Bloomberg tried to implement a sweeping system that would've brought massive benefits to the working class and Sheldon Silver killed it.

S.D.

In general (Maybe Not Bloomberg), Politicians always seem to be for term limits until it comes to them.

BaHa

Four more years of Bloomberg will bring more glass boxes, more chains, more for the rich, less for the working class. Bahama Bloomie has no feel for this city beyond its upper strata and those of similar ilk that he wants to entice here. Worst mayor ever, and I lived through the Dinkins administration.