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Is the unofficial first rule of Mayor Bloomberg-Press Fight Club "Don't ask Mayor Bloomberg about term limits"? That's what it seems like when you watch this video from PolitickerNY's Azi Paybarah. Bloomberg, at a press conference touting how the city received $32 million in federal stimulus money for job training, said of the economy, "I’m reasonably optimistic that we’ve turned the corner" on the recession. So Paybarah asked if, since the economy was turning around, that meant Bloomberg oversold his pitch for overturning term limits—which the mayor didn't think was a "serious" question.
Paybarah's video is above (and a clearer one from MyFoxNY is after the jump) and here's the transcript from CityRoom:
Mr. Paybarah: If the economy is turning around, as you said, does that mean the rationale for changing term limits—-And then Bloomberg looks at Paybarah and says, "You're a disgrace." Previously, Bloomberg avoided questions from reporters at an event by noticing Paybarah's haircut.Mr. Bloomberg: I don’t know why … if we have a serious question…
[At this point, Mr. Paybarah tried to finish his question, but he was cut off by the mayor.]Mr. Bloomberg: The rationale for extending term limits is that the City Council passed it and the voters will have a chance on Nov. 3 to say what they want. I don’t think we have to keep coming back to it. … If you have a serious question about the economy I will be happy to answer it.
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I've never been too pro- or anti- Bloomberg -- but what a classless and disgraceful way to act. Journalists are supposed to ask hard questions. If Bloomberg's only response to a hard question is to insult the journalist (particularly what sounds like a young journalist)...
I guess Bloomberg believes there is absolutely no way anyone could defeat him in an election, and that he can therefore be a jerk -- and he's probably right. But what a shameful way to act.
this is just the way he is. and the opposition should hammer away at how he is. it's not negative campaigning.
There is no opposition. The Dems already conceded the election. That's not Bloomberg's fault. That's why he can get away with stuff like this.
That was a bit harsh, but his general intolerance of BS is his main appeal.
Which is all well and good until he decides that accountability is just BS.
I didn't think much of Dinkins, but damn, has it ever been a long time since we've had a decent human being running the city.
Wow solidago, your comment proves the problem- obviously, you and Bloomberg both think political accountability and democracy are just "BS".
Let's shove them both aside so Herr Bloomberg can continue to feed the city to ravenous developers and ignore the poor and middle class.
If I hadn't watched the video and had just read the comments, I would have thought that Bloomberg imposed martial law and had some jackbooted thugs beat a reporter to a pulp.
So Bloomberg can be kind of a jerk and a reporter might have gotten his feelings hurt, and our elected representatives are allowing us to vote for or against him for a third time. Umm... not exactly the origins of a dictatorship (...that's the cue for someone to chime in with a comment about how Hitler was originally elected).
I'd like to know why the mayor made that comment? What was he thinking that could have prompted it? Was the reporter's question really an incisive observation, or was it just a clever remark designed as a monkey wrench?
i voted for bloomberg twice. he won't be getting it a third time (not that he needs it)
I'm with you wongwong. Good job Bloomie, you just lost a vote from someone fairly apathetic about who the Mayor of NYC is. Newsflash: you are NOT above it all.
I'm in the same boat with you two, term limits exist (and were kept in place by two voter referendums) for a reason. Bloomberg isn't getting my vote.
...yet one more reason why I won't be voting for him.
Finally a journalist will call the mayor on his bullshit. You can tell this kid really pissed the mayor off. Nice work!
We'll all be sentenced to a third term.
We surely will, since it appears no one will be running against him. I wonder if Bernie Goetz or "The Real Kramer" will run again - that's probably where my vote would go. I've never voted for Bloomberg but I don't think we'll have a real choice as far as opposition this fall.
I'm voting Socialist. This guy is a complete prick.
Not that I'd vote for Bloomberg, but do you really want to place the economy entirely within the state's control?
Just when I thought I couldn't despise him anymore... What an elitist scumbag he is. Sadly we will be stuck with this fucking little dicktator for another term.
What a pile of shit this man is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edk7yi_HqmM
Another Video of Bloomberg ignoring a reporter's question. Bloomberg is a disgrace to this city.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BTyo4Izclk
Bloomberg stating it is disgraceful to ignore the public vote on term limits.
On the bright side: We all know what question to ask him if he decides to meet the unwashed masses while campaigning.
I just posted this question on his website, LOL
It's a disgrace to ask a question on term limits but not to extend them without public referendum? look at this video of Bloomberg ignoring this reporter.
Bloompolean is an absolute disgrace as a public servant; he needs to be reminded that he actually does work for us, and that we're not serfs in his kingdom.
He is too used to being accountable to nobody. As far as the Dinkins comment earlier in the thread; what the fuck are you smoking? That man was the biggest joke of a mayor this city has ever seen.
I think that I should change my profile, I no longer want any association with Bloomberg.
This imperious clown must go. Avella for mayor.
www.forgotten-ny.com
I hope that the next reporter hits him with a double whammy and uses the word "maintain" and "term limits" in the same question. He'll have to speak quickly though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=135tAqRkexY&
Or just throw his shoes at the nasty dictator.
Nice question Azi. I'm surprised that Bloomberg took it so personally. Teehee.
How many mailers have you all received from his mayorship? I have four just in the last 10 days. 3 phone calls and the endless tv ads.
He'll spend and spend and spend... how about he just starts his own for profit agencies which he can rule fo ever... Like the Office of Smugness.
ok so we all have the right NOT to vote for him...which is the truest form of democracy. screw what the city council decided, we still have rights. but...
voters have turned down a third term before...and many of you are outraged that city council would go above that and go against the will of the voters...
yet most of you called on state legislators to overturn the voters will on the gay marriage ban in the state of california...
which is it? do the voters decide or do the lawmakers decide...you can't have it both ways
Actually, America is NOT a democracy. Its IS a republic. Now depending on what side of the political spectrum you stand you can spin that as you will. But the difference is that the people do not rule, the law does.
We elect representatives to various offices not to represent our wants, needs or desires, but to establish laws that conform with our ideals.
That said, when those we elect change law away from the will of the people, they should be thrown out.
Change-a-lujah!
Vote Rev. Billy!
How about he save on that campaign money and start developing the city with it? He doesn't need permission to do that and if he really cared then he could definitely make a difference with so much money and power that comes with it. What's he trying to prove being mayor for another term?
If Bloomberg thinks 32 mil from the feds for job training will turn the economy around, he's a fool. If there are no jobs, it just means better trained people out of work.
Bloomberg Defending Term Limits! Calls Defying Public Opinion On Term Limits A Disgrace! Who's the Disgrace Now? http://tinyurl.com/5zsptc