Mayor Bloomberg Avoids Question, Calls Reporter A "Disgrace"

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—-

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.

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.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 28, 2009 6:10 PM

Comments [rss]

leftylib

Bloomberg Defending Term Limits! Calls Defying Public Opinion On Term Limits A Disgrace! Who's the Disgrace Now? http://tinyurl.com/5zsptc

ides_of_march

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.

citylion

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?

gg

Change-a-lujah!

Vote Rev. Billy!

ma bell

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

redhookreject

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.

redhookreject

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.

Qraymond

Nice question Azi. I'm surprised that Bloomberg took it so personally. Teehee.

Rocknrope

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&

NannyState

Or just throw his shoes at the nasty dictator.

Kevin Walsh

This imperious clown must go. Avella for mayor.

www.forgotten-ny.com

felixthecat2

I think that I should change my profile, I no longer want any association with Bloomberg.

verbal

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.

felixthecat2

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.

ANGRYGOD11

On the bright side: We all know what question to ask him if he decides to meet the unwashed masses while campaigning.

felixthecat2

I just posted this question on his website, LOL

felixthecat2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BTyo4Izclk

Bloomberg stating it is disgraceful to ignore the public vote on term limits.

felixthecat2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edk7yi_HqmM

Another Video of Bloomberg ignoring a reporter's question. Bloomberg is a disgrace to this city.

Pull My Finger

What a pile of shit this man is.

whitecastlerock

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.