It was only a month ago that Newt Gingrich arrogantly declared, "I'm going to be the nominee." Now, his campaign is going the way of the Cain Train, and he's grasping at whatever straws he can to try to get some momentum back. Just how desperate is he? He's inexplicably taking pot shots at Mayor Bloomberg.
Gingrich Disses Bloomberg: He Bought His Third Term
Bored Bloomberg Is So Ready To Be Out Of Here
For someone who spent millions getting himself a third term as the mayor of New York City (about $175 per vote!) Michael Bloomberg certainly seems ready to get back to his Bermuda estate. He's sick of going to all those boring ceremonies ("I can't wait for the last one. You have no idea."), doesn't care what happens here after he's out ("My job is to sustain it for the next 781 days.") and—despite there being 763 days until Bloomberg leaves the building—he has reportedly already started having city agencies write up his legacy.
New Poll: Bloomberg's "Lost Focus," Ray Kelly's Mr. Popular
After a Hurricane Irene-assisted bump, it seems things are back to normal for the sinking ship that is Bloomberg's disastrous third term. According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, a majority of New Yorkers believe that Bloomberg has "lost focus"—and those same NYers would vote NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly in as mayor were elections held today.
Bloomberg: Come On, Let's Forget About Cathie Black Now
Mayor Bloomberg discussed yesterday's surprising departure of unpopular Schools Chancellor-for-95 days Cathie Black on his radio show this morning, calling her a "phenomenally competent woman" (though he, according to Black's friend, "threw her under the bus"), adding, "I think that anybody who is willing to put themselves in the public arena and tries to help deserves a lot of credit." He also couldn't say exactly what tripped up Black's short tenure, "The real answer here is to say ‘O.K., water over the dam, under the bridge, what are we going to do next?'" Yeah, like, what about the impression that his third term is a damn mess?
Bruised Bloomberg To Give State Of The City Today
At 1 p.m., Mayor Bloomberg will be giving his annual State of the City address in Staten Island. The NY Times says it'll offer him "an opportunity to reassert his agenda after a series of setbacks. He has endured a bruising battle over his new schools chancellor, an $80 million fraud scheme involving the city’s payroll system and a botched effort by the city to deal with a crippling snowstorm last month." So, third term jinx or not?
Now Bloomberg Is All About A Two-Term Limit
In next week's election, voters will have the chance to vote to restore two consecutive four-year terms for the city's Mayor. And guess who will be voting "yes" on that measure? That's right, third-term Mayor Bloomberg. But it's okay, because his third term was an emergency.
If Bloomberg Doesn't Finish Third Term, It's 'Cause He Died
Because there's rampant speculation (or at least a dearth of pre-Labor Day stories) that he's being wooed for a possible White House job, Mayor Bloomberg was extra-emphatic that he'll finish out his controversial third term at NYC mayor. The Post's David Seifman asked him, "Are there any circumstances under which you would not serve out the full third term?" to which Bloomberg responded with tantalizing "Yes," adding, "If I died."
Bloomberg Calls Third Term "Special Opportunity"
After being sworn in as mayor for the third time, Mayor Michael Bloomberg acknowledged the contentious, controversial bid to overturn term limits and his $102 million mayoral campaign and told New Yorkers, "As I stand here today, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve New Yorkers for four more years - and to be the first Independent to have the honor of taking the oath. I recognize - I understand - that this term is a special opportunity, one that comes with extraordinary responsibilities."
Bloomberg's Third Inauguration Underway
For those of you not nursing a hangover—or needing a hangover cure—consider tuning into this year's inauguration at City Hall. Mayor Bloomberg will be sworn in for a third time, while City Councilman Bill de Blasio will become the new Public Advocate and City Councilman John Liu will be the new City Comptroller. All three men signed their oaths of office yesterday (and paid fees to the City Clerk), but they'll give speeches today. Speeches, people!
Will Third Term Doom Bloomberg?
Apparently, today's a bad day to be the richest and most powerful person in New York City. In the wake of last night's not-as-big-as-predicted victory over Democrat Bill Thompson, the press has decided that Mayor Bloomberg's easy days are behind him. The Times thinks that for the first time in years, the mayor "finds himself governing New York City from a most unaccustomed vantage point: Vulnerability" — a fact that "could have profound implications for the tenor of a third Bloomberg term, not least that it is likely to hinder the mayor’s well-honed ability to cow Democrats and liberal interest groups."
Appeals Court Gives Thumbs Up To Bloomberg's 3rd Term Bid
Many months after the City Council voted to approve extending term limits, an appeals court has upheld a lower court's ruling that Mayor Bloomberg can run for a third term. CityRoom says, "To the term limits opponents who hoped the courts would overthrow a law allowing city elected officials to run for a third term this fall, the fight is essentially over." One lawyer for the plaintiffs, Norman Siegel, wasn't sure if there would be another appeal but did say it was "a dark day for democracy and for the voters of New York City." Last November, Mayor Bloomberg had signed the bill after hearing from angry as well as pleased New Yorkers.
Poll: Bloomberg's Approval Rating at 69%
Fancy that: After kicking open the doors to a third term bid, Mayor Bloomberg's approval rating has gone up to 69%, from 66% in November, according to a new Quinnipiac poll. Quinnipiac points out this "puts him back on a track of 69 percent or higher approval ratings in every other poll since he began his second term." Interestingly enough, respondents still approved of term limits 69-25% and disapproved of the City Council's decision to extend them 56-42% (they just seem like to Mayor Bloomberg?).
Hello, Mayor Bloombergforever: City Council Votes to Pass Term Limits Extension, 29-22
Update, 4:35 p.m.: The City Council voted 29 votes in favor of extending term limits, to 22 votes against. Each member had the opportunity to explain their votes. Council member James Oddo, who voted against the legislation, wished he had some f-bombs left over and quoted the West Wing: "Quando dio vuole castigarci ci manda quello che desideriamo."/ "When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers." (Oddo said he hoped the gods were busy today.)
Judge Denies Council Members' Attempt to Stop Term Limits Vote
Though City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced that the City Council would vote on whether to extend term limits from two terms to three for a number of elected positions--most notably for Mayor Bloomberg and his third term dreams. Council members Bill DeBlasio and Letitia James filed a petition with the State Supreme Court to stop the vote. Their argument is that it's in violation of the Conflict of Interests law, because extending term limits would apply to Council members, as well as the mayor, public advocate, comptroller, and borough president.
Support for a Bloomberg Presidency
A Northwestern University sophomore has a column in student news magazine North by Northwestern titled I propose President Bloomberg. Ben Armstrong even refers to the current term limits battle:
Though New Yorkers have reservations about abolishing term-limits to allow Mayor Bloomberg to continue his reign without inhibition, describing it as a benevolent dictatorship, a Bloomberg presidency would not be one. In fact, since no members of Congress would feel obliged to support him (and his advisers would be bipartisan), there would be significantly more checks on his actions.College kids and their dreams! The reality is Bloomberg ain't running for president, just Emperor/ Czar/ King of New York.
Mayor Bloomberg Makes His Third Term Limits Pitch
Mayor Bloomberg formally announces that he will work with the City Council on legislation to add another term to the two-term term limits and, if it passes, he will sign it and run for mayor in 2009.
Third Party for Bloomberg's Third Term
The Post reports that notable independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg will "likely...create a new third party for his re-election bid next year, while also seeking support from major parties." Ah, that's the opportunist mayor we know, who changed from a Democrat to a Republican in time for the 2001 election and then shed the GOP coat to go beyond partisan politics last year! The Mayor is expected to make his third term announcement at noon today.
Support, Outrage Over Bloomberg's Third Term Hopes
As to be expected, there's divided opinion on Mayor Bloomberg's expected announcement that he will purse a third term as mayor.
Term Limits Proponent Blesses Third Term for Bloomberg
Any third term aspirations Mayor Bloomberg has got a vote of confidence from fellow billionaire Ronald Lauder--who funded the previous campaigns to implement term limits. Lauder told the Post, "I've been reading that Mayor Bloomberg might be interested in serving a third term. Because of the unprecedented times, this is welcome news. To me, Mayor Bloomberg's brilliance in the financial sector, particularly Wall Street, would be invaluable."
Bloomberg Having His Doubts on Term Limits
Mayor Mike sure likes to keep people guessing. Yesterday the mayor altered his position on any extension to the term limits law, saying that he would consider a change to the rule that will force him out of office next year if City Council were to send a bill his way.
More Poor New Yorkers Like Mayor Mike
What a different five years makes: The NY Times shares some interesting data on how Mayor Bloomberg has convinced low-earning New Yorkers he cares about them.
More Third Term Rumors for Bloomberg
Since it's been about two months since Mayor Bloomberg said, "I’m not seeking a third term," it's time for third term rumors to pop up again. Today, the NY Times reports the billionaire mayor is considering another run as Mayor or maybe doing something in Albany.

