Commentary
Bloomberg Wants A Third Term as Mayor of New York
I think Michael Bloomberg really likes his job – or wants to become the Duke of New York. Now, what follows is mere rumor but according to the NY Times and just about every other local paper, Bloomberg is planning to run for a third term as mayor of New York City. It seems he’s planning to use the Wall Street crisis as justification for revising the term limit law.
Voters in the Big Apple approved ballot initiatives limiting politicians to two terms in 1993 and again in 1996. Many in the New York area remember former Mayor Rudy Guiliani’s attempt to extend his tenure by three months in the aftermath of 9/11. This was met with howls of opposition from a public already fed up with Rudy’s petty antics. New Yorkers rightly saw his claim that they needed his steady hand to guide them in their time of need as exploiting tragedy to hold on to power.
Now Bloomberg is doing the same. The Wall Street crisis is a severe threat to the economy of New York City. While investment banks merge or head off to bankruptcy court, tens of thousands will lose their jobs. But there is a difference in public opinion concerning the two mayors. Bloomberg, unlike Guiliani, is widely seen as putting the interests of the City first, and politics second. (A net worth of $20 billion probably helps temper his appetite for frivolous squabbles.)
The Times reported that a majority of New York City council members, editorial boards and business leaders support revising the term limit law that would allow Bloomberg to run for office again. (It would apply to Council members as well.) It seems that only politicians planning to run for mayor in 2009 are resisting such a change to this law.
My opinion? I think term limits do not solve the problem of bureaucratic incompetence. It seems like a shortsighted tactic to clean the halls of government every four years. I’m sure that if Mike acted like Rudy, the same people backing
the term limit revision would be crying and screaming in protest.
What do you think about term limits? And, is your response influenced by how you feel about Mayor Bloomberg? (Leave a comment, or fill out the poll on the homepage!)
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Tags: Bloomberg, Commentary, Mayor Bloomberg, New York, New York City politics, NY, Rudy Giuliani, term limit law, third term, Wall Street Crisis Discussion
7 comments for “Bloomberg Wants A Third Term as Mayor of New York”
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I think you are completely wrong in thinking it’s OK for Bloomberg to run for a third term. He’s worth billions and can flood the airwaves during the campaign. No one can compete against that. Plus, he was dead set against any changes to the term limit law.
This isn’t about Bloomy, it’s about term limits. It’s a super-silly measure designed to protect voters from inept boobs staying in office longer than they should. I was under the impression that elections decided who stays in office. As far as his billions are concerned, campaign finance legislation should address that issue.
It’s not, as you say, a super-silly measure (how old are you anyway?). It also helps younger politicians move up the ranks within their party.
And, “Bloomy”, as you now call him, can circumvent any measures aimed at limiting the number of TV spots he buys.
Term limits are actually infinitely ridiculous, absurd to the tenth power, and downright dumb. And campaign finance can be effective. And, my age is none of your business.
You need help.
Term limits are well-loved by lobbyists, because they ensure that there are always political newbies they can take advantage of.
People support term limits because they don’t like politicians, which I suppose I can understand, but in general I think they’re a bad idea. Experience matters in law, in medicine, in architecture, in engineering–why do we think it doesn’t matter in politicians?
Very interesting point about newbies and lobbyists. Term limits are a simple-minded solution. You are right, experience and solid track records matter in every other field, and should be rewarded, not penalized in the political arena. The bottom line is that voters have to really be engaged in the process. Ballot measures cannot make up for a disinterested electorate.