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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 THE IMPERIAL MAYOR 
12

In New York, No One Matters But Bloomberg

Political foes gone, power elite diminished, moneyed mayor calls all the shots

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(Newser) – Say what you will about Michael Bloomberg—the perfect mayor for New York in a financial crisis or arrogant billionaire who's pretty much bought an unprecedented third term—above all, Chris Smith writes, he is “a one-man Establishment.” A perfect storm of his personal fortune, the vagaries of international finance, and the shifting demographics of the city’s political classes makes Bloomberg the “only powerful figure in New York who really matters.” And that will likely be true for four more years.

Bloomberg’s primacy is based on a power vacuum, Smith writes in New York. The influence of other players is “circumscribed, confined to their narrow categories.” Traditional foes of Bloomberg have decamped for Washington or seen their sway diminished in the economic crisis. And “in these turbulent financial times, the business elite has been more than happy to delegate the job of running the city to one of their own.” And whether you’re a fan or not, Smith writes, the power has allowed him to do what, “in a democracy, should not be possible."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right, and former mayor Rudy Giuliani, foreground second from right.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right, and former mayor Rudy Giuliani, foreground second from right.   (AP Photo)
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.   (AP Photo)
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.   (AP Photo)
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One huge change in the power structure is that increasingly the locus of power is external, not local. Purely local business leaders are not as relevant as they used to be, because it has become a global economy. - Kathy Wylde, Partnership for NYC

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12 comments
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youngblood
Oct 19, 09 11:54 AM CDT
Tells you what the World is about, if you have cold hard cash the World is yours and you can change laws and if you don't have cold hard cash you're a pawn taking orders from rich cats! Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Wonka
Oct 19, 09 12:04 PM CDT
That's a cynical worldview. Not saying you're wrong. Just cynical.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Oct 20, 09 7:26 AM CDT
Cynical: "Tending not to believe in the integrity or sincerity of others". I'd say youngblood is not far off. Especially when the "others" are wealthy, powerful politicians.
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0
youngblood
Oct 19, 09 12:54 PM CDT
Sorry for being cynical but what right does Bloomberg have to extend himself to a 3rd term in office, except that he's mega rich and can change the law to get away with having 3 terms, and the commission that voted for that change is on the same payroll and that means that they also can have 3 terms now and extended paychecks, it's total B.S. think about any other place where the President of the company and his secretary and treasury vote themselves a 3rd term when all before him, it was a 2 term rule, insures a paychecks and power for another 4 years. It's being a rich ass BULLY, period!!! Reply
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Snowleopard
Oct 19, 09 6:27 PM CDT
he got voted in. the majority supports him.
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+1

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