MyDD :: NYC Mayor Issues

NYC Mayor Issues

by dereau, Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 10:34:27 PM EST

Promoted from the diaries. A lot of local NYC flavor, but it's important for those fake Dems who have fallen in love with Bloomberg's $100 mil. - laddy

Bloomberg's $100 million advertising campaign revolves around one central idea: that he is an apolitical guy doing a good practical job. Bull.

He's even puked up the old cliche that there's no Democratic or Republican way to take out the trash. Funny, it's actually an ongoing debate in New York City - ask the supporters of recycling versus those of trash-burning incinerators, and check their party affiliations.

Sanitation isn't the issue in the General Election that it was in the primary but there are real substantive differences between the views of the Democrat and the Republican in this race that deserve to be discussed, but are being mostly ignored.

Let's look at just one.

Ferrer supported Intro. 468-A, the new law to require decent health care coverage for workers at large grocery stores. The mayor vetoed the bill saying it should be addressed at the Federal level. True that. So the Council overrode him 40-2 understanding that it won't be addressed at the Federal level thanks to Republicans like Bloomberg.

The Council also knows that New York City's bully pulpit is second in the land and they desperately want NYC to lead the nation away from becoming a sharecropper society. Indeed, as the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, "other places may soon follow suit."

Bloomberg thinks the marketplace should decide if Wal-Mart moves in. (In this case, the "marketplace" got a boost by way of a Mayoral veto.)

Quiz: which is the Republican position and which is the Democratic position?

Does it make The Oligarch Bloomberg any less of a Republican that the City Council constantly has to wrangle him back towards a progressive future?

Think how much more powerful the City Council's law would have been if a Democratic Mayor in this media capital had held up the law that The Times praised as a challenge to the gilded age policies of DeLay, Frist and Bush.

One cannot wish NYC to lead the nation away from regressing into a New Gilded Age and vote for Bloomberg at the same time.

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Amazing (none / 0)

I must say, it has always blown my mind that a city considered fairly progressive has their last two mayors be Republicans. Yes, I know they are fairly moderate ones, but still just amazes me.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:18:42 PM EST

Re: Amazing (none / 0)

There are five elections this year, RON in Ohio, Arnold's power grab in Cali, Kaine in VA, Corzine in NJ, and the NYC mayors race. Six, if you want to count getting rid of Bush endorsing Democrat of St. Paul. I can put money on this; if we get good results in everyone except the NYC mayors race, we're going to hear cries from the washington establishment that liberalism is dead. We should all work hard on all of those other races since nothing is in the bag, especially if we're in the vicinity. But, a bunch of Democrats in NYC are going to send a giant F.U. to Democrats across the country. One by not electing Ferrer, who is beyond qualified and sends a message that we'll fight hard for Hispanic Dems and two by allowing Bloomberg to fundraise out of the mayors office for every right wing nut job running for Congress, and the Senate next year.

by Kombiz Lavasany on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:27:16 PM EST
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Re: Amazing (none / 0)

Right now I am listening to black radio press talking about Ferrer. he's dead because of Dalou. Bloomberg is receiving a lot cross endorsement of Democrats, and a lot of latinos and blacks will probably vote for Bloomberg due to education reforms.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:29:59 PM EST
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Re: Amazing (none / 0)

Iroic that every teacher in NYC hates Mike Bloomberg. The question is going to be how much of an impact does $100 million dollar campaign have in a mayoral election. That's a third of the amount of money that Kerry spent in the entire country.

by Scott Bezo on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:35:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Amazing (none / 0)

His 100 million dollars wouldn't make a difference if it he weren't already popular. His numbers are the same as before he spent any of his money on the campaign. The polls reflect the same head to head numbers even before the Democratic primary was fully on its way. I think focusing on the money misses the dynamics of the race. Essentially, Ferrer has run a lackluster race. As I say below, he has had opportunity to develop a strong 2 New Yorks message, but because of advisors he did not. He may believe in a lot of policies that maybe good for the city, but he didn't focus on them. Sadly, it may have been a campaign which would have resonated. Most NY'ers are facing that dillema right now. Where they middle class is being squeezed out of the city because of development- essentially I and others - even those making over 100 k a year- are being squeezed. But Ferrer didn't try to connect with this.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:42:23 PM EST
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Re: Amazing (none / 0)

So popular that just two short years ago he broke the record for lowest approval ratings of any New York City Mayor, pegged at 31%

John McCain is dishonest

by dereau on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:10:52 AM EST
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Re: Amazing (none / 0)

That was 2 years ago. That's like comparing Bush numbers of 2 years ago to now- two years ago Bush was at 50 plus percent, and now he's polling at 39 percent. I am just pointing out the reality on the ground. If you don't believe me, do your own reseach on when Bloomberg's numbers improved and why. There are plenty of left leaning sources that pretty much say the exact same things I am saying. In order to beat Weiner in the primary, Ferrer tried to run to the center on issues such as Dalou and by doing so he gave up his chief potency. He has appeared lackluster in his style until recently. Again, for once, I would ask people here to look it up if they are interested. You don't have to trust what I am saying. The numbers are out there. The nature of the races being run are out. I simply know them having lived in NYC since 2000 and reading about it online and off since being here on a constant basis.

by bruh21 on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:22:31 AM EST
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Re: Amazing (none / 0)

Admittedly, polls here are weird: the blackout gave him almost a 10 point bump from his low.

But he's gone up and down in almost direct proportion to the amount of press coverage of real estate boondoggles.

His real rise came during the primary. I hate to be that guy, but, contributing to his rise was the way local media covered the primary: it was all about goading the Democrats to fight or like Maureen Dowd at her worst, the coverage was addicted to trivialities.

Here are the opening questions from the second Primary debate:

"The defining moments [of our coverage] of the race have been the fiascos. Tell us what these gaffes mean if anything in your case. And what they mean in terms of what your rivals have done?"

"Would you consider anything that your opponents do fodder for argument"

"Does it matter if the other candidates screw up a little?"

"So stumbles will not matter?"

"You did take a shot at Mr. Ferrer regarding his slip up, as I recall(?)"

"Mr. Ferrer, would you like 30 seconds to respond to the others?"

FERRER. In all due respect, this isn't about getting into an argument with my Democratic colleagues. Our argument is with Mike Bloomberg. Our argument is a fundamental difference with the way we look at this city as Democrats and the way he looks at this city... Let's keep our minds focused on that, shall we?"

All the while, Bloomberg ran ads that said, "I'm not a politician. I just run the city like a business.

The press never touched him. When his hated West Side Stadium fell apart and when we lost his stupid bid for the Olympics, the claque shrugged and mumbled, "I guess this benefits Bloomberg." Then they covered a photoshopped flyer for over two weeks straight. It was surreal.

John McCain is dishonest

by dereau on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:56:39 AM EST
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Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

He tried to run as a moderate to centrist candidate, and only recently shifted to the two New York's theme. I am listening to political commentary on the debate today, and everyone is making the point that if this Ferrer had showed up earlier, Ferrer would have had a closer race. Ferrer also have never apologized for the Dalou comment he made. This is also hurting him. Whatever you think of Bloomberg on policy, he has a style that NY'ers prefer after the personality driven mayorships of the past. In terms of personality, people who I have talked to like that Bloomberg is more of a manager. As for the Unions- they face a bigger problem than Bloomberg- its great for Ferrer to say he would have supported X or Y bills- but when the decisions were made- this city was facing a huge financial crunch. What would Ferrer have done differently? I make a middle class income in NYC and yet I am faced with a huge tax burden- this is one of the most expensive tax burdens for a locality in the country. Where in the balancing was he suppose to turn after already raising taxes, other than into other ways to deal with rising costs.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:24:52 PM EST

Re: Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

Ferrer is losing because he's being outspent in an avalanche of money. Anyhow, I appreciate we have a NYC perspective, but I think the diary made some pretty good points on those issues, which are pretty irrefutable.

by Kombiz Lavasany on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:39:00 PM EST
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Re: Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

Are you in NYC ? I ask this because unlike a lot of these races- I am actually here- and I am talking to people. A lot of whom are really up on the issues and politics. I am simply being the messenger here of what I am hearing. You can choose to ignore it, but from what I hear that would be a mistake.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:43:53 PM EST
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Re: Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

Steve Gillaird has been pretty focused on the race. The diary was very issue orientated, which is part of the reason I bumped it up to the front page. Despite the race that Ferrer has run, do you think he'd be in a hole if he didn't a $100 million dollar war chest? I doubt there would be a hole at all, frankly.

by Kombiz Lavasany on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:51:46 PM EST
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Re: Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

What I think is that it's easy to reduce Ferrer's problems to red meat Democratic issues such as spending ability on campaigns, and miss what is the real dynamic that will have determined what allowed a candidate to win. I have been following this race, and the truth is that Ferrer as I have said didn't run a strong race. More than that, he has hurt himself in his natural base. More than that, Bloomberg came into the general with strong support- the money has helped him maintain it, but in NYC- a media saturated market, the truth is that what really wouldn't have been a factor if say Bloomberg had the numbers he had a little over a year ago. It's precisely this race which is providing me a warning single by the way with the Democrats over reliance on the Republicans being down and out at the moment for why they think we may have a good year next year. My thing is that we still have got to run strong campaigns that appeal to people.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:56:37 PM EST
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Re: Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

And by appeal to people- I mean Ferrer's two NYs which every new yorker except the most wealhty would understand, but he listened to his consultants.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:58:24 PM EST
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Re: Ferrer is losing because Ferrer- (none / 0)

agreed. His camp is a mess.

John McCain is dishonest

by dereau on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:58:35 AM EST
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Re: Ferrer has NO ONE to BLAME! (none / 0)

Ferrer has no one to BLAME but himself. When over 60% of Democratic voters in Liberal New York City are willing to cross party lines & plan to vote for a Republican for Mayor, that's a phenomenal number.

That can ONLY happen in a 5 to 1 Progressive Democratic registration advantave f you have a VERY WEAK Democratic candidate and a VERY STRONG Republican candidate.

Especially when polls show that these SAME New York City Democrats are supporting by 70%+ margins the candidacy of NY Democrat Hillary Clinton for Senator & NY Democrat Elliot Spitzer for Governor in 2006.

The same group of NYC Democrats who gave John Kerry 75% victory over Bush last year.

But they immediately cross partylines when Freddy Ferrer's names comes into the ballot.

THIS IS A CANDIDATE ISSUE & NOT A PARTISAN or LOYALTY ISSUE.

This just PROVES that Most New York City Democrats are a sophisticated bunch of voters who are NOT DUMB & BLIND. They will NOT JUST AUTOMATICALLY vote for someone or vote against someone because of they happen to have a D or an R next to their name.

When the most loyal Democratic group of African-Americans are giving Bloomberg 65% of their vote, and when a Latino like Freddy Ferrer is currently running ALMOST even with Bloomberg among Latinos- THAT'S a CANDIDATE issue!

When Bloomberg is winning in the Most Diverse City in America by leading in 4 out of 5 Boroughs & is giving Ferrer a tough fight even in Ferrer's bailiwick of the Bronx- THAT'S A STRONG CANDIDATE who appeals to all different groups of people.

This is MUCH MORE than Money. History has shown us NUMEROUS MultiMillionaires & Billionaires from both parties who throw Millions of Dollars to win races. Most lose while some make it. From the failed runs of Billionaire Republican Pete Coors in a Red State of Colorado, to the Failed run of Republican Billionaire Rich DeVos, Owner of AMWAY in Michigan, to Democrat Jon Corzine's Record breaking spending in his First run for Senator in NJ to win a close race.

TO say that Bloomberg is winning BIG just because of his money is a POOR EXCUSE for a Weak Democratic candidate & a Mayor who is GETTING upwards of 65%-70% Approval Ratings from All NYC residents.

You are asking New Yorker's to BLINDLY vote for Ferrer for Mayor just because he's a fellow Democrat even if majority of these residents are Happy & SATISFIED with Bloomberg's results.

That's basically asking them to vote against their Family's intereste for the SAKE of Partisanship. Maybe many Republican voters vote that way, but not NYC Democrats.

by labanman on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 11:32:31 AM EST
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Re: Ferrer or Green on Housing Cost (none / 0)

Some here keep attacking Bloomberg for the Skyrocketing Cost of Housing in NYC.

Do you think that a Mark Green or a Freddy Ferrer would have been able to STOP that or do something about it. THIS IS A NATIONAL PHENOMENON. It's a National Trend & not a NYC problem alone.

San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, even Washington DC & Baltimore are experiencing the SAME EXACT PROBLEM of SKYROCKETING HOUSING COSTS!

That's a National Problem! Not just an NYC problem. Not to mention that ALL THE CITIES I just mentioned are RUN by DEMOCRATIC MAYORS!!!!
But the results are the same & actually even worst in some cases!

People who live in NYC & all these other cities CHOSE to live there inspite of the crazy housing costs. I have many friends in New York City who make anywhere from $65,000K to $150,000K a year who LITERALLY live in Studios or One Bedroom Apartments paying $1,800 to $3,000 in rent.

You think ANY politician can solve that? That's a Market Supply & Demand issue.

Real Estate values have APPRECIATED thru the Roof & Rents have therefore followed everywhere.

The same 65% NYC Democrats who are now supporting Bloomberg are the SAME Democrats who are giving Senator Hillary Clinton 75%+ support for her Senatorial run next year & the SAME NYC Democrats who are giving Democrat Elliot Spitzer 70%+ support for Governor in 2006.

These are also the SAME bunch who gave John Kerry a landslide 70%+ victory over Bush last year.

NYC voters are Loyal but not Ignorant. They will vote for a fellow Democrat as long as it also benefits their family's interest.

Ferrer has given them very little reason to CHANGE course right now except to say that his a Democrat. THAT AIN'T GONNA FLY in NYC!

by labanman on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 11:49:21 AM EST
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why all the yelling? (none / 0)

Quote from a wise man:

...We get to push the Democratic agenda.
But we have to first win these races!
Great Fighting True Progressive Democrats with the likes of Dennis Kucinich, Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, Barney Franks will NEVER win Statewide office in their states.
That's Reality! We all have are roles to play!
Partisanship before Ideology!

Do you remember writing that?

VizierVic's reply is spot on:

"Candidates like Ferrer can be smeared with the tag of coming out of the Democratic "machine" but the problem is that no such "machine" exists. In the City, if you're not in the Mayor's office, independently wealthy or from outside the NYC political system, you have no record you can run on for Mayor.

Let's face it, Bloomberg is a pretty gray sort of Mayor. It's difficlt to work up a love or hate for the guy. He's not a bad Mayor. He just doesn't care about you if you're not pulling down six figure incomes and live in Manhattan, desptie all the bull in his ads. You can count the number of times he visited the Outer Boroughs before this campaign on one hand. He flies over them in his helicopter, on his way to the Hamptons or Bermuda. That's a fact. He manages NYC the same way."

John McCain is dishonest

by dereau on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 10:05:19 PM EST
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Re: who's yelling? It's called Passion! (none / 0)

You're focusing too much on the show. I'd rather have a Mayor who can deliver results rather than one who spends 80% of his time visiting neighborhoods to increase his popularity.

He Only cares for people pulling 6 figures? Bloomberg is beating Ferrer in all income groups. Not to mention working class blacks.

BTW, where else can you find an elected Republican who is Pro-Choice, Pro-Gay, Pro-Affirmative action ???

He's more to the left than most democrats in the Senate !

Asking Democrats to vote for Ferrer just because his a Democrat is going to be a tough sell in New York City especially when many of them see results.

by labanman on Tue Nov 01, 2005 at 08:22:46 PM EST
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One other point (none / 0)

The polls are bad for Ferrer- but he can still win this potentially if his two New York theme works, and if African Americans are willing to forgive him for the Dalou comments. The truth is that the breakdown for the primary as I remember also had it much different than the polls had said. So my comments should be understand in the context of what will allow Ferrer to have a better shot.

by bruh21 on Sun Oct 30, 2005 at 11:52:20 PM EST

GOP blogs in NYC (none / 0)

who won't get a link here are filled with Republicans who disagree with Bloomberg on most issues. They talk about how they would much rather vote for the Conservative Party guy, Tom Ognibene.

But damnit they're volunteering for Bloomberg because in their words "it is important for Republicans to re-elect Bloomberg for the broader message it sends nation-wide."

What does it say? It says that urban liberalism is dead. And for the sake of promoting power and the larger strategic vision, they vote for the guy they don't like.

Laddy is right, there are rumblings in The neocon Sun already that the GOP hold on liberal New York is a sign of how well-loved Republicans are.

This doesn't help.

John McCain is dishonest

by dereau on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:25:12 AM EST

Re: GOP blogs in NYC (none / 0)

If they think winning with a liberal Republican is a sign that they have won something then I see that as a hope for us, not for them, especially in an election year where we will take where if we are lucky we will get RON and other more meaningful races won in terms of national politics.

by bruh21 on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:38:21 AM EST
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Re: GOP blogs in NYC (none / 0)

Read the conservative, Michael Barone (US News and World Report), to get an idea of the narrative being deployed.

by Kombiz Lavasany on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 12:46:29 AM EST
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Re: GOP blogs in NYC (none / 0)

my point to you is that they can deploy whatever talking points they want. if it doesn't comport wit the direction they want to go, then it's just talk. it's like the DLC supporting right wing candidates- they can talk all they want about winning for the sake of winning, but if they are strategically losing- then what are they winning? nothing.

by bruh21 on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 01:50:45 AM EST
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Re: GOP blogs in NYC (none / 0)

Ah. There's the rub: they are not strategically losing.

Bloombergs rezoning includes freeing many rent-stabilized buildings to quadruple rates, elbowing out small shops in favor of bix-box stores, giving insultingly large tax breaks to billionaire developers like Related. He advocates for giving some of the most valuable real estate on the planet at far below market price to the man who owns Johnson & Johnson.

A functioning oligarchy is not strategically losing for the modern GOP.

Many of us in the Middle Class simply can't afford to live here anymore. Not when over two weeks of salary goes to rent. Artists are getting priced out of Manhattan. Even Harlem, which along with New Orleans had been the model of a Black Middleclass community is falling to full block buy-ups and over-gentrification. The man cut funding for homeless shelters even closing the largest one in the city during a rise in homelessness.

For many fiscal conservatives and social conservatives alike, it's turning into a paradise.

Not so much for people like me, though.

John McCain is dishonest

by dereau on Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 02:41:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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