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Obama/Bloomberg 08!

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/01/talk_of_obama-bloomberg_ticket_grows/7246/

Isn't the number of signatures needed to put a term-extension referendum on the ballot close to being equal to the number of votes that Mayor Mike would need to win the mayoral election next year?

I think that a petition drive would be a good indication of support for a Bloomberg third-term. I would support him if he wants to try. Then we can let the primary election and, if needed the general election, answer the question of whether his policies and style of governance should be continued for four more years.

His legacy will not be terribly tarnished if he looses -- not that I think he cares!

Brian: Please spend a little more time on this subject. Your comments pro/con term limits were quite the teaser!

I find it amusing that you and your guess would
say that term limits are anti-democratic. However if the question had been posed with Hugo Chavez as person seeking to abolish term limits than I am certain your responses would surely change. It would've been so obviuos that term limits are not all anti-democratic, but an effective means of keeping power out of hands of a " demogogue".

Hey what the hell, Bloomberg is so great let's make him mayor for life. What the "Frak" how about 12 more frackin' years of Bush. Yeah that sounds like a really lovely idea.

Term Limits are the cure for incumbency and dynasty. The argument that if you are unhappy with the performance of a politician, you can vote them out is simply not accurate. Robert Mugabe and Chicago's Mayor Daley are only two examples.

Kate, I agree with you 100%. His Government for Money approach has done nothing good for the diversity and culture of this city and the development tactics he's employed in order to push the Atlantic Yards monstrosity through were devoid of NYC democratic processes-- processes which are designed to allow the people to choose what sort of developments they want in their neighbourhoods.
Good riddance to him and Bush. It's time for new blood.

I agree with an earlier comment, that "term limits should create focus to get things done." People in office are so concerned with getting re-elected and their next campaign, that nothing is getting done at all. No one wants to make a mistake that could be used against them so instead they do nothing. I believe in term limits for all levels of government (with the exception of the Supreme Court Justices). I think Bloomberg is great, but he's not the only great man out there.

The problem is that you're looking at term limits through the prism of our existing system. Americans play politics within a very narrow range of acceptable behavior. But that range is little more than tradition. If we start to imagine that that range is the only spectrum in which politicians can vie for power, we will lose the whole damn thing.

The problem with Albany is Sheldon Silver and Joe Bruno.

On balance Mr. Bloomberg has been a good mayor. To seriously consider a repeal of term limits, however, he'd have to been one of the greatest. Does anyone remember the "Republican" Mayor Bloomberg during the RNC and the basic disregard of civil rights?

what about talking about the power of incumbency

Mike Gracchus... I mean Bloomberg, needs no additional terms.

Term limits are apparently democratic if a majority vote for them, no?

I believe in term limits...they're called elections!

I don't buy the idea that term limits are "un-democratic." They are a law. Laws are, theoretically, the written word of the people. If we, the people, disagree with term limits, then we, the people, overturn the law (being the sovereign power of the nation). Furthermore, term limits are supremely democratic because they focus politicians on their DUTY instead of their JOB, and once in office, it is term limits which defend the people from the significant power that public office can wield over the people.

Term limits are not democratic. I like Bloomberg personally, but that's beside the point. "We the People" should be able to vote for him again if we like the job he's been doing as Mayor. Term limits (can) lead to a final term of service where a politician is not accountable to the voters. That's a danger.

Term limits for mayors and governors are not as critical as term limits for the President. The President is at the top. No higher governmental institution can step in if the President abuses his power and sets himself up for a lifetime term.

If the mayor starts getting a little crazy, he or she has still got the state and federal governments that can keep him or her in check.

Good point Anschel. But that could also be an advantage since sometimes things that are initially unpopular, or controversial, turn out to be visionary and widely accepted afterwards.

i wish we could get term limits in every elected office in the state. albany is so dysfunctional and it seems people don't pay enough enough attention to remove these players from office.

No doubt Bloomberg has been an able administrator. He was a welcome change from Rudy, who ruled by polarizing. But where is the vision beyond West Side development?
Also, where do the city's black and Hispanic and Asian residents and the working class fall in Bloomberg's vision. We have no sense of his plans for Brooklyn or Queens. And his administration has as few significant players of color as Rudy's. Why does he get away with that?

Joel

I believe term limits should be extended, but not by any incumbent. Change them Mr. Bloomberg if you will, but not for your own gain. I agree with Ms. Purnick term limits are anti-democratic. This is not because I dislike Mr. Bloomberg, but because I see the extension of term limits for his benefit as self-serving.

One of the reasons that New Yorkers voted in term limits was because we had lived through 3 terms of Edward Koch. Interesting many people thought that Mayor Koch was turning NYC real estate over to developers! Look at what has happening to NYC since Bloomberg has been in power!!!!

I believe in term limits...they're called elections!!

I'm not a fan of expanding terms for anyone, mayor, senator, governor, or president. What kind of position would we be in if Bush could run AGAIN for office this year?

One of the often disregarded disadvantages of term limits is that a "lame duck" doesn't have to worry about the voters. They give mayors or presidents license to ignore the populace.

Too bad he won't be our mayor during the true recession which is on the horizon. We'll need his skills then more than we did when things were boomin'

I am against term limits but I do not want to see them rescinded for one person. They should be rescinded on principle. But the people of New York City have spoken, and spoken again, and now for a third time, and I can accept that.

Kate: Don't give Mike credit for 311. It was Chicago's idea first, and a great idea...but Mike didn't invent it.

Mike B. has been a brilliant mayor. If he can't continue as mayor, he will find another place to use his immense gifts. That would be a better idea.
Alice

Bloomberg's vaunted business acumen has just brought a cut of $1.4 Million from the budget for my child's school. It is hard to see how he can square such draconian measures with his goals for continued, measurable progress as reflected in school report-cards. Let him return to the private sector and get out his checkbook to help NYC's schools. Mayoral control has not worked with him in charge.

Enough of Bloomberg. He may be able to manage, but he gave money to the Republicans to have their hideous convention here in '04. I can't forgive him. He also presided over all the violation of the rights of those who wanted to protest - they were spied on, thwarted, and wrongly jailed only because they wanted to speak out.

I hope he doesn't try to get rid of term limits; I doubt such a campaign would be successful. However, I'd love to see Bloomberg run for governor. He's been an excellent mayor, but unfortunately Albany has killed some of his great plans (like congestion pricing). If he was governor, he would be able to do even more great things for the city.

Governor Hillary?

he should take a lesson from bill gates. do some real good and stay away from politics. no good can come from it. the people will turn on you the first chance they get.

I have to add that with respect to term limits, those in place for the city council should be expanded to state, "and not family member of current council member can run for the post after current member's time is up!"...or whatever is the legal/bureaucratic way to word it. I think I've made my point.

Brava, Kate! (Unless you find that sexist then Bravo, Kate!) I agree fully with you.

Term limits should NOT be extended - not for him - not for anyone.
I have been pro Bloomberg - 311 alone should see him on a top ten list - but he has been WAY TOO pro deveopment. He doesn't 'get' or care about our real neighbourhoods. Atlantic Yards is just TOO BIG!

Plus iterm limits should create focus to get things done
staying on in office will create a kind of dribble effect.
The people should choose their electeds within these current reasonable terms.

... but we all can see how lousy Giuliany and Dinkins were as mayors.

Let's hope not. He should just go back to what he did before.