Briefing: Now John Gambling is asking questions about Bloomberg's tactics, even
Michael Bloomberg talks to reporters. Azi Paybarah, via flickr
9:44 am Sep. 2, 2011
Michael Bloomberg's silence—and however else you want to characterize the way he first described Stephen Goldsmith's departure last month—has made him an irresistibly easy target.
The New York Post editorial board has used the occasion of their big scoop on this story to question Bloomberg's transparency credentials, which could be sort of a second-tier meme if this story rolls over into next week. Which maybe it will, if the mayor continues his blackout of public appearances through the weekend.
Over in the NY-9 race, Democrat David Weprin's financial and voter-registration advantage are played down in every story, except the New York Times'. Politico goes in the opposite direction, running two energetic headlines about the race today. Democratic consultant Scott Levenson and others say the very fact that their party is having to fight so hard for the seat is a bad sign for their party's candidate. But it's not like Turner was an entirely unknown candidate, having cleared a low and somewhat arbitrary bar but outperforming expectations in a losing challenge to Anthony Weiner less than a year ago.
In more Goldsmith news:
If [the altercation] didn’t really happen, then why did he have to resign?” asks Joe Mercurio. "This makes the mayor look like a putz.” [Erik Ortiz]
"Bloomberg ran for cover, spending the day ducking reporters…Asked why Bloomberg was unavailable to reporters yesterday, La Vorgna cited multiple press conferences and said, "We wanted to give him some time to catch up and work on the other parts of the job." [Goldenberg, Margolin and Mangan]
Editors say it was "demented" to think the arrest wouldn't be made public, and question Bloomberg's credentials on transparency. [NY Post]
"Bloomberg’s instinct to protect, rather than disclose, engulfed his administration in controversy…" Also, Goldsmith's departure "already seemed all but inevitable." [Michael Barbaro]
Daily News said the mayor "abruptly canceled his radio show Friday morning to avoid being grilled." Also, "To avoid questions, Hizzoner canceled a Hurricane Irene-related press conference." [Jonathan Lemire and Reuven Blau]
"Last year, then-Gov. David Paterson ended his campaign for election amid an uproar over questions about his involvement in a domestic violence case against a top aide." [Michael Howard Saul]
"He let loyalty get the better of his duty…" [Daily News]
WOR host John Gambling, who normally co-hosts a Friday show with Bloomberg, said, "This is only the beginning of the story that could have been dealt with a month ago" and "I think he made a mistake in not addressing this head-on."
The NY-9 race is full of intrigue and tension ...
Koch says Turner shares Obama's position on same-sex marriage, which is: not fully in support of it. [Alison Gendar]
The Turner camp said that Weprin is sending over spies. [Kriss, Maniace and Livingston]
Turner is at a big disadvantage in money and registered voters. [Thomas Kaplan]
"Dems Could Lose Weiner Seat." [Jonathan Allen]
"Fight for Anthony Weiner's old seat sparks Dem worries" [Alex Isenstadt]
Also... Scarlett Johansson fund-raises, twice, for Stringer on Oct. 3. [Page Six]
There are no real complaints about Cuomo's handling of the storm (other than Hank Sheinkopf's), although he "hasn't been visible outside of Irene-struck areas." [Jimmy Vielkind]
In a departure from Represenative Hayworth, Representative Grimm wants "straight aid" for Staten Island, without tying it to budget cuts. [Judy Randall]
State Senator Greg Ball is unhappy with recovery efforts. [Rick Karlin]
23,000 Ulster residents may have power by 11 p.m. Sunday. [Jeremiah Horrigan]
"The congresswoman said she was struck by the combative tone at the [town hall] meeting, saying it gave her the impression that people 'aren't interested in solving problems.'" [Paul Riede]
