NYT: Bob Kerrey Weighing Run for Mayor of New York

[DeepModem Mom]

Bob Kerrey Weighing Run for Mayor of New York
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JIM RUTENBERG

Published: April 17, 2005


Former United States Senator Bob Kerrey, the president of the New School University and a Democratic candidate for president in 1992, said yesterday that he was considering a run for mayor of New York City, declaring that Michael R. Bloomberg had failed to fight Washington Republican policies that Mr. Kerrey said endangered the city's finances and security.

Mr. Kerrey, in an interview, also questioned why Mr. Bloomberg had invested so much energy in trying to build a stadium on the West Side of Manhattan. Mr. Kerrey said it would make more sense to put the stadium in another borough, and that the rezoning of the West Side proposed as part of stadium plan would overwhelm the neighborhood.

Asked about reports from other Democrats that he had talked to associates about possibly running against Mr. Bloomberg, Mr. Kerrey at first said he was inclined not to run for mayor. But a moment later, in what turned out to be an expansive conversation, he said, "You know me: I am just crazy enough to do this."

Aides to Mr. Bloomberg said they were surprised by Mr. Kerrey's comments. They said that just last week Mr. Bloomberg called Mr. Kerrey and asked him to head "Democrats for Bloomberg" - and Mr. Kerrey accepted.

Mr. Kerrey confirmed that conversation. "That is exactly right," he said last night. But he said that he began having second thoughts almost as soon as he had accepted....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/17/nyregion/metrocampaigns/17kerrey.html

[halobeam]

1. I'm a new yorker....

we NEED Bloomberg OUT OF HERE.....YESTERDAY!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. That...

Would be awesome. Kerrey is a real public servant. Bloomberg is a little rich guy.

[merci_me]

3. WOO HOO.....Do it Bob!!!! n/t

[countmyvote4real]

4. That would be great. Please be our next mayor Mr. Kerrey.

Politics aside, he gets the whole WS stadium issue.

[JoFerret]

16. Agreed. No stadium

...plus there's everything else. (Such as being a Democrat and not a carpetbagging rich lad.)

[saltpoint]

5. Kind of a surprise, but a delightful surprise.

Bob Kerrey is terrific.

For his acceptance/victory speech in his first Nebraska senate race, he sang for his supporters the song "Waltzing Matilda."

Mayor of New York? Well, hell, why not?

[More Than A Feeling]

6. Sounds like the man needs to make up his mind

[MidwestTransplant]

7. I love Bob Kerrey

There is video of how he stood up to some Freeper thugs who were stalking him for his part on the 911 commission. "I am not a Senator anymore and I think you are a piece of shit." Great American!

[Robert Oak]

8. we need this guy in politics

Anything would be great. He's a straight talker and a tough cat.

[DeaconBlues]

9. From senator of one of the most conservative states in the Union-Nebraska

To mayor of one of the most progressive towns in the country. It would be quite a change for him.

[karynnj]

10. Yeah but he's now President of a very eclectic LW college

The 331 Best college book a few years' ago mentioned that it was a very diverse school on almost any dimension, except politically - there are few or no Republicans. (Kerrey, himself in a New York magazine in 2002, talked about how he was often said to be too liberal in Nebraska, but his students thaink he's a right wing nutcase - probably an exaggeration, but the point is that he has been in the most LW part of NYC.)

[Beetwasher]

11. Well DAYAM! That Came Out Of Left Field and as a NYer, I lIke It, Alot

:woohoo:

[smirkymonkey]

12. I hope he does run, so far the Democratic slate is pathetic...

I think Kerry could beat Bloomberg, wheras I have doubts about the others.

I will campaign for him if he decides to run - Bloomberg is turning the city into a playground for the very rich and it's losing everything that gives it character and makes it such a great place to be. Not to mention his major GOP ass-sucking.

Besides, I can't take another 4 years of hearing Bloomberg's whiny, patronizing voice. He annoys me to no end.

[BensMom]

13. My Vote And

Bob would take my vote and My Heart any ole day!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=164x440

[TomClash]

14. You mean after the "great" work he did on the 9/11 Commission?

He doesn't even know the players without a scorecard.

Give it a rest Bob.

[Dave Sund]

15. Go for it!

I miss Kerrey as our Senator, still. He'd be a great mayor for New York.