Giuliani: Stop Copying Me!

If Mike Bloomberg runs for President, it would only be to destroy Rudy Giuliani's chances. How can Rudy run on his record as mayor if Bloomberg did everything he did, but better?

So Rudy is defending himself, trying to paint Bloomberg as a copycat and himself as the original;

"I think I started that. I think I created that revolution, and I think Mayor Bloomberg has continued it, and I admire him very much for doing that. I will always admire him, whether he becomes a Democrat, an independent or whether he becomes a Republican again."

Yes, you started it, Bloomberg continued it, and he did it better. So if you're qualified to be President, so is Mike, except he'll do it better.

Hey Rudy...checkmate

Bloomy Goes Indy

My mayor just abandonded the Republican Party.

Does it mean he'll run for President? Maybe, I don't care. The point is, my mayor just left the Republican Party.

Take that Rudy Giuliani.

Back At Home: Bloomberg Beats Giuliani

Back home in New York City, the current mayor beats the former mayor in a matchup according to recent Daily News poll of New York City residents.

The more popular Bloomberg beats Rudy Giuliani 46%-29% among New York City voters.

According to the poll, Bloomberg does best against two groups who aren't normally seen as agreeing with each other; The African-American community (64%-30%) and the richest New Yorkers (61%-31%)

Also, New Yorkers see Bloomberg as the better mayor by 56%-29% margin.

Hagel: Not Happy With the GOP

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) added to the speculation that he may run for President in 2008 as a conservative anti-war Independent;

"I am not happy with the Republican Party today, It's been hijacked by a group
of single-minded almost isolationists, insulationists, power-projectors."

Hagel also praised Mayor Bloomberg, who is having his name thrown around as a potential Independent candidate for President.

Hagel/Bloomberg '08?

Governor Bloomberg?

Ah, the only Republican who can probably give Eliot Spitzer an interesting reelection...the Republicrat Mayor of New York City. He'd have almost a whole year to campaign after leaving office at the end of 2009.

Bloomberg vs. Spitzer would be a VERY interesting race, and it's beginning to show, Bloomberg is not crazy about the new Governor.

Let's see what happens when the mayor's term comes to a close in 2009.

Stop Smoking, Start Shopping

Bloomberg looks to raise taxes to cut them...I think it isn't a bad idea.

Mayor Bloomberg is probably most notorious here in the city for his hatred of smokers. Now, a report says he plans on raising the cigarette tax (again,) to cut clothing taxes. The taxes on cigarettes would place the second highest taxes on cigarettes in the country, after Chicago.

Personally, I never had a problem with taxing cigarettes, even as a smoker (as I was from 1998, when they cost $2.75 a pack until 55 days ago.) Cigarettes are a luxury, luxuries can be taxed. Also, personally, I don't see clothing as a luxury, because clothing is a necessity, therefore it should not be taxed, so I'm happy to see Bloomberg taxing a luxury to cut them on necessities. The only caveat is that the state legislature must approve his plan. The state legislature tends to take forever to approve anything unless Governor Spitzer locks them inside the state house all night (see the budget.)

I remember hearing people complain about the taxes on cigarettes, that is was discrimination against smokers. Don't smoke, you know it's unhealthy, either quit or deal with it. That's what I did, I dealt with it. I paid the taxes, didn't complain. I smoked outside and away from non-smokers, until I was ready to quit.

So that's my message to smokers who may bitch and moan that Bloomberg is discriminating against them. Shutup or quit. In the meantime, buy some new tax-free clothes to replace the smelly ones.