Michael R. Bloomberg Bloomberg in 2007 108th Mayor of New York City Incumbent Assumed office  January 1 2002 Preceded by Rudy Giuliani Born February 14 1942 (1942-02-14) (age 69) Boston Massachusetts U.S. Political party Democratic (until 2001) Republican (20012007) Independent (2007present) Domestic partner Diana Taylor Residence Upper East Side New York City Alma mater Johns Hopkins University (B.S.) Harvard University (M.B.A.) Religion Reform Judaism1 Net worth US$18.1 billion (est.) (Forbes 2011)2 Signature Website Official mayoral website

Michael Rubens Bloomberg (born February 14 1942) is the current Mayor of New York City and the 13th richest person in the United States having net worth of $18.1 billion in 2011.3 He is the founder and 88% owner of Bloomberg L.P. a financial news and information services media company.456

A lifelong Democrat before seeking elective office Bloomberg switched his registration in 2001 and ran for mayor as a Republican winning the election that year and a second term in 2005. He left the Republican Party over policy and philosophical disagreements with national party leadership in 2007 and ran for his third term in 2009 as an independent candidate. He was frequently mentioned as a possible independent candidate for the 2008 presidential election which fueled further speculation when he left the Republican Party.7 There was also speculation that he would run as a vice-presidential candidate.8 Bloomberg did not however seek the presidency nor was he selected as a running mate by any of the presidential candidates.

In the fall of 2008 Bloomberg successfully campaigned for an amendment to New York City's term limits law in order to allow him to run for a third term in 2009. Bloomberg won the election on November 3 2009.9 Contents 1 Early life 2 Business career 2.1 Wealth 2.2 Philanthropy 2.3 Awards and honors 2.4 Harassment controversies 3 Elections 3.1 2001 election 3.2 2005 election 3.3 2009 election 4 Mayoralty 5 Political stands 5.1 Social issues 5.2 Domestic issues 5.3 Economic issues 5.4 Foreign policy 5.5 Preservation and development issues 5.6 2008 presidential campaign speculation 5.7 Rumored gubernatorial campaign 5.8 2012 presidential campaign speculation 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links Early life

Michael Bloomberg was born at St. Elizabeth's Hospital10 in the Brighton neighborhood10 of Boston on February 14 1942. His father William Henry Bloomberg (19061963) was a real estate agent and the son of Alexander "Elick" Bloomberg a Russian Jewish immigrant. His mother Charlotte Rubens Bloomberg was born on January 2 1909 in New Jersey the daughter of a Russian immigrant and a New Jerseyborn mother. She is now a centenarian and reportedly in good health. The family lived in Allston until Michael Bloomberg was two years old; they subsequently moved to Atherton Road in Brookline Massachusetts for the next two years and finally settled in Medford a Boston suburb where Bloomberg lived until after he graduated from college. His younger sister Marjorie Tiven has been Commissioner of the New York City Commission for the United Nations Consular Corps and Protocol since February 2002.11

Bloomberg attended Johns Hopkins University where he joined Phi Kappa Psi and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in electrical engineering. Later he received his MBA degree from Harvard Business School. In 2007 he received an honorary doctorate of public service from Tufts University12 and in 2009 received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Fordham University.13 In 2011 Bloomberg also received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from The George Washington University.

Bloomberg married Yorkshire-born Susan Brown in 1975. Their marriage produced two daughters: Emma (b. ca. 1979) and Georgina (b. 1983) who were featured on Born Rich a documentary film about the children of the extremely wealthy. Bloomberg divorced Brown and is currently romantically linked with former New York state banking superintendent Diana Taylor.14 Business career

In 1973 Bloomberg became a general partner at Salomon Brothers where he headed equity trading and later systems development. In 1981 he was fired from Salomon Brothers and was given a $10-million severance package.15 Using this money Bloomberg went on to set up a company named Innovative Market Systems. In 1982 Merrill Lynch became the new company's first customer installing 22 of the company's Market Master terminals and investing $30 million in the company. The company was renamed Bloomberg L.P. in 1986. By 1987 it had installed 5000 terminals. Within a few years ancillary products including Bloomberg Tradebook (a trading platform) the Bloomberg Messaging Service and the Bloomberg newswire were launched. As of 2009 the company had more than 250000 terminals worldwide. His company also has a radio network which currently has its flagship station as 1130 WBBR-AM in New York City. He left the position of CEO to pursue a political career as the mayor of New York. He was replaced as CEO by Lex Fenwick. The company is now led by president Daniel Doctoroff a former deputy mayor under Bloomberg.

As mayor of New York Bloomberg declines to receive a city salary accepting remuneration of $1.00 annually for his services. He maintains a public listing in the New York City phone directory residing not in Gracie Mansion the official mayor's mansion but instead at his own home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 17 East 79th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues. He owns additional homes in London Bermuda and Vail.16

Bloomberg is by his own accounts at least a frequent rider of the New York City Subway particularly in the commute from his 79th Street home to his office at City Hall. An August 2007 story in The New York Times contradicted this notion suggesting instead that he often was chauffeured by two New York Police Department-owned SUVs to an express train station to avoid having to change from the local to the express trains on the Lexington Avenue line.17 He wrote an autobiography with help from a ghost writer called Bloomberg by Bloomberg (1997 ISBN 0-471-15545-4). Wealth In March 2009 Forbes reported Michael Bloomberg's wealth at $16 billion a gain of $4.5 billion since the previous year enjoying the world's biggest increase in wealth in 2009.18 At that time there were only four fortunes in the U.S. that were larger (although the Wal-Mart family fortune is split among four people). Bloomberg moved from 142nd to 17th in the Forbes list of the world's billionaires in only two years (March 2007 March 2009).1920 In March 2011 his total wealth had increased to $18.1 billion ranking 10th in the Forbes 400 and 30th in the world.3 Philanthropy Bloomberg's personal net worth in addition to aiding his political career has allowed him to engage in substantial philanthropic endeavors including the donation of over $300 million to Johns Hopkins University21 where he served as the chairman of the board from 1996 to 2002. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy Bloomberg through his Bloomberg Family Foundation donated and/or pledged $138 million in 2004 $144 million in 2005 $165 million in 2006 and $205 million in 2007 making him the seventh largest individual contributor to philanthropy in the United States for 2007.22 2006 recipients include the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School for Public Health; World Lung Foundation and the World Health Organization. In 2008 Bloomberg's website announced a combined donation of $500 million with Bill Gates to help governments in developing countries with tobacco control.23 According to The New York Times24 Bloomberg has been an anonymous donor to the Carnegie Corporation each year for the last several years with gifts ranging from $5 to $20 million. The Carnegie Corporation has distributed this contribution to hundreds of New York City organizations25 ranging from the Dance Theater of Harlem to Gilda's Club a non-profit organization that provides support to people and families living with cancer. In 1996 Bloomberg endowed the William Henry Bloomberg Professorship at Harvard with a $3 million gift in honor of his father who died in 1963 saying "throughout his life he recognized the importance of reaching out to the nonprofit sector to help better the welfare of the entire community."26 He also endowed his hometown synagogue Temple Shalom which was renamed for his parents as the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Jewish Community Center of Medford.127 Bloomberg reports giving $254 million in 2009 to almost 1400 nonprofit organizations saying: "I am a big believer in giving it all away and have always said that the best financial planning ends with bouncing the check to the undertaker."28 Awards and honors At the 2007 Commencement exercises for Tufts University Bloomberg delivered the commencement address. He was awarded an honorary degree in Public Service from the university. Likewise Bloomberg delivered the 2007 commencement address at Bard College where he was also awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.29 In February 2003 he received the "Award for Distinguished Leadership in Global Capital Markets" from the Yale School of Management. He was named the 39th most influential person in the world in the 2007 Time 100.30 In September 2007 Vanity Fair ranked him #9 in its "Vanity Fair 100: The 2007 New Establishment."31 In May 2008 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws by the University of Pennsylvania where he delivered the commencement speech to the class of 2008.32 Bloomberg also delivered the commencement address to the class of 2008 at Barnard College after receiving the Barnard Medal of Distinction the College's highest honor.33 It was announced on January 14 2011 that Bloomberg had been selected as the speaker for Princeton University's 2011 Baccalaureate ceremony.34 He was also awarded a tribute award at the 2007 Gotham Awards a New York based celebrator of Independent Film. On November 19 2008 Mr. Bloomberg received The Hundred Year Association of New York's Gold Medal "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the City of New York." Additionally he was awarded an honorary doctorate at Fordham University's 2009 commencement ceremonies.35 In 2009 he received a Healthy Communities Leadership Award from Leadership for Healthy Communities a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation national program for his policies and programs that increase access to healthy foods and physical activity options in the city.36 For instance to increase access to grocery stores in underserved areas the Bloomberg administration developed a program called FRESH that offers zoning and financial incentives to developers grocery store operators and land owners.37 His administration also created a Healthy Bodega initiative which provides healthy food samples and promotional support to grocers in lower-income areas to encourage them to carry 1% milk and fruits and vegetables.38 Under Bloombergs leadership the city also: passed a Green Carts bill39 which supports mobile produce vendors in lower-income areas; expanded farmers markets using the citys Health Bucks program which provides coupons to eligible individuals to buy produce at farmers markets in lower-income areas;40 and committed $111 million in capital funding for playground improvements.41 New York also was one of the first cities in the nation to help patrons make more informed decisions about their food choices by requiring fast-food and chain restaurants to label their menus with calorie information.42 Harassment controversies Bloomberg has previously been accused of sexually harassing women under his employment which he has denied.4344 In 1997 a former Bloomberg L.P. employee who became pregnant while employed filed a lawsuit accusing Bloomberg of saying "Kill it!" and "great No. 16" which may have been a reference to the number of pregnant women in the company.43 In December 2008 Portfolio magazine published a story: "Mayor Bloomberg's Delicate Condition" which reported that in September 2007 the EEOC filed a class-action lawsuit against Bloomberg's company on behalf of three women who worked on the business side plus a group of women who worked at Bloomberg's company between 2002 and the present. The article said the plaintiffs "now total 72 out of about 500 women who took maternity leave during that time a high percentage according to the agency".45 Elections 2001 election Main article: New York City mayoral election 2001 In 2001 the incumbent mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani was ineligible for re-election as the city limited the mayoralty to two consecutive terms. Several well-known New York City politicians aspired to succeed him. Bloomberg a lifelong member of the Democratic Party decided to run for mayor as a member of the Republican Party ticket. Voting in the primary began on the morning of September 11 2001. The primary was postponed later that day. In the rescheduled primary Bloomberg defeated Herman Badillo a former Congressman to become the Republican nominee. Meanwhile the Democratic primary did not produce a first-round winner. After a runoff the Democratic nomination went to New York City Public Advocate Mark J. Green. In the general election Bloomberg received Giuliani's endorsement. He also had a huge spending advantage. Although New York City's campaign finance law restricts the amount of contributions which a candidate can accept Bloomberg chose not to use public campaign funds and therefore his campaign was not subject to these restrictions. He spent $73 million of his own money on his campaign outspending Green by five to one.46 One of the major themes of his campaign was that with the city's economy suffering from the effects of the World Trade Center attacks it needed a mayor with business experience. In addition to being the Republican nominee Bloomberg had the ballot line of the controversial Independence Party in which "Social Therapy" leaders Fred Newman and Lenora Fulani exert strong influence. Some say that endorsement was important as Bloomberg's votes on that line exceeded his margin of victory over Green. (Under New York's fusion rules a candidate can run on more than one party's line and combine all the votes received on all lines. Green the Democrat also had the ballot line of the Working Families Party. Bloomberg also created an independent line called Students First whose votes were combined with those on the Independence line). Another factor was the vote in Staten Island which has traditionally been far friendlier to Republicans than the rest of the city. Bloomberg handily beat Green in that borough taking 75% of the vote there. Overall Bloomberg won 50% to 48%. Bloomberg's election marked the first time in New York City history that two different Republicans had been elected mayor consecutively. New York City has not been won by a Republican in a presidential election since Ronald Reagan won in 1984. Bloomberg is considered a social liberal who is pro-choice in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage and an advocate for stricter gun control laws. Despite the fact that 68 percent of New York City's registered voters are Democrats Bloomberg decided the city should host the 2004 Republican National Convention. The Convention drew thousands of protesters many of them local residents angry over the Iraq war and other issues. The Police Department arrested approximately 1800 protesters but according to The New York Times more than 90 percent of the cases were later dismissed or dropped for lack of evidence. 2005 election Main article: New York City mayoral election 2005 Bloomberg was re-elected mayor in November 2005 by a margin of 20% the widest margin ever for a Republican mayor of New York.47 He spent over $1 million on his campaign by late October 2005 and was projected to exceed the record of $74 million he spent on the previous election. In late 2004 or early 2005 he gave the Independence Party $250000 to fund a phone bank seeking to recruit volunteers for his re-election campaign.48 Bloomberg visiting with Grand Rabbi Moshe Leib Rabinovich of the Munkacs Hasidic sect in Brooklyn 2004 Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer won the Democratic nomination to oppose Bloomberg in the general election. Thomas Ognibene sought to run against Bloomberg in the Republican Party's primary election.49 Bloomberg's campaign successfully challenged enough of the signatures Ognibene had submitted to the Board of Elections to prevent Ognibene from appearing on ballots for the Republican primary.49 Instead Ognibene ran only on the Conservative Party ticket.50 Ognibene accused Bloomberg of betraying Republican Party ideals a feeling echoed by others.5152535455 Bloomberg opposed the confirmation of John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States.56 Though a Republican at the time Bloomberg is a staunch supporter of abortion rights and did not believe that Roberts was committed to maintaining Roe v. Wade.56 In addition to receiving Republican support Bloomberg obtained the endorsements of several prominent Democrats: former Democratic Mayor Ed Koch; former Democratic governor Hugh Carey; former Democratic City Council Speaker Peter Vallone and his son Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.; former Democratic Congressman Floyd Flake (who had previously endorsed Bloomberg in 2001) and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.57 2009 election Main article: New York City mayoral election 2009 On October 2 2008 Bloomberg announced that he would seek to extend the city's term limits law and run for a third mayoral term in 2009 arguing that a leader of his field is needed during the Wall Street financial crisis. "Handling this financial crisis while strengthening essential services ... is a challenge I want to take on" Bloomberg told at a news conference. "So should the City Council vote to amend term limits I plan to ask New Yorkers to look at my record of independent leadership and then decide if I have earned another term".58 On October 23 2008 the City Council voted 2922 in favor of extending the term limit to three consecutive four-year terms thus allowing Bloomberg to run for office again.59 After two days of public hearings Bloomberg signed the bill into law on November 3.60 Bloomberg's opponent was Democratic and Working Families Party nominee Bill Thompson who had been New York City Comptroller for the past eight years and before that President of the New York City Board of Education.61 Bloomberg defeated Thompson by a vote of 50.6% to 46.0%.62 After the release of Independence Party campaign filings in January 2010 it was reported that Bloomberg had made two $600000 contributions from his personal account to the Independence Party on October 30 and November 2 2009.63 The Independence Party then paid $750000 of that money to Republican Party political operative John Haggerty Jr.64 This prompted to an investigation beginning in February 2010 by the office of New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. into possible improprieties.65 The Independence Party later questioned how Haggerty spent the money which was to go to poll-watchers.66 Former New York State Senator Martin Connor contended that because the Bloomberg donations were made to an Independence Party housekeeping account rather than to an account meant for current campaigns this was a violation of campaign finance laws.67 Haggerty also spent money from a separate $200000 donation from Bloomberg on office space.68 Mayoralty Main article: Mayoralty of Michael Bloomberg Bloomberg attending the opening night of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Bloomberg assumed office as the 108th Mayor of New York City on January 1 2002. He won re-election in 2005. As mayor Bloomberg initially struggled to gain high approval levels from the public; however he subsequently developed and maintained high approval ratings. Bloomberg's re-election means that the Republicans have won the previous four mayoral elections (although Bloomberg's decision to leave the Republican Party and be declared an independent on June 19 2007 resulted in the Republican Party's losing the mayor's seat prior to the expiration of his second term). Bloomberg joins Rudy Giuliani and Fiorello La Guardia as re-elected Republican mayors in this mostly Democratic city. (John Lindsay was also elected mayor of New York twice while a registered Republican; however Lindsay did not receive the Republican Party nomination during his 1969 campaign for re-election but ran successfully on the Liberal ticket and joined the Democratic Party during his second term.) Bloomberg has said he wants reforming public education to be the legacy of his first term and addressing poverty to be the legacy of his second.69 Some have alleged that he made certain decisions regarding the closure of 17 day-care centers across the city for political reasons.70 According to the National Assessment of Educational Performance fourth grade reading scores from 2002 through 2009 rose nationally by 11 points. However on May 10 2010 the New York Times reported: "According to the test NAEP New York City eighth graders have shown no significant improvement in math or reading since they began taking it in 2003 mirroring the largely flat performance of American eighth graders as a whole during that period. In the city the lack of improvement held true across ethnic groups and also among lower-income students." The annual New York City Department of Education Budget noted that spending for education was $12.5 billion in 2002 and $21 billion in 2009.citation needed Bloomberg has chosen to apply a statistical results-based approach to city management appointing city commissioners based on their expertise and granting them wide autonomy in their decision-making. Breaking with 190 years of tradition Bloomberg implemented what New York Times political reporter Adam Nagourney called a "bullpen" open office plan similar to a Wall Street trading floor in which dozens of aides and managerial staff are seated together in a large chamber. The design is intended to promote accountability and accessibility.71 Political stands Some of the policies Bloomberg advocates parallel those of either the Democratic or the Republican party platform. He is socially liberal supporting abortion rights gay marriage gun control and amnesty for illegal immigrants for example. On economics foreign and domestic issues he tends to be conservative. He opposes a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq and criticizes those who favor one. Economically he supports government involvement in issues such as public welfare and climate change while being strongly in favor of free trade pro-business and describing himself as a fiscal conservative because he balanced the city's budget.72 Social issues Bloomberg supports abortion rights stating: "Reproductive choice is a fundamental human right and we can never take it for granted. On this issue you're either with us or against us." He has criticized pro-choice politicians who support pro-life candidates.73 Bloomberg supports governmental funding for embryonic stem cell research calling the Republican position on the issue "insanity".74 He also supports same-sex marriage with the rationale that "I think anybody should be allowed to marry anybody."75 He supports the strict drug laws of New York City. He has stated that he smoked marijuana in the past and was quoted in a 2001 interview as saying "You bet I did. I enjoyed it." This led to a reported $500000 advertising campaign by NORML featuring his image and the quote. Bloomberg stated in a 2002 interview that he regrets the remark and does not believe that marijuana should be decriminalized.76 Domestic issues On crime Bloomberg opposes the death penalty stating "I'd rather lock somebody up and throw away the key and put them in hard labor the ultimate penalty that the law will allow but I'm opposed to the death penalty."77 As mayor he increased the mandatory minimum sentence for illegal possession of a loaded handgun. In regard to the change Bloomberg commented "Illegal guns don't belong on our streets and we're sending that message loud and clear. We're determined to see that gun dealers who break the law are held accountable and that criminals who carry illegal loaded guns serve serious time behind bars."77 Bloomberg replaced the school board set up by the state with direct mayoral control over public education. He raised the salaries of teachers by 15% while the test scores of students in the city and the graduation rate rose as well. He is opposed to social promotion i.e. the promotion of students to the next grade level for strictly social reasons stating that students should be promoted only when they are adequately prepared for the next grade level. He favors after-school programs to help students who are behind. As mayor Bloomberg strengthened the cell-phone ban in schools.78 In dealing with global warming and New York's role in it he has enacted a plan called PlaNYC: A Greener Greater New York to fight global warming protect the environment and prepare New York for the projected 1 million more people expected to be living in the city by the year 2030.79 Bloomberg has been involved in motivating other cities to make changes delivering the keynote address at the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit and stating "We now know beyond a doubt that global warming is a reality. And the question we must all answer is what are we going to do about it" Bloomberg also talked about how he would go about fighting climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions using cleaner and more efficient fuels and encouraging public transportation.80 His ideas have occasionally suffered setbacks such as the New York State Assembly's rejection of his idea for applying congestion pricing below 60th Street in Manhattan. On issues of domestic and homeland security Bloomberg has attacked social conservatives on immigration calling their stance unrealistic "We're not going to deport 12 million people so let's stop this fiction. Let's give them permanent status."81 He supports a federal ID database that uses DNA and fingerprint technology to keep track of all citizens and to verify their legal status.82 Bloomberg has held that illegal immigrants should be offered legalization and supported the congressional efforts of John McCain and the late Ted Kennedy in their attempt at immigration reform in 2007. Regarding border security Bloomberg compared it to the tide stating "It's as if we expect border control agents to do what a century of communism could not: defeat the natural market forces of supply and demand... and defeat the natural human desire for freedom and opportunity. You might as well as sit in your beach chair and tell the tide not to come in. As long as America remains a nation dedicated to the proposition that 'all men are created equal endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness' people from near and far will continue to seek entry into our country."83 In 2006 Bloomberg stated on his weekly WABC radio show that illegal immigration does not strain the financial resources of New York City since many immigrants are hard working and "do not avail themselves of services until their situation is dire".84 Bloomberg believes that the September 11 2001 attacks were not intended to be solitary events. When he assumed office he set up a Counterterrorism Bureau which works along with the NYPD intelligence division to gather information about terrorism affecting New York worldwide. He believes that funding for Homeland Security by the federal government should be distributed by risk where cities that are considered to have the highest threat for a terrorist attack would get the most money.85 Bloomberg is also a supporter of the USA PATRIOT Act.86 Economic issues Michael Bloomberg characterizes himself as a fiscal conservative for turning the city's $6-billion deficit into a $3-billion surplus; however conservative PAC Club for Growth has criticized him because he increased property taxes and spending while doing so. Being a fiscal conservative is not about slashing programs that help the poor or improve health care or ensure a social safety net. It's about insisting services are provided efficiently get to only the people that need them and achieve the desired results. Fiscal conservatives have hearts too  but we also insist on using our brains and that means demanding results and holding government accountable for producing them. To me fiscal conservatism means balancing budgets  not running deficits that the next generation can't afford. It means improving the efficiency of delivering services by finding innovative ways to do more with less. It means cutting taxes when possible and prudent to do so raising them overall only when necessary to balance the budget and only in combination with spending cuts. It means when you run a surplus you save it; you don't squander it. And most importantly being a fiscal conservative means preparing for the inevitable economic downturns  and by all indications we've got one coming. Michael Bloomberg speech to UK Conservative Party September 30 200772 Bloomberg has expressed a distaste of taxes stating "Taxes are not good things but if you want services somebody's got to pay for them so they're a necessary evil."87 As mayor he did raise property taxes to fund budget projects; however in January 2007 he proposed cuts in property taxes by 5% and cuts in sales taxes including the elimination of taxes on clothing and footwear. Bloomberg pointed to the Wall Street profits and the real estate market as evidence that the city's economy is booming and could handle a tax break.88 His self-described fiscal conservatism also led him to eliminate the existing $6-billion deficit when he assumed office. He balanced the budget of New York City by raising property taxes and making cuts to city agencies excluding the police and fire departments.89 Bloomberg is in favor of providing tax breaks to big corporations for the good of the whole community. As mayor Bloomberg lobbied the CEO of Goldman Sachs to establish its headquarters across from Ground Zero by promising $1.65 billion in tax breaks. Regarding this deal Bloomberg stated "This New York City is where the best want to live and work. So I told him CEO of Goldman Sachs 'We can help with minimizing taxes. Minimizing your rent. Improving security. But in the end this is about people.'"90 He has had a less cordial relationship with unions as mayor. In 2002 when New York City's transit workers threatened to strike Bloomberg responded by riding a mountain bike through the city to show how the city could deal with the transit strike by finding alternate means of transportation and not pandering to the unions.91 Three years later a clash between Bloomberg and the New York City Transit Authority over wages and union benefits led to a full blown strike that lasted three days. Negotiations led to the end of the strike in December 2005 but controversy exists over Bloomberg's handling of the situation.citation needed Bloomberg is a staunch advocate of free trade and is strongly opposed to protectionism stating "The things that we have to worry about is this protectionist movement that has reared its head again in this country...." He worries about the growth of China and fears the lessening gap between the United States and other countries: "The rest of the world is catching up and there are people that say surpassing us. I hope they are wrong. I hope those who think we are still in good shape are right. But nevertheless the time to address these issues is right now."92 Bloomberg has placed a strong emphasis on public health and welfare adopting many liberal policies. As the mayor he made HIV diabetes and hypertension all top priorities. He extended the city's smoking ban to all commercial establishments and implemented a trans fat ban in restaurants.93 Mayor Bloomberg has been a strong supporter of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation the largest urban healthcare agency in the United States serving over 1.3 million New Yorkers and has touted its use of information technology and Electronic Health Records to increase efficiency and enhance patient care.94 He launched a program called Opportunity NYC which is the nation's first-ever conditional cash transfer pilot program designed to help New Yorkers break the cycle of poverty in the city. He instituted a $7.5 billion municipal affordable housing plan the largest in the nation that is supposed to provide 500000 New Yorkers with housing.95 Bloomberg has expressed concern about poverty and growing class divisions stating "This society cannot go forward the way we have been going forward where the gap between the rich and the poor keeps growing."92 Foreign policy As mayor Bloomberg made trips to Mexico the United Kingdom Ireland and Israel in the first four months of 2007.96 In late 2007 he conducted an Asia trip that brought him to China where he called for greater freedom of information to promote innovation. He attended the United Nations Climate Conference in Bali. President of the United States George W. Bush meeting with Bloomberg Initially Bloomberg strongly supported the war in Iraq and the rationale for going in. He stated "Don't forget that the war started not very many blocks from here" alluding to Ground Zero. In regard to the global War on Terrorism including Iraq he said "It's not only to protect Americans. It's America's responsibility to protect people around the world who want to be free." During the 2004 presidential election campaign New York City hosted the Republican National Convention at which Bloomberg endorsed President George W. Bush for President of the United States.97 His enthusiasm seems to have lessened somewhat over the course of the war. In August 2005 he said "I think everybody has very mixed emotions about the war that was started to find weapons of mass destruction and then they were not found."98 Bloomberg expresses criticism about Democrats in Congress who want to set a timetable for withdraw from Iraq calling them "irresponsible".99 Preservation and development issues Bloomberg delivering a speech. Mayor Bloomberg is a proponent of large-scale development. He has repeatedly come down in favor of projects such as the Atlantic Yards mega-development the Hudson Yards redevelopment and the Harlem rezoning proposal.100 This support has led to a negative response from the preservationist community.citation needed On smaller-scale issues Bloomberg usually takes the side of development as well. He favors the demolition of Admiral's Row101 in order to build a supermarket parking lot. However Bloomberg has occasionally come down on the side of preservation most notably in vetoing landmark revocation for the Austin Nichols warehouse.102 This move was widely applauded by architectural historians. The City Council overruled the veto shortly thereafter however.citation needed 2008 presidential campaign speculation See also: Draft Bloomberg movement On February 27 2008 Bloomberg announced that he would not run for president in 2008 and that he would endorse a candidate who takes an independent and non-partisan approach.103 He had also stated unequivocally live on the Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve TV show December 31 2007 that he was not going to run for president in 2008.104 Despite prior public statements by Bloomberg denying plans for a presidential run105 many pundits believe that Bloomberg will announce a campaign at a later date. On January 7 2008 he met at the University of Oklahoma with a bipartisan group including (now former) Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn both of whom had been frequently mentioned as possible running mates to pressure the major party candidates to promote national unity and reduce partisan gridlock. Speculation that Bloomberg would choose this forum to announce his candidacy proved to be unfounded.106107 Other purported signs that he planned to run included: In summer 2006 he met with Al From of the Democratic Leadership Council a centrist group to talk about the logistics of a possible run.108 After a conversation with Bloomberg Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska suggested that he and Bloomberg could run on a shared independent ticket for the presidency.109 On This Week on June 10 2007 anchor George Stephanopoulos included panelist Jay Carney who mentioned a conversation between Bloomberg and top staffers where he heard Bloomberg ask approximately how much a presidential campaign would cost. Carney said that one staffer replied "Around $500 million." According to a Washington Post article a $500 million budget would allow Bloomberg to circumvent many of the common obstacles faced by third party candidates seeking the White House.110 On June 19 2007 Bloomberg left the Republican Party filing as an independent after a speech criticizing the current political climate in Washington.111112 On August 9 2007 in an interview with former CBS anchor Dan Rather that aired on August 21 Bloomberg categorically stated that he was not running for President that he would not be running and that there were no circumstances in which he would saying "If somebody asks me where I stand I tell them. And thats not a way to get elected generally. Nobodys going to elect me president of the United States. What I'd like to do is to be able to influence the dialogue. I'm a citizen."113 Despite continued denials a possible Bloomberg candidacy continues to be the subject of media attention including a November Newsweek cover story.114 During a private reception in December 2007 Bloomberg conducted a version of bingo in which guests were to guess the meaning of the numbers on a printed card. When Bloomberg asked the significance of 271 one guest answered correctly: the number of electoral votes received by George W. Bush in 2000.115 In January 2008 CNN reported that a source close to Bloomberg said that the mayor had launched a research effort to assess his chances of winning a potential presidential bid. According to the report the unidentified source also stated that Bloomberg had set early March as a timetable for making a decision as to whether or not to run.116 On January 16 2008 it was reported that Bloomberg's business interests were placed in "a sort of blind trust" because of his possible run for the presidency. His interests were put under the management of Quadrangle Group co-founded by reported Bloomberg friend Steven Rattner though Bloomberg would "continue to have control of and access to certain investment decisions".117 On January 18 2008 the Associated Press reported that Bloomberg had a meeting in Austin Texas with Clay Mulford a ballot access expert and campaign manager for Ross Perot's third party presidential campaigns. Bloomberg denied that the meeting concerned a possible presidential campaign by him stating "I'm not a candidate  it couldn't be clearer. Which of the words do you not understand"103 On February 28 2008 Bloomberg stated "I am not and will not be a candidate for president." He added that he is "hopeful that the current campaigns can rise to the challenge by offering truly independent leadership. The most productive role that I can serve is to push them forward by using the means at my disposal to promote a real and honest debate.103 At the same time the presidential run was being considered there was also some speculation that Bloomberg could be a candidate for the vice presidency in 2008. In a blog posting of June 21 2007 The Politico's Ben Smith asked the question of whether a VP candidate can self-finance an entire presidential ticket.118 Many believed that Bloomberg would in fact be legally permitted to self-finance a campaign as the VP candidate. Adding more fuel to the speculation that Bloomberg might consider a VP slot were a series of meetings he had in mid-August 2007 with former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn and later with Barack Obama on November 30 2007.119 A May 17 2008 breakfast meeting with John McCain led to speculation that Bloomberg might be on McCain's short list of possible VP candidates.120 Rumored gubernatorial campaign On November 6 2007 the New York Post detailed efforts by New York Republicans to recruit Bloomberg to oppose then-incumbent Governor Eliot Spitzer in the 2010 election. Early polls indicated Bloomberg would defeat Spitzer in a landslide. (The potential 2010 match-up became moot when Spitzer resigned on March 17 2008.)121 A March 20 2008 poll of New York State voters had the Mayor topping newly ascended Governor David Paterson and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the 2010 gubernatorial election.122 Bloomberg denied plans to run for the governorship in 2010 and did not seek the nomination.123 2012 presidential campaign speculation In March 2010 Bloomberg's top political strategist Kevin Sheekey resigned from his mayoral advisory position and returned to Bloomberg LP Bloomberg's company. It is speculated that the move will allow Sheekey to begin preliminary efforts for a Bloomberg presidential campaign in the 2012 election. An individual close to Bloomberg said "the idea of continuing onward is not far from his Bloomberg's mind".124 In October 2010 The Committee to Draft Michael Bloomberg which had attempted to recruit Bloomberg to run for the presidency in 2008 announced it was relaunching its effort to persuade Bloomberg to wage a presidential campaign in 2012.125126 The committee members insisted that they would persist in the effort in spite of Bloomberg's repeated denials of interest in seeking the presidency.126127 While on the December 12 2010 episode of Meet the Press Bloomberg ruled out a run for the Presidency in 2012 stating: "I'm not going to run for president" further adding "I'm not looking at the possibility of running (...) no way no how."128 References a b "Bloomberg Americas first Jewish president" msnbc.com July 6 2007 "The World's Billionaires (2011): #30 Michael Bloomberg". Forbes. March 11 2011. http://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-bloomberg. Retrieved April 18 2011.  a b "Forbes 400 Richest Americans (2010): #10 Michael Bloomberg". Forbes. September 16 2010. http://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-bloomberg. Retrieved February 24 2011.  Bloomberg's website "The 400 Richest Americans: #8 Michael Bloomberg". Forbes Magazine. September 17 2008. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/54/400list08Michael-BloombergC610.html. Retrieved September 17 2008.  "Bloomberg Leaves the Republican Party". MSNBC. June 20 2007. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19317522/. Retrieved October 2 2008.  Chan Sewell (June 19 2007). "City Room: Bloomberg Leaving Republican Party". The New York Times. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/19/bloomberg-leaving-republican-party.  "Stumper : Bloomberg and Obama Meet in the Big Apple. Is the White House Next". Blog.newsweek.com. March 27 2008. http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/03/27/bloomberg-and-obama-payback-time.aspx. Retrieved November 12 2008.  "Republicans win key US elections". BBC News. November 4 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8341540.stm. Retrieved May 12 2010.  a b Kestenbaum Lawrence. "Politicians Born in Hospitals". The Political Graveyard. http://politicalgraveyard.com/special/born-hospital.html. Retrieved October 26 2010.  Commissioner Marjorie B. Tiven Office of the Mayor Commission for the United Nations Consular Corps & Protocol "Bloomberg Shares Blueprint For Success With Graduates". Tufts University. 2007. http://www.tufts.edu/home/feature/pcommencement2007.  "One Hundred Sixty Fourth Annual Commencement". eNewsroom Archives. Fordham University. 2009. http://www.fordham.edu/CampusResources/eNewsroom/archives/archive1553.asp.  Cardwell Diane (February 12 2006). "The Mayor's Lady Her Own Woman One and the Same". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/12/nyregion/12diana.htmlr1.  McGeehan Patrick (February 19 2009). "City Will Help Retrain Laid-Off Wall Streeters". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/nyregion/19bankers.htmlhp.  Smith Chris (September 26 2005). "The Mayor and His Money". New York. http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/14573. Retrieved April 2 2010.  Grynbaum Michael M. (August 1 2007). "Mayor Takes the Subway by Way of S.U.V.". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/01/nyregion/01bloomberg.html.  Forbes 2009 biggest gainers "#142 Michael Bloomberg". The World's Billionaires (Forbes). 3/8/2007. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/10/07billionairesMichael-BloombergC610.html.  "#17 Michael Bloomberg". The World's Billionaires (Forbes). March 13 2009. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/10/billionaires-2009-richest-peopleMichael-BloombergC610.html.  Noon Chris (February 3 2006). "NYC Mayor Bloomberg's Anonymous Gift to University". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2006/02/03/bloomberg-billionaires-philanthropy-cxcn0203autofacescan02.html. Retrieved August 28 2006.  "Bloomberg's charitable donations top $200 million." Newsday.com. January 15 2008. "Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates Join to Combat Global Tobacco Epidemic". MikeBloomberg.com. September 11 2008. http://www.mikebloomberg.com/index.cfmobjectID53303E81-1D09-317F-BB11D44FCD1043D5. Retrieved November 6 2008.  Roberts Sam (July 6 2005). "City Groups Get Bloomberg Gift of $20 Million". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/nyregion/06donate.htmlex1278302400&en93a1beabd4ede5b8&ei5090&partnerrssuserland&emcrss. Retrieved June 20 2007.  "Carnegie Corporation of New York Announces Twenty Million Dollars in New York City Grants". Corporation News: Press Releases. Carnegie Corporation of New York. July 5 2005. Archived from the original on June 13 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070613090344/http://www.carnegie.org/sub/news/anon2005.html. Retrieved June 20 2007.  Bloomberg Endows Professorship For Five Faculties at Harvard University Could Bloomberg not known in NYC as the Jewish mayor be America's first Jewish president Guth Robert A.; Banjo Shelly (June 17 2010) "Gates Buffett Goad Peers to Give Billions to Charity" The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704198004575310992555489872.htmlmodWSJhppsectionsnews retrieved June 17 2010.  "News & Events Commencement 2007". Bard.edu. May 26 2007. http://www.bard.edu/commencement/2007. Retrieved November 12 2008.  Michael Bloomberg The TIME 100 "Vanity Fair: The 2007 New Establishment". http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/10/newestablishment200710. Retrieved September 5 2007.  "Bloomberg to address graduates  News". DailyPennsylvanian.com. February 19 2008. http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2008/02/19/News/Bloomberg.To.Address.Graduates-3218667.shtml. Retrieved November 12 2008.  "Michael Bloomberg To Deliver Barnard College Commencement Address". Barnard College. April 23 2008. Archived from the original on May 2 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080502210736/http://www.barnard.edu/newnews/news042308b.html. Retrieved November 12 2008.  "Bloomberg selected as Princeton's Baccalaureate speaker". princeton.edu. January 14 2011. http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S29/50/19Q97. Retrieved January 14 2011.  "Gothamist: "Secrets to Success"". Gothamist.com. May 17 2009. http://gothamist.com/2009/05/17/bloombergssecretstosuccessatfo.php. Retrieved May 18 2009.  "Top Policy Groups Take Action to Create Healthy Communities Prevent Childhood Obesity". Leadership for Healthy Communities. April 30 2009. http://www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org/content/view/284/58. Retrieved October 26 2010.  "www.ny.gov/governor". State.ny.us. May 16 2009. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/press0516091.html. Retrieved October 26 2010.  "Creating Healthy Bodegas". GothamGazette.com. March 2008. http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/health/20080303/9/2451. Retrieved October 26 2010.  http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200665-2007.htmCFID455992&CFTOKEN25845330 "Health Department Expands Health Bucks Program To Provide More Coupons For Fresh Fruits And Vegetables". Nyc.gov. July 10 2007. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2007/pr055-07.shtml. Retrieved October 26 2010.  "PlaNYC Schoolyards to Playgrounds : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation". Nycgovparks.org. http://www.nycgovparks.org/subabout/planyc/playgrounds.html. Retrieved October 26 2010.  "Board Of Health Votes To Require Calorie Labeling In Some New York City Restaurants". Nyc.gov. December 5 2006. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2006/pr113-06.shtml. Retrieved October 26 2010.  a b Bumiller Elizabeth (March 28 2001). "Bloomberg Cites Polygraph In a Denial of Harassment". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres9D0CE0D81F3CF93BA15750C0A9679C8B63.  "Sexual Harassment Charges Could Stymie Presidential Bid by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg". Fox News. Associated Press. July 29 2007. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0293329129000.html.  Discrimination lawsuits filed against Bloomberg L.P. Russianoff Gene (December 9 2003). "Mike's wrong campaign fixes make sense". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 5 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060105025803/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideasopinions/story/143966p-127415c.html.  "Bloomberg wins by a KO: Crushes Ferrer by nearly 20-point margin". New York Daily News. November 9 2005. Archived from the original on November 26 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20051126142753/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/363961p-309955c.html. Retrieved November 12 2008.  "Mayor hires Indys to hunt volunteers". New York Daily News. January 5 2005. Archived from the original on January 5 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20050105171254/http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/268291p-229740c.html.  a b Schulman Robin. "Ognibene Loses Bid for Line on Ballot Against Bloomberg". The New York Times. August 4 2005. Clyne Meghan. "Ognibene Will Fight Bloomberg All the Way to November Election". New York Sun. April 27 2005. Levy Julia. "Bloomberg's 'Republican' Problem". New York Sun. September 19 2005. Lagorio Christine. "GOP Mayors Reign Over Liberal NYC". CBS News. October 22 2005. Baker Gerald. "Democrats celebrate as voters pile woe upon woe for Bush". The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. November 10 2005. Goodwin Michael. "Mike Takes It on Chin from MSG & Own Party on the City". Daily News. February 13 2005. Rudin Ken. "Bloomberg News: A 'Subway Series' for President" National Public Radio. June 20 2007. a b "PR- 354-05: Statement By Mayor Bloomberg On Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee John Roberts". The City of New York. September 16 2005. http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsppageIDmayorpressrelease&catID1194&docnamehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2005b%2Fpr354-05.html&ccunused1978&rc1194&ndi1. Retrieved January 20 2011.  "Mike soaks up 2 big nods: Vallones cross party line for mayor". New York Daily News. October 9 2005. Archived from the original on January 4 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060104155720/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/353944p-301791c.html. Retrieved November 12 2008.  Honan Edith (October 2 2008). "NYC's Bloomberg says to seek third term as mayor". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0228265920081002.  "'Aye' And Mighty: Bloomberg's Wish Is Granted". WCBS-TV. October 23 2008. http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/bloomberg.third.term.2.847239.html.  Chan Sewell; Chen David W. (November 3 2008). "City Room: After an Earful Mayor Signs Term Limits Bill". The New York Times. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/bloomberg-hears-opponents-of-term-limits-bill.  Office of the New York City Controller "2009 Election Results". New York Times. November 5 2009. http://elections.nytimes.com/2009/results/index.html. Retrieved May 12 2010.  Benjamin Elizabeth (January 25 2010) "Bloomberg's Independence (Pay)Day" New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/01/bloombergs-independence-payday.html retrieved April 17 2010  Eligon John (February 9 2010) "How G.O.P. Worker Got Bloomberg Money Is Investigated" New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/nyregion/10independence.html retrieved April 17 2010  Benjamin Elizabeth (February 9 2010) "Vance Investigating Indy/Bloomberg/Haggerty Connection" New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/02/vance-investigating-indybloomb.html retrieved April 17 2010  Benjamin Elizabeth (February 12 2010) "Independence Party to Haggerty: Where's our money" New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/02/independence-party-to-haggerty.html retrieved April 17 2010  Barrett Wayne (March 2 2010) "Mike Bloomberg's $1.2 Million Indy Party Donation Gets Murkier and Murkier" Village Voice http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/03/mikebloomberg3.php retrieved April 17 2010  Calder Rich; Seifman David (February 16 2010) "Mike poll watcher also rented office" New York Post http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/mikepollwatcheralsorentedofficeqVYB5U94wgeOcz0uJKNVrN retrieved February 16 2010  "The Mayor's Legacy" Gotham Gazette September 2006. Billy Rev (March 11 2009). "Where The City Begins Reverend Billy & The Church of Life After Shopping". Revbilly.com. http://www.revbilly.com/chatter/blog/2009/11/where-the-city-begins. Retrieved October 26 2010.  Nagourney Adam. "Bloomberg Vows to Work at Center of Things". The New York Times. December 25 2001. a b Mayor Bloomberg Delivers Remarks at 2007 Conservative Party Conference" New York Times. July 2 2007. "Mike Bloomberg on Abortion". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergAbortion.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Can a Republican Mayor of New York take the White House". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/11274669/bloomberg08canarepublicanmayorofnewyorktakethewhitehouse. Retrieved August 2 2007. dead link Smith Chris (May 21 2005). "Michael Bloomberg's Gay Marriage Solution". New York. http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/politics/columns/citypolitic/11075/. Retrieved August 2 2007.  Steinhauer Jennifer (April 10 2002). "Bloomberg Says He Regrets Marijuana Remarks". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres9C04E6D6113DF933A25757C0A9649C8B63. Retrieved January 11 2008.  a b "Mike Bloomberg on Crime". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergCrime.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Mike Bloomberg on Education". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergEducation.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Environment Sustainability". mikebloomberg.com. Archived from the original on June 24 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070624201757/http://www.mikebloomberg.com/en/issues/environmentsustainability. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivers keynote address at the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit". mikebloomberg.com. May 15 2007. Archived from the original on September 28 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928061215/http://www.mikebloomberg.com/en/issues/environmentsustainability/mayormichaelbloombergdeliverskeynoteaddressatthec40largecitiesclimatesummit. Retrieved August 2 2007.  Chan Sewell (March 31 2006). "Mayor Attacks 2 Main Ideas on Immigrants". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/nyregion/31bloomberg.htmladxnnl1&adxnnlx1198350110-vYFGBtHCTCLxOWUXqw9TUw. Retrieved December 22 2007.  "Mike Bloomberg on Homeland Security". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergHomelandSecurity.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Testimony of The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor City of New York before the Committee on the Judiciary". United States Senate. July 5 2006. http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfmid1983&witid5493. Retrieved August 31 2010.  "Illegal Immigrants Don't Cost Taxpayers" newsmax.com January 27 2006 retrieved January 12 2011 "Michael Bloomberg addresses the Senate". senate.gov. http://64.233.167.104/searchqcache:x4Fka0LGhzkJ:hsgac.senate.gov/files/010907Bloomberg.pdf+michael+bloomberg+on+Homeland+Security&hlen&ctclnk&cd6&glus&ieUTF-8. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Mike Bloomberg on the Issues". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/MikeBloombergVoteMatch.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Michael Bloomberg Quotes". woopidoo.com. http://www.woopidoo.com/businessquotes/authors/michael-bloomberg-quotes.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  Cardwell Diane (January 17 2007). "Mayor Plans Cut in Property Tax And End to Sales Tax on Clothes". The New York Times. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.htmlresF30914FF3A540C748DDDA80894DF404482&nTop%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fP%2fProperty%20Taxes. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Mike Bloomberg on the Budget and Economy". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/MikeBloombergBudget+Economy.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007. dead link "Mike Bloomberg on Corporations". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/MikeBloombergCorporations.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007. dead link "Bikes Mike and Transit Strike". transalt.org. http://www.transalt.org/press/askta/021216.html. Retrieved August 2 2007.  a b Chan Sewell (March 14 2007). "New York Mayor Warns Against Growing Inequality in U.S.". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/nyregion/14mayor.html. Retrieved January 2 2010.  "Mike Bloomberg on Health Care". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergHealthCare.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  Mayor Bloomberg Urges Mayors In Both Parties To Join Him In Support Of President Obama's Nonpartisan Principles For Health Reform And To Push For A Consensus Reform Package This Year. Press Release New York City. March 31 2009. "Mike Bloomberg on Welfare and Poverty". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergWelfare+Poverty.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Mike Bloomberg on Foreign Policy". ontheissues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/MikeBloombergForeignPolicy.htm. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Text of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Speech at the Republican National Convention". The Washington Post. August 30 2004. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46503-2004Aug30.html. Retrieved May 12 2010.  "Bloomberg's stealth relationship with Bush". villagevoice.com. http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0542barrett1689495.html. Retrieved August 2 2007.  "Bloomberg would take from the Democrats". realclearpolitics.com. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/05/bloombergwouldtakefromdemo.html. Retrieved August 2 2007.  Williams Timothy. "Harlem Councilwoman Opposes Rezoning Plan". The New York Times. April 2 2008. Belenkaya Veronika. "Navy Yard museum approved but 'Admiral's Row' gotta go". New York Daily News. November 21 2007. Pogrebin Robin. "Bloomberg a Landmark and Suddenly a Veto". The New York Times. December 8 2005. a b c Bloomberg Michael R. (February 28 2008). "I'm Not Running for President but ...". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/opinion/28mike.html. Retrieved February 27 2008.  "Bloomberg: "I'm not running."". NewsChannel 9 WSYR (Syracuse New York). January 1 2008. http://www.9wsyr.com/political/story.aspxcontentid1c0e9b8d-35fb-4cdc-aee5-9c73c8d8a58f. "'Look I'm not running for President' Bloomberg said."  Cardwell Diane; Steinhauer Jennifer. "Bloomberg Insists He Will Not Be Running". The New York Times. June 20 2007. Roberts Sam. "Bloomberg Moves Closer to Running for President". The New York Times. December 31 2007. Broder David S. "Bipartisan Group Eyes Independent Bid". Washington Post. December 30 2007. Heilemann John. "His American Dream". New York Magazine. December 11 2006. "Hagel-Bloomberg In '08 You Never Know". Face the Nation. May 13 2007 Shear Michael D. (March 26 2007). "N.Y. Mayor Is Eyeing '08 Observers Say". The Washington Post: p. A01. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/25/AR2007032501334.html. Retrieved June 20 2007.  Chan Sewell (June 19 2007). "City Room: Bloomberg Leaving Republican Party". The New York Times. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/19/bloomberg-leaving-republican-party. Retrieved June 20 2007.  Kugler Sara (June 19 2007). "NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg leaves GOP". The Examiner. Associated Press. http://www.examiner.com/a-788970NYCMayorMichaelBloombergLeavesGOP.html. Retrieved June 20 2007. dead link Chan Sewell (August 17 2007). "City Room: Rather Says Bloomberg Ruled Out White House Bid". The New York Times. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/rather-says-bloomberg-ruled-out-white-house-bid.  Jon Meacham. "The Revolutionary: He has the money and the message to upend 2008. Michael Bloomberg's American odyssey" Newsweek. November 12 2007 issue. Accessed Nov. 8 2007. Roberts Sam (December 31 2007). "Bloomberg Closer to Running for President". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/us/politics/31bloomberg.html.  "Source: Bloomberg research effort assessing presidential run" CNN.com. Retrieved January 10 2008. Sorkin Andrew Ross. "Bloomberg Chooses a Friend to Manage His Fortune". The New York Times. January 16 2008. Retrieved February 23 2009. Smith Ben (June 21 2007). "Mike for Veep". Politico.com. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0607/MikeforVeep.html.  "Obama Bloomberg hold mystery meeting". CNN Political Ticker. November 30 2007. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/30/obama-bloomberg-hold-mystery-meeting/. Retrieved December 23 2007.  Heilemann John (May 22 2007). "The Catch". http://nymag.com/news/politics/powergrid/47200.  "Mike's Secret Bid to Run vs. Spitzer" New York Post. November 6 2007. New York State Voters Have High Hopes For New Gov Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Bloomberg Tops List For Next Governor. Quinnipiac University. March 20 2008. "Q&A: Michael Bloomberg on Free Wi-Fi Crime and Higher Office" Wired. December 20 2007. Saul Michael Howard (March 3 2010) "Bloomberg Aide's Exit Fuels Talk of Presidential Run" The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 3 2010. Fermino Jennifer (October 9 2010) "Dispatches from the campaign trail" New York Post. Retrieved October 15 2010. a b Saul Michael Howard (October 14 2010) "Bloomberg Supporters Plot Draft" The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 14 2010. (October 14 2010) "Bloomberg: Im Not Running For President" CBS New York. Retrieved October 15 2010. Curry Tom (December 12 2010). "Bloomberg Rules Out 2012 Presidential Bid". msnbc.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40628514/ns/politics/. Retrieved January 19 2011.  Further reading Brash Julian. Bloomberg's New York: Class and Governance in the Luxury City (University of Georgia Press; 2010) 344 pages. Uses anthropology and geography to examine the mayor's corporate-style governance with particular attention to the Hudson Yards plan which aims to transform the far West Side into a high-end district. External links United States portal Massachusetts portal New York City portal Biography portal Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Michael Bloomberg Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Michael Bloomberg Wikinews has related news: Michael Bloomberg Mike Bloomberg official site Biography at the Encyclopaedia Britannica Appearances on C-SPAN Works by or about Michael Bloomberg in libraries (WorldCat catalog) Michael Bloomberg at the Internet Movie Database Collected news and commentary at The New York Times Collected news and commentary at the New York Daily News Collected news and commentary at Newsday Collected news and commentary at The Guardian Political offices Preceded by Rudy Giuliani Mayor of New York City 2002present Incumbent Party political offices Preceded by Alan Hevesi Liberal nominee for Mayor of New York City 2005 No nominee in 2009 To be decided in 2013 Preceded by Rudy Giuliani Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City 2001 2005 2009 Most recent No nominees prior to 2001 Independence nominee for Mayor of New York City 2001 2005 2009 v d eMayors of the City of New York since the 1898 Consolidation Van Wyck  Low  McClellan  Gaynor  Kline  Mitchel  Hylan  Walker  McKee  O'Brien  La Guardia  O'Dwyer  Impellitteri  Wagner  Lindsay  Beame  Koch  Dinkins  Giuliani  Bloomberg v d eGovernment of New York City Officials Elected Mayor  Public Advocate  Comptroller  City Council  Borough Presidents Appointed Fire Commissioner   Police Commissioner   School Chancellor   Board of Education  Medical Examiner  Sheriff Independent organs Board of Elections  Courts of Law Departments the Aging  Buildings  City Planning  Citywide Administrative Services  Consumer Affairs  Correction  Cultural Affairs  Design & Construction  Education  Environmental Protection  Finance  Fire  Health & Mental Hygiene  Homeless Services  Housing Preservation and Development  Information Technology & Telecommunications  Investigation  Juvenile Justice  Law  Parks & Recreation  Police  Probation  Records and Information Services  Sanitation  Small Business Services  Transportation  Youth & Community Development  Human Resources Other agencies Economic Development Corporation  Office of Emergency Management  Health & Hospitals Corporation  Housing Authority  Landmarks Preservation Commission  Lower Manhattan Development Corporation  Mayor's Office of Film Theatre & Broadcasting  NYC Media Group Libraries Brooklyn Public Library  New York Public Library  Queens Borough Public Library Other services City University of New York  Water system The Five Boroughs The Bronx (Bronx government)   Brooklyn   Manhattan   Queens   Staten Island (Staten Island government ) Community Boards The Bronx   Brooklyn   Manhattan   Queens   Staten Island v d eMayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States     Michael Bloomberg (I) New York City NY Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Los Angeles CA Rahm Emanuel (D) Chicago IL Annise Parker Houston TX Phil Gordon (D) Phoenix AZ Michael Nutter (D) Philadelphia PA Julian Castro San Antonio TX Dwaine Caraway Dallas TX Jerry Sanders (R) San Diego CA Chuck Reed (D) San Jose CA Edwin M. Lee (D) San Francisco CA John Peyton (R) Jacksonville FL Gregory A. Ballard (R) Indianapolis IN Lee Leffingwell Austin TX Michael B. Coleman (D) Columbus OH Mike Moncrief Fort Worth TX Anthony Foxx (D) Charlotte NC Dave Bing (D) Detroit MI John Cook El Paso TX A C Wharton (D) Memphis TN Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D) Baltimore MD Thomas Menino (D) Boston MA Michael McGinn (D) Seattle WA Vincent Gray (D) Washington D.C. Karl Dean (D) Nashville TN Bill Vidal (D) Denver CO Greg Fischer (D) Louisville KY Tom Barrett (D) Milwaukee WI Sam Adams (D) Portland OR Oscar Goodman (I) Las Vegas NV Mick Cornett (R) Oklahoma City OK Richard J. Berry (R) Albuquerque NM Bob Walkup (R) Tucson AZ Ashley Swearengin (R) Fresno CA Kevin Johnson (D) Sacramento CA Bob Foster (D) Long Beach CA Sly James (I) Kansas City MO Scott Smith (R) Mesa AZ Will Sessoms (R) Virginia Beach VA Kasim Reed (D) Atlanta GA Lionel Rivera (R) Colorado Springs CO Jim Suttle (D) Omaha NE Charles Meeker (D) Raleigh NC Toms Regalado (R) Miami FL Frank G. Jackson (D) Cleveland OH Dewey F. Bartlett Jr. (R) Tulsa OK Jean Quan (D) Oakland CA R. T. Rybak (D) Minneapolis MN Carl Brewer (D) Wichita KS Robert Cluck Arlington TX v d eMayors of cities with populations exceeding 100000 in New York     Michael Bloomberg (New York City) Byron Brown (Buffalo) Thomas Richards (Rochester) Phil Amicone (Yonkers) Stephanie Miner (Syracuse) State capital: Gerald Jennings (Albany) AL  AK  AZ  AR  CA  CO   CT  DE   FL   GA   HI   ID   IL   IN   IA   KS   KY   LA   ME   MD   MA   MI   MN   MS   MO   MT   NE   NV   NH   NJ   NM   NY   NC   ND   OH   OK   OR   PA   RI   SC   SD   TN   TX   UT   VT   VA   WA   WV   WI   WY Persondata Name Bloomberg Michael Rubens Alternative names Short description American businessman philanthropist politician Date of birth February 14 1942 Place of birth Brighton Massachusetts U.S. Date of death Place of death