Ahead of GOP convention, NYC mayor's criticism irks Republicans

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican, is antagonizing Republicans lately with his criticism of Congress _ a shift in tactics that some view as an effort to win over New York voters.

Bloomberg, who will stand for re-election next year, has been on the warpath over the House of Representatives' rejection of a measure that would have shifted $450 million in anti-terror funding from rural areas to cities. He accused lawmakers of wasting homeland security dollars in the name of pork barrel politics.

snip............

Until recently, Bloomberg had taken a low-key approach to the city's campaign for more homeland security funding. But the gloves came off when the mayor disinvited Bob Ney, R-Ohio, to a luncheon with wealthy New Yorkers expected to donate to Republicans.

The mayor was angered by lawmakers, including Ney, who voted 237-171 against an amendment that would have shifted about $450 million in anti-terror funding from rural areas to big cities like New York at high risk of attack. Voting against the measure were 147 Republicans, 89 Democrats and an independent.

The canceled lunch left a bad taste in the mouths of a number of politicos. And chief among them was Ney, who holds a key insider position in Washington as an official with the National Republican Congressional Committee, which helps elect Republicans to the House.

more...........

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--gopconvention-rif0623jun23,0,6871209.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[Stephanie]

1. All in all, for a Republican, Bloomberg has been relatively inoffensive

This only deepens my lack of spite for him. He's sort of amusing. He rides the subway. He secretly donates funds for various non-essential projects such as arts and historic preservation. He has been comparatively non-controversial, after Giuliani. That he would stand up for NY in the face of these despicable pricks speaks well for him. Not that I wouldn't vote for any reasonable Democrat over him next time, because I most definitely will. But as repugs go he could be a lot worse.

[Kahuna]

2. I like Bloomberg. I used to listen to him with Gambling on Fridays..

That was before AirAmerica. I find him to be very down to earth and personable. I really wish he would switch parties again. He could be a rising star.

[truthspeaker]

5. exept for denying permits to anti-RNC demonstrators

[Stephanie]

7. You're right

And the protester who got beaten by police in March, and trampled by horses.

[Alexander]

3. I remember when the Rolling Stones played recently at MSG.

This was shortly after Bloomberg effectively banned smoking indoors in New York, and of course Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood were smoking cigarettes during the entire concert.

Bloomberg reportedly got really pissed and sent some cops out after them so he could *fine* them for smoking indoors. The Stones rushed to their cars and got the hell out of New York.

[MisterP]

4. Ney's the one who sponsored the Freedom Fries renaming bill

[DainBramaged]

6. I think Bloomberg will switch back to a Democrat by next year

That will be a sharp stick in the eye of the Rethugs. Anyone who is worth billions is not a stupid man. He just doesn't act like any Rethug I've ever seen, including Rudy "I'm not really a Republican' Giuliani.