Dartblog

In his quest for a third term as mayor of the City of New York—that’s the official name, “The City of New York,” so New Yorkers who refer to it simply as the City are not only snobbish but also correct—Michael Bloomberg has released an ad that describes “running New York” as “the second-toughest job in America.” Here’s the radio version;

watch the video version here.

Leaving aside the Mayor’s grandiose use of the verb to run, as if anyone “runs” New York, it’s a nice spot. I do find it curious, though, that the Mayor would allow his job to be described as the “second-toughest in America.” Why not “toughest in New York?” Or just “toughest around?” As he’s shown as mayor, Mike Bloomberg is not normally one to settle for any second anything.

DIGRESSION: The Mayor would not be allowed to run for a third term were it not for his recent effort to replace the old two-term limit for City elected officials with a three-term limit, overruling two recent referenda. I recall reading somewhere a quotation that perfectly encapsulates the essence of this situation. It went something like this:

Mike Bloomberg’s term-limits stunt was ham-fisted, arrogant and inappropriate. It stank of politics, and the only possible good that could come of it is that Mike Bloomberg could run for a third term.

If you are lucky enough to live in New York, please vote to keep Mike Bloomberg in City Hall.

UPDATE: Apparently the “second-toughest job in America” moniker has a long history. The great Fiorello La Guardia used it—he was the depression-era mayor who killed the Tammany Hall political machine. So did John Lindsay, who used it as a campaign slogan both as mayor and in his later bid for the toughest job in America.