Michael Bloomberg's race unexpectedly close

[TomCADem]

Source: Politico

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg found himself in an unexpectedly tight race Tuesday night with long-shot challenger City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. — so close that NBC called the race for Bloomberg, then withdrew its call.

After running the most expensive self-financed campaign ever, Bloomberg was expected to cruise to a third-term over Thompson. But as the night wore on, the results stayed close — 49 percent for Bloomberg to 48 percent for Thompson, with 58 percent of precincts reporting.

NBC News called the race for Bloomberg but shortly thereafter took back its call. The New York Times was still reporting “Bloomberg Projected to Win 3rd Term” on its website at 10:15 p.m.

Bloomberg, an independent who also ran on the Republican line, spent more than $85 million of his personal fortune to win re-election, dwarfing the sum spent by Thompson, a Democrat.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29113.html

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How is this possible? Bloomberg spent $85 million, and I thought Republicans were supposed to sweep to easy victories on anti-Democratic sentiment? Could it just be that it sucks to be an incumbent in a down economy?

[tekisui]

1. Maddow reported Bloomberg spent $100 million!

[Boojatta]

2. Isn't there some city that would accept him as mayor for less than a hundred million dollars?

Or he could pursue some job other than major. For a hundred million dollars, he could get a really high quality suit and haircut, and then he'd be a shoe-in for whatever job he's applying for.

[BREMPRO]

14. there is anecdotal evidence that his attempt to "buy" the office backfired

many voters reported that were turned off by the rich guy's 100 million dollar assault and changing the law so he could run for a third term. He would likely have done better if he didn't spend all that money.

[aquart]

3. I want a law that says you can't spend more than the job pays.

[johnfunk]

4. Billionaire Bloomberg and Jon "Golden Sacks" Corzine are not exactly beloved in Bailout Nation

,,, which means NYC was tighter than most poundits expected, and Corzine got shown the door despite going negative on Christie, who is smelling more and more like a scandal waiting to happen. Trust me, NJ is going to get entertaining, likely sonner rather than later...

:popcorn:

[lxlxlxl]

5. should have voted this fuckhead out.

but when i imagine how much money he just wasted on what exactly i cant help but laugh at him.

[New Dawn]

6. That corrupt reactionary only won due to his money and media control.

Hardly a "democratic" election result in any sense.

[Stephanie]

7. Thompson is conceding right now

Unfortunately, we are stuck again with King Bloomberg.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Had Obama not ignored the DEM candidate, Bloomberg.....

... would be history right now.

Thank you, President Transformational.

[murdoch]

11. Obama in a Mayor's race?

Obama is going to get involved in Mayor's races now? Maybe he can go up to Wasilla, Alaska, and plug the Democrat running for mayor there, if there is one.

The Bloomberg campaign spent tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars to plaster every available surface and web site with ads, robo-call, direct mail people and set up offices etc. The news barely talked about Thompson, and I still know next to nothing about him other than that he is a Democrat. Also, Bloomberg switched parties weeks before he was elected, and in comparison to a Republican mayor like Giuliani does not look as bad. Despite all this, he winds up in a tight race. So much damned money was spent he looked unbeatable. I voted for Thompson, because I'm just tired of the Republicans, even if they are "moderate".

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. do you know the population of nyc vs wasilla? and the amount of money

that comes from and goes into nyc?

[Smarmie Doofus]

13. Why should NYC electronic media report on Thompson....

>>>The news barely talked about Thompson, and I still know next to nothing about him other than that he is a Democrat. Also, Bloomberg switched parties weeks before he was elected, and in comparison to a Republican mayor like Giuliani does not look as bad.>>>

...when Bloomberg is spreading around 100$$ million to carry his paid ads? They can't possibly be objective, even if they *wanted* (which they don't) to cover REAL campaign issues, i.e. Thompson vs. Bloomberg.

>>>>Obama is going to get involved in Mayor's races now?>>>>.

DEM presidents traditionally campaign for DEM mayoral candidates in NYC.

Example: Clinton campaigned for Dinkins.

*Actively*

[Renew Deal]

9. Bloomberg probably ran too many ads.

And he ran too many negative ads.

[SoDesuKa]

10. Bloomberg Is Boring

Bloomberg may be a competent administrator, but he's not an interesting person. He has a somewhat washed-out personality, which is appropriate for a guy who makes a lot of financial decisions. Unfortunately, Bill Thompson doesn't have much personality either. A colorful Democrat would have walked away with the thing.

Bloomberg may regret running for a third term. His election is widely seen as illegitimate. He twisted arms so he could run again, and then he spent an indecent amount of money on advertising. He made a lot of new enemies this time around.

I've really disliked Michael Bloomberg since the 2004 Republican convention in Manhattan. New York cops just swept the streets of potential troublemakers - most of them exercising constitutionally-protected freedom of speech - and held them there until the convention was over. It was extremely high-handed, and it was Bloomberg's doing.