New York City,
NY (CMN), October 12th, 2008 -- Speaking at a press conference in the Red Room at City Hall, Council Speaker
Christine C. Quinn Sunday afternoon endorsed legislation to allow Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to seek a third term as a mayor. 
Quinn, a Manhattan Democrat who had herself been planning to run for mayor
next year said that if the legislation passes, she will abandon her mayoral campaign and endorse Bloomberg, who was twice
elected as a Republican, but has said he'd seek a third term as an independent candidate. Quinn cited the
economy and the need for steady leadership as the rationale for her decision, which she said was made in the last few days after consulting with her Council colleagues,
labor and business leaders and civic organizations.
“As we move forward in these very difficult times, continuity in leadership will allow our city to continue
to work,” said Quinn. “To extend term limits legislatively gives New Yorkers a choice at the polls next year.”
Asked about proposals for a ballot referendum, Quinn said that there was insufficient time for one, but
insisted that there would be an election. “There will be the ultimate election on this come a year from
now,” referring to the 2009 election when she plans to seek re-election to the Council. If the legislation passes,
35 of her fellow members would also be eligible to seek re-election, although it's not yet known if all of them would.
Rep.
Anthony Weiner (D - Brooklyn/Queens), a 2009 mayoral candidate referred to Quinn's announcement as confirmation of a backroom
deal. "To
paraphrase the movie Casablanca, no one should be shocked to know there is politics going on in City Hall. Today
the City Council Speaker confirms the backroom deal. The question is whether New Yorkers will rise up and say they want to
keep their right to vote on term limits," said Weiner. "It's a definition of chutzpah to say
you will take away the right to vote New Yorkers have twice enjoyed and call that 'expanding choice.'"
Quinn became the 19th Council Member to publicly endorse the legislation.
Sources inside the Council told Cable Muse Network (CMN) that the 26 votes necessary to pass the legislation are there and
Bloomberg has vowed to sign it. However, even if it becomes law, there will undoubtedly
be legal challenges. |
