New York Times: 'In a surprise announcement' Bloomberg Backs Obama, Citing Climate

[trailmonkee]

In a surprise announcement, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said Thursday that Hurricane Sandy had reshaped his thinking about the presidential campaign, and he announced that he was endorsing President Obama.

Mr. Bloomberg, a political independent in this third term leading New York City, has been sharply critical of both Mr. Obama, a Democrat, and Mitt Romney, the president’s Republican rival, saying that both men have failed to candidly confront the problems afflicting the nation. But he said he had decided over the past several days that Mr. Obama was the best candidate to tackle the global climate change that the mayor believes contributed to the violent storm, which took the lives of at least 38 New Yorkers and caused billions of dollars in damage.

“The devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York City and much of the Northeast — in lost lives, lost homes and lost business — brought the stakes of next Tuesday’s presidential election into sharp relief,” Mr. Bloomberg wrote in an op-ed article for Bloomberg View.

“Our climate is changing,” he wrote. “And while the increase in extreme weather we have experienced in New York City and around the world may or may not be the result of it, the risk that it may be — given the devastation it is wreaking — should be enough to compel all elected leaders to take immediate action.”

Mr. Bloomberg’s announcement is another indication that Hurricane Sandy has influenced the presidential campaign. The storm, and the destruction it left in its wake, has dominated news coverage, transfixing the nation and prompting the candidates to halt their campaigning briefly.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/nyregion/bloomberg-endorses-obama-saying-hurricane-sandy-affected-decision.html?_r=0

[C_U_L8R]

1. Shows its not only math...

it's science.

The GOP is so archaic... they're doomed.

[Incitatus]

2. Is someone cooking microwave popcorn?

Or is that heads at Freeperville exploding?

[NYC Liberal]

4. I can't imagine Freepers ever had much love for Bloomberg, who is quite liberal on social issues.

[yellowcanine]

7. No but their heads will still explode because Bloomberg usually sides with pubbies.

And coming on the heels of the Christie love fest of Obama it just has to rankle all the more.

[NYC Liberal]

9. Bloomberg basically sides with whomever is best for him politically.

If it's a Republican, he'll back them. If it's a Dem, he'll back the Democrat. Basically, Bloomberg cares about Bloomerg.

But anything that causes Freeper heads to explode is a good thing.

[NoOneMan]

3. Take what immediate action?

This is really exciting that climate change is finally the topic of the day. But what are we going to actually do about it?

The easiest, most effective measure would be to curtail the GDP. Is that on the table?

[Enrique]

5. good for Bloomberg n/t

[ohheckyeah]

6. This will have some effect

on independent voters....I hope!

[randome]

8. And some Republicans, too. Eventually, Reality catches up to everyone.

[ohheckyeah]

10. I hope it impacts some Republicans as well.

Shit's getting real - and Sandy made it so.

[Zambero]

11. Surprise! It's Real!

Too many officials in high places are having to learn this the hard way. Some will undoubtedly remain deniers of reality. Either way, the tipping point that is approaching cannot be held off indefinitely. I certainly hope that we're not past that point.

[SB2]

12. Spam deleted by gkhouston (MIR Team)

[trailmonkee]

13. thanks

[tanyev]

14. Christe, McDonnell, and now Bloomberg.

WTH did Mitt say to them when he called them about the storm? He must have stuck both feet in his mouth up to his knees.

[LisaL]

15. Why is it surprising?

[Cha]

16. Well, Bloomberg had said he wasn't going to endorse

anyone this election. Which I thought was a cop out. I mean why wouldn't he take a stance? And, now because of Sandy he says..he did.