Theoretically Charles Barron could be the "King-maker" for 2012

[no_hypocrisy]

Hear me out please. City Council member Charles Barron is highly critical both of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Mayor's nomination for NYC Chancellor of Schools, Cathie Black. If Barron can organize enough community resistance to the nomination, it's possible a waiver for Black's lack of education credentials won't be issued. Bloomberg is not used to being denied what he wants and he wants Black in that position.

Like his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani, Bloomberg's eyes on the next job opportunity and that is the White House. And he does not want to look "weak" or less than "presidential", i.e., an effective administrator. If the community becomes emboldened because of Charles Barron and his organizing, Bloomberg could decide after all not to run as an Independent for the White House in 2012.

And . . . here it comes . . . Charles Barron could prevent a possible win by plurality and spare this country the prospect of . . . President Palin. All by keeping Cathie Black from running the City's schools.


Barron Denounces Mayor, Choice of Black as Chancellor

City Council member Charles Barron spoke out against the selection of Cathie Black as the city's new public schools chancellor at a City Hall press conference this morning, saying that the lack of an open selection process failed the city's schools and children.

"Mayor Bloomberg, they say insanity is when you do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. We've been this way before. Joel Klein was unqualified," Barron said.

-more-

http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/barron-denounces-mayor-choice-black-chancellor

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2012: How Sarah Barracuda Becomes President

http://nymag.com/news/politics/69130/

[Alfa Mouille]

1. Maybe...

I hate to say it, but this sounds like a bit of a stretch. I both fully support any effort made to deny Cathie Black this position for which she is singularly unqualified and to prevent Bloomberg from entering the race as a potential spoiler. But I don't think a set back like the prevention of Black would be enough of a humiliation to keep him out. He has enough money that this would not sufficiently derail his ability to present himself as a non-ideological, grandfatherly technocrat who can get things done. I almost wish he would run, because the Repubs would doubtless back some borderline fascist who would be ultimately unelectable and Bloomberg would be certain to draw a good portion of the corporatist, ideologically 'centrist' Lieberdems leaving Obama, or whoever, with no plausible constituency left but one that will only be drawn out by genuinely progressive policies and promises.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Here's where I respectfully disagree with you.

I DO believe that a setback with Cathie Black not getting the position leaves Bloomberg just vulnerable enough that he will be challenged on almost any issue until the end of his term. And he can't "win them all". It detracts from his image of business efficiency and managerial "talent".

BTW, welcome to DU!

[SoBronxSchool]

3. Charles Barron

There is a lot I disagree with about Charles Barron, but the stand he has taken against Bloomberg's policies with education are spot on.