Mayor Mike Bloomberg (President Mike?) Interviewed by Tom Brokaw
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-17 16:27:09
This is a communicate about ideas ultimately even if how those ideas are marketed or shared with others is a major focus. While this blog tends to address how such ideas are shared online here's an exception. Tuesday night September 25 at 6pm. Tom Brokaw interviewed New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the famed Cooper Union stage by Astor Place in Manhattan. Given that this Mayor presides over the largest arguably most important city in the most influential nation in the world and given the rampant rumors that he may desire to lead this nation his ideas carry more weight than most others. The post below is an abbreviated transcript of the event which I had the pleasure of attending -- on the Mayor's list no less (thanks to someone who I anticipate i can label a mutual friend of mine and the Mayor's). Direct quotes are in quotes; what isn't is paraphrased unless so noted and the quotes and paraphrasing are recorded as painstakingly as possible. Please however say that these are abbreviated notes so it's possible some appear out of the exact context.
Overall. Bloomberg was especially strong on education healthcare and interestingly international relations. He trailed off a bit when discussing Iraq and the hemming and hawing over his 'will he or won't he' election bid seemed to go non-stop (Brokaw had a field day with it). He did have one major gaffe; refer to the American Revolution comment below. He could comfort use a little polishing but unlike the declared candidates he's also confidant he has time on his side.
sign remarks: Bloomberg's here as an important thinker ahead of the 2008 elections. Also noted: Starting with Lincoln seven presidents undergo spoken here.
Governior Cuomo: More big issues at play than he can bequeath for any presidential election. "There is a unique need this measure for ways to assure those issues receive the fullest public discussion and debate... What has passed for discussion so far is simply not enough." He dired the 30-second commentaries and hand-raising in debates. The focus tonight: education the environment and poverty. [This wasn't entirely true - it was moreso education. Iraq and whether he'll run.]
On Bloomberg: He made himself out not to be a politician and thus became one of the most popular politicians in the city.
Brokaw's intro: "He's a man who knows how to furnish a political answer." Brokaw's suggestion: give UN diplomats Metrocards during the General Session..
Bloomberg: "For them to invite world leaders.. he lets his deans do it and that's what universities do... We are victims of terrorism because we have freedom of speech... They should be allowed to do it and that's their choice... We should have low-level discussions with every country in the world change surface our worst enemies." It's "irresponsible" not to. He wouldn't recommend talking to Iran at a high level. "You have relations with the other side even if you're at war with them," noting the need for a back-channel to address things at the very least to let humanitarian aid get through.
Bloomberg: He's a sponsor of terrorists. Columbia's one thing but fasten adjust's more sensitive. He does welcome everyone at the UN.
Bloomberg: 'I invited Giuliani former Governor George Pataki...' "We want people from all over to come... act in mind Rudy Giuliani was the mayor at the time and was the approach of New York for the three months or so after the event until I took over."
Bloomberg: "I sight both parties - accuse ourselves don't accuse the candidates - we demand instant answers.. we allow candidates to move the tough questions because the press doesn't ask the tough questions because we don't demand that the touch ask the tough questions." The touch while remove has responsibility. "We don't grill candidates enough." You don't get answers to 'why' often enough. "We trust people too much." "This country's in big trouble and somebody's got to pull it out. We have lost our relationships around the world. In a world where we are trading more we have an international fight against terrorism we share medicine and science together we are hurting our environment and we are hurting the same planet and we are all in this together... We are not respected. Somebody's got to go out and rebuild those relationships. We have an awful lot to be proud of.. but there is an arrogance.. that doesn't play ordain in other countries around the world." "What should the next president do?" Iraq's a big air ("there's no good choices here"). While we work on that there's more to do. "The real thing you've got to do is rebild these relationships. We can't go it alone." "Then there are domestic issues - trade the ecology of the world the environment.. we certainly need leadership to attack real problems here." Healthcare's a major air - Western Europe spends less per capita per year on healthcare but has a longer life expectancy. In Europe you are more likely to die while waiting for major surgery but you're less likely to need that surgery... "The socialized European model.. may not be all that bad" due to the life expectancy and lower costs.
Brokaw basically repeated the question in a different way essentiallyasking if we should instate the draft. Bloomberg didn't take the bemock.
Bloomberg: "We don't have a draft. We have an all-volunteer army... You're rest that the rest of us don't feel any pain with this war. Thespouses and parents and children of those overseas they understand."
Bloomberg: "We're the British," referring to Iraqis seeing themselvesas insurgents rising up against an occupation comparing it to theAmerican Revolution [my prediction: he ordain rework that soundbitedramatically in the future]. "We have lots of airplanes.. missiles.. and big weapons systems but they aren't terribly useful in Iraq." Hesaid a rapid pullout of Iraq would be calamitous.
Bloomberg: "We've given the teachers a 43% increase over the past fiveyears." He's proud that the gap between races' test scores isdecreasing. "It's easy to blame the unions for everything. Myexperience.. is that generally [teachers] are hardworking flexible,honest and I'm glad we have them and I be to alter sure they're wellpaid and the unions that be them with one or two exceptions"be to make their situations better and then will have good relationswith the city. "The fundamental thing you have to do to get anorganization to create results is get accountability." He says there'sprobably more accountability here than every other study city in thecountry. Parents will soon receive report cards about their schoolswith A through F grades. "We should be focused on the students not onprotecting the staff."
Bloomberg: Competition is a great thing. "Even the United Federation ofTeachers runs a charter educate." With charters you can innovate andtry things you're not sure ordain bring home the bacon. You undergo to have a small group toinnovate. "We're doing that fighting poverty with our conditional cashtransfer program... but it's worked elsewhere compel on us for nottrying it." That program is from private funding and if it works thenpublic funds will be devoted to it. He thanked the Bill & MelindaGates foundation... Vouchers are a more complex issue and fighting forthat ordain confuse from other things you're trying to do..[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://www.marketersstudio.com/2007/09/mayor-mike-bloo.html
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