Presidential race over, the 'old Bloomberg' returns:

From ' the more things change...' dept:




Bloomberg Steps In to Help G.O.P. in Albany Fight
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By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
Published: March 1, 2008
While declaring his commitment to nonpartisanship, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is quietly injecting himself — and his money — into one of the most explosive partisan battles in decades in New York.

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Michael Nagle/Getty Images
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg quit the Republican Party in June.
Several weeks ago, the mayor wrote a $500,000 check to help keep the dwindling and increasingly imperiled State Senate Republicans from losing their grip on power, according to an official with direct knowledge of the donation.

The Democrats are seeking to gain control of the Senate for the first time in 40 years, and the race is growing personal and bitter.

Moreover, Mr. Bloomberg has made clear to the Republicans that he is willing to personally campaign for G.O.P. senators.

The mayor’s efforts to buttress the party stand in sharp contrast to his message as he traveled the country flirting with a presidential bid during the past year. Mr. Bloomberg has promoted his independence, denouncing party politics and dramatically announcing his resignation from the Republican Party.

“The politics of partisanship and the resulting inaction and excuses have paralyzed decision-making, primarily at the federal level, and the big issues of the day are not being addressed, leaving our future in jeopardy,” the mayor said at a much-noted speech in June that set off presidential speculation. “We can accept this, or we can say, ‘Enough is enough!’ and together build a bright future for our country.”

Stu Loeser, a Bloomberg spokesman, declined to comment for this article. But in the past, the mayor’s camp has said that the Senate Republicans have been crucially important in advancing the city’s agenda in Albany.

Senate Republicans say privately that Mr. Bloomberg may well emerge as perhaps their biggest political benefactor in the coming election, which Joseph L. Bruno, the Senate majority leader, has likened to a war.

The mayor’s financial assistance will be all the more critical this year, as Democrats stand within striking distance of capturing the majority and some interest groups and donors have begun shifting their money to Democrats or hedging their bets.

“His support is not only advantageous, but fantastically desired by all of us,” said Senator Serphin R. Maltese, a Republican from Queens who is being singled out for defeat. “I am very pleased that he has chosen to support us.”

Senator Frank Padavan, another Queens Republican who is likely to face a Democratic challenge, said that the mayor has personally assured him that he would work for his re-election if necessary.

“He’s made it very clear that he wants to see me stay in the Senate,” said Mr. Padavan.

Mr. Bloomberg’s deep involvement in the battle may further strain his occasionally bumpy relationship with Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who is determined to oust the Republicans. The mayor already has difficult dealings with the top legislative Democrat, Sheldon Silver of Manhattan, the Assembly speaker.

A close adviser to Mr. Spitzer suggested on Friday that Mr. Bloomberg runs the risk of damaging his reputation by inserting himself into the partisan fight while preaching political moderation.

“Bloomberg has the best name brand in the business,” said the adviser, who did not want to be seen publicly criticizing the mayor and spoke on condition of anonymity. “If he is going to follow this third-way agenda, I am not sure that this would serve him well.”

Mr. Bloomberg’s financial support has long been critically important to Republican leaders in Albany, who forged their relationship with him when he was still a member of the Republican Party. He has been the biggest individual donor to Senate Republicans, giving at least $675,000 between October 2006 and December 2007, according to the most recent campaign finance disclosure reports.

In recent weeks, Mr. Bloomberg donated an additional $500,000 to the Republican Senate campaign committee, though that donation will not be disclosed until the next reporting deadline in July, according to the official with knowledge of the donation. The Democratic Senate campaign committee said on Friday that it had received no money from Mr. Bloomberg.

The donations are striking in part because Mr. Bruno’s positions are contrary to the mayor’s on some significant issues, including abortion rights and gay marriage.

But during a dinner at Gracie Mansion on Thursday, Mr. Bruno called the mayor his “favorite guy” and said that Mr. Bloomberg had been “very good to us,” according to two people in attendance.

Mr. Bloomberg’s decision to step up his support for Republicans is setting off some tension among Democrats, who are clearly concerned about the money and popularity that he can bring to bear in elections. Democrats believe they have serious momentum going into the election season, especially after a surprising victory in a special election in a heavily Republican area on Tuesday: A single Senate seat stands between the party and total control of state government.

Senator Thomas K. Duane of Manhattan, an assistant deputy minority leader, said Mr. Bloomberg was perpetuating a system of incumbency protection.

“It goes contrary to the spirit of trying to reform the Legislature,” he said. “It should be about the person — the candidate — not the political party.”

Mr. Bloomberg’s role could be significant, particularly in the heavily Democratic New York City area, where his popularity may be helpful to several Republican senators who are bracing for strong challenges.

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