Correction: Bloomberg-Clinton-Mayoral Race story
Dec 6, 2012, 10:29 PM
NEW YORK (AP) – In a story Dec. 5 about next year’s New York City mayoral race, The Associated Press reported erroneously that former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion recently left the Democratic Party to become a Republican and was expected to run for mayor as a GOP candidate. Carrion left the Democratic Party but is now not affiliated with any party, and he may seek to run as an independent on the Republican Party line.
A corrected version of the story is below:
NYC mayor knocks reports he eyed Clinton to run
NY Mayor Bloomberg lashes out at reports he asked Hillary Clinton to mull running for his seat
By JENNIFER PELTZ
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) _ Mayor Michael Bloomberg lashed out Tuesday at reports that he encouraged U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to run to succeed him, and he pointedly praised the city official who has long been seen as his pick for the job.
Asked about the media reports, which cited anonymous sources, Bloomberg didn’t directly deny a conversation with Clinton but retorted: “Did you hear me say that?” And in a bit of political optics, expected mayoral candidate and current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn stood by Bloomberg’s side while he described her as key to his administration’s success.
“This woman has made an enormous difference in the city, she’s a leader, and I have nothing but respect for her,” Bloomberg said. “… I don’t know who’s going to run, but if you want to start a fight between me and Chris Quinn, you’re not going to do it.”
Clinton aides, meanwhile, wouldn’t confirm such a call took place or discuss her plans. Clinton has said she expects to step down soon from her Department of State post.
The New York Times first reported Monday that Bloomberg, an independent, suggested a mayoral bid to Clinton by phone a few months ago, but Clinton wasn’t interested.
Clinton, for that matter, doesn’t live in New York City. She and former President Bill Clinton have a house in suburban Chappaqua. They bought the home shortly before her successful 2000 run for the U.S. Senate.
Bloomberg’s third term, the last under a term limit he persuaded the Quinn-led council to extend in 2008, ends next year. Quinn in recent polls has been leading several other presumptive Democratic candidates: former city Comptroller Bill Thompson, current Comptroller John Liu and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.
Asked whether she thought Clinton would make a good mayor, Quinn said she thought the former Democratic presidential candidate “would excel in any position she ever takes.”
Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, who recently left the Democratic Party to become unaffiliated, may seek to run as an independent on the Republican Party line. Local newspaper publisher Tom Allon, a Democrat-turned-Republican, has announced he’s running.
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Associated Press writer Bradley Klapper in Brussels contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
