Thompson criticizes Bloomy campaign expenses
Posted on October 28, 2009 by Anna Gustafson in Mayor
Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Thompson slammed Mayor Michael Bloomberg for spending about $85 million of his own money on his re-election campaign at a rally the Southeast Queens Clergy for Political Awareness held in St. Albans Saturday.
“When he ran eight years ago, they asked why he spent $75 million on his campaign, and he said it was because nobody knew him,” said Thompson, the city comptroller. “Four years ago he was asked why he spent $85 million, and he said it was because the city is heavily Democratic. It’s been said he’ll spend at least $130 million before this election is over. Why does he continue to spend that much? Because now the people of New York really do know him now.”
Bloomberg, an independent and a billionaire, has spent approximately $85 million on his campaign, according to filings with the city Campaign Finance Board Friday. A recent New York Times article stated Bloomberg could spend between $110 million and $140 million before the Nov. 3 general election — more than he spent in his two previous runs for the city’s highest office.
“We’re not looking to spend a dollar more than we need to, to ensure that our City has the strong and independent leadership we need to get us through these tough times,” said Andrew Doba, a spokesman for Bloomberg.
The Rev. Charles Norris, head of the SQCPA, called on borough residents to support Thompson.
“If Mr. Bloomberg gave me a million dollars right now, I’d take it and give it to Mr. Thompson,” Norris said.
The SQCPA is a coalition of local organizations in Queens that have the goal of furthering the interests of southeast Queens residents.
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans), state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) and City Councilmen Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and John Liu (D-Flushing) praised Thompson’s bid for mayor at Saturday’s event held at the Presbyterian Church of St. Albans.
“This is the beginning of a turn for this city,” Meeks said. “The camera of history is rolling and it’s looking at us in New York City. President Barack Obama agrees with me and agrees with you that Bill Thompson should be the next mayor.”
The Thompson campaign announced Oct. 9 the Democratic candidate had been endorsed by Obama.
Smith assured Thompson Queens residents would cast their ballots for Thompson, who trails Bloomberg by 16 points according to the latest poll conducted by Marist College.
“Bill, you don’t need to worry about Queens,” Smith said. “We’re going to bring people to the polls. People are more important than money.”
Comrie also urged those attending the weekend rally to “get people out on Election Day.”
Liu, the Democratic candidate for city comptroller, criticized Bloomberg’s bid to overturn term limits last year, which allowed the two-term mayor to run again.
“Bill Thompson will be a mayor who never thumbs his nose at the will of the people,” Liu said. “He’s running against someone who shouldn’t even be running. He wants to be our mayor, not our emperor.”
Bloomberg has repeatedly defended his push to extend term-limits.
“It was a unique period in the city,” Bloomberg said in a previous interview with TimesLedger Newspapers, explaining why he wanted the term limits extension. “The economy was starting to fall apart, our school system was on the verge of a major breakthrough. Voters want somebody independent and competent, and hopefully they’ll think I’m that person.”
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 174.
