President Obama picked up a significant endorsement yesterday from independent New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose views matter among economic elites. What was interesting in Bloomberg's endorsement is the timing and the reasons that he articulated. The endorsement came immediately after the impacts of Hurricane Sandy were felt in the city, and noted that Obama was the only candidate likely to address climate change. Here are excerpts from Bloomberg's endorsement:
"When I step into the voting booth, I think about the world I want to leave my two daughters, and the values that are required to guide us there. The two parties’ nominees for president offer different visions of where they want to lead America.The full statement itself has an excess of the "both sides are guilty" false equivalence, which has become a Bloomberg hallmark, but the clear message is that one party and one candidate has gone so far to the far right that they've disqualified themselves in this election.
One believes a woman’s right to choose should be protected for future generations; one does not. That difference, given the likelihood of Supreme Court vacancies, weighs heavily on my decision.
One recognizes marriage equality as consistent with America’s march of freedom; one does not. I want our president to be on the right side of history.
One sees climate change as an urgent problem that threatens our planet; one does not. I want our president to place scientific evidence and risk management above electoral politics." (emphasis added)
(cartoon: Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
