No, this is not an endorsement – don’t be misled by the headline.

Geesh, it’s more than two years away until we get to vote for the next Mayor – the election is in November of ’09 with a September ’09 Primary.

However, as we’ve occupied this seat for the past seven Mayoral Elections, we have discovered patterns and characteristics which help us narrow the field and make recommendations to others. More often than not, it’s personal qualities – and not policies – which lead to the election of the Mayor of New York City.

New York is a liberal town – if the Liberal Party was still for real, I could almost capitalize the “L.” The Mayor will be pro-choice, anti-war, pro-education, in favor of expanding or universal healthcare, committed to affordable housing – keeping our middle class viable, helping our less fortunate, rebuilding our infrastructure and further stimulating our economy while not making it too costly to live and survive here.

Simple tasks, and they’ll all line up behind them all. And our City Council will also jump on the bandwagon. As a matter of fact, almost everybody wants the same things for our great city. How to go about achieving and affording them and governing seems to be where we find differences.

Ed Koch was a character – a personality, bigger than life, ruling with his charisma.

David Dinkins was a gentleman, the only black Mayor, too soft on touch to keep command.

Rudy Giuliani was a prosecutor – a driven, authoritarian ruler whose image grew in crisis.

Mike Bloomberg is a businessman, wealthy and free of obligations permitting decisions by intellect.

The characteristics which will help elect the next mayor will include: an appearance of independence, charisma, minority roots or connection, an ability to maintain quality of life while still showing compassion. Sort of a man with the demeanor and roots of David Dinkins, the charisma of Ed Koch, the quality of life commitment of Rudy and the skill and acumen of Mayor Mike.

Meet New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson.

Granted, Bill grew up on the inside of Brooklyn politics – his dad a judge and he skillfully moved from Brooklyn Deputy Beep to NYC Bd of Ed Pres to Comptroller – but he has the persona, the smarts and the sensibilities to fit the awesome bill required for Mayor.

No, he is not independently wealthy and his biggest challenge could very well come from a self- financed opponent running outside of the publicly-funded Campaign Finance matching program. (AOL-Time Warner chair Dick Parsons, an African American, is the buzz of the moment.) Thompson acknowledges the strength of his potential candidacy but doesn’t believe his friend will make the race.

The list of potential candidates we discussed at our breakfast last week included Democrats Congressman Anthony Weiner, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Bronx Beep Adolfo Carrion, Queens Councilman Tony Avella, and possibly Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. Democrat Gristedes, millionaire John Catsimatidis, Police Commish Ray Kelly and aforementioned Parsons were the only names on our short list of GOP possibles.

While not declaring or acknowledging his own candidacy – he’s running – Bill Thompson is focusing on the 2009 race.

While raising money will occupy a good deal of time for all the candidates, Thompson applauds the City matching programs in spite of some needed improvements and believes with all the problems only full public funding would make the process more equitable.

His tenure as Comptroller has enhanced his profile in minority communities and his fundraising ability across the board.

While claiming Queens-Brooklyn Congressman Anthony Weiner would be the frontrunner if polled today, he declared his chances as: “Better than 50/50? I would hope so…given my work and experience it would put me in a strong position.”

As we see it, the election is a long way off. And while many of the names above may declare their candidacy while others will fade away and a couple perhaps drop down to Comptroller or Public Advocate, unless a self-funded giant comes along it will clearly be Thompson and Weiner with perhaps Carrion and Quinn as the names to be contended with.

With proven vote getting ability, charisma, leadership, experience, support in the business and minority community, we’ve only omitted Thompson’s obvious modesty which is illustrated by him picking another as frontrunner.

Two years is a lifetime in politics. But if you come back to this page then, we’d bet that we’ll be here talking to Bill Thompson about his plans for New York City.




Thompson on the Trib: “I always wind up in conversations here that I never have at any other place.”

-- Bill Thompson (laughing)

Michael Schenkler can be reached via this contact form.