Bloomberg Calls Reporter "A Disgrace" For Questioning Why He's Running For Third Term (VIDEO)

UPDATE: Azi Paybarah, the reporter scolded by Mayor Bloomberg, writes that mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser called "to relay an apology" from Bloomberg.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is known for sometimes having a short temper with pesky reporters.

On Thursday, the mayor lost his cool when asked about his rationale for running for a third term as mayor, calling the inquiring reporter "a disgrace."

Since Bloomberg has been recently claiming that the city had turned the corner on the recession after citing the economic slump as his rationale for running again, the New York Observer's Azi Paybarah wanted to know how the mayor could justify his current campaign.

Bloomberg interrupted Paybarah: "Why don't you just get serious questions here?"

Then, he interrupted once more to add, "The rationale for extending term limits is the City Council voted it and the public's going to have a chance on Nov. 3 to say what they want."

"I don't think we have to keep coming back to that... If you have a serious question about the economy, I will be happy to answer it."

After ending the news conference, Bloomberg thanked everyone and stared at Paybarah, saying "You're a disgrace."

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Watch the video:

Paybarah's editor at the Observer, Josh Benson, told the NY Daily News:

"It was a reasonable question," Benson said.

"We're comfortable leaving it to everyone else to judge the quality of the response."

Earlier in the year, Bloomberg made headlines at another news conference when he lost his temper with a wheelchair-bound reporter whose tape recorder accidentally started playing after he was bumped by a photographer.

The mayor halted his speech, refusing to continue for 1 minute and 36 seconds, until the reporter, Michael Harris, fixed his recorder.

When legally-blind New York Governor David Paterson told a joke and New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn told the mayor, "He's disabled," Bloomberg snapped: "OK, I understand that - he can still turn it off."

The mayor later apologized to Harris.

Watch the video of the earlier encounter:

Comments

[truthglow]

I hope his opponent uses these film clips in commercials against Bloomberg, so EVERYONE can see his arrogance!

[booker52]

This from a man who is using his wealth to abuse the good citizens of NY. They voted for term limits and now he wants to override that vote. Shameful!!!!

[truthglow]

It's called totalitarianism, and we are all on our way towards it!

[justice11]

THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK DON'T WANT YOU AGAIN BLOOMBERG!!! GET IT??

[Longbaugh]

All these Bloomberg critics don't seem to understand that a billionaire politician bows to no special interests. He'll never be bribed. He'll never get caught receiving free home upgrades. He is free from all of the shackles that other politicians (with government salaries) are not free from.

Wake up on this people. Bloomberg is a billionaire populist.

[Citizen54]

The word "populist" appears to no longer have meaning.

As someone who lives in Mr Bloomberg's city, I am trying to recall one "populist" thing he has done. Gutting rent control? Building million-dollar condos but no middle-class housing? Raising taxes on all services? Laying off school teachers? Laying off cops? Yeah, that's pretty "populist."

[truthglow]

NO, it's called "totalitarianism!"

[Agent420]

Takes one to know one.

[Helloise]

Bloomberg is a walking advertisement for campaign financing laws. I'd say term limits, too, but he paid to overcome those. The strongest argument against Mike's third term is the fact that Rudy Guiliani tried the same thing when he was at the pinnacle of his popularity and got turned down. Had New Yorkers been given the chance to vote on the same with Bloomberg, he would not be out there telling us we can't possibly live without him, but planning a dignified exit. What's really sad is that he's now managed to bully other Democrats out of the race. Time to write in the name of your family pet.

[LMPE]

New Yorkers, how could you TWICE elect Giuliani and then TWICE elect Bloomberg?

[ChristianBernstein]

because he acts like them. fuhgeddabout it.

[HarlemFreeThought]

The Worker's Families Party released their endorsements for NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL, D.A., BOROUGH PRESIDENT RACES. Though they did not endorse Bloomberg, they did endorse the members of the NYC council who voted for the extension of term limits. http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/2009/05/wfp-announces-nyc-endorsements/
Further evidence Bloomberg gets re-elected.

[aLittle2theLeft]

What I witnessed as the main problem was how the reporter coward after Bloomberg confronted him on his question!

The reporter should have stood his ground, and challenged him right back and call his bluff because that's all it is!

[StopKingBloomberg]

Is a press conference a poker game? The reporter had the guts to ask the question. Bloomberg lacked the courage and civility to answer the question posed. The shame is on Bloomberg for thwarting our democracy. http://www.StopKingBloomberg.com

[Azmom]

I agree and lately, that's the problem with all reporters.

[truthglow]

Obama doesn't even stand his ground! None of them have SPINES!!!

[oftenon]

Mike's a 600 pound gorilla in a size 36 suit. He's done wonders on the job, but he's testy being confronted with clear abuse of power, crowbarring this 3rd term deal. His overreaction says money talks and everybody else shut the hell up.

[Alvin4NY]

His overreaction says money talks and everybody else shut the hell up.
__________­__________­_________

That's the theme song your playing, for New York City.

[Boots1]

Evidentially that reporter didn't know that in America, the land of "everyone is equal" and all that crap, that billionaires can do anything they damn well please and everyone had best shut up about it.

If Yew Yorkers had any balls, they would toss him out.

[kissmygrits]

King Mike doesn't think he should be questioned - nothing new. With a billionaire running for mayor, kind of feels like no point in having the election, really. Position sold.

[Afikpochic]

Michael Bloomberg is a greedy greedy power hungry gnat.

[rickcritt]

Whether he used to be democrat or is republican or independant....HE"S A JERK.

[truthglow]

That's for certain!!!!!

[Defunct]

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