Though Mike Bloomberg last month said he's "more in sync" with President Obama, the politically independent New York City mayor did not endorse the commander-in-chief for reelection. But he did today, particularly because of the President's support of science showing climate change as well as Obama's support for marriage equality.
In an op-ed called " A Vote for a President to Lead on Climate Change" and published at Bloomberg View, a site managed by the company he created before entering politics, Bloomberg writes, "The devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York City and much of the Northeast — in lost lives, lost homes and lost business — brought the stakes of Tuesday’s presidential election into sharp relief."
Our climate is changing. And while the increase in extreme weather we have experienced in New York City and around the world may or may not be the result of it, the risk that it might be — given this week’s devastation — should compel all elected leaders to take immediate action.
Mr. Romney, says Bloomberg, does not have political convictions enough to take the lead during such crises and though he once supported climate change science, the GOP presidential candidate's move to the right turned off the billionaire businessman. "[Romney] has reversed course, abandoning the very cap-and-trade program he once supported," writes the mayor. "This issue is too important. We need determined leadership at the national level to move the nation and the world forward."
Marriage Equality's shout-out comes toward the end of the piece, as Bloomberg lays out the presidential candidates' divergent politics:
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.
Bloomberg signs off by saying he's voting for Obama because the president "can fulfill the hope he inspired four years ago and lead our country toward a better future for my children and yours".
President Obama has already released a statement thanking Bloomberg for his support. In addition to praising the mayor's business record and bipartisan approach to politics, Obama also reassured New Yorkers that he's still standing by our side: "[Bloomberg] has my continued commitment that this country will stand by New York in its time of need. And New Yorkers have my word that we will recover, we will rebuild, and we will come back stronger."
Read the entire letter AFTER THE JUMP.
I'm honored to have Mayor Bloomberg's endorsement. I deeply respect him for his leadership in business, philanthropy and government, and appreciate the extraordinary job he's doing right now, leading New York City through these difficult days.
While we may not agree on every issue, Mayor Bloomberg and I agree on the most important issues of our time – that the key to a strong economy is investing in the skills and education of our people, that immigration reform is essential to an open and dynamic democracy, and that climate change is a threat to our children's future, and we owe it to them to do something about it. Just as importantly, we agree that whether we are Democrats, Republicans, or independents, there is only one way to solve these challenges and move forward as a nation – together.
I look forward to thanking him in person – but for now, he has my continued commitment that this country will stand by New York in its time of need. And New Yorkers have my word that we will recover, we will rebuild, and we will come back stronger.
