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If you can't beat them, join them?
New York Mag details conversations between some Democratic operatives and that most choice of treasures, a possible billionaire candidate for the 2009 mayor's race.
Have two terms of Bloomberg taught city Democrats that what they really need to do is run a businessman for mayor? Sources say that the technocrats’ fantasy candidate right now is Jonathan Tisch, the co-chairman of Loews Corporation and a big Democratic donor (his dad is Preston Robert Tisch, the billionaire New York Giants co-owner who died last year). Longtime Democratic operative and top Andrew Cuomo adviser Tonio Burgos admits that he made the suggestion to Tisch “a few weeks ago.†“Whether Jon Tisch self-finances or raises a lot of money, which he can, the Bloomberg model showed that unknowns with no political experience but extensive resources can not only win but govern effectively,†Burgos says.
Really now? And we have public matching funds because why? No disrespect intended to Tisch, of whom I've never heard before, but is the depth of a person's wallet really the crucial criterion for office these days?
No, wait, don't answer that.
Hmm
The main reason it worked for Bloomberg is because there were no big name Republicans running and he didn't have to worry too much about the primary.
That's exactly why billions and billions won't necessarily buy you the Democratic nod. At least a dozen Dems are and have been sizing up a run for years, and it would be harder to muscle your way in on that action.
As for Jonathan Tisch, half of NYU is named after his father. His family was responsible for about $1 billion in donations over the years. Of the rich dems in the city that I can think of, few have demonstrated their willingness to spend their money in exchange for recognition like the Tisch's, so it's not altogether inconceivable that he would go for it.
NYC
Well, I was convinced by the 2005 elections that money buys the elections in NYC.
But then came the 2006 CD-11 race where money did NOT buy the election.
So I guess we'll see.
Tisch ain't Bloomie
One advantage Bloomberg had in 2001--leaving aside the "advantage" of 3,000 deaths and his sanctification by the risen Giuliani--was that Bloomie had spent years massaging the press. Beside Bloomberg News Service giving him club membership, he was a big contributor to favored communications charities, including underwriting the annual writers circle follies. Tisch the lesser isn't that connected, though he is that rich. I think Burgos is just floating a trial balloon. Even if the Democrats disembowel each other as in 2001, Tisch won't get the free ride Bloomie got.