First of all, let me state that I am NOT accusing Michael Bloomberg of being a racist, or even of condoning racism (well, maybe that second one). But is a person is known by the company he keeps, then maybe the mayor needs to consider a change of scenery.

According to several sources, Giuliani made a number of comments to an "ultra-orthodox Jewish" gathering that were clearly thinly veiled racism -- warning that Thompson would give us severely rising crime rates and make NYC "another Detroit." The NY Times reports:

Mr. Giuliani did not mention Mr. Bloomberg’s Democratic challenger, William C. Thompson Jr., by name. But during the first of two campaign events alongside Mr. Bloomberg, he said that not long ago many parts of the city were gripped by “the fear of going out at night and walking the streets.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Mr. Giuliani said at a breakfast sponsored by the Jewish Community Council in Borough Park, Brooklyn. “This city could very easily be taken back in a very different direction — it could very easily be taken back to the way it was with the wrong political leadership.”

Since Bloomberg was apparently there, and was not reported as having separated himself from Giuliani's remarks, it could be considered to be condoning racism on his part. On the other hand, Bloomberg has never been known for making instant decisions, and since Giuliani's remarks weren't explicit, I'm willing to give the mayor a day or two to distance himself.

But only that long.

Oh yeah -- crime started to go down under Mayor Dinkins; Giuliani merely took credit for his predecessor's work.