The Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg has today endorsed President Obama, citing the now urgent need to take action on climate change. New York is reeling in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which caused record flooding and hammered the city’s power grid and subway system.
Mayor Bloomberg stated his case in an opinion piece for his own Bloomberg News. He wrote,
“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.”, and ,”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,”
He also pointed out that while Romney had “reversed course” on any climate change action, he praised Obama for taking “major steps to reduce carbon consumption”. Although a former Republican who now calls himself independent, Bloomberg didn’t endorse any candidate for president in the last presidential election.
Bloomberg also cited the issues of Obama’s health care reform, position on abortion rights, and support for same-sex marriage as factors in his decision to support Obama’s reelection.
This week, Obama had offered to visit New York City to help assess the damage from Sandy, but Bloomberg turned down the offer. Instead, Obama visited the devastated areas of New Jersey, accompanied by New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who has also praised Obama for his swift action and assistance in the aftermath of the massive storm.
Do you think Michael Bloomberg’s endorsement has the potential to impact the outcome of the imminent election?
Image CC licensed by Center for American Progress: Michael Bloomberg
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