A Stitch in Haste

This morning's evidence suggests otherwise.

EXHIBIT A: I thought Bloomberg was a workaholic who liked other workaholics --

City Councilman Andrew Lanza (R-S.I.), who racked up the worst attendance record at the City Council in 2005, has nabbed the support of Mayor Bloomberg in his bid to become a state senator.

Bloomberg described Lanza as a "smart guy, a strong fighter and a hard worker."
...
Last year, Lanza missed 47 percent of the meetings he was supposed to attend at City Hall.

Remember, this is the same "strictly business," "no nonsense," "workaholic" mayor who fired a non-political, low-level employee for having a solitaire game (which he wasn't even playing) open on his computer. But if you're another hack politician, seeking to become an even hackier politician, then Bloomberg couldn't care less whether you actually do your job. Because, again, he's "not another politician."

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EXHIBIT B: Those paybacks are, um, rich --

A campaign adviser to Mayor Bloomberg has landed a top post at the Department of Education.

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said Brian Ellner — the openly gay candidate for Manhattan borough president last year — will be "senior counselor" for community affairs. He'll earn $165,000 a year.

"Senior counselor for community affairs"? Care to defend the necessity of that job?

So Ellner's gay and an activist — big deal. This is still brazen, unapologetic political patronage. Ellner has no experience as either a teacher or an educrat. But why should that matter for a $165,000 boondoggle job with the Department of Education?

And of course, for Bloomberg, it doesn't matter. Because, again, he's "not another politician."