Michael Bloomberg Endorses Obama Because of Climate Change
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Obama on Thursday, writing that the massive storm that flooded his city Monday night "brought the stakes of Tuesday’s presidential election into sharp relief." Bloomberg had sounded quite skeptical of Obama only weeks ago. He told The Atlantics editor James Bennet, "Obama campaigned on passing a bill to ban assault weapons," but did nothing. And Obama alienated Wall Street: "I think a lot of them were frustrated that he didn’t give the change that they had expected. I think a lot of them thought he’d be more of a centralist and less of a populist once he got elected." He said he was disappointed Obama "has been unable to pull Congress together."
RELATED: A Few Reasons Why Bloomberg Might Actually Endorse Romney
Bu climate change is more important, it seems. Elected leaders have to take action, Bloomberg says, and not just at the local level. Bloomberg writes:
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...
We need leadership from the White House -- and over the past four years, President Barack Obama has taken major steps to reduce our carbon consumption, including setting higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks.
While Romney took steps to combat climate change while governor, "since then, he has reversed course, abandoning the very cap-and-trade program he once supported." Bloomberg concludes that maybe Obama can pull Congress together after all:
Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan both found success while their parties were out of power in Congress -- and President Obama can, too. If he listens to people on both sides of the aisle, and builds the trust of moderates, he can fulfill the hope he inspired four years ago and lead our country toward a better future for my children and yours. And that’s why I will be voting for him.
