New York Times Endorses Bloomberg

Staggering.

Our highly capable Mayor just went from heavily favored to unbeatable (emphasis and excerpting mine):

Mr. Bloomberg, who is running for re-election on the Republican line against Fernando Ferrer, the Democratic candidate, has accomplished a great deal in four years. His greatest achievement has been to teach New Yorkers that good government is not a zero sum game; that even in a city where every neighborhood, block and building jealously guards some ancient prerogative, change can make things better for everybody.

Mr. Bloomberg has not been nearly as exciting, or entertaining, as Edward I. Koch or Rudolph W. Giuliani. But he has been better at running the city. If he continues his record of accomplishment over the next four years, he may be remembered as one of the greatest mayors in New York history.

High praise indeed.

The Times endorsed Bloomberg's opponent Mark Green in 2001.  Newsday, which also favored Green in 2001, followed suit this Sunday, by endorsing the Mayor's re-election "with enthusiasm".

The reason is as stark as it is simple: In nearly every area you want to pick, Bloomberg has made life better for New Yorkers. Not only did he fight to win control of city schools, not only did he take aim at social promotions, but he has actually seen test scores go up.

Meanwhile, the police department has actually seen crime fall far below all expectations. These things didn't just happen. They were the result of tough policies. If Newsday opposes as elitist the mayor's plan for the No. 7, it's a tiny price for a record of major progress.

Even in collective bargaining - where former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was known to capitulate from time to time - Bloomberg has hung tough in an election season and extracted a deal from the teachers that pays them more as it also advances the city's interests.

In the end, Bloomberg has turned in a surprisingly successful performance as mayor. He has stripped Ferrer and the Democrats of their strongest issues.