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American Morning
Bloomberg Begins Tough Job in New York
Aired January 01, 2002 - 07:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: New York has a new mayor this morning. Michael Bloomberg was sworn in just minutes after the city rang in the new year. There will be a formal swearing in ceremony later today at city hall. I think that makes three now. After that, Bloomberg will begin one of the toughest jobs in America.
Our Jason Carroll has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You're looking at a man who built a billion dollar media empire from scratch, who with no political experience beat the odds in a competitive mayoral race.
Michael Bloomberg is used to challenges and he's about to meet another one.
MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK: The most important thing for the mayor to focus on within the backdrop of safe streets, clean streets, balanced budget, is the educational system of the city.
CARROLL: There's a long list of problems the new mayor will have to address and it's as diverse...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Improve hospitals.
CARROLL: ... as the people who call the city home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think he should be rebuilding New York and concentrating on the deficit that he's about to encounter.
CARROLL: Bloomberg will face a deficit in the billions and the economic rebuilding of downtown on a scale no new mayor ever had to deal with. Better race relations, improved education, affordable housing and now there's also the issue of security.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw the city in a certain sense really shaken. And I think that that, if that came back, that fear, that'd be the toughest thing he has to handle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's very, very smart.
CARROLL: Support from an unlikely source, former Democratic candidate for mayor Alan Hevesi. He says Bloomberg has already made some smart moves, quietly reaching out to people.
ALAN HEVESI: Symbolic gestures like the trip to Puerto Rico, the trip to the Dominican Republic, the support for Israel, very important to constituents to know that he wants to reflect their world view and their values.
CARROLL: Perhaps Bloomberg should take a cue from Rudy Giuliani, who in his final days of office gave some advice to the man he endorsed.
FORMER MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI (R), NEW YORK: Just to be true to himself and be honest and be straight.
CARROLL: And to rise to the many challenges that face him.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL: And right now we are waiting for the inauguration of Mayor Bloomberg. That's going to be taking place right down here at city hall. As you can see, it is appropriately decorated with lots of red, white and blue. It is an invitation only event, Marty. But last night if you were in Times Square, perhaps you got a chance to see the ceremonial swearing in of Mayor Bloomberg. Outgoing Mayor Rudy Giuliani did the honors. It was an emotional moment just after midnight as the two men stood on stage in front of thousands. Apparently Rudy Giuliani telling Mr. Bloomberg please take care of these people.
This promises to be an exciting event, as the city celebrates a new year and a new mayor. Again, it is an invitation only event down here at city hall. We're told that Bette Midler will sing the national anthem and Mets pitcher Al Leiter will be the master of ceremonies -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Jason, Mayor Bloomberg has some incredibly large shoes to try to fill. What's expected out of his speech today?
CARROLL: We're hearing that he's going to touch on a number of targets. Mayor Bloomberg faces a number of challenges in this city, namely rebuilding of downtown, lower Manhattan. He'll talk a little bit about September 11. He'll talk about the belt tightening the city has to do. The city faces a $4 billion deficit. So he'll talk a little bit about that.
Also, some of the issues that are close to his heart, namely education reform. He'll talk about that. Crime in the city, reduction of crime, keeping on top of that, and possibly also a quality of life issues. All of those issues he plans on talking about during his speech -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: CNN's Jason Carroll reporting to us live from New York. Thank you.
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