Sep 25, 2009 6:54 pm US/Eastern
Bloomberg Gets Heat For Taking Chopper To U2 Show
(CBS)
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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg admits that taking a helicopter to the U2 show might not have been the most environmentally friendly way to travel. (File)
CBS
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has found himself thrust into a "chopper-gate" controversy Friday after the avowed environmentalist avoided the traffic congestion at last night's U2 concert by taking to the air.
What's more, the mayor's pilot used the gas guzzler to go there twice – once for a test run.
CBS 2 caught Bloomberg's chopper buzzing the Meadowlands as he searched in vain for the right place to land the chopper so the mayor could go to the U2 concert. It was a test run, and the pilot botched it, so when he came back with the mayor, he had to land farther away.
But it left the oh-so-green mayor's face oh-so-red on Friday. CBS 2's Political Reporter Marcia Kramer reminded Bloomberg that it takes a lot more energy to fly a chopper than a car, wasting a lot of energy.
"I suppose you could say that, but there's other ways to get around," he said. "Some are more energy efficient, I could have walked or swam across the river as well, that would have used less."
It was a "gotcha" moment for an avowed environmentalist. He regularly takes the subway and appeared Thursday with former Vice President Al Gore to say painting rooftops white saves energy. On Friday, he talked about teaching building supers energy-saving practices.
"I believe government should lead by example," Bloomberg added.
The mayor was anxious to get to the U2 concert for a meeting with Bono, who later praised the mayor's philanthropy.
"He is a fellow combatant in the fight against extreme poverty and disease, using his enormous wallet to research new treatment for malaria and stuff," Bono told the crowd last night.
But the chopper jaunt left the mayor vulnerable to an attack from Democratic opponent Bill Thompson, who said through a spokeswoman that the mayor is out of touch.
"Helicopter rides to concerts, celebrity endorsements, a $200 million campaign – maybe Mike Bloomberg would be better suited to running for mayor of Hollywood," said Anne Fenton, a spokeswoman for Thompson.
The mayor is so green that five different environmental groups refused to comment about the story.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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