Nov 3, 2009 6:55 pm US/Eastern
Upset Or Trifecta? Bloomberg Preps 2 Speeches
Will Bloomberg's Record Spending Win Him A Third Term, Or Can Thompson Close The Gap?
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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New York City's 2009 Mayoral Candidates, Michael Bloomberg (left) and William Thompson
CBS
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New York City's 2009 Mayoral Candidates, Michael Bloomberg (left) and William Thompson
CBS
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Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking a controversial third term as he faces off against challenger Bill Thompson. Bloomberg said he's taking nothing for granted as New York voters decide whether eight years is enough.
Bloomberg arrived at PS 6 on Tuesday morning with all the trappings of his office – security and celebrity.
"When I come out they're going to ask me who I voted for," the Mayor told a poll worker.
"Tell them you don't know," she responded.
He didn't have to. When Bloomberg emerged from the booth there were no obvious questions, just a barrage of flashbulbs, then an apology.
"We'll get out of everybody's hair. Sorry for the inconvenience," he said.
As if anyone minded having the man who would be mayor, again (again) brush past them at the polling booth. Polls show Bloomberg ahead of challenger Bill Thompson by a comfortable margin, but that margin has shrunk a bit recently. Despite his relaxed demeanor as he bought an Italian pastry and coffee from parents at the school, the mayor is taking nothing for granted. His campaign mounted a big "get out the vote" effort.
Further uptown, challenger Bill Thompson, with a smaller crush of media, voted at PS 144 in Harlem. Outside, the city comptroller was cast in a flattering light by the morning sun, and ran into an enthusiastic State Sen. Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan).
"This is a Democratic day," said Perkins. "The weather – this is a turnout day, no clouds."
Thompson said the race tightened at just the right time for his campaign.
"What you can see in the polls are the trends. Our own polling shows that the gap is a lot closer. The one thing we're seeing in trends is that the cap is closing and continues to close," he said.
Bloomberg, not known for his humility, is nevertheless being careful to not seem overconfident. Aides say he has prepared and is practicing two speeches: one for if he wins, and one for if he loses.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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