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Jan 1, 2006 11:52 pm US/Eastern
Bloomberg To Make Guns A Top Priority In 2nd Term
Experts: NYC In Best Shape In Years
by Andrew Kirtzman
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a walk to the podium Sunday, where he joined his 97-year-old mother and two daughters.
Though the skies were gloomy, the air was filled with triumph -- both for Bloomberg and a city that four years ago was teetering from the Sept. 11th attacks.
Celebrities framed the day, from Barbara Walters to John Lithgow to Liza Minelli, who sang a rousing rendition of "New York, New York."
Bloomberg reminded the crowd that smoke was still rising from the World Trade Center site when he first took office.
Click here to see a story on Bloomberg's 2002 inauguration Today he said New York is stronger than ever.
"We've been united through blizzards and a blackout, and most recently we've overcome a transit strike that could well have shut down out city," Bloomberg said.
He announced he'd begin a national crusade against illegal guns.
"We will take our message to Albany, Washington and any state that permits guns to flow freely across its borders."
Bloomberg's emphasis on gun control came as something of a surprise, as he didn't mention it much in his re-election campaign. But with no singular problem confronting the city right now, he's been searching for a second-term theme.
Whatever he chooses, most political observers feel he's starting out strong.
"The city is probably in its best shape in 25 years and the mayor's in a very strong position," said John Mollenkopf, a professor of political science at the CUNY Graduate Center.
Bloomberg shared the stage Sunday with Public Advocate Betsy Gottbaum, who was sworn in by former Mayor David Dinkins, and City Comptroller William Thompson, sworn in by his father, a retired judge.
"New Yorkers are very proud of you, as you know I am," said Thompson, a former Appellate Court Judge.
But the day belonged to the billionaire entrepreneur turned politician, who'll now lead the city through the end of the decade.
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