Mayor Bloomberg is so intent on a second four-year term that’s he’s prepared to spend $100 million to ward off possible challengers, The Post has learned.
“I heard out of his own lips: ‘I like this job and I’ll spend $100 million to keep it,’ ” said one source who chatted with the mayor recently.
Bloomberg, a billionaire, dug into his own pockets for more than $73 million in 2001, when he defeated Mark Green in a stunning upset. Bloomberg ended up outspending his Democratic rival by nearly 4 to 1.
Ed Skyler, Bloomberg’s press secretary, shrugged off questions about what might transpire in 2005, a virtual lifetime away in the world of politics.
“I never heard him say that,” said Skyler of the $100 million figure. “But if it’s true, it shows he’ll do anything he can to help the economy.”
Speculation about challenges to Bloomberg are being fueled by recent polls that show the mayor’s popularity plummeted following enactment of an 18.5 percent property tax increase this month.
Bloomberg can count on renewed support from former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who backed him in 2001, sources said.
“I think it’s safe to say there’s no reason to foresee him not endorsing him,” said one source tied to Giuliani. “He’ll endorse him.”
Giuliani’s backing would instantly deflect criticism from some Republicans who charge Bloomberg has tilted too far to the left.
“When Giuliani endorses him, all that goes away,” said the Giuliani source.
Bloomberg said yesterday his nose-diving poll numbers are hardly surprising.
“If you go out and say, ‘Are you happy the mayor’s raising taxes,’ no. I would vote no on that,” he told listeners to his weekly WABC radio show.
“I don’t like to raise taxes . . . But the fact of the matter is we either maintain the services we have or we let the city fall apart.”
The mayor added that he has faith voters will vindicate his vision of where to take the city at a time of financial crisis.
Analysts say that even with his great wealth, Bloomberg can’t take anything for granted.
“Everybody’s vulnerable,” said veteran political consultant Joseph Mercurio. “But you’ve got to have an opponent . . . Bloomberg and [New Jersey Sen. Jon] Corzine won and it wasn’t just the money. Golisano proved that pretty convincingly.”
Tom Golisano, an upstate billionaire businessman, shelled out $76 million in his improbable run for governor last year and came in a badly beaten third.
JUST DOUGH IT
OTHER CANDIDATES:::Top potential mayoral candidates in 2005/odds/edge
Fernando Ferrer/2-1/Came very close last time and Hispanic population continues surging.
Mark Green/5-2/Lost by a whisker in ’01. Said to have his eye on state Attorney General’s post.
Gifford Miller/7-2/Smart, ambitious and term-limited. What else can a City Council Speaker do in ’05?
Virginia Fields/7-1/As a black woman, Manhattan Beep starts out with big plus. Also term-limited. Can she raise the big bucks?
Anthony Weiner/9-1/Brooklyn congressman is smart-money long shot if no other outer-borough white Democrat enters fray.
PIECHART:::How Bloomberg spent his campaign dollars in 2001
TV ads – $29.8 million
Direct mail – $13.3 million
Polls and automated calls – $12.2 million
Radio ads- $2.3 million
Other – $15.4 million