Michael Bloomberg asks Hillary Clinton to be next New York City mayor

The New York Times reports that New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has urged Hillary Clinton to consider running for mayor in 2013. The paper goes on to say that Mayor Bloomberg feels Secretary of State Clinton would be his ideal replacement.

Mr Bloomberg has been New York City mayor for 12 years and must stand next year. Mrs Clinton has not issued any statement on the suggestions that she might stand for NYC mayor in the 2013 election but Democrats close to her feel it unlikely. The NYT reports “As much as anything, they said, Mr Bloomberg’s encouragement seemed to reflect his lofty view of the office — and himself,”

Bloomberg, it appears, made a call to Mrs Clinton asking her to consider running for mayor some months ago. It would mean that she would have to give up her role as an international diplomat, something that she's indicated she will do in the new year, and take up a municipal post.

Many believe that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Clinton will stand for nomination as the Democratic candidate for president in 2016. Becoming mayor of New York might actually be a useful stepping stone to that office but on the other hand it could be a poison chalice.

It appears that Mrs Clinton gave Mayor Bloomberg short shrift in their telephone conversation. The NYT reports that she told him that she had no intention of standing for mayor.

The news that Mayor Bloomberg has been reaching out to Mrs Clinton might feel like a bit of a letdown to Christine C Quinn, the City Council speaker, who it had been assumed would get Bloomberg's full backing to suceed him. If Clinton's 'no' really means 'no' then it seems a cert that he will put his political clout behind Quinn.

The New York Times reports: "told about the call on Monday, Ms. Quinn said, “Really?” as an elevator began to close, then added, “I don’t know anything about that.” The doors then snapped shut."