Bloomberg's Congress 'can't read' barb could cause long-term damage

After Mayor Michael Bloomberg seemingly bashed the new conservative crop of Congress members as ignorant and unread, some political analysts are saying the barbs could boomerang on him if he decides to seek higher office.

Hizzoner, 68, a former Republican and current independent, went on the attack Friday in an interview with the Wall Street Journal during a Hong Kong visit.

“You look at who we’re electing to Congress, to the Senate. They can’t read,” Bloomberg said. “I’ll bet you a bunch of these people don’t have passports. We’re about to start a trade war with China if we’re not careful here, only because nobody knows where China is.”

Republican political expert Kevin Patrick on Sunday said Bloomberg’s “arrogant” comments prove “money can’t buy sense,” and suggested they’d come back to bite him if he runs for president. “You can’t insult the people that you hope would vote for you.”

Bloomberg also said the U.S. shouldn’t begrudge China its recent economic success, and that the Americans can only blame themselves for not measuring up.

Democratic consultant Evan Stavisky called the statement “hyperbole,” but agreed with the mayor’s sentiment.

“In the Tea Party, there’s too much of a degree of xenophobia, pride and ignorance,” Stavisky said. “It’s not healthy for the country.”

The mayor’s office Sunday said Bloomberg was just trying to point out the futility of negativity.

“Mayor Bloomberg has said for years that bashing China may make for good politics, but it isn’t going to improve American schools or put Americans to work,” said mayoral spokeswoman Evelyn Erskine in a statement.