Mayor Michael Bloomberg doled out some advice to fellow billionaire Donald Trump and other Republicans with 2012 aspirations: Drop the “birther” babble.
Hizzoner, making his first appearance on “Fox News Sunday," chided Trump and others making an issue about whether President Barack Obama was born in the U.S. Despite the president’s campaign producing documents and newspaper articles showing Obama was born in Hawaii, Trump remains unconvinced.
“The Republicans are making a terrible mistake in making this a big issue,” Bloomberg warned, adding that the economy and immigration are more pressing problems. “If the Republican Party doesn’t start addressing that, they will lose — and they deserve to.”
But Bloomberg, who again reiterated that he was not gunning for the White House, sidestepped the question of whether Trump can mount a credible campaign if he runs for the GOP nomination.
“I’m a friend of Donald Trump’s. He’s a New York icon,” responded the mayor, a Democrat turned Republican turned independent.
Trump says he will announce by June whether he’ll run. He could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The real estate tycoon wasn’t the only person Bloomberg criticized on Fox News, also saying that Obama must learn to schmooze Republicans better.
“The president has got to start inviting people over for dinner. He’s got to play golf with them,” Bloomberg said.
428 luxury apartments. Over $7M in tax breaks. 0 affordable units ... Take a tour of Long Island transportation ... Working Moms: Making mom friends ... Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
428 luxury apartments. Over $7M in tax breaks. 0 affordable units ... Take a tour of Long Island transportation ... Working Moms: Making mom friends ... Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
