A little support from Rudy Giuliani goes a long way.
Just ask Michael Bloomberg, who got an endorsement from Giuliani that helped him pull off an upset in the 2001 mayor's race.
Flash forward eight years and Bloomberg's attempt to win a third term. Once again, Giuliani has stepped up, strongly advocating another four years for Mayor Mike. But critics say Giuliani's Sunday remarks went over the line-- a divisive, racially tinged line.
"This city could very easily be taken back in a very different direction," said Giuliani. But what was he *trying* to say? Critics charge the former Mayor was using "code" to a crowd of Orthodox Jews, telling them not to take their safety for granted.
State Senator Eric Adams said Giuliani was hinting at the return of race riots like Crown Heights. "It is a blatant attempt to terrorize New Yorkers and stir up divisive emotions," said Adams.
For his part, Mayor Bloomberg spoke calmly on Monday about the controversy.
"We've successfully resisted attempts to divide this city over the past eight years," said the Mayor.
"I work to lower the volume, not raise it."
Yet opponents also say Bloomberg stoked the political fire, when he said New York could end up like Detroit if the economy gets worse.
Democratic candidate Bill Thompson said, "The Mayor and Rudy Giuliani have resorted to the politics of division, to the politics of fear."
Whether underdog Thompson gets any mileage out of this argument remains to be seen. The candidates square off in another debate next week. And the election is just two weeks away.
