NYT: For Bloomberg, in L.A. to Discuss Education, Talk of the Presidency

[DeepModem Mom]

For Bloomberg, in Los Angeles to Discuss Education, Admiration and Talk of the Presidency
By SEWELL CHAN
Published: September 21, 2006

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 — Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg traveled to a gritty and struggling high school on Wednesday to join the mayor here for an announcement on safety, and was confronted again about whether he plans to run for president.

But this time, the questions were directed at people around Mr. Bloomberg. And both Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, who has cited New York City’s educational reforms as a model for Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles police chief, William J. Bratton, all but encouraged Mr. Bloomberg to consider a run for the White House.

Mr. Bloomberg is on a two-day trip to California....The trip is ostensibly to discuss education and the environment — two core concerns for Mr. Bloomberg — but it may also have the effect of raising the mayor’s public profile....
***

Joining Mr. Bloomberg on the trip were his companion, Diana L. Taylor, the New York State banking superintendent; Patricia E. Harris, the first deputy mayor; and Kevin Sheekey, the deputy mayor for government affairs. Mr. Sheekey, the mayor’s top political adviser, has made no secret of his desire to have Mr. Bloomberg run for president.

What seemed striking, however, was the support Mr. Villaraigosa and Chief Bratton expressed for that notion....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/nyregion/21bloomberg.html