Today the Today the New York Times reports on the "backlash" against New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's endless presidential run trial balloons. Count me among the originally pissed off when it comes to Bloomberg's posturing; he's nothing but a technocratic, neoliberal Democrat in indepedent sheep's clothing. Not that there aren't things I like about Bloomie -- his wonkish commitment to the New York City schools, his experimental approach to eradicating poverty, and his support for the arts should all be lauded. He's also a classy guy in a New York sort of way. Instead of having a "girlfriend" (an embarassing word for a middle aged man to throw around), or a finacée, or hastily tying the knot (à la New York's previous mayor), Bloomberg has a "companion," which strikes me as elegant and egalitarian. Her name is Diana Taylor, and she does appear by his side at public events, and when I was home for Thanksgiving, I noticed during a network TV parade day interview. Taylor worked for New York's former Republican governor, George Pataki, as the state's chief banking superintendent. She also has a long Wall Street career behind her, and is currently enrolled in Columbia as a master's student in public health. Taylor's presidential appointment to the F.D.I.C. went off course in 2006 amidst rumors of conservative displeasure with Bloomberg. All fodder for the gossip pages. But could a man with a "companion" ever be elected president of the United States? --Dana Goldstein
