As Michael Bloomberg picked up the endorsement of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association today, he fended off questions about whether Rudy Giuliani was stoking racial fears with by warning a Jewish audience in Borough Park that crime could rise to pre-1993 levels if the if the mayor wasn’t re-elected.
When asked about Giuliani’s comments this afternoon, Bloomberg said, “We’ve successfully resisted attempts to divide this city for the past eight years. I’ve worked well with virtually everyone. I don’t point fingers, I try to lower the volume and the temperature, and not raise it. I’m not going to start trying to raise it now.”
Later, when asked about Giuliani’s comments a second time, Bloomberg said, “Look, I’ve always tried to bring people together, and not to divide them. I can only speak for myself. Our campaign really is built around the belief that we can bring all New Yorkers together for a common vision.”