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FOR THE
RECORD
He won re-election so convincingly that one of Mayor Bloomberg's top
political aides is trying to build him up as a contender for President, despite
Hizzoner's insistence that he's not seeking any office beyond the one he now
holds.
What's wrong with the guy? Does he think he's any less worthy than Rudy,
Hillary, and George? Or could it be that Mr. Bloomberg feels the need to first
prove that New Yorkers gave him a landslide victory out of appreciation and
love, not because he spent the budget of some small nations getting re-elected?
This is one of the themes of this year's Inner Circle Show, the annual
charity fundraiser staged by past and present political reporters, which will be
held at the New York Hilton March 11.
Challenged by his three immediate predecessors to prove he can capture New
Yorkers' affections without his bankroll, the show's Mayor Bloomberg, played by
WCBS-Radio's Rich Lamb, goes undercover traveling to such everyday-people
outposts as a schoolyard, a subway station, a bodega and a hospital to make his
case.
Among those he encounters are Randi Weingarten and Joel Klein, played by
Kerri Lyon of WCBS-TV and Tom Kelly of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
press office, revisiting the Schools Chancellor's infamous kiss last fall;
Transport Workers' Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint, still demanding
respect as played by Jim Harney of the Daily News; and Police Commissioner Ray
Kelly, seeking better salaries for new cops, as portrayed by longtime TV
reporter Bob O'Brien.
As Mr. Bloomberg's First Deputy Mayor, Patty Harris, and his companion, Diana
Taylor, Inner Circle President Carol Anne Riddell and her WNBC-TV colleague,
Melissa Russo, sing about which one of them is more responsible for his
landslide.
Act 2 of the satire shifts the scene to Washington, D.C., where President
Bush, played by WCBS-TV's John Slattery, is determined to slow the momentum of
Senator Clinton, as depicted by WCBS-Radio's Mary Alice Williams. This gives his
first choice for head of Homeland Security, Bernie Kerik, played by Bob Liff of
George Arzt Communications, a new chance to serve his country.
WNBC-TV's Gabe Pressman as Vice President Cheney once again proves quick on
the trigger, while Jeanine Pirro's knack for imploding is sent up by WINS Radio
reporter Juliet Papa. Former Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael
Brown's new career is presented by People Magazine's Larry Sutton, and President
Bush's latest spin doctor makes an appearance in the person of this newspaper's
Richard Steier.
If that isn't enough to pack the house, the reporters' show will be followed
by Mr. Bloomberg - who in previous shows sang and danced with the casts of "The
Producers," "Man of La Mancha" and "Chicago" - with another of Broadway's best
ensembles to offer a rebuttal.
Tickets for the tax-deductible dinner and show are $500 each. For further
information, call Mark Lieberman at (212) 326-6107.
* * *
The AFL-CIO New York City Central Labor Council has thrown its
support behind a fundraiser to assist Communications Workers of America Local
1180 President Arthur Cheliotes in paying off debts he incurred during a dispute
with the Campaign Finance Board.
As is detailed in a longer story on page 1, CFB auditors ruled
invalid a number of expenses Mr. Cheliotes charged to his unsuccessful 2001
campaign for a Queens City Council seat. Mr. Cheliotes is currently obligated to
pay more than $70,000 in fines and legal fees.
Noting that the Local 1180 president ran partly in response to the
urging of the AFL-CIO that more union officials seek public office, a letter
regarding the fundraiser signed by CLC officials including President Brian
McLaughlin states, "Labor needs to stand behind him now that the CFB made him a
target."
It urges member unions and their officials to give as much as they
can at the March 2 fundraiser, which will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at
Campanile Restaurant, 30 East 29th St. in Manhattan. Those who can't attend are
encouraged to send checks to "The CFB Defense Trust Fund" at P.O. Box 604547,
Bay Terrace, N.Y. 11360.
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