FOR THE RECORD

Mayor Bloomberg Feb. 28 officially told us something he'd been saying for months: that he will not run for President.

He did so in an op-ed piece in the New York Times that also stated that he would endorse whichever candidate he believed took "an independent, nonpartisan approach - and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy ..."

The Mayor had put together an extensive political operation to get him on the ballot in all 50 states and give him a reasonable chance of winning, and was said to be prepared to spend up to $1 billion while running as an independent. It is believed that he abandoned the idea of entering the race because the virtually certain Republican nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, and the Democratic frontrunner, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, have both demonstrated strong appeal to independent voters who would have been crucial to Mr. Bloomberg's hopes.

In the op-ed piece, the Mayor made clear that he was disappointed that neither the Democratic nor the Republican candidates have focused much attention on the nation's cities.

"More than 65 percent of Americans now live in urban areas - our nation's economic engines," he wrote. "But you would never know that listening to the presidential candidates. At a time when our national economy is sputtering, to say the least, what are we doing to fuel job growth in our cities, and to revive cities that have never fully recovered from manufacturing losses of recent decades?"

Explaining his decision not to enter the race, he said, " ... I am hopeful that the current campaigns can rise to the challenge by offering truly independent leadership. The most productive role that I can serve is to push them forward, by using the means at my disposal to promote a real and honest debate."

He has changed his mind about remaining neutral and plans to make an endorsement, he said, because "the race is too important to sit on the sidelines."

Decrying the special interests and political considerations that repeatedly stymie changes nationally, Mr. Bloomberg concluded, "I believe the candidate who recognizes that the party is over - and begins enlisting all of us to clean up the mess - will be the winner this November, and will lead our country to a great and boundless future."

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America's Mayor isn't all that impressed with the judgment of America's People, judging by an interview Rudy Giuliani gave Crain's New York Business.

Mr. Giuliani told his interviewer that he welcomed his return this week to his law practice, Bracewell and Giuliani, and his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, because "I miss solving problems in a rational way."

In case anyone wondered whether that was a slap at the process by which voters choose Presidents, Mr. Giuliani continued, "My plans are that I have no plans to go into government. In litigation, you argue rational positions, you structure some kind of settlement. It's one of the last places where you actually can have a truly logical argument."

Of course, there are some people who would say that when a candidate's baggage included a former Police Commissioner and close friend who is under Federal indictment, and two children whose relationship with him is strained in part because he dumped their mother during a press conference without telling her first, the voters who rejected him were making a truly logical decision.

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Civil servants are being offered a significant discount on some tickets for "The Seafarer," the critically acclaimed play by Conor McPherson that Ben Brantley of the New York Times described as "a thinking person's alternative to 'It's a Wonderful Life."'

From now through March 16, civil servants can purchase mezzanine seats that are normally $98.50 for $29.50, plus a $1.50 theater restoration charge.

The discount, which is for rows G and H, is subject to availability for all performances. Those looking to take advantage can do so on-line at Broadwayoffers.com or by phone at (212) 947-8844. In either case, they should use code SFDTWN5 to receive the discount.