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Why Thompson is toast (NYC Mayor)
Crains New York:Bill Thompson may think that it makes sense to wait for all the ballots to be counted to see if he can contest a runoff for the Democratic mayoral nomination, but the truth is, the race is over. Mr. Thompson will be forced to concede, soon. Here's why:
His week in limbo will be crippling. The city Board of Elections won't finish counting until at least next Monday to see if Bill de Blasio remains above the magic 40%-of-the-vote threshold that makes him the primary winner. During that time, Mr. Thompson can't raise any money or win over the unions or politicians who backed Christine Quinn or John Liu.
His union supporters—especially the teachers union—won't want him to run and won't go all-out for him. Mr. Thompson finished 14 points behind Mr. de Blasio, and the odds of victory are so slim that the union leaders who endorsed the former comptroller will have to ask themselves why they would back such a long shot at the risk of alienating the next mayor. Remember, the first order of business for a Mayor de Blasio would be to negotiate new contracts with the city's unions.
Where would Mr. Thompson get the votes to come in first? Mr. DeBlasio won as many black votes as Mr. Thompson, who finished with a dismal 42% of the African-American vote, down from 70% in his 2009 race against Michael Bloomberg. John Liu's voters are likely to be de Blasio votes, which gets the public advocate to almost 50%. Mr. Thompson won't win all those who voted for Ms. Quinn or Anthony Weiner or the minor candidates.
His week in limbo will be crippling. The city Board of Elections won't finish counting until at least next Monday to see if Bill de Blasio remains above the magic 40%-of-the-vote threshold that makes him the primary winner. During that time, Mr. Thompson can't raise any money or win over the unions or politicians who backed Christine Quinn or John Liu.
His union supporters—especially the teachers union—won't want him to run and won't go all-out for him. Mr. Thompson finished 14 points behind Mr. de Blasio, and the odds of victory are so slim that the union leaders who endorsed the former comptroller will have to ask themselves why they would back such a long shot at the risk of alienating the next mayor. Remember, the first order of business for a Mayor de Blasio would be to negotiate new contracts with the city's unions.
Where would Mr. Thompson get the votes to come in first? Mr. DeBlasio won as many black votes as Mr. Thompson, who finished with a dismal 42% of the African-American vote, down from 70% in his 2009 race against Michael Bloomberg. John Liu's voters are likely to be de Blasio votes, which gets the public advocate to almost 50%. Mr. Thompson won't win all those who voted for Ms. Quinn or Anthony Weiner or the minor candidates.