the third terminator

Do Not Expect a Hug From Mayor Bloomberg

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 21: Mayor Michael Bloomberg attends Paul McCartney's & Nancy Shevell's party at The Bowery Hotel on October 21, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Photo: Rob Kim/2011 Getty Images

When President Obama toured Staten Island yesterday, he brought with him oodles of empathy and two big, strong arms for embracing those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The Hugger-in-Chief was joined on the excursion by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who, as reported in the New York Times today, “hung back.” The whole touchy-feely thing seems to weird Bloomberg out, even in a time of crisis: “After nearly 12 years of overseeing the nation’s largest municipality, he remains deeply uncomfortable with the role of consoling and soothing his city,” says the Times. “He is rarely seen at public meeting with storm victims, and when he does interact with them, there are no tears or hugs.”

If not now, then when? Has this man ever willingly wrapped his arms around another human being?

The people in this city didn’t elect Mike Bloomberg three times to give him a hug,” explained Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson. “His focus is helping people restore their lives. That’s what he believes government is there to do.” In fact, over the last ten years, there’s scant public evidence of Bloomberg engaging in the generally well-regarded practice of holding someone close.

Here he is, sort of touching a woman’s shoulder last year:

Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Bibi Netanyahu gave it a go, but got resistance:

Photo: Jim Hollander-Pool/Getty Images

And here’s a lady draping her arms around him almost a decade ago:

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

He gave Barbara Walters a real one, although he looked tortured over it, in 2003:

Photo: New York Daily News Archive/Daily News Archive via Getty Images

And went for it with this old woman in 2005, using an envelope for protection:

Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

But wait … what’s this?

Photo: Steve Mack/FilmMagic

On New York’s Eve 2012, with girlfriend Diana Taylor, he did not hold back. It feels good, doesn’t it?

Do Not Expect a Hug From Mayor Bloomberg