Interviewee: Michael Bloomberg
Interviewer: Sheryl Sandberg
Date: June 18, 2007

Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the present Mayor of New York City. He is considered to be the eighth richest American, with a net worth of $16 billion as reported by Forbes 400 on September 17, 2008, making him the most affluent occupant of New York City, just ahead David H. Koch. In addition to his political authority, Michael Bloomberg is also the founder and proprietor of the financial software services company called Bloomberg L.P.

After being a long-time Democrat, Michael Bloomberg changed his registration in 2001 and ran as a Republican, winning the election that year and obtaining a second term in 2005. He was regularly mentioned as a likely independent candidate for the 2008 presidential election and fueled that conjecture when he left the Republican Party in June 2007 to become an independent candidate. Aside from this, there were also speculations of him running for vice president. However, these speculations were proven wrong for he never ran for the presidency, nor was he chosen as a running mate by any of the candidates.

As New York’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg cut the city’s crime rate down to 20%. His administration also generated jobs by sustaining small businesses and unleashed a construction boom of inexpensive housing. In other areas, he expanded parks and worked to rejuvenate the waterfront. Mayor Bloomberg also implemented determined public health strategies, including the successful and strict prohibition on smoking in bars and restaurants; stretched out support for community arts group, and improved government efficiency. He also commenced a Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan to bring the City through the downturn as quickly as possible. The Agenda is spotlighted on producing jobs for New Yorkers, thereby executing a revelation for lifting the city’s economy.

The Republican and Independence Parties chose Michael Bloomberg as their nominee for the 2009 NYC mayoral race.