| ashu |
Posted
on 26-Nov-01 12:08 AM
The following extract is from NYT.
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November 26, 2001
Bloomberg a Man of Contradictions, but With a Single Focus
By DEAN E. MURPHY
Throughout most of his 59 years, there have been two distinct sides to Michael R. Bloomberg, the mayor- elect. Those who know him well say that New York City should expect to see plenty of both.
There has been a jocular, brash and egocentric Mr. Bloomberg. There has also been a thoughtful, earnest and selfless Mr. Bloomberg. Interviews with his friends, relatives and business associates suggest that each version is authentic and irrepressible and that one is never too far removed from the other.
Together they make for a man who can create a horrible scene shouting at you one moment and politely ask you to lunch the next; a man who revels in fame and celebrity but who is known to cross his eyes at the idle chitchat of high society; a man who espoused the virtues of school prayer during the campaign but who threw a holiday party last December with seven deadly sins as its theme and a gigantic bed covered in purple satin.
This is Mr. Bloomberg. At his Park Avenue offices. At a charity board meeting. At a black-tie event. He impatiently jingles the contents of his pocket. He breaks away from one conversation to pick up on another. What did you say? he asks. No, he would rather not sit down. Want a laugh? He loves an audience. Prepare to blush. Want a confidant? His eyes will not leave yours. There is no better listener or friend.
"He wants it all," said Beverly Sills, a friend who recruited Mr. Bloomberg as a board member of Lincoln Center, where she is chairwoman. "The man has heart, he really does. He is touched by all kinds of things that will always take you by surprise."
Matthew Winkler, who runs the news operation at the mayor-elect's company, Bloomberg L.P., says he has been pushed and pulled, coaxed and cajoled by Mr. Bloomberg over the last 11 years, sometimes pleasantly, sometimes not so pleasantly. He is one of thousands.
"He uses everything that he takes in and is able to leverage it," said Mr. Winkler. "He is opinionated, adventurous and fearless, but also a team player."
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/26/nyregion/26BLOO.html?pagewanted=print
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