I got inside the CNN Grill last night (no easy task!), where I ran into Obama delegate and uber-operative Corey Johnson of Manhattan, who said that over at the Sheraton, where the New York delegation is staying, there's barely any talk about presidential politics.

“Term limits. Term Limits. Term Limits. That’s all anybody is talking about,” he said. Later he added, “All politics is local, I guess.”

DENVER—Christine Quinn this morning refused to definitely rule out a City Council vote on legislation to abolish or extend term limits for city lawmakers.

The term-limits issue, fueled by rumors that Michael Bloomberg will seek another four years as mayor, has been a hot topic of conversation among New Yorkers at the convention.

“You answer questions about what will or will not go to the floor for a vote when you have legislation—and a request," Quinn told me this morning after breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel, referring to the fact that despite speculation, no legislator has said they are working on a bill.  read more »

In the late winter, Dan Biederman had a meeting with the city’s Department of Transportation in which the agency’s commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, gave him a heads-up on a project in the works. The agency wanted to close down traffic lanes on Broadway, she told the longtime president of the 34th Street Partnership, with the aim of opening up large swaths of the central corridor to pedestrians and bikes.

“It was one meeting at which we were going to discuss several things, and one was to be a surprise,” Mr. Biederman said. “She said, ‘Nobody knows this; please don’t share this with the press.  read more »

DENVER—Speaking to reporters just before a breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel, Representative Charlie Rangel commented on the reported effort of some city politicians to change the laws that govern term limits before the 2009 election.

Referring to the next mayoral election, in which Bloomberg would likely run if term limits were extended, Rangel said, "If I didn't have a candidate in the race, which I do, which is our comptroller [Bill Thomson], I would really say term limits suck."

Then he added,"But this is a hell of a time to do it." (To put the issue before voters a referendum would have to go on the ballot this November).  read more »

Last week Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed that New York City engage in a serious effort to develop alternative energy sources, and in return for his trouble he faced skepticism and even ridicule from a cynical media. Cartoons were drawn with King Kong trying to swat a windmill off the top of the Empire State Building. Still, even the tabloids could not dismiss the idea entirely. Bloomberg commands respect, and $4 a gallon gasoline has everyone looking for alternatives.

New York City has been built by people who dreamed large and were able to project into the future. Imagine the city without Central, Van Cortland or Prospect Parks.  read more »

DENVER—City Comptroller Bill Thompson said he's open to extending the city's term limits law so lawmakers could serve three four-year terms, instead of only two.

"I think term limits are a good idea, no matter whether it is two or three terms," Thompson told me in the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel, where he just checked in.

Then, referring to members of the City Council, who are reportedly pressuring Speaker Christine Quinn to support an extension, Thompson said, "No matter what they do, it should go back before the voters. I firmly believe that."

Michael Bloomberg has recently softened his opposition to repealing term limits, and is reportedly considering trying to run for a third term as mayor.  read more »

Here's the audio clip of David Paterson saying he likes the idea of Michael Bloomberg sticking around City Hall for a third term, although he's limited to two terms by law.

"If he wants to run for a third term I think it's a great idea," Paterson told reporters at a midtown press conference today. (A New York Sun editorial today predicted Paterson was encouraging Bloomberg).

At about the six-minute mark, Paterson said, “Mayor Bloomberg, if he wants to run for a third term--I think it’s a great idea. There was a time he wanted to run for president, and that wouldn’t have been a bad idea either, because I can’t think of another geographical location that has responded to the economic situation, which people could feel coming two or three years ago, better than New York City.  read more »

A reader drew my attention to this story about the memorial service funeral for two firefighters killed in the Deutsche Bank fire. From Downtown Express: 

One more thing that Bloomberg could have done was to pay attention to the speeches Monday morning in Graffagnino and Beddia’s honor. A female friend of Graffagnino’s family nudged this reporter during the speeches and gestured toward Bloomberg, who sat facing the rows of family members.

“He’s sleeping!” the woman whispered indignantly.

And, indeed, Bloomberg did appear to have briefly dozed off. His chin was angled toward his chest, listing to the side. His eyes were closed. The friend, who did not want to give her name, said Bloomberg had been nodding off throughout the ceremony.  read more »

The last caller into Michael Bloomberg’s weekly radio appearance with John Gambling this morning asked, more or less, if the city still needs five borough presidents.

It's a question that's been kicked around for a while, partly because the office is seen to have little actual political power, despite high visibility. The idea of getting rid of the position gained some traction after Angela Montefinise, in a story last month, reported details about the perks: large fleets of vehicles and numerous employees, not all of whom seem necessary (one position is “secretary to the assistant to the president”).

But this morning, Bloomberg defended the borough presidents, calling them effective "cheerleaders.  read more »

Yesterday, with a report in the New York Post, the idea that Michael Bloomberg will try to seek a third term as mayor returned with force.

Much like the rumors that he would run for president, or was being considered as a running mate for either of the two presidential candidates, the whisper hasn't died despite pro forma denials by aides and vocal support for term limits by Bloomberg.

Is any of it real?

A spokesman for City Councilman Domenic Recchia, who strongly supports changing term limits and has been rumored to have encouraged the mayor to run again, said that there has been no indication of legislative action and denied that Recchia was encouraging the mayor.  read more »