By Colin Campbell 4/08 10:52am

Reactions

(Photo: Getty)

Obama Says Thatcher Was ‘One of the Great Champions of Freedom’

President Barack Obama joined other the United States officials lamenting the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher this morning. In particular, Mr. Obama touted both Ms. Thatcher’s humble upbringing and her status as one of the world’s “great champions of freedom and liberty.”

“With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/08 10:25am

The Iron Lady

(Photo: Wikimedia)

Joe Lhota Touts Margaret Thatcher’s Opposition to ‘Government Collectivism’

Politicos on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean are mourning former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who suffered a stroke and passed away earlier today. Indeed, at least two mayoral candidates have commented on the conservative icon’s passing so far, including GOP mayoral hopeful Joe Lhota.

“Margaret Thatcher was a 20th century visionary who understood the power of individual freedom versus the tyranny of government collectivism,” Mr. Lhota, who has described himself as a libertarian in the past, said in a statement. Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/05 6:07pm

Caracas Caucus

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Bronx Congressman Mourns Hugo Chávez’s Passing

Earlier today, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez died after an extended bout with cancer. Needless to say, Mr. Chávez, a prominent opponent of United States foreign policy whose critics accused him of dictator-style thuggery at home, will not be fondly remembered in many corners of American politics.

But in the Bronx, at least, Mr. Chávez has a booster in the form of veteran Congressman José Serrano, who responded to the news by praising the Venezuelan leader’s anti-poverty efforts. Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/01 3:35pm

White House Well-Wishes

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President Obama Reflects on the Passing of Ed Koch

In 1981, when Ed Koch was mayor, President Barack Obama moved to New York City to study at Columbia University. Today, Mr. Obama joined New Yorkers in mourning Mr. Koch’s death.

“Ed Koch was an extraordinary Mayor, irrepressible character, and quintessential New Yorker,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “He took office at a time when New York was in fiscal crisis, and helped his city achieve economic renewal, expand affordable housing, and extend opportunity to more of its people.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/01 12:13pm

Remembrances

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Andrew Cuomo Recalls His Final Words With Ed Koch

Former Mayor Ed Koch and Governor Andrew Cuomo have a long and colorful history, stretching all the way back to Mr. Koch’s initial mayoral election against Mario Cuomo, the current governor’s father, in a hotly-contested, occasionally bitter 1977 race that Mr. Koch ultimately won. Although Mr. Koch continued to tweak the younger Cuomo for years after–calling him a “schmuck” in his latest documentary, for example–the two became political allies on a number of issues during Mr. Cuomo’s political career and governorship. Earlier today, Mr. Cuomo described his final words with the late Mr. Koch and the inspiration he received from them.

“I talked to the mayor two days ago. He’s in the hospital. …. I said to him, ‘Mister Mayor, how are you feeling?’ [He replied,] ‘Stronger every day. Stronger every day.’” Mr. Cuomo recalled in a radio interview with New York Post columnist Fred Dicker. “To me, that’s the essence of Ed Koch. Stronger every day. Tomorrow’s going to be better. Optimism. Look forward. Don’t look back. You think the situation is bleak? Nah, we’re going to conquer. We’re going to win. We’re going to be better. Stronger every day. Now, he had to know where he was, right? ‘Stronger every day.’ How beautiful is that?” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/01 7:48am

how he did

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Mayor Bloomberg and Aspiring Mayors Fondly Remember Ed Koch’s Legacy

At 2 a.m. this morning, former Mayor Ed Koch passed away due to congestive heart failure. He was 88, outspoken, and if you listen to some of New York City’s leading political figures, “an irrepressible icon,” “larger than life” and “part of the fabric of New York.”

“I’m expressing my condolences on behalf of all 8.4 million New Yorkers, and I know so many of them will be keeping Mayor Koch and his family and friends in their thoughts prayers,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in a statement. “As we mourn Mayor Koch’s passing, the flags at all City buildings will be flying at half-staff in his memory.”

Mr. Bloomberg further reflected on the meaning of Mr. Koch’s passing and the footprint on the city the former mayor leaves behind. Read More