Mayor Bloomberg stepped outside the box — and his own City Hall bench — yesterday, tapping “superstar” former Indianapolis mayor Stephen Goldsmith as his new deputy, handing him a huge portfolio of critical city agencies.
“His credentials are impressive — he’s a superstar in every respect,” Bloomberg said of the 63-year-old new administration member, whose selection caught many city political insiders by surprise.
He said Goldsmith has “perhaps more experience than anyone in this administration, including me” on government issues.
Goldsmith acknowledged he has a lot of homework to do to in replacing former Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler.
“I know a lot about how to run a government. I don’t know nearly enough about New York City,” said Goldsmith, who served as Indianapolis mayor from 1992 through 1999.
“So the learning curve is to get infused with what’s going on.”
The move comes amid major changes within Bloomberg’s tight-knit circle of advisers, as Skyler and another long-serving Bloomberg top aide, Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey, have moved out of the administration.
The hire sends a clear signal that Bloomberg is planning to make a mark in his third term, instead of coasting through the four years he fought hard to obtain after extending the term-limits law.
It instantly sparked speculation that Goldsmith could potentially run for the top job himself in three years.
Goldsmith flatly ruled out running for office or serving in a hypothetical Bloomberg fourth term, telling reporters, “No and no.”
But Bloomberg chimed in to guffaws, “I said that, too.”
Goldsmith was an adviser to President George W. Bush during his 2000 campaign, and later helped him on faith-based initiatives at the White House. He also advised Rudy Giuliani in his 2008 presidential run.
“It seems to me an irresistible opportunity, not one I was looking for when I received the mayor’s phone call, to put into practice many of the things I believe in,” said Goldsmith.
Bloomberg said Goldsmith would have the same portfolio as Skyler, “fundamentally.”
“He’s got to learn about a lot of neighborhoods he’s never heard of — but in all fairness, so did I,” said Bloomberg.
“I think in the things that matter, he comes with more experience than anybody probably who’s ever joined this administration, and maybe even before. He’s been there, done it and he’s studied what everybody else does,” said Bloomberg.
Bloomberg spoke at a crowded press conference at City Hall’s Blue Room, with Skyler — who’s taking a high-level job at Citigroup — standing against a wall, listening.
“I’m not happy to see him go,” the mayor said of Skyler, 37.
“It is not that we didn’t have candidates in-house who could do this job. We have some amazing people who could have done it. But it’s a unique opportunity to get some other ideas.”