US News

WEINER WEAK IN BILL’S DEFENSE

Now that he’s officially out of the mayoral race, Rep. Anthony Weiner couldn’t bring himself to explain yesterday why Bill Thompson would be better at the job than Mayor Bloomberg.

“There’s plenty of time for punditry,” Weiner said when asked to compare Thompson and Bloomberg. “I think Bill Thompson is going to have a chance to make his case.”

Weiner conceded that he’s still got his eye on City Hall down the road. If Bloomberg wins a third term, Weiner’s next shot would be in 2013.

But if Thompson, the city comptroller, defies the odds and gets in, Weiner would probably have to sit out the next mayoral race.

Thompson aides said that with Weiner gone, they’ll be able to conserve resources to focus entirely on Bloomberg, who could spend $100 million in his campaign.

Weiner made it clear he’ll be supporting “the Democratic nominee” in the fall and said he’s offered to “do anything” that Thompson asks of him.

“I am going to be primarily focused in the months to come in making our country and our city a success by helping move policies in Washington that we need,” Weiner said.