N.Y.C. papers split on mayoral endorsements

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The three major New York City newspapers each picked a different candidate Sunday as they announced their endorsements for mayor, ahead of the September 11 primary.

The New York Times chose Democrat Mark Green, with a headline reading "A Primary Choice: Mark Green." The Daily News' headline trumpeted its choice of Republican Mike Bloomberg; "For GOP Primary Vote Bloomberg." The New York Post picked Democrat Peter Vallone, with its headline "Vallone: Experience Matters."

Each paper's op-ed column expressed different reasons for their endorsements, ranging from stances on issues to legislative experience.

The New York Times praised Green for having "political courage," giving him high marks for leadership, toughness and intelligence. Green would be effective with dealing with the teachers' union, as well as being able to weather an economic downturn, the paper said.

The Daily News called Bloomberg "the kind of Republican for New York," and praised him on the issues of law enforcement, the budget, the economy and education.

As to the media mogul's personal finances, the paper felt that Bloomberg's billions of dollars in assets have not kept him out of touch with the electorate, but rather have made him a personification of the "American Dream." Bloomberg runs Bloomberg L.P., a global communications company that provides news and financial services to thousands of businesses worldwide.

The New York Post's endorsement of Vallone, a veteran of the city's legislative body, said the Democrat was a "municipal steward."

New York voters will choose between four Democrats and two Republicans in the September primary, to run for the city's top spot.

The four Democrats are Fernando Ferrer, Alan Hevesi, Green, and Vallone. The two Republicans are Herman Badillo and Bloomberg. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who was first elected to the post in 1993, is barred from running for a third four-year term. The mayoral election is set for November 6.