Biparti-zaniness

It wasn't so long ago that the Republican mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani, endorsed Mario Cuomo over his Republican challenger for the state's governor. Why? Because any idiot knows that the state's democrats are more attuned to the needs of the city than are Republicans who have never made their hostility to the city a secret.

So much for that. And so much for the new kind of politics Bloomberg was so eager to usher in only a few weeks ago.

Several weeks ago, the mayor wrote a $500,000 check to help keep the dwindling and increasingly imperiled State Senate Republicans from losing their grip on power, according to an official with direct knowledge of the donation.

The Democrats are seeking to gain control of the Senate for the first time in 40 years, and the race is growing personal and bitter.

Moreover, Mr. Bloomberg has made clear to the Republicans that he is willing to personally campaign for G.O.P. senators.

The mayor’s efforts to buttress the party stand in sharp contrast to his message as he traveled the country flirting with a presidential bid during the past year. Mr. Bloomberg has promoted his independence, denouncing party politics and dramatically announcing his resignation from the Republican Party.

“The politics of partisanship and the resulting inaction and excuses have paralyzed decision-making, primarily at the federal level, and the big issues of the day are not being addressed, leaving our future in jeopardy,” the mayor said at a much-noted speech in June that set off presidential speculation. “We can accept this, or we can say, ‘Enough is enough!’ and together build a bright future for our country.”

Enough isn't so 'nough, I guess.