Spin Cycle

During an appearance at the United Nations this morning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a rather undiplomatic statement that, essentially, suggested a U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel is a liar. Or delusional. Or maybe just misunderstood by the New York Times.

OK, here's how it went down. You decide who's zooming who.

On Saturday, the NY Times ran a story saying that Hagel (right) had told them that the mayor had discussed running for president with him and even asked him to consider being his vice-president if he were to run.

But when Bloomberg was asked about this today at a news conference after addressing the UN General Assembly, he said: "I certainly know Chuck Hagel. I have met him a number of times. I never talked to him once about being a candidate...we just never had that conversation."

A call to the Nebraska Republican's press secretary for comment was not immediately returned today.

The mayor was also asked about all those volunteers who are reportedly at the ready to gather signatures to get him on the ballot in Texas next month.

"If they're doing it, it's certainly without my authorization and knowledge," Bloomberg said.

Yeah, OK, but what about the authorization and knowledge of Deputy Mayor for Presidential Politics Kevin Sheekey?

-- Karla Schuster in City Hall