Politics

Media Tests Mayor's Patience

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

June 23, 1999 / 11:04 AM EDT / CBS

Peppered with questions about a canceled magazine party at the Brooklyn Navy Yard that might have included potential U.S. Senate rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani stonewalled, chided and, finally, walked out on the City Hall press corps.

The flap ensued when Deputy Mayor Randy Levine admitted Tuesday the glitzy August launch party for the new Talk magazine was canceled in part because Mrs. Clinton was being considered for the first cover and there was speculation she might be invited to the party.

Giuliani and Mrs. Clinton have been warily circling each other since it became apparent they were likely opponents for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Wednesday, Giuliani was seen has having sabotaged Mrs. Clinton's role as the belle of the ball.

When first asked about the cancellation at the one time he was available to meet with the media Wednesday, Giuliani said, "Talk to the Navy Yard."

"I think the Navy Yard would have treated me the same way," the mayor said, adding, "I don't think this is an issue of discrimination against somebody from Arkansas."

Pushed further on who made the decision - officials of the city-owned Navy Yard or his political operatives - the mayor said he was sure it was a joint decision and that he personally didn't care one way or the other.

The mayor's pique began showing after the eighth straight question and was in full bloom by the ninth when he said: "I imagine there must be something else going on in the life of this city that you'd like to ask about. Or have we gotten to the point of ultimate frivolity?"

When the questions continued, an exasperated Giuliani said, "No, no, no. We have exhausted the subject. If there are no more questions about another subject, then I can go back to work."

A television reporter obliged, asking him about a Jewish organization's plans to give Mrs. Clinton an award. "Are they going to have that ceremony at the Navy Yard?" the mayor jokingly asked.

Told it was happening in Washington, the mayor said, "Oh, OK, well as long as it's not at the Navy Yard, I'll have no comment on it."

The meeting with the media was suddenly over.

"Thank you," the mayor muttered and left.