Mayor Deflects Birth Control Question Directed At Black
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg was quick to speak for Schools Chancellor Cathie Black on Tuesday when she was asked about her controversial comments in connection with school overcrowding.
Bloomberg and Black were joined by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn at a news conference at the Department of Education to announce additional tutoring funding for struggling students, but the topic eventually shifted to Black.
Last Thursday, speaking at a task force meeting on school overcrowding, Black joked "couldn't we just have some birth control for a while? It could really help us out a lot."
When asked by a reporter Tuesday if she was sorry for making the now-infamous comments, Mayor Bloomberg did not let Black -- who appeared ready to answer the question -- reply, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
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1010 WINS Reporter Glenn Schuck says Mayor jumped back to podium after question to Black over birth control comment.
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WCBS 880 Reporter Rich Lamb says Mayor defends Black after questions on birth control statement.
"Let me say it for her. Yes," Bloomberg said. "She made a joke. Should she [have] made the joke? In retrospect, probably not."
"Have I made many mistakes? When you go from the business world to the public world, it's a very different world. People tend to take things out of context and maybe, I think, a little bit too seriously."
Black had spoken freely about other topics earlier in the press conference, but moments after the mayor's remarks, the chancellor left the room without comment.
