Cathie Black’s shocking announcement yesterday that she will step down as schools chancellor will likely be a bigger blow to Mayor Michael Bloomberg himself, said political watchers.
After just three months on the job — and a mere 17 percent approval rating — Bloomberg reportedly hauled Black to City Hall to solicit her resignation.
“I take full responsibility for the fact that this did not work out,” he told reporters yesterday.
Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott will replace Black, a former Hearst Magazines head honcho who had zero education experience.
Bloomberg has tiptoed toward running for president, but his decision to hire Black will come back to haunt him, said political experts.
“If I’m a political opponent running against Mike Bloomberg, this is going to be front and center in any campaign … as a failing,” said Fordham political science professor Bruce Berg. “This becomes a blemish on his third term.”
Black detractors criticized her lack of education credentials and said Bloomie simply placed a friend in power.
“On the campaign trail, it would become at least some grist for the argument that he would be willing to place cronies,” said David Birdsell, dean of the Baruch College School of Public Affairs.
