US

‘Nanny Bloomberg’ wears dress in full-page New York Times ad

Steven Nelson Associate Editor
Font Size:

Critics of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will relish opening a copy of Saturday’s New York Times.

The paper will feature a full-page color ad of Hizzoner wearing a dress, under the banner “The Nanny.”

The ad, paid for by the Center for Consumer Freedom, targets Bloomberg for his health-related proposal to ban the sale of sugared soft drinks in servings larger than 16 ounces.

“Today” show host Matt Lauer told Bloomberg Friday that his proposal “sounds ridiculous” — especially since City Hall deemed it appropriate to celebrate Friday as “National Doughnut Day.”

“It doesn’t sound ridiculous,” Bloomberg responded. He claimed he merely wants to promote moderation — something he also advocates, but has taken no action to enforce, for doughnut consumption.

At least one company isn’t pleased with Bloomberg’s anti-soda proposal. Fast-food giant McDonald’s tweeted Friday, “@MikeBloomberg We trust our customers to make the choices that are best for them.”

“What’s next?” the Times ad asks. “Limits on the width of a pizza slice, size of a hamburger or amount of cream cheese on your bagel?” The Center for Consumer Freedom is food industry-funded, but has long advocated for personal responsibility and less government control over food and beverages.

Bloomberg has long been an object of scorn from libertarian-minded constituents who, among other things, despise his ongoing quest to stomp out cigarette smoking.

Follow Steven on Twitter