Video: Mayor Bloomberg's Embarrassing "Come On, Lebron" Campaign Has Begun

Click to enlarge and see the ridiculousness in a bigger size.

New Yorkers should want for nothing, and when we do, we kvetch about it, and then go get it, because that's what New Yorkers do. We shouldn't look desperate, preening, pathetic, or in-need. It just doesn't seem to fit the spirit of this scrappy, hustling city quite right. Unfortunately, it's exactly the take Mayor Bloomberg's office has taken in their new campaign to bring NBA star LeBron James to the New York Knicks.

Spoiler Alert: Bloomberg actually goes so far as to quote the bible -- "Lead us to the promised land." -- and then point out that it's from the King James version (which is funny, I guess, because Bloomberg's Jewish, and Jews don't exactly dig on the King James version of the bible). Watch at your own peril:

You've gotta wonder how much money is being spent on this campaign, and then, what other causes the mayor's office could've spent their time campaigning for. Would LeBron bring money to the city? Sure. Would he be the catalyst for the economic growth spurt or massive budgetary woes this city's suffering from right now? Unless they taxed New Yorkers every time they said his name, no. Don't get it mixed up: Having LeBron in New York would be a great thing in a lot of ways. Will Leitch and Ira Boudway's extensive, smart, nuanced campaign for him a few weeks ago in New York was nothing short of brilliant, and could've been the last word on the subject.

But nope, our taxpayer dollars are now going to this thing. That can't really be the smartest governance out there, can it? Mind you, this is after LeBron already basically admitted to Larry King that Cleveland "has an edge" on the competition. The short version's this: Jay-Z hasn't brought the Nets to Brooklyn, yet, and why make the move to New York now when he can do it in a flashier fashion down the road? He won't, and that's assuming he ever will. LeBron James is the biggest thing to happen to Cleveland since Dennis Kucinich helped them default on their loans 30 years ago - he can do no wrong, there. He's not going anywhere, and if he does, it won't be because Mayor Bloomberg made a whiny tape and a website begging him to. If anything, that'll probably end up being a strike against this city, because since when was desperation attractive? Since never, is the answer, especially not here of all places. Nice going, Mike.

[fkamer@villagevoice.com]