Mayor Bloomberg Talks Economy

 New York Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg (I) said now is not the time to raise anyone's taxes, even the wealthy's. "I just think this economy nationwide is at a point where it really could go either way," Bloomberg said. He added that he does think "a majority of the money is going to come from the wealthy, that's where the money is. On the other hand, today is not the way to do it."

Bloomberg suggested that the president needs to work to build relationships in an effort to get something done legislatively to address the economy. "That's what an executive's job is." The mayor also weighed in on the "birther issue," a subject that has been a hot topic wherever fellow New Yorker and possible presidential candidate Donald Trump goes.

"The president was born here. ... I think the Republicans are making a terrible mistake in making this a big issue," Bloomberg said. He added, "We have immigration, we have the deficit, we have the economy. Those are the things that the public cares about." The mayor, who was in Washington this week discussing immigration reform with the White House, repeated his belief that immigrants are an important key to the nation's economic health. Bloomberg said there is no way we are going to deport 12 million people, it is time to get realistic in our public policy. Finally, the mayor answered the 2012 question. "I have the greatest job in the world. I'm going to stay mayor. ... I'm not running for president."