CNG Boro Politics: Jackie Robinson’s widow endorses the non-black, non-Brooklynite mayoral candidate
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October 30, 2009: Vol. 1, No. 14
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October 30, 2009 / Election Coverage / New York City Mayor

Jackie Robinson’s widow endorses the non-black, non-Brooklynite mayoral candidate

By Gersh Kuntzman
The Brooklyn Paper
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The widow of Jackie Robinson — the great Brooklyn Dodger and civil rights pioneer — endorsed Mayor Bloomberg for re-election on Friday morning, chosing the white, non-Brooklynite over a black native of the borough where her husband made his historic stand.

Rachel Robinson joined Bloomberg for breakfast this morning at Tom’s Diner in Prospect Heights and praised the mayor for his leadership.

“I am endorsing him with a feeling of confidence and hope,” she said. “He has demonstrated that he has prepared to lead the nation — I mean New York.”

Interrupted by laughter over the gaffe, Robinson then continued: “I’m particularly interested in education, and I love the fact that … the children are beginning to benefit. And that’s just one area of his leadership in these critical times.

“I wholeheartedly, and with great pride, endorse him,” she added.

Later, The Brooklyn Paper asked her what her husband — who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947 and remained committed to civil rights for blacks for the rest of his life — would think about her choice of Bloomberg over Comptroller Bill Thompson, a Brooklyn native.

“Race and social status does always play a part, but Jack always believed that you have to get the best person for the job,” she said.

©2009 Community Newspaper Group

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