a divider—not a uniter. . . by choice

New York is currently being swept up by a mini-wave of nostalgia for the days of Mayor Edward I. Koch. When you look at what we get to compare him with since, maybe it’s understandable. . . but not if you were paying attention.

People who were here during the fiscal crisis associate Koch with the remarkable comeback, but many overlook the damage that his divide-and-conquer style of leadership did here in New York. Most also seem not to understand the blame he at least shares for the overly permissive attitude this city has towards real estate developers. (There is currently a show on Koch up at the Museum of the City of New York; it is interesting to note that Forest City Ratner is a major underwriter.)

By dividing and conquering, Koch, though nominally a Democrat, practiced classic conservative politics. And, by keeping his door, his mind, and his wallet open to the developers and big business groups, he was able to practice those politics for three terms.

Oddly, perhaps, the Dubai Ports scandal is making me think more and more about Koch these days. . . can you guess why?