From New York Daily News:

Mike hit on talk with W
BY MICHAEL SAUL and GREG WILSON
DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU
Wednesday, June 21st, 2006

Mayor Bloomberg took heat yesterday for not using a brief encounter with the President to demand more homeland security funding for New York - but he's set to make our case to Congress today.

Some critics said Bloomberg should have been more forceful in Monday's face-to-face with President Bush, in light of the administration's cutting back NewYork's share by 40%.

"The best interpretation is that he missed an opportunity," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens), who ran for mayor in the last election and is expected to try again in 2009. "The worst interpretation is that he wimped out."

Bloomberg said he did express disappointment in the funding formula. But he made the point without enough attitude for some.

While Weiner blasted away, others who hope to sit in Bloomberg's office - as well as former Mayor Ed Koch - were gentler on Hizzoner.

City Controller William Thompson, a potential 2009 mayoral candidate, acknowledged that the fleeting airport powwow "might not have been the best time" to press the Prez.

"But I hope Mayor Bloomberg finds a way to make his point directly and compellingly to President Bush that New York City was grossly and indefensibly shortchanged," he added.

Koch said Bloomberg got it right: "He's being critical without being rude."

Bloomberg said yesterday his words to the President could yet find the mark.

"As they say here in New York, 'It can't hoit,'" Bloomberg said, talking in a Bowery Boys-like New Yawk accent. "The President is not likely to pick up the phone and say, '[Homeland Security czar] Michael Chertoff, do this.'

"But I certainly expressed to the President appreciation for what they've done, and our disappointment in how it was done - the fact that we didn't get as much as the facts justified."

Today, Bloomberg will testify before the Homeland Security Committee chaired by Chertoff critic Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.) - and say that all anti-terror funds should be doled out based on risk.

"We've just got to keep working with them and convincing them that they made a terrible decision," Bloomberg said. "But you do that by explaining why, rather than yelling at them."

With Anna Ziajka