Celebrity endorsements certainly do matter. Some of the callers tonight claimed they don't take such endorsements into consideration, but I think that may be because it was Bono we were referring to. If it had been someone they admired, they may have had something different to say. I'm not implying that celebrity endorsements are all that matter or that a voter should change his or her stance on an issue because of what a well-respected celebrity thinks, but I do think it matters. And for some, it matters a lot.

Mayor Bloomberg got a rock star's welcome and a rock star's endorsement at Giants Stadium last night. Hizzoner appeared on stage with U2 frontman Bono, who sang his praises, saying, "He is a fellow combatant in the fight against extreme poverty and disease. Using his enormous wallet to research new treatments for malaria and stuff, he makes me very proud, he also makes me laugh out loud. I love him very much."

When asked if a helicopter was the most energy efficient way to get to the Meadowlands, Bloomberg quipped, "I could have walked and swum across the river as well, that would have used less."

Do celebrity endorsements influence your vote one way or another? What about the backing of a newspaper, union or fellow politician? Do you care that our green mayor buzzed to a concert in a chopper?

Send us your thoughts using the link above.

ENDORSEMENTS FROM ROCK STARS MAKE ME SUSPICIOUS. VOTING SHOULD BE BASED ON EDUCATED, INFORMED CHOICE. JUST REMEMBER THAT MAYOR BLOOMBERG WOULD LOVE TO ABOLISH RENT STABLEIZATION. I AM A SINGLE FEMALE WHO LIVES IN A RENT STABLEIZEID BUILDING IN MANHATTAN

GG IN MANHATTAN

Endorsements are "seals of approval" that are only as good as the credibility of the endorser.

Newspapers, although somewhat biased, at least consider the views and competence of the candidate before making an endorsement.

Celebrities often lack substantive political acumen, but, because of their fame and association with various causes, can add visibility to an otherwise lackluster campaign.

Politicians usually support those likely to support them and their agenda. but an endorsement (or disendorrsement) from an incumbent official sends a message that they can and will work together.

Union endorsements suggest that the candidate is good for labor, or, at least that union and its membership, but it also signals an influx of union money and volunteer labor that can "get out the vote".

-Andy, in Brighton Beach-

Bloomberg is certainly one of the most successful poverty-fighting politicians of our time! He does it, of course, by making everything so damned unaffordable that the those who can't pay simply leave. There goes "poverty" moving from Manhattan to Brooklyn!

If you don't agree with him, he only has one thing to say to you: "To whom shall I make out the check?"

Max in Queens

Bono??? Who cares about Bono???? He's just another billionaire supporting another billionaire. Perhaps if he lived in this city and saw the way the common man and woman are constantly being screwed over by Bloomberg and others, he just might be singing another tune. Besides...last I heard, Bono would sink if he tried to walk on water.

Norm
Upper Eastside

It shouldn't matter weather or not a celebrity promotes a person. The only reason people are making a stink about it is because of the celebrity having a good outlet. People just really don't seem to understand that he's only getting paid 1 dollar. He didn't have to do that if he didn't want to. He's done a wonderful job. If some other person was in office and some celebrity would have promoted them the same situation would be going on. It's the world of politics. If giuliani would've been praised by bono people would be upset about that too

Jeremiah

NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE SAY OR SUPPORT MIKE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IT IS ALOT OF JEALOUSY GOING ON BLOOMBERG GETS THE LOVE HE DESERVES

freddy
Washington heights

He has been a good Mayor. However, those of us who have lived in Haiti, Africa and South America know other politicians who have not wanted to relinquish the power of their office. He has corrupted the city council in his wish to remain, and has disrespected the population by refusing to observe the referendum on term limits that was twice voted in by the population. Sorry Bloomberg. You are not unique. You rank with Mugabe and Papadoc.

Joy

Nobody ever says they are swayed by endorsements or advertising, they always claim they weigh the issues. If people truly voted based on issues, Bloomberg wouldn't have been reelected in 2005.

Larry
Manhattan

The mayor's personal philanthropy is quite commendable, but it has nothing to do with his stewardship of the city. I am no fan, and I don't care who endorses him, I have lived his failed policies on the ground. His privileging of sports stadiums over adequate public school seats speaks volumes.

Anni
UWS

Bono should sing and stay out of our politics. what does he know about the needs of average new yorkers?

Norman

It doesn't matter to me. Personally, I do my homework on specific candidate to see who I would vote for. Besides, I think the Mayor is a hypocrite for taking a helicopter to the show and not mass transit.

Mike from Harlem

when it comes to the environment, we are supposed to conserve. but it is ok for him to do whatever he wants. that's what the helicopter episode is all about.

Norman

Celebrity endorsements do not influence my vote but I am sure it does influence many people. However, the fact that our Green Mayor buzzed to the concert in a chopper is very cool. He did it in the style of a Rock Star and I am sure that any celebrity or Rock Star would have done the same if given that opportunity. I believe the "Jefferson Airplanes" flew into The Great Woodstock Festival by Helicopter in the 1960's.

Sarina, Brooklyn, NY.

Bloomberg must be LOVING all this media attention he is getting...what better endorsement from Mr. Cool himself...BONO. Although celebrity endorsements (and union endorsements for that matter) don't mean anything to me....many people take them seriously into contention.

In the race for mayor though...Bloomberg still has left me singing I still have'nt found what i am looking for...

Josie in Kips Bay

There are some people who will be influenced by celebrities and unions and so on. For me union endorsements are more meaningful because they normally represent the average joe.

As for our mayor using a helicopter, I would have not expect anything less, Mr. Bloomberg considers himself above everyone else.

Felix, Bay Ridge

ENDORSEMENTS DONT MEAN TO MUCH TO ME. I LOOK TO A PERSON'S CHARACTER. I LOOK AT WHETHER THEY OFFER EMPTY PROMISES OR REALITY. FOR EXAMPLE 4 YEARS AGO WE ON STATEN ISLAND WERE PROMISED ANOTHER POLICE PRECINCT YET 4 YEARS LATER WE CONTINUE TO HEAR ABOUT DELAYS.THE CHARACTER APPARENTLY IS NOT TRUSTWORTHY. ODDO FOR MAYOR!

VICTORIA
TOTTENVILLE

Sure…the power of suggestion is tremendous when it comes from someone so respected like Bono.

Bill
Queens, NY

IF BONO WANTED TO BLOW SMOKE UP BLOOMBERGS TAIL PIPE, HE SHOULD HAVE COME TO CITY HALL TO DO IT. CONVERSELY, BLOOMBERG CRASHED A CONCERT WHERE I AM SURE THE FANS THOUGHT IT TO BE AN ARROGANT MOVE. BONO SHOULD NOTE THAT HIS FELLOW COMBATANT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EXTREME POVERTY HAS ENOUGH POVERTY IN HIS OWN SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AKA THE FIVE BOROUGHS.

THERE ARE FAMILIES IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND HUNGRY PEOPLE EVERYDAY IN NEW YORK. COULD IT BE, MAYOR MIKE SIMPLY CAN'T MANAGE THE POVERTY WITHIN HIS MAYORAL DISTRICT? COULD IT BE THAT HIS PHILANTHROPIC WAYS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE WORLD ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY FOR HIM? I PERISH THE THOUGHT. I REALLY HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR...IN MAYOR BLOOMBERG.

JOE
BAY TERRACE

I guess we were all on a different planet last evening. I didn't hear not one person praise his lordship at all last night, all we saw and heard was complaints about the transit., some people waited hours to even get a train home.

So Prince Valiant comes in on the chopper and the hell with everyone else, your all on your own, mission accomplished., I have arrived.

maxxiee
mp

This is going way over the top. This cannot be about the fear of losing. This is more about the size of his ego. Will Bloomberg feel better when he wins to have crushed Thompson. Bloomberg is so not the man he used to be...or maybe he is. We were just blinded...

Rich
Midtown East

So what. I will still vote for Bloomberg despite this Bono nonsense. As for the helicopter, so what. I heard that Bill Thompson is jealous of the Bono endorsement and is trying to get the Pet Shop Boys and Wang Chung to endorse him.

Nick
Oakwood, S.I.

I guess if he believes he could walk across the Hudson river then he believes he is Jesus Christ!

Chip
Upper East Side

The only thing green about the mayor is his money. I wonder how much money he promised to one or more of Bono's causes. The mayor is only about the mayor. As was evidenced in the article this week in the Times about his eating habits He is a mean little man with a very big ego. I hope he gets booted off of his throne.

Allen
Washington Heights

Hey John, et al. at wonderful ny1,

Huh! Bono doesn't rent his home. Bloomberg a combatant in a battle against extreme poverty? What is this rocker smoking? Bloomberg appoints the greedmongers of the NYC Rent Guidelines Board. How many poor, extremely poor, a little poor, and medium-poor people have lost their rent-stabilized and controlled apartments in the last several years under his mayorship? Thousands...

Bloomberg a trustworthy advocate for the extremely poor? Pure fantasy!

Sincerely,
Liz from Sunnyside

Who cares what Bono or any other 80s rock star thinks of Bloomberg or anyone else. I'm voting for Bloomberg because I believe he has been an excellent mayor. These celebrity endorsements seem foolish and I'm surprised at Bloomberg for making a big deal about it.

Dan
New Dorp, SI

Well anyway I like U2 but theres no accounting for taste. Also Bono may not grasp the nuances of urban big city brass knuckle politics. This mayor is a fraud and simply buys anything he wants including people. If that impresses you, you shouldnt be a journalist.

John
Kissena Park

I think your show would be better if you had some follow-up behind your questions to callers . If you you are going to ask callers if it is good that BONO backs Bloomberg the staff should have done some research to find out if bloomberg has donated money to bono and his orgs. you keep airing that bloomberg cannot be bought WHO IS HE buying and why do you keep ignoring that fact and not asking the callers is it okay if bloomberg is being endorsed because of the money he gave. he wants us to give up or cars, is closing streets to drivers rides the subway with bodyguards and takes helicopters to concerts

Cheryl

This reply is not about Bono/Bloomberg --- It i about Monserrate/Espada: I would greatly appreciate doing a program on these 2 criminals. First off, Monserrate: He needs to go. It is shameful that he has such a great degree of power. He deserves to be locked up for life with nothing more than stale bread and moldy water. If he is not punished for his disgusting behavior that would be hard to cope with. Espada: We all know about his little tactics. He needs to be brought up in front of a judge who will knock him down a few pegs, make sure he resides in the boro he represents, and his Medical Throne should be imploded. Please do a program on these 2.

Thank you.
Rita, Bayside

I was at the concert and do not think that what Bono said should be taken as an endorsement. He thanked the mayor for coming to the concert and expressed his personal opinion about the job the mayor have been doing. He never really said that people should vote for Bloomberg on the next elections.

Julia, Upper West Side

Bono is my hero and will always be my hero. I think he is completely unaware of New York Politics. He has no idea this Mayor tried to make himself a King. And anybody that knows Bono and U2 knows they would not stand up for anybody that was trying to take peoples' rights away. If they were aware of the facts that this Mayor: ignored the will of the people of New York who voted for term limits: and then, denied them a chance to vote on his running for a third term; I dont think they would have endorsed the Mayor.

Ivan, Queens