His aides also noted that the city already provides extra retirement money to police officers and firefighters.

The Governor's aides note that workers outside government, many of whom lost their jobs in the long recession, have had to absorb much greater blows.

The governor's aides noted that he was not invited to the recent union rally.

"His patience with the Hill is a lot thinner than it was," one aide noted recently.

His aides note that they left corporate taxes alone, in part not to discourage businesses.

His aides also note that he has complied with existing ethics rules.

Both countries "failed the Bush loyalty test," the senior aide noted.

But, as the aide noted, in the real world of politics "somebody's got to respond."

The aides noted that the last time he spoke to the nation from the office was on Sept. 11, 2001.

The aide noted a sign seen in the hands of a Council member.