One of the reasons that Michael Bloomberg’s recent public efforts to change the term-limits law has been fairly successful is that it’s been in the works for a long time. But despite rampant speculation in recent months, it appears that opposition emerged with force only this week because earlier this year, nobody really thought this would happen.

The New York Times reports today that the mayor’s “emissaries” were reaching out to term-limits activist Ron Lauder two years ago, and there was no real objection to it at the time. Even David Seifman’s story in April, which reported that   the mayor was polling on this issue, didn’t mobilize any organized opposition.

United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten tried to rally union members months ago, but they dismissed her. According to a front-page story in this week’s Chief-Leader [subscription]:

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