Bloomberg Calls Reporter a 'Disgrace'

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been known to get impatient with questions at press conference. This time he really let a reporter know his displeasure with a question he didn't like.

Bloomberg called the journalist a "disgrace." He later apologized to the reporter through his press secretary.

WATCH THE REPORT (VIDEO, LEFT)

A reporter asked the mayor if his rationale for changing term limits and running for another term -- to work to improve the city's economy -- was no longer valid since the economy is improving.

Bloomberg cut off the reporter -- Azi Paybarah of the New York Observer -- and told him: "When you have a serious question about the economy, I'd be happy to answer it."

The mayor began to leave the stage, turned back to Paybarah, and said: "You're a disgrace."

Fox 5 called the mayor's office for further comment. Bloomberg's press secretary said the mayor apologized.

"The mayor asked me to pass along his apologies to Azi for the comment after the press conference, which I did," said Stu Loeser, the mayor's spokesman.

Paybarah said he accepts the apology and declined to comment further.

Last year, Bloomberg pushed to change the term limits law from two to three consecutive terms. The City Council approved the change. He had said that he wanted to serve a third term to shepherd the city through the economic downturn.

Many officials and residents criticized the mayor and city council for doing an end-run around the voters, who twice approved the original term-limits law in voter referenda.

WATCH VIDEO OF BLOOMBERG RESPONDING TO THE REPORTER'S QUESTION: