Koch on Koch

As they might say in show biz, Ed Koch is top banana in the Big Apple. Now an enterprising publisher has put together a collection of his yaks and zingers titled 'How'm I Doing?' The Wit & Wisdom of Ed Koch (Lion Books; $4.50). A sampling:

On His Own Achievements: "You know how I always ask everybody how am I doing? Well, today I asked myself, and the answer was, 'Terrific.' " On Priorities: "For me promotion of the city's economy is a No. 1 priority. Of course, we have ten No. 1 priorities."

On Labor Unions: "The labor unions make contributions to everybody.

They don't care if you're Attila the Hun as long as you do what they want."

On His Advisers: "My cast of characters is whoever is there in the morning."

On Fibbing: "It is not my habit to employ duplicity or artifice. But I want to make it clear that I am not Billy Budd. Billy Budd was a schmuck."

Answer to the Question, "Is New York a Sinking Ship?": "I think of it as a light canoe making its way down river."

On How He Runs His Administration:

"Like a very large and quarrelsome Jewish family."

On Confrontation: "It's the head-on discussion that sets me apart from the others."

On Refusing to Pose with a Live Tiger: "No, the mayor is not a coward and the mayor is also not a schmuck."

On a Snowstorm: "I believe that God is testing me. But what are we going to do when they send locusts?"

On Dolly Parton: "Dolly Parton is no plastic lady."

On Medicaid Costs: "If that were lifted from our back ... we, the City of New York, could lend money to Chrysler."

On a Suggestion from a Staffer:

"Ach, ridiculous. Thank God I'm the mayor, not you."

On Criticism: "I won't be intimidated. They call me the Mayatullah!"

On Getting a Ticket for Double Parking--White a Limousine Behind His Car Went Unticketed: "I am not peeved. I am not annoyed. I simply cry out for justice."

On His Disposition: "I am the sort of person who will never get ulcers.

Why? Because I say exactly what I think. But I am the sort of person who might give other people ulcers."

On Survival: "Never forget, rarely forgive..."

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