NEW YORK (AP) — Mayor Michael Bloomberg lashed out Tuesday at reports that he encouraged U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to run to succeed him, and he pointedly praised the city official who has long been seen as his pick for the job.

Asked about the media reports, which cited anonymous sources, Bloomberg didn’t directly deny a conversation with Clinton but retorted: “Did you hear me say that?” And in a bit of political optics, expected mayoral candidate and current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn stood by Bloomberg’s side while he described her as key to his administration’s success.