New York City ? Silencing the rumors, Mayor Michael Bloomberg made clear for the first time publicly Thursday that he wants another four years.

For weeks, he danced around the question of whether he wanted another mayoral bid. He has now confirmed that his staff and City Council are crafting a bill extending the term limits law.

“Make no mistake about it, I still think term limits is a good thing,” Bloomberg said. “Two terms or three terms, I think, is a very different debate.”

Since his political start, Bloomberg has been against extending term limits, vetoing a bill with that exact aim in 2002. He said then that the City Council’s proposal would lead to personal gain.

Citing his executive experience, Bloomberg said he doesn’t want “to walk away from a city I feel I can help lead” through the looming economic crisis.

The mayor’s proposal, which would extend term limits from eight to 12 years, will be introduced Tuesday.