WT: Bloomberg ready to run

A few sources tell the conservative Washington Times newspaper that New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is game-planning a scenario in which he would use his wealth to finance a 2008 presidential run as an independent:

"He has set aside $1 billion to go for it," confided a long-timebusiness adviser to the Republican mayor. "The thinking about where itwill come from and do we have it is over, and the answer is yes, we cando it."

Another personal friend and fellow Republican said in recent days thatMr. Bloomberg, who is a social liberal and fiscal conservative, has"lowered the bar" and upped the ante for a final decision on making arun.

The mayor has told close associates he will make a third-partyrun if he thinks he can influence the national debate and has said hewill spend up to $1 billion. Earlier, he told friends he would make arun only if he thought he could win a plurality in a three-way race andwould spend $500 million -- or less than 10 percent of his personalfortune.

A $1 billion campaign budget would wipe out many of the commonobstacles faced by third-party candidates seeking the White House.

The Democrats' worst fears have been realized.  After having all the momentum in the world, thanks to President Bush obviously, this news could take the wind out of the balloon.  Michael Bloomberg is a social liberal and a fiscal conservative -- the kind of candidate that few registered Republicans in the south would vote for anyway.  If anything, a Bloomberg candidacy would take away Democratic votes, as confirmed by every single political strategist I have spoken with personally about this topic since last November.

Bloomberg is a great guy.  He has excellent leadership skills.  He is ethical.  He might make a great president (yes, and I really do mean "great").  But unless there is an entirely new demographic that heads to the polls for the first time, I see a scenario in which the Republican candidate would win in a landslide.

Comments

[George]

The Mayor is a smart man. A true leader. A true visionary. He's self made. He's everything Bush is not. It would be awesome to see an Independent win. I wonder about his name recognition outside NY though.

[jhwygirl]

Senator Chas. Hagel (R-NE) was on Face the Nation this week hinting not only about his entry into the race, but that it would be as an Independent - and that he would chose Bloomberg as his running mate.

1 billion smackeroos is really hard to comprehend. Seriously? 1 billion? or is that part snark?

[Robt]

Why does someone with that much wealth want a job as Pres or V Pres and willing to put up a billion $ of his own money for a job that pays very little in comparison?

This oligarcy egotistical eternal legacy to live in on past ones time in infamy has gone way too far for us little peon mortals.

If Bloomberg wants a challenge, He should give up all his wealth and ties to it. Try living on minimum wage with no health care. That would be a great accomplishment for him and us to see.