Bloomberg for President?

[DCBob]

BOSTON (Reuters) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, one of the richest men in America, says his views are too polarizing for him to become president of the United States. But analysts say however much he may protest, conditions may be gelling for Bloomberg, who came close to standing for the White House in 2008, to run in 2012 as an independent.

Voter distaste for both the Democratic and Republican parties and perceptions of government incompetence on big issues, from the Iraq war to the Gulf oil spill, could herald a new chance for the three-term mayor. "He's got the right climate and he's got the money. Resources are always an issue for third-party candidates, but Bloomberg has got that covered," said Tom Jensen, director of Public Policy Polling in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bloomberg, 68, is a fiscal conservative with liberal social views who is formally an independent. He combines proven political skills with business acumen and has drawn high ratings for his job running New York City.

more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=11191717

This would certainly make the race alot more interesting but I think it would ultimately benefit Prez O.

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. The usual BS from this perennial candidate's $$$ pr machine.

Thanks for helping them out.

My first unrec.

Ever.

[AtomicKitten]

2. Bloomberg's delusion of grandeur. He doesn't have enough $$$ to buy the top job.

[Bitwit1234]

3. The richer they are the more ego they have

[Milo_Bloom]

4. It would be good in a couple of ways!

I think it would ultimately hurt the republican party much more, as most the goper's I know hate the social platform of the republican party, so he would split that vote solidly.

It would also force Obama a bit to the left, as he would need to really appeal to the democratic base, as Bloomberg would appeal to the blue dogs.

[Oregone]

5. Is Bloomberg pro single-payer and anti-war?

[Ter]

6. He's no fiscal conservative

If he was he wouldn't support a soda tax.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

7. Even with all of his money

and the millions spent on the NYC Mayoral election, he almost lost. What makes him think he can run for president?

[markpkessinger]

10. The reason for the close mayoral election was...

It's important to keep in mind that the close margin (4.4%, which in any other race would be perfectly respectable) was the result of a single issue: the fact that the mayor talked City Council into passing a resolution that created a ONE-TIME exception to the two term limit (which limits voters had TWICE voted for in the 1990s). In the days before the election, the polls showed an approval rating of Bloomberg's performance as something over 70%. So for a significant chunk of voters, the issue was not that they disapproved of Bloomberg's handling of his job while mayor; it was that they strongly disapproved of the end run he made around the term limit.

Mind you, I wouldn't support him for President, and I don't think he would be a viable candidate nationally in any case. But it is important not to read too much into the last mayoral election, as that election was, well, complicated.

[saltpoint]

8. Some good points have been made in this thread by

posters, but let me play devil's advocate here just for well, the hell of it, and suggest that Bloomberg may be driven to some extent by his political ego to consider the top job, since after all that is characteristic of most politicians, but I propose he would be more motivated by boredom.

The money is there for a national project, including an independent bid for the presidency, but having a lot of money alone isn't the rationale, just the fuel. Bloomberg used to be an Eagle Scout in his youth. I think he sees himself as the leader, the daddy, the guy at the wheel of the station wagon. To his way of thinking, he's still that Eagle Scout, and the White House is the ultimate merit badge. He's what - 67 years old right now but he's a 3-term mayor of the nation's largest city, and that suggests a level of engagement and vigor, true or not, that would obviate his chronological age.

If you have no other projects on tap for the next several years and are sitting on a shitpile of money, why not give in to the fever?

I think Obama still wins in 2012 but it might be interesting to see Bloomberg place second as an indie ahead of the GOP ticket.

[DCBob]

9. How about Bloomie as Obama's VP?

If Joe doesnt want it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

11. How about a DEMOCRAT as Obama's VP?

[DCBob]

13. Sure, how about Feingold?

That would be a great ticket actually.

[saltpoint]

14. Well, I'm kind of hoping Biden wants to stay on.

I'm a die-hard Biden fan from many moons back.

Hi, DCBob.

The executive impulse in Bloomberg might be too honed at this point for him to accept a second fiddle chair in the orchestra. I have a feeling he sees himself as the conductor.

[Jennicut]

16. No, you need someone loyal as your VP.

Joe is very loyal to Obama. Bloomberg seems to have a big ego and would have his own agenda.

[DCBob]

17. You are right of course.. but I think Obama still wants to do that "Team of Rivals" thing.

If Joe is not interested, I wouldnt be surprised to see a conservative Dem or Independent or even one of those Progressive "enemies" end up on his ticket. :)

[old mark]

12. Bloomberg is an egotistical rich asshole. Although he would not be the first such man to be

US President, he would be a terrible choice if he won, and he is really hated on the right, maybe even more than Obama.

Hell, I'm way to the left of him and I don't like him, either.

As much as I am hot happy with the Obama admionistration, I would be even less happy with Bloomberg or the republican who would defeat him.

I'm voting for Obama.

mark

[depakid]

15. The Obama administration has surely created a vacuum-

whether Bloomberg could fill it is another matter.

[catgirl]

18. Why even post this stuff

It's pure speculation. Pointless.

[Sebastian Doyle]

19. Hell, why not?

Let's eliminate all pretense of democracy and just put a Wall Street criminal directly in the White House next time. :eyes: