NY mayor ( Bloomberg ) denies presidential bid

BBC ^ | Wednesday, 20 June 2007, 17:59 GMT 18:59 UK | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

NY mayor denies presidential bid

Mayor Bloomberg says he intends to serve until the end of his term

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has denied rumours he intends to run as an independent for the 2008 US presidency.

He was speaking a day after he left the Republican Party and changed his political status to unaffiliated, fuelling speculation over his plans.

"I think they are wasting their time. I am not a candidate," Mr Bloomberg said, asked about his showing in presidential opinion polls for New York state.

He insisted he intended to serve until his second mayoral term ends in 2009.

He then plans to turn his attention to philanthropic projects, he told reporters.

Mr Bloomberg is barred from seeking a third term as New York's mayor.

Partisan politics

Commenting on his decision to leave the Republican Party, Mr Bloomberg said a non-partisan approach had "worked wonders in New York".

A long-term Democrat, he switched parties when he ran for mayor in 2001.

Mr Bloomberg said: "Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city."

In recent speeches Mr Bloomberg has criticised partisan politics in the US, declaring it has paralysed decision making and jeopardised America's future.

The 65-year-old billionaire, who founded the media and financial data empire Bloomberg LP, has enough money to finance a bid for the White House.

But analysts say that if he does run as an independent, he has little chance of success. No independent has been voted into the White House in modern history.

[Patrick1]

With that ego there is no way he can pass up this opportunity to piss away a billion dollars.

[TexasCajun]

"I have enought money, I can buy you, you and you too! "

[TexasCajun]

"I have enough money, I can buy you, you and you too! "

[AzaleaCity5691]

The final sentence is not entirely true. The Republicans, when Abraham Lincoln won the White House, were by and large a minority party that no one took seriously. The only reason that he won was because the Whigs were dead by that point, with their southern supporters becoming secessionists and their northern supporters well, not becoming seccessions. If there had not been a Democratic split, Lincoln wouldn’t have won.

It’s also important to note that we didn’t really have “partisan” election campaigns per se until the Andrew Jackson era, and the parties then consisted of pro-Jackson and anti-Jackson.

[NormsRevenge]

The 65-year-old billionaire, who founded the media and financial data empire Bloomberg LP, has enough money to finance a bid for the White House.

—

At the rate money is drowning politicians, he may not have enough down the road. However, no amount of money and hype and subterfuge was or is going to make him President anyway, imo.

The total for the monies spent just to get to the primary stage are pretty impressive.

Could we be looking at a billion dollar ‘08 campaign lottery season?

[marsh_of_mists]

No independent has been voted into the White House in modern history.

[Optimist]

>>>> NY mayor ( Bloomberg ) denies presidential bid

well, that’s going to be quite a blow to Chuck Hagel’s political future

[NeilGus]

Run, Michael, run.

He will hurt the Dems more than the Repubs.

And he has no chance of winning.

[AU72]

Bloomy is going to revel in the will-he-or-won’t-he media circus for the rest of the year.

[sageb1]

“I am not a candidate,” Mr Bloomberg said,...”

Not good to start a campaign with a lie.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Bloomberg claims he’s not running? Please. He’s so full of crap his eyes are brown!

[ElkGroveDan]

But analysts say that if he does run as an independent, he has little chance of success. No independent has been voted into the White House in modern history.

What a stupid "analysis". No woman, or black person has been voted into the White House either, though we do have a track record on actors. Shall they all quit and let Fred take over without a campaign?

[Uncle Hal]

If he runs if will probably be good for the GOP. Bloomberg is as much a Republican as Hillary is. Hopefully he would run to the left of Hillary. I wish.

[Mr. Mojo]

I just saw some idiot "analyst" on FNC about a half hour ago opine that Bloomberg would have a decent chance to win the Presidency if Giuliani were to end up the GOP nominee and the GOP base revolted. ....lol....as if those who would revolt against Giuliani would vote for someone even more liberal running as in Ind.

If anything, a Bloomberg candidacy would serve the GOP quite nicely -- he'd get far more "D" votes than "R" votes. ......the exact reverse of the situation in '92 with Perot. The Perot candidacy helped Bill, but a Bloomberg candidacy would hurt Hillary.

[dead]

A politician without a constituency is like a general without an army.

Unless he's going to individually hand $10 to individuals in exchange for the promise of a vote, I don't see how his money will translate effectively into votes.

He's an elmerfuddian, closeted, numbnut with no discernable agenda beyond taking away people's guns and cigarettes.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Was just reading a piece at the NY Observer about how effective the Hillary Opposition Research team is...

What we need are more candidates to keep them BUSY!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A Billion Dollars isn’t as much as it USED TO BE!

[GovernmentShrinker]

He doesn’t like losing and there’s no way an independent can win the Presidency. I don’t think he’ll run. He’ll set up a non-partisan philanthropic organization and do whatever he likes with his money instead of having to haggle with Congress all the time. Whoever is President will be jealous of him. Now if we could just get the Second Amendment through his thick skull . . .