William COHEN, Clinton Defence Sec., says OBAMA/BLOOMBERG ticket would be a GO

[Sensitivity]

With CNN Wolf Blitzer, Cohen gave an analysis which showed that Obama was the candidate who, based on his movements direction and agenda, could make Blooberg comfortable.

Obama wants to bring Dems and Repubs together, Bloomberg could help make it happen.

Looks serious, at least with respect to Bloomberg's intent. Bill Cohen would not be talking about it without serious intent and he has been in close discussions with Bloomberg (Perhaps a Bloomberg/Cohen ticket was in the works).

The Cohen Group is not just the usual "pundit shop."

[Bicoastal]

1. Does Obama really WANT Bloomberg?

I doubt it. The guy isn't even a Dem.

[Renew Deal]

6. He's sorta not a dem.

He was, then he wasn't. Now he's an indie. But demographically, he's a tough choice.

[Jersey Devil]

11. Not an Indie - He ran as a Republican

Unless he changed his registration since being elected as Mayor (which I don't recall reading about), he is a Republican. He switched his registration from Democrat to Republican before running for Mayor.

[tammywammy]

12. He's an indie, he changed over a while ago

[NYCGirl]

14. And he just recently switched to Independent. NT

[Dorian Gray]

32. He changed his registration

from Republican to Independent sometime last year, I believe. He's now an Independent.

[liberalnurse]

28. Oh yea, that's a pair who really understand

the the job loss in the Heartland. Maybe they will want to have a beer with me after I get off work from doing a double shift in Emergency Trauma Center.:pals:

[Bicoastal]

29. Don't worry, it's not going to happen.

[sandnsea]

35. Disinformation to scare voters

They'll say anything and this is just more of the same.

[Renew Deal]

2. I doubt it.

You can't have two guys with no FP experience. Also, Bloomy will drive the gun nuts crazy. I don't see it happening. Funny thing is that Bloomy is probably more socially liberal than Obama.

[Cant trust em]

10. Yup. Obama's VP needs to be someone like Biden

not Biden, per se, but someone who has a lot of experience in foreign policy.

[BringBigDogBack]

39. agreed.

[BringBigDogBack]

3. doubtful.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Yucko

[anigbrowl]

5. I find this hard to believe

Bloomberg obviously likes and respects Obama, but picking him as a running mate? Seems most unlikely to me.

[Bucky]

7. Cohen is yesterday's news. He's pushing his own agenda.

He's a nice guy, but a major foe of Wesley Clark's (it was Cohen who was behind Clark getting sacked as SACEUR 9 months before retirement). I assume if Cohen says it, it's because he's concerned about the talk that adding Clark to the ticket will help Obama bring the Clinton people around.

FWIW, Cohen is a Lincoln Chaffee Republican--a Rino. He's definitely not in the inner loop.

[Sensitivity]

43. Agreed! What is wrong with that

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. ahahaha...."I don't have lobbyist and want to break Wall Streets influence in Washington".....

OMG THIS IS RICH!...PUN INTENDED

[grantcart]

13. Of course you realize the source is a Republican who worked for Clinton

and has no connection with Obama whatsoever.

[bunnies]

36. Facts dont matter.

Anything to use against Obama is a "go".

[Yael]

9. Not going to happen. No Foreign Policy experience

[Sensitivity]

19. I agree. The ticket should have OVERWHELMING National Security Exp. in the V.P. slot

[totodeinhere]

15. Bloomberg is a Republican in sheep's clothing.

It's not gonna happen. I still think that Richardson is the best choice.

[Bucky]

23. Cohen is a Republican in Republican's clothes. He's talking wish fulfillment here.

I'm guessing he's shootin' blanks because he's panicked about his old nemisis Wes Clark getting it.

[Orangepeel]

16. IMO, more likely Bloomberg would be McCain's VP

Although that won't happen either. Against McCain in particular, Obama's got the economic/domestic policy voters in the bag. It's McCain needs somebody like Bloomberg (although I think he'll pick a fundie to shore up his other weakness).

Bloomberg might be part of the cabinet, though. Secretary of the Treasury, maybe.

[Sensitivity]

27. Cohen ruled out McCain, because of his need to placate RW faction

[Orangepeel]

31. I agree with Cohen on that point. But he's wrong about Obama.

Bloomberg lends little to an Obama ticket.

[musiclawyer]

17. Obama appears loyal to the Dean playbook

And the good doctor would not approve of this. So I have my doubts.

[book_worm]

18. I think the headline is misleading

I don't think from what you wrote that such a ticket is a "go" and I doubt that Obama would pick him. Obama will have no trouble winning NY.

[Bicoastal]

24. Exactly right. The only person saying "it's a go" is a Clinton staffer.

[HeraldSquare212]

20. God, no. Talk about putting a pin in the balloon....

[Flabbergasted]

21. I'd be surprised. Bloomberg is a free trader. He'll undercut Obama's message.

[HeraldSquare212]

22. And he's raised a lot of money for Republicans, incl Bush, so I just don't see how it works

[Bluebear]

25. I say we stick with a DEMOCRATIC ticket.

[FreepFryer]

26. Yuck. I just threw up in my mouth. (n/t)

[Dorian Gray]

30. It's a "Go?"

Or just speculation?

[OHdem10]

33. Cohen is part of the BorenGroup which includes such notables

as Sam NUNN Bob Graham (Fla) Christy Whitman David Boren N, Bloomberg
Conservative Democrats and Moderate Republicans. They have been
working on GovernanceIssues. SS , Trade Policy Trade Deficit
Budget Deficit. Sort of like an agenda for a "unity government".
I watched one of their sessions on C-span. It would not be at
all surprizing. They like Obama.

His agenda and theirs are poles apart. If he gets the nomination,
he can move to the center and adopt their agenda, I guess.

These 12 people are not the type to sit around and do all this work
for nothing to happen as a result.

[Sensitivity]

37. Good post "these 12 people are not the type ..

to do all that work with no results ... they are going to make something happen.

[Sensitivity]

38. Good post "these 12 people are not the type ..

to do all that work with no results ... they are going to make something happen.

[BlueManDude]

34. Another "moderate" media whore extolling the virtues of Bloomberg

The obsesssion that these post partisan types have with Bloomberg is mind boggling.

The man brings nothing to the table for Obama.

[Rowdyboy]

40. Actually Cohen would make a far better choice for Obama than Bloomberg....

Bloomberg brings nothing but a generally syucessful record as mayor of an enormous city-a city from a state that will vote heavily for Democrats regardless. At least Cohen has some intelligence/foreign policy credentials and would be viewed as a reasonable choice and reaching out. Hopefully though Obama will go with an actual Democrat like Wes Clark, Bob Graham or Bill Richardson.

[Sensitivity]

42. Great observation. He has the right NS credentials.

[Unsane]

41. Didn't Bloomberg support Bush in '04? If so, that's a non-starter.