Does a tanking economy, wounded Repub Party and $1bil to spend = Bloomberg Pres Run?

[Blackhatjack]

Michael Bloomberg and his $1 bil to spend on a possible 2008 Independent Presidential Run still hangs over the Republican and Democratic Candidates. This article by Sam Stein over at HuffPo examines an undercurrent of wife-ranging support by very powerful people who could make Bloomberg's entry into the race happen.

Two points to keep in mind. Bloomberg has been getting foreign policy briefings from individuals who would normally brief Presidential candidates. So far Bloomberg's polling as a candidate has been conducted internally, if at all. However his anticipated poll numbers would rise sharply as the economy takes a nose dive.

The Republican Party is 'wounded' by the disaster of the last 7 years under Bush, and business and media interests would rather have Bloomberg in the Oval Office than any Democratic Candidate presently running.

One thing we do know -- If Bloomberg throws his hat into the ring, the dynamics of he race will change.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/26/motley-crew-potential-bl_n_74208.html

Motley Crew: Potential Bloomberg Backers Run The Gamut

Sam Stein
The Huffington Post

"And one high-ranking Hill official offered this assessment: "There are a couple of guys on the Hill who support Bloomberg, but mostly it's outside Washington. It all depends upon who is in the mix and who is on the ticket. If Hagel's on the ticket you can see a lot of Hill guys coming out."
Bloomberg also has some sway among the leaders of the Green and Independent parties, who see ideological common ground with the mayor, and who can provide Bloomberg with ballot access and grassroots activism in key states.

But it is the media that have buoyed Bloomberg the most. The mayor's outsider status and political success - reducing racial tensions, overseeing continued economic growth, and initiating what may turn out to be a major reform of New York's public school system - have made him the subject of countless profiles, the most recent being a glowing cover story in Newsweek.

Bloomberg's status within the fourth estate is so strong he enjoys the backing of media moguls who rarely see eye to eye. Mort Zuckerman, publisher of U.S. News and World Report and The New York Daily News waxed glowingly about Bloomberg on a number of different forums; his most recent column entitled: "An Independent to the Rescue." Zuckerman's tabloid nemesis, News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch has also expressed support -albeit in subtler ways. In September, Murdoch's New York Post ran a front-page story entitled "RUN, MIKE, RUN... Americans like him for prez; poll." On closer inspection, however, that poll had Bloomberg at a mere 15 percent among White House aspirants; 21 percent when respondents were read a flattering description of the mayor.

Among business leaders, support for Bloomberg is understandably strong considering his personal success story. Those who have praised the mayor include Warren Buffett who, despite hosting a fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Clinton, called a Bloomberg-Schwarzenegger presidential ticket "one hell of a team;" Jack Welch, who said of Bloomberg, "I think he'd be great;" and even Obama-supporter David Geffen, who in June hosted Bloomberg for an "intimate dinner."

"It's clear that the election of 2008 is going to be about the economy," said Mitchell Moss, a professor at New York University and a friend of Bloomberg. "Americans are already feeling the effects of the sub-prime crisis, the decline of the dollar, and the price of oil approaching $100 a gallon. This is not going to be an election about Iraq but an election about the economic challenges facing the country, which make Mike Bloomberg the most qualified candidate at the moment."

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[Frances]

1. I think that if the election is about the economy,

then Hillary will be a strong candidate. For all Bill's faults, most people liked the 90s economy. I think ordinary people, not the big shots, will vote for the familiar (a Clinton) rather than take a chance on an unknown quantity who also happens to be super wealthy.

[saltpoint]

2. Bloomberg. Beats me what he's up to. The NEWSWEEK cover story

put him back in the spotlight, although he pretends to not want the attention.

I certainly prefer him as NYC mayor to his predecessor.

It would be way strange to have a 3-way contest between 2 former mayors of New York City and one sitting junior senior from the same state.

In some states my guess is that Bloomberg would whip Giuliani but that we'd whip Bloomberg.

[aquart]

4. He said, NO.

If he goes back on that, he's a flipflopping opportunist. And you are so right about a 3-way between New Yorkers. Not to mention Bloomberg is also divorced. And JEWISH. And SHORT. He'd immediately look like a NYC Ross Perot.

I know the Republicans hate their candidates and the desperation is making them desperate...I really think they should just start planning for the congressional midterms.

[Blackhatjack]

5. I don't think his 'NO' was unconditional. He would not have to do any fundraising or primaries...

Think about that for a minute.... A Presidential candidate who does not have to raise even $1 to run a fully financed campaign that would amount to 3-4 times the amount of $$ Hillary and the rest have spent years raising.

And he would not have to participate in any Primaries or Caucuses. As an independent he could attack both the Democratic and Republican Nominees as they work their way through the primaries, and he would not have to run against anyone.

The opportunity may be too good for Bloomberg to pass up --especially if the Economy goes South in a hurry.

[saltpoint]

6. I think to a lot of people Bloomberg would be a formidable choice.

Perot was successful despite being a joke. He polled 19%, an impressive chunk of the total electorate that year.

I think Bloomberg would best that total just by standing on a debate stage with any of the hapless creeps the GOP is running this time.

[bluestateguy]

3. I'm trying REAL hard to ignore Michael Bloomberg

and I will continue doing that right here.

Two parties. One Democrat. One Republican.

[Blackhatjack]

7. The political process that winnows the field would have no application to Bloomberg...

Being outside the primary system and not having to raise money to conduct his political campaign would be a tremendous aid to a late entry in the General Election.

As far as I can see the biggest hurdle for Bloomberg would be gathering the necessary number of signatures to get on the ballot in each state before the state deadlines hit. But you can field quite an army of individuals to seek those signatures with $1 billion to spend.

How would such a candidacy affect spending by the Democratic and Republican Parties?

With the exception of eccentric Ross Perot, we are in uncharted territory.

[Javaman]

8. I think he's looking for a VP spot. nt

[TwilightGardener]

9. Not for the money he's willing to spend. Besides, he's been an executive

for a long time--why would he want to attend funerals and cast tie-breaking votes? I'm pretty sure he sees himself as ticket-topping material. If we nominate Obama, however, I'll bet Bloomberg won't run at all...:)

[Blackhatjack]

10. I don't see Bloomberg ever playing 2nd fiddle to anyone else...

And one of the fears I have is that Bloomberg may be more autocratic in his decisionmaking than the public realizes and would learn before the general election.