"Mike Bloomberg, Independent Candidate for President?
Ron reports:
Add another potential name to the 2008 White House contest, but it is way too early to tell if he'll really run and under what party banner. Liberal New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R) -- a billionaire publishing tycoon reelected in a landslide last year -- is reportedly considering making a Presidential run in 2008. According to the New York Observer, Bloomberg political advisor and Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey is promoting the idea -- even if Bloomberg seems uninterested in the race. One advisor told the newspaper the only way Bloomberg would ever again run for office would be to run for President. And, if he runs, the newspaper reports he would run as either an Independent or a Democrat. Bloomberg is, after all, a former Democrat. According to the newspaper, Sheekey is trying to drum up support to convince Bloomberg to change his mind and jump into the race -- as he is also credited with being the driving force that convinced Bloomberg to seek a second term as Mayor.
Hizzoner has received credit for doing a good job in New York and recently won re-election by a whopping margin. He doesn't have a chance in hell at winning the nomination of his own party, as he is really a pro-business Democrat, and I doubt liberal activists would forgive him for switching to the dark side. The thing about Bloomberg is that he has got the money to run as independent, a route I would strongly encourage as one of his fans.
Because of the polarized nature of partisan politics and the apparent discontent from average American's regarding both of the major parties, I think an independent candidacy for President is not completely out of the realm of possibilities... An uphill battle, no doubt, but one that I think could be beneficial for the country. I hope Bloomberg seriously considers running. The vast majority of the American electorate who doesn't feel represented by hard right Republicans or left, anti-war Democrats, deserve to have a third option. It's time.
Posted by Mathew "
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