Samuel Coates writes:
"Mike" Bloomberg's announcement on Tuesday that he was ending his brief membership of the Republican Party has fuelled speculation that he will run as an independent in 2008.
He has reportedly earmarked $500m for the campaign, a fifth of his estimated wealth, greatly increasing the likelihood of the election campaigns spending over $1bn between them.
London's Daily Telegraph revealed in May that his special adviser Kevin Sheekey (who keeps insisting that Bloomberg isn't running) had three meetings with the New York Chairman of the Independence Party. Bloomberg's website was recently revamped as well, complete with Mike Updates and a red, white and blue colour scheme.
New York's 108th Mayor takes pride in his non-partisan approach, a badge that could appeal to a lot of Americans who are tired of polarised politics. Having previously been an independent and a Democrat he's now seen as a centrist in that he is fiscally conservative but socially liberal. As James Forsyth points out, a big worry for Democrats would be his pull in California and, of course, New York.
Of particular interest to this site would be his position on various foreign policy issues that he has been quite quiet about.
Comparisons are being drawn with when businessman and independent candidate Ross Perot secured Clinton's victory by getting 19% of the vote in 1992. Could Bloomberg save the Republicans in the same way? Or would it be better for him to keep his money for what aides say will really be his next career, a full-time philanthropist?
How is he fiscally conservative?
Posted by: davod | June 21, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Let Bloomberg run. His social liberalism and left wing drawl will only attract left wing voters, splitting the Democrats' vote. This way a true conservative can win in 08, hopefully someone like Sam Brownback, Newt Gingrich or Fred Thompson.
Posted by: Brownback supporter | June 21, 2007 at 02:25 PM
If Bloomberg stands he is a fool. He will lose, end of story.
Posted by: malcolm | June 21, 2007 at 03:01 PM
The message of this story is start putting your money on Fred Dalton Thompson to be the next President.
Bloomberg is a lifelong Democrat who only ever ran for the Republican nomination in NYC because he knew he'd never get on the Democrat ticket. As such, his politics is more likely to appeal to Democrats, and his candidacy can only help the Republicans.
Posted by: James Hellyer | June 21, 2007 at 04:40 PM
RUN MIKE RUN!
Posted by: Steevo | June 21, 2007 at 05:28 PM
Bloomberg can call himself Democrat, Republican, or Independent; but, he has always been a liberal Democrat.
Ralph Nader recently hinted he may make another run in '08 also.
Maybe they should be on the same ticket. LOL!
I don't think many would vote for either because neither has a snowball's chance of winning and it is either a 'wasted vote' or simply a 'political statement vote'.
Posted by: Frogg | June 21, 2007 at 11:35 PM
Frogg, a vote for that ticket will not be waisted ;-)
Posted by: Steevo | June 21, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Most Americans (except New Yorkers) don't know anything about Bloomberg. He will not garner any support from conservatives. I don't think he would appeal to independents much.
Run, Bloomberg, Run
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/06/run_bloomberg_run.html
I haven't decided which Republican candidate I would support yet (way too soon). I like all the top tier candidates, each one for different reasons.
I will say this about Fred Thompson....he will have no illusions what it will mean to be up against Hillary:
What Fred Thomson Knows About Hillary
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56279
Posted by: Frogg | June 22, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I agree about conservatives not voting for Bloomberg and I hope that will apply for most libertarians too. Independents from what I've seen are not so 'independent', but more like going with the wind for a middle-ground change. Its possible simply running on an Independent ticket may appeal to a lot of these folks.
I think what's implicit here is if Bloomberg and Nadar run even on different tickets, combined they may pull a Ross Perot of sorts only with the opposite effect and spoil the Dems' chances, if its close.
I really haven't decided which Republican I would support either but with the exception of Ron Paul I will vote for any of them over the Democrat.
Posted by: Steevo | June 22, 2007 at 05:54 PM
Not so sure about Bloomberg taking Democratic votes. The Democrats core is around 38%, the Republicans 30% (the people who'll vote for any candidate with the right rosette). If I were a Republican I'd be worried.
Posted by: Adam | June 25, 2007 at 03:51 PM