Michael Bloomberg Could Deadlock Both the Electoral College and the House of Representatives

Rasmussen Reports ^ | June 01, 2007 | Rasmussen Reports

[Kuksool]

Rumors abound that Michael Bloomberg might spend a billion dollars running for the White House as an Independent, putting him on a competitive footing with the major party candidates. That might make it possible for Bloomberg to win several states and prevent anybody from winning a majority of the Electoral College votes. The House of Representatives would then select a President, something that hasn’t happened since 1824.

The few political commentators who have considered this possibility dismiss its significance. They reason that since Democrats control the House, the Democratic candidate would automatically move into the White House. That assessment reflects a profound misunderstanding of the process outlined in the Constitution.

If no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College, the top three candidates are submitted to the House of Representatives. Presumably, this would be a Democrat, a Republican, and Bloomberg. (see polling data)

The House would then vote, but the result would not be determined by the overall number of Representatives. According to the Constitution, each state gets to cast one vote… and a majority of all the states is required to select a President. That means a candidate needs to get the nod from 26 state delegations before moving into the White House.

[justiceseeker93]

I can't see Bloomberg winning any state whatsoever no matter how much money he might spend on a presidential run. He pretty much supports Bush on the WOT, but is far to the left on just about every domestic issue you can name, an advocate of the nanny state. It would be more accurate to call him a ROC - Republican of convenience - rather than a mere RINO, since he was a lifelong 'Rat who joined the GOP only because it presented a clearer path to the NYC mayor's job.

Plus, his personal style lacks charisma - he is bland and sometimes grating in his speeches, with a pronounced New York accent. No amount of personal wealth can transform him into an effective national candidate. If Ross Perot couldn't win a single state in '92 or '96, there is no way Bloomberg can.

This article from Rasmussen is completely irrelevant.

[Timmy]

DC?

[The Pack Knight]

That's what I'm thinking, too. Pawlenty on the GOP ticket could very well give win Minnesota. A more populist candidate like Hunter would have a good chance of taking Michigan.

Even if this article's scenario doesn't play out, there is a chance of another President, likely the Republican candidate, being elected without a plurality of the "popular vote"*.

That of course is trivial, because there is actually no such thing as a popular vote for President, but expect a serious effort to abolish the Electoral College if it does happen.

[Niteranger68]

Where would Bloomberg’s votes come from?

The dead? The unborn?

[The Pack Knight]

Washington, DC has three electoral votes as per the 23rd Amendment.

[Kuksool]

I think Blommy’s goal is to help the Dems. He sure thinks like one. If Rudy is the GOP nominee, Bloomy will jump into the race and stay to the end. Bloomy’s upset that he wasn’t dubbed “America’s Mayor”. Should Fred become the GOP nominee, Bloomy will use his vast wealth to run endless ads portraying Fred as a “Right Wing Extremist” in an effort to drive down Fred’s numbers. In the fall of 2008 , Bloomy would drop out of the race to endorse the Dem.

[neocon1984]

“Nonsense. He’s a lifelong liberal who has never even bothered to give Republicans lip service. He’ll draw some votes from the extreme left end of the Democratic party, and won’t win a single state... even NY.

I agree with everything you say except for where he will draw votes. They will come from Democrat and Republican moderates, most likely in East Coast (blue) states. Hillary will turn to the center after the convention and run as a moderate. He could hurt her if the Rep nominee has a chance in some East Coast states (e.g., NJ, NH). In other words, Blooberg running would help Rudy and very likely Fred (who is more moderate than he seems).

I think this is all about making sure that NYC gets more federal money after the ‘08 election.

[The Pack Knight]

I once had a professor who took the absurd position that all those eligible should be required to vote by law. He said they could vote for whomever they wanted, including "Mickey Mouse", but they have to vote for someone.

My obvious reply was, "Then Mickey Mouse will be elected President of the United States. What do we do then?" He had no good answer.

By the way, that professor was and is the Chairman of the Wake County, NC Board of Elections.

[justiceseeker93]

Agree with your assessment that a Bloomberg national candidacy, if it hurt either major party, would hurt the 'Rats more than the GOP.

But, in the unlikely event that Giuliani gets the GOP nomination, Bloomberg might drop out because he and Giuliani seem to be friendly, which stems from Rudy's endorsement of Bloomberg as his successor in '01. That help seemed to give Bloomberg the momentum he needed to win the NYC mayoralty in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

[lesser_satan]

Bloomberg is a fascist POS and everybody knows it. If anything, he’ll steal more votes from the Dems.

[The Pack Knight]

Nonsense. He’s a lifelong liberal who has never even bothered to give Republicans lip service.

I agree that he's a lifelong liberal, but he's actually given a substantial amount of money to Republican congressional campaigns across the country, primarily those of the "McCain wing", including McCain himself. He has given more than lip service to Republicans, even if his policies don't necessarily reflect that.

One advantage of his is his lack of record on most national issues. He'll be able to take just about any position he chooses. If he runs, I expect him to take typical "Rockefeller Republican" positions, except I think he'll advocate withdrawal from Iraq. I don't think he'll win any states either, unless we nominate an exceptionally weak candidate, like, ironically, McCain.

[Bommer]

Fat Chance! Bloomberg could spend billions on a run, but he has too many things going against him, the primary one being that New Yorkers hate him, and outside that state, he is a nothing! His history of raising taxes pretty much reveals him as more of a RINO than Guliani, Romney and McCane combined.

[GitmoSailor]

But!!!..Hillary would win the whitehouse!!!!.......

[justiceseeker93]

Hillary will turn to the center after the convention and run as a moderate.

Wow, that would be some trick!

[justiceseeker93]

Bloomberg ping!

[justiceseeker93]

Where would Bloomberg's votes come from? The dead?

Actually, he lost the dead vote when he left the 'Rats. The dead have traditionally "voted" Democrat in greater percentages than even the blacks.

[Badeye]

There is absolutely ZERO chance of Bloomberg being able to do whats alleged here.

Its laughable to even suggest it, and a reasonable question is what exactly was the author smoking/drinking/snorting/injecting to even come up with the idea in the first place.

[VRWCmember]

Rumors abound that Michael Bloomberg might spend a billion dollars running for the White House as an Independent, putting him on a competitive footing with the major party candidates. That might make it possible for Bloomberg to win several states and prevent anybody from winning a majority of the Electoral College votes.

I doubt that BloomingIdiotberg could even win as mayor of New York City again, much less actually win a state. I suppose theoretically he might be able to win a third as many states as Perot did in either 92 or 96. Let's see, how many did Perot win?