Posted on 06/19/2007 3:40:02 PM PDT by neverdem
Associated Press
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican Party on Tuesday and switched to unaffiliated, a move certain to be seen as a prelude to an independent presidential bid that would upend the 2008 race.
The billionaire former CEO, who was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the Republican Party in 2001 for his first mayoral run, said the change in his voter registration does not mean he is running for president.
"Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city," Bloomberg said.
The 65-year-old mayor has increasingly been the subject of speculation that he will run as an independent in 2008, despite his repeated promises to leave politics after the end of his term in 2009. He has fueled the buzz with increasing out-of-state travel, a greater focus on national issues and repeated criticism of the partisan politics that dominate Washington.
This is a breaking news update. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
NEW YORK (AP) New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican Party on Tuesday and switched to unaffiliated, a move certain to be seen as a prelude to an independent presidential bid that would upend the 2008 race.
The billionaire former CEO, who was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the Republican Party in 2001 for his first mayoral run, said the change in his voter registration does not mean he is running for president.
It is generally believed that he has had an eye on the Presidency for some time. He is even prepared to spend $1 billion of his own money ($5 billion). A new Third Party Movement; Unity ‘08, has been courting him for some time now. (www.unity08.com)
Wouldn’t that be just great; three liberal New Yorkers running for Prez: Hillary “Rob’em” Clinton, Rudy Julie Annie and Bloomy. Get out the popcorn.
The report I read this evening stated that “the Democrats should be shaking in their boots”. It is believed that his liberal social views would hurt the Dems and cost them the White House.
NOW, IF AL GORE WOULD JUST JUMP IN. YEEEEHAW!!!!!
See my Post #243
BTTT!!!
Thanks for the ping!
You crack yourself right the hell up.
Haha! New Yorkers must be stupid. They anoint an ego maniac like Schumer, elect a carpetbagger from Arkansas, and a Democrat/Republican/Independent elitist like Blumingidiot. Maybe they are jealous they aren't as gullible and ignorant as Massachusetts voters?
Al Gore, Hillary, Obama, Ralph Nader, and Bloomy should run no matter who gets the (D) nomination. Split the Liberal vote in multiple directions while there’s one Republican running (the party nominee). I’d enjoy that Election Night.
“yikes..now what will be hillarys plan for Bloomberg ?”
Couldn’t say what the Hildabeast’s plan would be should Bloomberg decide to run for Prez. However, should he decide to do this, it would be fantastic news for we Conservatives as he would pull votes from the left of center and thereby take votes away from the Beast. I say we Conservatives should send encouragement (aka money) to Bloomberg and tell him now much we love and need him at every opportunity. Go Bloomberg, yea.....
Actually it’s rather unfair to Bloomberg to put him in the same camp as Schmucky Schumer and Shrillary.
He has a record of accomplishment and does know how to manage. You have to give him that. The political system put Chucky and Shrillary ahead. They didn’t earn anything, they just had the system work for them toward their aim: power.
So one needs to have some context. If you had a choice between the left wing Rats in NYC and Bloomberg, it’d be no contest. And it was.
Of course that’s no reason to foist him on the rest of the country. But let the Rats deal with him.
So run Michael run!
My guess is that Bloomberg will position himself as a moderate with competence in Private Enterprise. That is something Hillary can never claim having lived on the public dole her whole adult life.
If you think Bloomberg is going to try to compete with Hillary, I think that’s incorrect. He will attempt to pull voters toward what he defines as the middle.
I’m not saying you are wrong on a host of policy issues. I’m saying that the candidate will not position himself as Shrillary lite. He’ll try to get votes from both sides.
If you are going to spend up to a billion, you are going to shoot for everyone’s support.
Funny you say that. That candidate whose name is unspeakable here on FR (King Bloombergs’ predecesor as NYC Mayor) was definitely electable...until now.
A Bloomberg candidacy hurts Rud_, uh that guy, more than anyone else. I like that guy. He would make a good Director of Homeland Security or even Attorney General in the next administration.
But as a candidate for POTUS, he is cooked if Bloomberg runs. Rush’s prediction of an 80% chance of a Hillary presidency would go up to 100% if that guy wins the GOP nomination. This news probably ruined Rush’s golf vacation.
He’ll shank every Tee shot tomorrow.
He'll try to get votes from moderates and the left. I see him having no appeal to conservatives or small 'l' libertarians.
Right, part of that appeal will be to business owners and anyone in the squishy middle.
No matter how money he spends, he won’t be sweeping the south. :)
He was the last man on earth to recognize that he wasn’t a republican, though.
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