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.
May every RINO in the nation follow his lead!
Bloomberg “no longer” a Republican. How perfectly delightful! Now the people of NYC can sleep at night.
Bloomberg no longer a Republican
he never was!!!!!!
yikes..now what will be hillary’s plan for Bloomberg ?
Why would a RINO follow him though when RINOs totally dominate this party? Heck, even “Vacant” Trent Lott is really a RINO too.
I pray that he pulls a Nader and runs for President as an independent.
Was he ever?
Bloomberg will have to sleep with his eyes open.
So weird that he would lie to his constituency.?.?
Stalin no longer a lover of freedom.
Pol Pot no longer a lover of his fellow men.
How much is Bloomberg going to pay them to sleep at night?
Another switch by a Mayor of New York. Bloomberg was not even an RINO, he was a liberal without a cloth coat.
Hillary has asked for a meeting with Bloomberg to show him her friends program otherwise known as the Vincent Foster amnesty.
Once forgiven, you’ll never need forgiving again.
>>>Bloomberg no longer a Republican<<<
When was he????
So what is he pretending to be now?
This move pretty much indicates that Bloomberg is in fact thinking to do just that.
It didn’t matter if he was only interested in being mayor of New York. But although he’s done a good job overall, his liberal nanny state approach to life is something he can’t seem to suppress.
At the end of the day, he’s what we call an Upper East Side elitist. These are the types who have all the answers, know what’s best for you and don’t let the peons get in their way.
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