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.
lol..........Right.
I think Bloomberg has a good understanding of the issues that face NYC, but I don’t see how those issues translate onto the national stage. Take the congestion tax, for example - he’s right about the problem (congestion) even if he’s not right about the solution (the tax). But is congestion a problem in other parts of the country on the scale that it is in NYC? Of course not. This is just one example of an issue where Mike may have his finger on the pulse of NYC but I don’t see how that will extend to the national scene.
A Maria Shriver candidacy with Bloomberg would do it. They’d take California and New York, pull a couple of other states out of Dem hands, and that would do it. Almost a perfect solution to quite a few problems. Don’t stop believing. . .
“Bloomberg no longer a Republican”
C’mon, he fits in so well with most of the elected ones, it’s like there was no difference.
I guess this would matter to me IF:
1) I even had a Mayor.
and
2) Bloomberg was it.
I don’t .... he ain’t .... and it don’t.
“I pray that he pulls a Nader and runs for President as an independent.”
That’ll split the lib vote in this nation.
Hello President Thompson.
The new Ross Perot. I swear if he does that he will be sued.
Upending the presidential race?
Since no one outside of New York City even knows who he is, I somehow don't see that happening.
He didn’t leave the party—we left him!
He never was a Republican.
Bloomberg was a Republican?
"I didn't know that..."
“Bloomberg no longer a Republican”
He never was a Republican.
Ah Rowan, ah Martin. A good discussion on Bloomy going on on Chris Matthews right now.
He won’t split the Republican vote. The Dems that aren’t in Hil’s corner will flock to Bloomberg. The NY Dems love him.
Remind me....are there term limits on NYC’s mayor?
I would not necessarily take it as a plan to run for the presidency...although yes, I have heard it before...
He *might* have run for statewide office — I guess I’d have to admit that his chances as an R were better than his chances as an I...
I doubt he would take any votes away from Fred. Giuliani and Romney — maybe — he’d take some away from the D as well.
“He and HitLiary are in ca-hoots. He will split the Republican vote like Perot getting HitLiary elected and then she will name him her Veep as she can’t have Obama as her Veep, you know.”
Anything’s possible.
Hey, Michael - don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
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