Posted on 01/23/2016 2:57:22 PM PST by Titus-Maximus
Washington (CNN)Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seriously considering a possible independent presidential run and is looking at making a decision sometime in March, two sources familiar with Bloomberg's thinking told CNN on Saturday.
One source said aides to the three-term mayor are looking at ballot access issues, but the source refused to speak specifically about what Bloomberg, 73, asked to be done.
The source added that Bloomberg sees the Republican and Democratic presidential races as becoming increasingly polarized, and neither fits Bloomberg's views. But Bloomberg, who has flirted with Oval Office aspirations in the past, is serious about a possible candidacy, the source insisted.
A decision will have to be made by the first week of March, likely before it's clear who the Democratic and Republican nominees are, because of the process to get on ballots for the November election.
A spokesman for the former mayor declined to comment.
News of Bloomberg's consideration was first reported Saturday morning by The New York Times, which said the media mogul would be willing to spend $1 billion of his own money on a White House bid.
A source close to the former mayor has previously told CNN that Bloomberg would seriously consider entering the race if it appeared Donald Trump or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz would face Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the general election.
RELATED: Bloomberg commissioned poll to test 2016 waters, source says
Last month, the media mogul commissioned a poll to see how he would fare as a third-party candidate against Trump and Hillary Clinton, the respective Republican and Democratic presidential front-runners, the source close to the former mayor told CNN. The poll was requested after Bloomberg saw Trump's meteoric rise to the top
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
His psycho gun talk and fourth trimester abortion will not gain him one Republican vote, I think he takes Dem votes.
This would pretty much guarantee NY and CT go to Trump.
Run as an independent, yes.
Wow. There’s 6 votes someone won’t get.
He makes Sanders look like Cicero.
Hmm, this sets up an interesting thought execise. Would Bloomberg take voters from the Dems more than the Repubs?
Out here in the Rockies we can stand Bloomberg cause he tried to mess with our local politics.
Would this help or hurt Trump?
Would this help or hurt Cruz?
Thoughts?
Why does this guy even think he would have a chance. He must have some delusion that he is the 2nd Coming of Rudy Giullani or maybe the American version of George Soros. Let him run and waste his money.
I think he is positioning himself to jump in as a Democrat when the FBI leaks their recommendation to prosecute Hillary.
The leak will occur shortly after the Obama Justice Department refuses to follow it.
yeah let's have two egomaniacs running twice the fun and double the drama.
Bloomberg is virulently anti-gun. That is an ultra liberal position and that limits him to Democratic voters.
Trump can easily beat him down on the gun issue, and it will be sustained and that issue is a vote getter.
Bloomberg will spend a billion and lose it.
Republicans will ignore him. Dems, and indy-left will vote for him.
He wouldnt’ hurt any of the Republican, except maybe Bush, Kasich and Fiorina.
Mickey Mouse would get more votes.
The hillary and DNC types KNOW that their only chance of a win in Nov is if a third candidate can bleed off some votes from the Republicans. I mean they have ZERO chance otherwise.
They are well aware that Perot got them elected twice.
They will do anything to make the 3rd party happen.
People will really rally to have the size of their drink and food portions they buy dictated by Bloomberg.
Ok, fair enough. Now time for my tin foil hat.
Do you think this is a Dem shell game? Blame Bloomberg for taking votes away from the front runner in an effort to avoid blaming the Dem party?
I’d encourage it. He’d take votes from the left.
It’s a relatively inexpensive way to keep his name before the public.
At least to the extent that “the public” watches the MSM.
Which is really to say, “the down-market public”.
Let the little ego maniac run.
His psycho gun talk and fourth trimester abortion will not gain him one Republican vote, I think he takes Dem votes.
Wow, three NY nominees possible???
Bloomie should go to the nearest 7-11 that still sells Big Gulps in NY, get one, and go home
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