Bloomberg to run?

[Parkbandit]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has quietly been polling and conducting a highly sophisticated voter analysis in all 50 states as he decides whether to launch an independent presidential bid, associates said Wednesday.

The exhaustive data collection started months ago, and when the review begins shortly, it will provide the data-obsessed billionaire businessman with the information he will use to decide whether to make a third-party run for the White House.

The scope of the research, details of which were revealed to The Associated Press, demonstrates how seriously Bloomberg is considering running for president despite his almost-daily denials that he isn't entering the race. The extensive coast-to-coast research effort shows that Bloomberg is willing to dig deep into his wallet simply to gauge his chances of winning and lining up the proper support network.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5izinQos18ZF8h0q5LJjf0VpGmj5wD8U2LNCG2

[Gan]

Interesting... very intersting.

I wonder how he stands on the main issues?

More info: Wikipedia

Bloomberg holds political positions which are generally centrist, drawing from both Democratic Party and Republican Party positions. He is socially liberal, supporting abortion rights, gay marriage, and normalization of the status of illegal immigrants, for example. Economically, he is moderate, supporting government involvement in issues such as public welfare and climate change, while being strongly in favor of free trade, pro-business, and describing himself as a fiscal conservative because he balanced the city's budget.[22]

Conservative groups have criticized this characterization because Bloomberg raised both taxes and spending significantly as mayor.[23]

On foreign policy and domestic security issues, he tends to be conservative, supporting the USA PATRIOT Act and opposing a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq.

[Trouble]

I freely admit I'm not polictially savvy, but if he does run as an independent, won't it screw up the main party candidates like it did when Perot ran?

[Warriorbird]

Yeah...early polling showed he'd nab about 14%... 8% from Republicans, 6% from Democrats. I wish he had a real shot. I think he'd be a great President.

[Gan]

I freely admit I'm not polictially savvy, but if he does run as an independent, won't it screw up the main party candidates like it did when Perot ran?

He wouldnt screw up both as much as one or the either. That depends on where he falls on the issues.

Perot fucked up the GOP election that year and along with the twist in the economy sank George Sr.'s run for the White House. Because Perot's stances were closer to the Republican platform than the Democrat platform.

[Gelston]

Fuck that guy and his Anti-Smoking Campaigns.

[ClydeR]

Yeah...early polling showed he'd nab about 14%... 8% from Republicans, 6% from Democrats. I wish he had a real shot. I think he'd be a great President.


I freely admit I'm not polictially savvy, but if he does run as an independent, won't it screw up the main party candidates like it did when Perot ran?

Despite early polling results, a Bloomberg candidacy would hurt the Democrat candidate tremendously and would hurt the Republican candidate only modestly. Folks don't know much about Bloomberg right now, except that he used to be a Republican and recently became an Independent. When they learn more (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bloomberg), they will realize that he is more aligned with Democrats than Republicans.

[Warriorbird]

Or maybe actual fiscal conservatives are sort of tired of the insane religious contingent in the party and the "outspend the Democrats" types.

[thefarmer]

Despite early polling results, my Republican-skewed ideals lead me to believe that a Bloomberg candidacy would hurt the Democrat candidate tremendously and would hurt the Republican candidate only modestly. Feeling superior to most people, I think that Folks don't know much about Bloomberg right now, except that he used to be a Republican and recently became an Independent. When they learn more (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bloomberg), they will automatically side with my superior logic and realize that he is more aligned with Democrats than Republicans.

Fixed.

[Gan]

Or maybe actual fiscal conservatives are sort of tired of the insane religious contingent in the party and the "outspend the Democrats" types.

http://forum.gsplayers.com/images/icons/icon3.gif

[Warriorbird]

He'll decide in March.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/10/bloomberg/index.html

[TheEschaton]

ClydeR continues to amaze.

[CrystalTears]

CLYDER R HUCKABEE, TRYING 2 GET UR VOTE!

[Kembal]

The only way Bloomberg hurts the Democrats is if Clinton is the nominee. (I'm discounting that Edwards will get the nomination at this point) If Obama is the nominee, Bloomberg will have very little space to run in.

However, on the Republican side, Bloomberg has a lot more potential for damage. If anyone except McCain is the nominee, Bloomberg would take a sizable portion of their vote. If Huckabee is the nominee, Bloomberg becomes a serious contender for the White House.

If it's Clinton vs. Huckabee, expect Bloomberg to get in.

[Tsa`ah]

The only way Bloomberg hurts the Democrats is if Clinton is the nominee. (I'm discounting that Edwards will get the nomination at this point) If Obama is the nominee, Bloomberg will have very little space to run in.

However, on the Republican side, Bloomberg has a lot more potential for damage. If anyone except McCain is the nominee, Bloomberg would take a sizable portion of their vote. If Huckabee is the nominee, Bloomberg becomes a serious contender for the White House.

If it's Clinton vs. Huckabee, expect Bloomberg to get in.

Ya .. that.

[Gan]

I'd vote for Bloomberg over Huckabee.

[CrystalTears]

I'd vote for Bloomberg over Huckabee.
Me 2

[Stanley Burrell]

Despite early polling results, a Bloomberg candidacy would hurt the Democrat candidate tremendously and would hurt the Republican candidate only modestly. Folks don't know much about Bloomberg right now, except that he used to be a Republican and recently became an Independent. When they learn more (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bloomberg), they will realize that he is more aligned with Democrats than Republicans.

...

You used Sea Green as your subtle anti-Democrat jab?

[Sthrockmorton]

The only way Bloomberg hurts the Democrats is if Clinton is the nominee. (I'm discounting that Edwards will get the nomination at this point) If Obama is the nominee, Bloomberg will have very little space to run in.

However, on the Republican side, Bloomberg has a lot more potential for damage. If anyone except McCain is the nominee, Bloomberg would take a sizable portion of their vote. If Huckabee is the nominee, Bloomberg becomes a serious contender for the White House.

If it's Clinton vs. Huckabee, expect Bloomberg to get in.

CNN was saying this morning that he'd be on the republican ticket. Not sure what their source was.

Whichever way Bloomberg goes, the competition will be hurt. Simply because he has one clear advantage over any competition - He is an independent billionaire. He'll easily be able to pump a few hundred million dollars into his campaign.

[Gan]

Thats just it. He would be running as a no strings attached to money candidate.

I've noticed that there are not many candidates currently running who have put any personal money into their campaigns. I wonder if Bloomberg would run a solidarity campaign seeking no contributions (hence no strings)...

Bloomberg and Bill Gates - no money needed! They both could take a customary $1.00 a year salary and not be affected in the least.

[ClydeR]

You used Sea Green as your subtle anti-Democrat jab?

I meant to use dark green. President Bush (then governor of Texas) started this fun tradition with this ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPKxhfFQMs) from 2000, which I guess proves that he's smarter than you think. Since then a lot of people have started using it for the last 3 letters of the Democrat party.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I meant to use dark green. President Bush (then governor of Texas) started this fun tradition with this ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPKxhfFQMs) from 2000, which I guess proves that he's smarter than you think. Since then a lot of people have started using it for the last 3 letters of the Democrat party.

Too bad subliminal messaging doesn't actually work.

[Keller]

Interesting... very intersting.

I wonder how he stands on the main issues?

More info: Wikipedia

Bloomberg holds political positions which are generally centrist, drawing from both Democratic Party and Republican Party positions. He is socially liberal, supporting abortion rights, gay marriage, and normalization of the status of illegal immigrants, for example. Economically, he is moderate, supporting government involvement in issues such as public welfare and climate change, while being strongly in favor of free trade, pro-business, and describing himself as a fiscal conservative because he balanced the city's budget.[22]

Conservative groups have criticized this characterization because Bloomberg raised both taxes and spending significantly as mayor.[23]

On foreign policy and domestic security issues, he tends to be conservative, supporting the USA PATRIOT Act and opposing a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq.

On the issues, he's basically a carbon copy of me. Wow. Based on that info, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat.

[BigWorm]

On foreign policy and domestic security issues, he tends to be conservative, supporting the USA PATRIOT Act and opposing a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq.

He had me until there. The PATRIOT Act is fucked. If he valued privacy at all, I might consider him if Clinton got the nomination, especially if she's running against Huckabee (Talk about a turd sandwich and a douche...).

[Gan]

On the issues, he's basically a carbon copy of me. Wow. Based on that info, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat.

Keller=Bloomberg?


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/3strangedays/lolcatsdotcomiy0hwr7nqv87ch3g.jpg

[Celephais]

I meant to use dark green. President Bush (then governor of Texas) started this fun tradition with this ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPKxhfFQMs) from 2000, which I guess proves that he's smarter than you think. Since then a lot of people have started using it for the last 3 letters of the Democrat party.
Well rats are still better than the Repubelican party.

(holy shit I'm subtle.. you don't see this line either)

[Stanley Burrell]

Celephais r brainw0rshing ninja :-\

[Kembal]

Thats just it. He would be running as a no strings attached to money candidate.

I've noticed that there are not many candidates currently running who have put any personal money into their campaigns. I wonder if Bloomberg would run a solidarity campaign seeking no contributions (hence no strings)...

Bloomberg and Bill Gates - no money needed! They both could take a customary $1.00 a year salary and not be affected in the least.

I dunno about that. Romney's a billionaire too, and burned a ton of his cash on his campaign. Didn't get him anywhere so far. (Plus, the small donor theory of campaign fundraising suggests the more small donors you have, the more deep your support is. He'd be a fool to take no donations.)

Bloomberg can't get on the Republican ticket at this point, too late to file. We'll know March 5, which is the day independents have to file to start the petition process in Texas.

The biggest problem for him will be ballot access. Outside of New York (where he can get on the ballot via the Liberal or Conservative Party, if he so chose), he's going to have to get on as an independent in the other 49 states. And if they're like Texas, the petition signers cannot have voted in either of the primaries. A long and highly compeitive primary fight will hurt him, because it'll be tough to find people who can sign.

[Ilvane]

I guess we'll have to see what happens. Bloomberg is basically the ideal candidate for this time, really.

It would make things interesting for sure.

Angela

[Sean of the Thread]

I guess we'll have to see what happens. Bloomberg is basically the ideal candidate for this time, really.

It would make things interesting for sure.

Angela

What an in depth analysis.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

He had me until there. The PATRIOT Act is fucked.

Same here. I like everything but the support for the Patriot Act which I would really like to see done away with or at least severely revised.

[Bhuryn]

Bloomberg is sort of just a faux republicrate type.

Hillary/Mitt hybrids need not apply!

What we really need in this election is someone whos charismatic and not fucking nutso like everyone else in the running. Being able to read documents like the constitution and bill of rights is a major plus. Reading levels of the C-A-T... cat! variety will not be accepted.

If only Ron Paul wasn't quite so loony, had some social skills and understood how to mitigate his illusions of granduer.