Bloomberg: "I am not - and will not be - a candidate for president"

By: Lowell
Published On: 2/28/2008 6:44:38 AM

So much for the Bloomberg for President boom:

I believe that an independent approach to these issues is essential to governing our nation - and that an independent can win the presidency. I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not - and will not be - a candidate for president. I have watched this campaign unfold, and I am hopeful that the current campaigns can rise to the challenge by offering truly independent leadership. The most productive role that I can serve is to push them forward, by using the means at my disposal to promote a real and honest debate.

By the way, is this the least successful draft movement ever?  I mean, Barack Obama has 1 million donors and Michael Bloomberg could only get 11,749 signatures for a potential national candidacy in a month or so? I believe that's known as Mike-mentum, sort of like the not-so-big-mo Joe-mentum of Senator Lieberman.  And to think that the last we saw of Mayor Bloomberg here in Virginia was when he endorsed Jeannemarie Devolites Davis over Chap Petersen for state Senate...ah, memories.

Comments



read the next paragraph... (Alokin - 2/28/2008 7:28:49 AM)
I think the most interesting paragraph is that after the one you cited. Read this:
"In the weeks and months ahead, I will continue to work to steer the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity; away from ideology and toward common sense; away from sound bites and toward substance. And while I have always said I am not running for president, the race is too important to sit on the sidelines, and so I have changed my mind in one area. If a candidate takes an independent, nonpartisan approach - and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy - I'll join others in helping that candidate win the White House."

Away from partisanship and towards unity, and he has changed his mind during the current race... he would help a candidate that takes a "nonpartisan approach" and challenges party orthodoxy.

What do you think this means? Is he already talking about a specific candidate? From some further sentences in his statement, I think he is. He is writing about those who will "fight against any challenge to the status quo", and on the other hand that "the idea that we have the ability to solve our toughest problems isn't some pie-in-the-sky dream".

Is it just me, or would he endorse Obama at some point?



Implicit plug for Obama? (jlmccreery - 2/28/2008 10:09:31 AM)
The same phrasing, "steer the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity; away from ideology and toward common sense; away from sound bites and toward substance" struck me as a quiet nod in Obama's direction, in contrast to McCain and Clinton, both of whom are pandering to a partisan base. Good be wishful thinking...but....


Perhaps, but (Sui Juris - 2/28/2008 10:25:36 AM)
what's a Bloomberg endorsement worth?  Does he really have any constituency that Obama hasn't already reached?  It would be nice, I suppose, but I don't think it's much.

The Obama endorsement I think would have a potential impact is that of retiring Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE).  He's steadfastly refused to answer questions about who he'll endorse, and if you take a look at the direction Hagel's been going in these past few years, and plot a line forward, I think you land right next to Obama.  The endorsement of a sitting Republican senator to a Democratic nominee would help make it seem okay for those Republicans who like what they're hearing from Obama, but can't quite get themselves to vote for a Democrat.  I'd say Hagel would nudge them over that line.



is he not good friends with McCain (Alter of Freedom - 2/28/2008 9:42:02 PM)
it was my understanding that he would run if he felt that alot of what he has been talking about the last two years was being addressed by those that would be the nominees. I think both Obama and McCain fit that bill. A year ago no one did nor would they have predicted these two would be about to secure the nominations.
I always thought that he was friends with McCain and not sure of any mileage but what would be the impact if he was asked to be the VP on the Republican side. Odds in Vegas about 15% probabilty but stranger things have happened.