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WHAT IF? "Michael Bloomberg Announced Today He's Running For President As An Independent"...

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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 12:36 AM
Original message
WHAT IF? "Michael Bloomberg Announced Today He's Running For President As An Independent"...
What would the reaction be?? MSM?? Republican Candidates?? Democratic Candidates??

Has there ever been a better opportunity to run against a 'weak' bunch of Republican Candidates as an Independent?

Would the Public view his $1 billion as an attempt to buy the office?

And which Democratic Candidate would stand the best chance of winning if Bloomberg were in the race?
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aquart Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 12:44 AM
Response to Original message
1. He said NO. Deal with it.
Do you really have nothing better to do?
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 12:47 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Well I guess you did not read the OP --I did not ask if he was going to run. I asked what if?
Edited on Tue Dec-11-07 12:59 AM by Blackhatjack
Reading comprehension problems can be overcome... you just have to work at it before showing your ignorance.
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Yupster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:04 AM
Response to Reply #2
12. What would his attraction be?
I don't see it.

I see him getting 1 % nationally.
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fujiyama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 12:51 AM
Response to Original message
3. I think he knows that a potential independent bid would fuck over Dems more than pukes
because there is little if anything in his platform that would attract republican support. The guy was a republican for what? 6 years? He was a Dem before that.

I don't think he especially wants to see Romney or Huckabee get elected.
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 12:56 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. He seems to be more of a traditional moderate Repub than a Democrat in his positions...
... and there is a huge block of Republican Voters looking for an alternative to the present slate of Repub Candidates.
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still_one Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 01:16 AM
Response to Reply #4
7. It wouldn't be just republicans. He can't stand guiliani, and he left the republican party
because of their hard right shift

Who would it hurt more? That is an interesting question. You present an argument that perhaps the republican voters are looking for an alternative to their present slate of repug candidates, and I am not so sure. Those that are extreme right wing would never go for Bloomberg, and those that are not, would probably accept guliani

Bloomberg would take votes from independents, and that would hurt the Democrats more than the republicans in my view
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fujiyama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #4
23. There aren't many moderate republicans left
Those who considered themselves moderate left the party over the last few years. That's why fewer people out there consider themselves republicans now.

I don't think the present discontent among republicans with their candidates is due to not having a moderate choice. To the contrary - I don't think they've found someone sufficiently crazy enough.
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CoffeeCat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 12:57 AM
Response to Original message
5. Very interesting questions and discussion...
I'm sitting here with my very progressive (and handsome) husband, who
has said that he would vote for Bloomie "in a heartbeat" if he ran.

I think he appeals to people who REALLY want change. They want someone
who is outside the beltway, with pragmatic solutions. He's someone
who is devoid of the trappings of the political establishment. He's
not beholden to the corporate interests and is not entrenched in the
current corporate corruption.

With that said, I"m most interested in his relationship with Obama. He
lunched with Obama recently. I'm wondering if he'll endorse Obama or
if Obama would select him as a running mate?

Interesting questions...thanks for your post.
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 01:02 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. Obama is one of several Bloomberg has broke bread with lately...
He also had dinner with Chuck Hagel. And there are others who have spoken kindly of him should he decide to run.

Add to that the fact that Bloomberg is paying to receive top level foreign policy briefings from people who might be in a position to advise an President.
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OHdem10 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 01:21 AM
Response to Original message
8. Some pundits and columnists think we also have a group of
weak candidates. Theoretically, this would leave an opening for
an Independent win.

As I see it it would be a 3 way race. In Boomberg case, I can see
a case can be made that he would hurt the Republican, however, I also see
a case can be made that he would hurt the Democrat.

I do not think he will run, but if he runs he will run as anIndependent.

Strong Candidate is in the eye of the beholder. What Activists see
as strong does not always match up with rank and file citizens.
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still_one Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 01:23 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. A third party candidate like Bloomberg in my view would force it to the house
and who ever controlled Congress, that would determine if the President was a Democrat or a republican
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Yupster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:03 AM
Response to Reply #9
11. I can't imagine what state Blomberg would win?
I really wouldn't see him getting 10 % in any state.
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saltpoint Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:23 AM
Response to Reply #11
15. It could be, though, that his goal is not to win X number of states but to
reshape and redefine the national political landscape.

He's in a position to force at least the Republican Party to change.
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still_one Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 05:48 AM
Response to Reply #11
20. It is a moot point since he isn't running, but New York for one /nt
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fujiyama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 06:15 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. Is he more popular than Hillary?
I'd be surprised if that were the case. I think she'd win the state, but it'd be closer. The same would likely be the case with New Jersey.

I think Bloomberg would be a spoiler for Dems in northeast states, handing republicans the election.
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 01:32 AM
Response to Original message
10. Without Public Campaign Finance Reform, Bloomberg has the best chance of a 3rd Party Candidate...
He can spend $1 bil without ever having to raise a dime by fundraising.

He will not have to run the gauntlet of Primaries.

His biggest impediment is getting enough signatures quick enough to get on the ballot in all 50 states.

It sure would change the dynamics in of the two party race for President.

I am trying to figure out exactly where the loyalties of the MSM would lie.

IMHO Edwards and Obama would have the best chance of winning a 3 way race with Bloomberg as a late entry.
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 11:02 AM
Response to Reply #10
21. The great drawback to running a successful 3rd Party Campaign is ....
... the rules are written by the current Two Party system to keep 3rd Party Candidates off the ballot. I say this as a loyal Democrat, but it is a fact.

THese rules have been challenged numerous times in the past, for the most part unsuccessfully.

A Michael Bloomberg candidacy could help change the landscape for future 3rd Party candidacies, and there are very few candidates who can bring to the table the advantages of having $1 billion to spend on a Candidacy.

It may only be conjecture and never pan out, but the consequences of a Bloomberg run would be felt even if he did not win.
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Blackhatjack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-12-07 08:37 PM
Response to Reply #21
25. ...And Now There Are Reports Bloomberg AND Gore are Meeting...n/t
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saltpoint Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:15 AM
Response to Original message
13. Bloomberg appears ready to make the race. And he has been saving up
Edited on Tue Dec-11-07 03:15 AM by Old Crusoe
in his piggy bank to finance it, too.

Uptick in press coverage, plus all your points in the OP.

Hard to guess his impact but the Republicans are the ones who should be concerned. The nutbag fundies would likely stick with Thompson or Huckabee or even Romney in a pinch, but the "libertarian Republicans" might flood to Bloomberg, splitting the red vote.

I think most of our candidates still win a 3-way and if Giuliani miraculously survives to become the GOP nominee, I think Bloomberg would finish behind us but ahead of Rudy.
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Cosmocat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #13
22. Ah ...
I would, out of the gates challenge your belief that Guiliani woudl finish behind an indy in the vote ... I think that indicates a pretty serious underestimation of just how much Rs stick together ...

The Rs stick to the Rs come heck or high water, the indies might go with Bloomberg, as well as fickle Ds ... IMO it depends on the D candidate ...

Either way, I don't like it ...
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saltpoint Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:22 AM
Response to Original message
14. Happy to cast a rec vote on this thread, Blackhatjack. It's the stuff of
politics, IMO, the kind of thing that keeps people at the bar one more hour to talk about who's running and who ain't.

Keep 'em comin'.
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Occam Bandage Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:24 AM
Response to Original message
16. He'd pull 15%, and whichever major-party candidate that lost would (possibly rightly) bitch about it
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Azathoth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 03:37 AM
Response to Original message
17. The MSM would go bonkers, the rest of the country would shrug its shoulders
Unless of course Guiliani wins the GOP nom and Hillary wins the Dem nom...then we would have ourselves a three-way subway series. :rofl:
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dmosh42 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 04:44 AM
Response to Original message
18. He would be just another rich guy.....
not doing anything the people want.
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SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Dec-11-07 05:47 AM
Response to Original message
19. yawn...n/t
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Canuckistanian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-12-07 08:50 PM
Response to Original message
26. He would become the Right's Ralph Nader
And cursed for DECADES.
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