please just sit quietly in the corner and continue to play with your coy, this country doesn't need the likes of you, no more Israeli candidates in US politics

Why speculate over whether Mike Bloomberg is running? If he wants to announce — let him. Other wise, CNN should focus on South Carolina and Michigan, where the REALLY newsworthy campaigning is occurring.

Let's see he's a:

Democrat..

Independent…….

Republican……..

Mike,
What are your ideals…who do you serve….besides your own humongous ego?

We already have a third party candidate this year and his name is Ron Paul. I kid, I kid.

As a New Yorker, I really like Bloomberg. He's smart, experienced, builds strong consensus, and effectively moves that consensus to action. He is not like either of his predecessors in the NYC mayors office who, in the case of Dinkins and Koch, simply pandered to political interests or, in the case of Giuliani, created ego-driven division in the city and who proved true the old axiom that "you can have amazingly efficient government - only at the expense of civil liberties."

However, he needs to stop playing "footsie" and declare himself a candidate for one party or the other. The last thing we need is another four years of hostile, paralized, divided government. Whether the Republicans or the Democrats win Congress, he wouldn't have allies anywhere.

play coy all you want mr. mayor but this country has no need of you.

With all this speculation over repeated statements that Bloomberg isn't running, why are we still doing it? If Bloomberg is going to support actual candidate, let it be someone other than himself. I think that if he were to run, what would he be running as? What about what he said about staying until the end of his term as mayor of New York City? Some lessons learned in NYC can't translate to being in the White House.

Bloomterd is a Liberal and I hope he get's in, the big lib will steal more votes from the Democrats

Yes many, many many people all throughout this country are interested in his potential candidacy.

People are fed up with both parties….and rightly so.

I would certainly consider voting for Bloomberg if he were to run.

I switched to Independent 14 years ago out of disgust with the parties.

A viable 3rd candidate would be a very welcome situation for scores of millions of voters all throughout this country.

Bloomie doesn't want S.C. guns in NYC,
S.C. doesn't want Bloomie's campain.

Draft Bloomie? Sure,send him to Iraq!

I hope he runs……..I can't stand the dirty politics the Clintons are playing. They are trying to divide and conquer.

He can play as coy as he wants, nobody outside of New York City is seriously interested in anything this man has to say.

He is an aged multi-billionaire with more money than time or common sense. But this is still America, and it wouldn't matter if he had 20 billion instead of the 11 he is reported to have; Americans do the voting, and his billions cannot buy this election.

He has considerably less stature than Ross Perot did when he ran. His advisors need to tell him "it's a fairy tale", you are "living in a dream", just retire to the Bahamas.

If he tries to act as spoiler for Senator Obama or Senator Clinton he will be infamous and hated for all time.

Stay in New York, and leave the rest of us alone.

Andy TN January 14, 2008 6:11 pm ET

"A do-nothing mayor wants to be a do-nothing president. Makes sense to me."

Andy, obviously, you have no clue what Bloomberg's 2 administrations have been like in NYC. He completely streamlined government here and made it accountable. He got rid of a lot of bureaucratic gunk and made it possible for different agencies to actually talk to each other and work productively together on the problems facing our city. Unlike previous mayors, he actually appointed the most qualified candidates to the position of Commissioner in all city departments rather than appoint under-qualified people because of political favors he owed. He's overseen a tremendous amount of economic growth in NYC and put in place sound policies that fostered growth. At the same time, he created new and innovative programs that helped the poor and uneducated. For example, his program aimed at ending homelessness by looking at the root causes for becoming homeless has been applauded across the country. He's revamped the school system and made it accountable for failures. And unlike the other NYC mayor running for president, he doesn't feel like he needs to take credit for every success story that happens in the city. He's more than happy to give the credit to those who are actually responsible for the successes.

Bloomberg is dead on right about the political gridlock in DC. It's time to end partisan politicals once and for all. Political parties are dinosaurs and they no longer accomplish what they originally set out to do. Democrats, Republicans, whatever… they're doing more harm than good to our society.

I am from NYC. I enjoy having Mr Bloomberg as mayor. He is doing a great job. But I am just tired of the "is he or isn't he" and the playing with words to avoid answering whether he is considering a run for president. The idea is great if he will, I will not vote for him, but just say you will or will NOT run. Answer the question "I plan to run but have not decided when to announce" or I WILL NOT EVER run for president of the United States for the 2008 election". Its a simple answer.

GIVE IT.

An Obama/Bloomberg ticket would do well.

But dunno if it's likely…

Romney Economy said JOBS JOBS and I loved it.

McCain is a Rambo I need a job not a war.

Bam Bam Vs Hillarious could be beat by an independent, but I think America is warming up to Romney.

We've got enough comic relief already without this egotistical Bozo getting in here who thinks he can win the presidency without paying any dues and doing any hard work.

Go back to the Hamptons, Mr. Bozo.

What? NYC wasn't big enough to fill his ego? Stay in New York, Bloomberg, for the love of God.

yeh thats what we would excpect doug, lol, california, what a waste of land

Clinton, Bloomberg, McCain –> I'd vote for Bloomberg
Obama, Bloomberg, McCain –> I'd vote for Obama with Bloomberg as the VP

I think the polls have it wrong.

Bloomberg will be most popular in areas that traditionally vote Democrat: the coasts and urban areas. He hasn't a chance in the South. He spoils in favor of the Republicans.

But Bloomberg does not want to be a spoiler–otherwise, he'd be in this thing already.

I think it's clear he's waiting for Super Tuesday to see how united the parties are. If there's a Democratic split–or near split–between Obama and Hillary, it would encourage him to run; I think the only thing on the Republican side that would stop him from running would be were Rudy to emerge as the clear nominee. He and Rudy, though substantially different, have similar "near-jerk" appeal: tough, competent.

I'd honestly like to see him run very much. I'd probably, as an independent myself, vote for him: he's been a terrific mayor. But I am skeptical whether even a billion dollars could establish the organization and outreach needed to capture the White House.

If it ends up being a race between Hillary Clinton, and any Republican candidate who's last name isn't McCain, then I'll vote for Bloomberg out of spite.

What's with these potential candidates all playing coy ? Whenever they're asked if they're gonna run, they all do the same thing, they smile, and shake their head acting like "Oh I don't know" when all the time they've all but signed their name.

Guiliani did it, Thompson did it, Hillary did it, Obama did it, McCain did it., Huckabee did it. WHAT's the POINT?

They know they're gonna run, we ALL know they're gonna run, why not just up and say I'm running for President of the United States, and stop wasting time "blushing" when someone asks you??

Geez!

Such courage.

I guess he wants to see what competition remains after February–to decide if he's got the courage to run.

Personally, I hope he decides to stay out. My guess is he'll try to be Obama's VP if he gets the nod from the DEM party.

I hope America can tolerate his ego.,

save your money! you dont have a snowballs chance,america speaks,

Bloomberg most likely needs to run just so he will have a tax wite-off because I surely don't think he would win.

It shows a real lack of character that he's waiting to see who the nominees are before getting in the race.

If you want to run for president do it because you think you can do some good for your country.

I'm black, Republican and new Yorker!

Bloomberg is a self-made billionaire who once was a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party so he can run for Mayor of New York. After he won the mayor's race, he's now an Independent.

Check his checkered moves and see if this is somebody you can put trust in to stand by his convictions!

Apart from the media, which probably is already quietly digging up dirt on him in case he anounces his candidacy, I wish to make it clear:

BLOOMBERG IS ANTI-WORKING CLASS AND ANTI-LABOR! HE IS FOR CHEAP LABOR, WITH LITTLE BENEFITS! RIGHT NOW HIS COMPANY IS BEING SUED BY EMPLOYEES FOR DISCRIMINATION! GO FIGURE!

He also wrote a book that is not on the shelves today, in which he shockingly states how he BROKE THE LAWS to achieve his goals.

Bloomberg is so full of himself, he makes Hillary look like a lesser devil! But still a devil!

Don't waste your vote for the Dem or Gop candidate…you will only sabatage the Independent party. Vote for real change…vote for the new main stream party.

I'd vote for Bloomberg over Clinton any day.

Bloomberg hates Rudy with a passion and has no love loss for Hillary because he feels she didn't give him enough support - when he was running as a Democrat before he was a Republican but now he's an Independent - or maybe he was a Republican before he was a Democrat but now he's an Independent!!

Anyway it would seem a bit odd that if he liked what Barack had to say when they had their little "secret meeting" that he would not have come out and declared his support for him then? Sooo who knows what that means - maybe he wasn't convinced or maybe they have different views or maybe he's waiting to see if Barack doesn't get the Dem. nod then Bloomberg will have him run with him on an Independent ticket. Which may make sense because is not Barack is the candidate who is running as the Uniter across both sides of the aisle? Maybe an Independent?

The reasoning goes that if Bloomberg does decide to run for President that he will siphon off the Independent and the more moderate GOP votes which Barack would need to win whereas not the hard core party faithful Democrats (who aren't threatening to hold their breath until they turn purple and pass out because THEY know that the future of the US Supreme Court is on the line - so the rest can either become Pro-Lifers or Anti-GunControl supporters OR they can stay home and have a nice hot cup of tea and cookies and take an aspirin for their headache)!!

What all the nasty little hillaryhaters fail to realize is that whatever the outcome Hillary WILL bounce. After living in a goldfish bowl for the last 15 -20 years and being battered, bruised, and bullied by the OTHER party and the likes of Gingrich (and Rove) guess what = She is STILL standing. And now who honestly believes that there could possibly be ANYMORE skeletons out there that haven't already been dug up?? And by now frankly who cares… big yawn…. I'm sure the supermarket tabloids are going to be pretty interesting as time passes though - as the GOP JAWS goes to work…. and that's not just whistling Dixie either. Take a gander at what they are doing in SC already = seems politics as usual and they call themselves the family values party (X rated?) drat I misplaced the link, anyway it wasn't what anyone would call good CLEAN politics!

john January 14, 2008 6:29 pm ET

If he runs will the independents still want McCain? If I were a Republican
voter I'd be wary of this happening down the road.
—————————————————————-
Hi John,

That would be the choice we Independents have to make.
I will choose McCain over Bloomberg.
Still, it's important for us to have the best nominee from each party.

I would consider McCain, Ron Paul or Obama.
It's an impossible dream for me to vote for Hillary no matter how much CNN bombarded me with her new and rerun postings.

Dont be fooled kids.This mans job is to sabatage someones chances.

This country needs a third party even if many said it's an impossible dream.
This year is the first good chance for Independents.
The biggest problem with Independents is lack of organization.

Bloomberg cannot continue sitting on the sideline and said, "I might." once in a while.
I won't vote for anybody that spends only his own money and buy the presidency.
You must have a large base of support in order to unite the nation and lead.
Without that, forget it. You are not leader 'of the people' no matter how much I like you.

Lou Dobbs would have made a stronger Independent candidate in my opinion.

Bloomberg needs to enter the race now to give the public the opportunity to know what his political platform is while democrats and republicans are running helter skelter and slowing losing the interest of voters like myself.

Save us, Bloomie, from the takes-a-village Democrats and the theocratic Repellicans. Outspend Mitt the Mormon and buy us relief from bush leaguers.

Bloomberg Schoomberg! All ego and no traction. Poor guy - he has John Lindsay syndrome.

If Hillary gets the nomination, Bloomberg will run and will get Democrat , Republician
and Independent votes so he will be elected.

RUN please. If we have to have a NYC mayor for president, I'd much rather see Mayor Bloomberg. It would truly annoy both parties and would go a great distance in the formation of a third party. The Democrats and Republicans have been at this long enough; it is time for a national change. We have done it before. In case you haven't heard, the Whigs and the Federalists are not having primaries this year. It is time to make a real change in government. We have had enough talk this year about change.

Matt,

both sides will lose votes, however, every poll shows that with Bloomberg in the mix, republicans lose 3 times as many votes as democrats do, specially from the moderate Republicans.
This drops a little if John McCain is the Republican candidate, in that case, Republicans only lose about 1.5 as many votes as Democrats.

Either way, although Bloomberg is not a "true" Republican (he used to be a democrat, now he's an independent), Republicans lose more votes (ala Ross Perot).

Bloomberg should run for mayor of San Francisco. He'd fit right in.

I would vote for Bloomberg. This country needs a third party.

If Hillary gets the Dem nomination…I would vote for Bloomberg.

Bloomberg can afford to run for US president, but it would be a waste of cash because Americans are beginning to look at how distant candidates are from real citizens. When your worth hundreds of millions of dollars, you have nothing in common with me, I'm not welcome to drink out of Bloomberg's executive toilet. Your future concerns mean nothing to me, hell, I'm trailer trash, and Bloomberg wouldn't offer his trash for my consumption.
My federal representatives have defined certain comments I've expressed as harshly cynical of today's politicians. I reply that you've earned it. DC is in a state of John Galt. (Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged").

All due respect, Lev, but I disagree. If Bloomberg makes for a three-way general election in November, the Democrats cannot win. He'll grab a large enough share of the either independent vote to cut into Obama or he'll sway a good share of Democrats who cannot abide Hillary. Either way, no matter who the Democrats nominate, he'll be making the job of the Republican nominee that much easier.

Just look at the effect Ralph Nader's candidacy had on the 2004 election.

If he runs will the independents still want McCain? If I were a Republican
voter I'd be wary of this happening down the road.

He has no platform. He's pro-war, open borders. He's relying on the 'can't stand any of the current candidates' vote. Dang…. based on that criteria, he gets my vote.

Golly gee Wow! His entrance into the race would mean one more candidate that no one cares about. He wouldn't last through a news cycle much less through an election. This "I don't want it but if you insist" approach is working so well for Fred Thomas, er Thompson, er Flintstone. What's his name again?

I'm still mad at him for destroying the greatest AM radio station ever - WNEW 1130 New York. He bought it and made it the flagship of Bloomberg Radio.

Cut it out Bloomberg! Get over the ego trip. Haven't you had enough thrills in life. Don't be the election 2008 spoiler candidate. We just can't have another Republican in the White House

A do-nothing mayor wants to be a do-nothing president. Makes sense to me.

To Lev Klinemann, CA- actually Bloomberg is not a Republican, he's a left-leaning Independent, so he would cost the Democrats the election.

With the campaign message being cooperation and unity, an Independent wouldn't muster many votes, the Republicans and Democrats have stolen that third party niche.

Bloom who? No one cares about this guy outside of the NE.

If he jumps into the race, the Republicans are done.
They couldn't even steal the election.

Hmmmm, maybe Hillary talked him into it, just kidding,

Love you Hillary.