Michael Bloomberg's approval ratings have dropped since trying to change the city's mayoral term limits.

(CNN) — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's approval rating appears to have taken a significant hit since he successfully sought to change the city's mayoral term limits.

According to a new survey from Marist College, Bloomberg's approval rating is down 9 points from a similar survey taken one month ago. The mayor still enjoys a 59 percent approval rating, though Marist reports this is the first time since 2005 it has been in the 50 percent range.

"The voters don't like being defied, and Bloomberg is paying a penalty for persuading the City Council to overturn term limits that were passed twice by New York City voters," CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider said.

"He has one advantage, Schneider also said. "No Democrat at this point seems strong enough to over take Bloomberg. He also has another advantage. Lots of money."

Fist elected in 2001, Bloomberg cited the financial crisis for the reason he was seeking a third term.

"I don't think the city needs another campaign. It's going to be tough enough to get us through this," Bloomberg told reporters last month referring to the meltdown on Wall Street.

The poll was conducted from November 17-19, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Mayor Bloomberg is asking city council to change term limits.

NEW YORK (CNN) — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday he is asking the city council to change the office's two-term limit allow him to run for a third term.

"If the City Council should vote to amend term limits, I plan to ask New Yorkers to look at my record of independent leadership and then decide if I've earned another term," Bloomberg said in a news conference at City Hall.

The mayor, a billionaire businessman, is credited with helping New York City recover economically after the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, which felled the twin towers of the World Trade Center and killed more than 2,700 people.

Elected for the first time just two months after the attacks, Bloomberg pumped tens of millions of dollars of his own money into that campaign, as well as his bid for re-election in 2005.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

NEW YORK (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday that whoever wins the presidency in November, "at least we'll have an adult in office who can lead and accomplish something."

During a question-and-answer session, Bloomberg said he will not have to agree on all matters with whomever he ultimately endorses for president.

"I'm looking for a candidate that is willing to face reality and say, 'We can't have everything and there are costs and we've got to make choices.'"

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BROOKLYN, New York (CNN) – Introducing John McCain before his economic speech and roundtable in Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the Arizona senator for showing him the ropes when he ran for mayor in 2001 — and credited his victory to the presumptive Republican nominee.

“I got elected because of you,” Bloomberg told McCain. “So if the people of New York are happy, they should say thank you to you.”

The mayor joked that his “good friend” burned ribs on the barbecue during a visit to McCain’s ranch in Arizona, though, “I will say it’s relatively small to be called a ranch.”

The Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Independent mayor showered McCain with compliments. “No matter what your political affiliation or your views are, [McCain] really deserves to have the term hero attached to his name,” said Bloomberg, calling the senator “nothing if not forthright.”

Bloomberg did make it known what he expected of McCain: “the measure I think we ought to apply in judging candidates is are they candid? Do they offer concrete solutions to our most difficult problems? And that’s what we’ll be looking for today.”

Without pointing to any one candidate, Bloomberg argued, “we need strong leadership, we needed it after 9/11 and I think we need it even more today than ever before.”

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN)—Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue their focus on the economy Thursday. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Suzanne Malveaux explains the candidates’ stances on economic reform.

Michael Bloomberg introduced Barack Obama at a campaign event, fueling speculation the New York City Mayor may endorse the Illinois senator’s White House bid. CNN’s Mary Snow has the details.

Also, the Jeremiah Wright controversy does not appear to have had a negative effect on Obama’s presidential run. Jessica Yellin reports on new poll findings.

Finally, talk radio host and CNN commentator Glenn Beck compares the looming Social Security and Medicare crisis to a “$53 trillion asteroid headed for earth.”

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily

–CNN’s Emily Sherman and Alexander Mooney

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wrote in a New York Times op-ed that he will not run for president.

(CNN) — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has publicly flirted with the idea of a run for the White House as an independent, says he will not run for president.

"I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not — and will not be — a candidate for president," Bloomberg wrote in an op-ed posted on the New York Times Web site Wednesday night in advance of Thursday's paper.

The 66-year-old billionaire had publicly repeated that he was not a candidate for president in recent months, while leaving open the option that he could become one.

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Related: John Dickerson analyzes Bloomberg's decision not to run

(CNN) — New Yorkers overwhelmingly like Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but most don't want him to run for president, according to a new poll.

According to the just released WNBC/Marist poll, 66 percent of New Yorkers say Bloomberg is doing either a good or excellent job running the city. But just as many say Bloomberg should not mount a White House bid — only 25 percent of New Yorkers would like to see him run for president.

A new effort is being launched to urge Bloomberg to jump into the presidential race. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Michael Bloomberg has repeatedly said he is not a candidate for president, but two political operatives are hoping a 50-state petition drive will change that.

Gerald Rafshoon, a former spokesperson for Jimmy Carter, and Doug Bailey, a veteran GOP consultant, announced Tuesday they are launching a nationwide petition in hopes of convincing the New York City mayor to enter the race. The two said they have filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission and the IRS to form an official committee.

In announcing the effort, Bailey said the times call for a figure like Bloomberg.

"At a time when the economy is in great peril and facing a recession, Mike Bloomberg represents an unique answer to his experience and his understanding and his success in the financial markets," he said. "At a time when the Washington political system is broken, wouldn't it be refreshing to have a president elected who owes nothing to the lobbyist, nothing to the special interest, and nothing to the extreme elements of either the political parties."

Rafshoon noted the onetime Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent is a multi-billionaire who can finance his own presidential bid, and won't be beholden to special interest groups or a party platform.

"This is not somebody who has a crazy vision of the country and how he would like to spend his money," he said. "But he will not be taking money from lobbyists. He will not be taking money from New York bankers or any of the people you said that have met to discuss a Bloomberg candidacy."

Bloomberg continues to deny plans of a run, but news surfaced last week he has launched a research effort to measure how much support exists for an Independent presidential bid. A source close to the mayor told CNN he will make his final decision about a presidential run in March — conceivably after both party's nominees are determined.

Asked about the new effort, Bloomberg said he is "flattered," but added, "I am not candidate for president of the United States. I've got a job which I think is a phenomenal job."

Related video: CNN's Carol Costello reports on the Bloomberg push

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Bloomberg says he is not running for president, but advisers are exploring whether he can win.

NEW YORK (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg would not rule out a presidential run in 2008 Monday, amid mounting reports that his aides have been gathering research on whether he can win.

Bloomberg tried to deflect the question Monday, pointing out that he was not currently an official presidential contender. "I've said this before. You would think that people would get tired of the answer. I'm not a candidate for President of the United States,” Bloomberg told reporters at an event at Harlem Renaissance High School.

But he would not say he was not planning a run.

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Bloomberg is paying for heavy polling and voter analysis in every state.

A source close to Bloomberg told CNN last week that data assessing Bloomberg’s chances had been collected, but not yet analyzed, and that the mayor might make his decision on a presidential run by early March.

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Watch CNN's Suzanne Malveaux size up the latest news on Richardson and Bloomberg.

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux takes a look at how the latest news from Bill Richardson and Michael Bloomberg may affect the presidential race.

Bloomberg is testing support for a White House bid.

NEW YORK (CNN) – New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched a research effort to assess his chances in a potential bid for the presidency, a source close to the mayor told CNN.

The source said data is being gathered but that the mayor — who has been widely speculated as being interested in running for the White House as an independent — has not yet begun analyzing that data, the source said.

The source, who is intimately familiar with the mayor's deliberations, said he has set early March as a timetable for making a decision.

Bloomberg, a former Democrat who was elected to the mayor's office as a Republican, joined a panel of moderate current and former lawmakers earlier this week at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. The group, made up of both Democrats and Republicans, called for a return to bipartisanship in government.

"What has changed is that people have stopped working together," Bloomberg said at the Monday gathering. "Government is dysfunctional. There is no collaboration and congeniality. There is no working together and 'Let's do what's right for the country.' There is no accountability today … no willingness to focus on big ideas."

— CNN's John King contributed to this report.

In an interview with CNN, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg explains why he is attending a summit of moderate politicians this weekend and whether it means he may run for president. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Obama and Bloomberg had a surprise breakfast Monday in New York City.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — New York may be Sen. Hillary Clinton’s home turf – but the man in charge, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, met this morning with Barack Obama, one of her chief rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The pair sat down for coffee and eggs in midtown Manhattan, just a quick cab ride away from former President Bill Clinton’s offices in Harlem. The mayor might be a billionaire, but Obama still paid, and left a big tip – almost 60 percent.

While Bloomberg has always spoken well of Clinton, he feels no special hometown loyalty to the senator, who failed to endorse him during his two mayoral runs, when he ran as a Republican.

Bloomberg reached out to the Obama campaign, according to campaign spokesman Bill Burton, who told CNN's Mary Snow the pair discussed issues from the economy and education to homeland security and global warming – but wouldn’t say whether the two talked about a possible presidential endorsement.

“They have a shared belief there is too much game playing in Washington and not enough problem solving,” said Burton, who added that there are no future meetings on the books.

Bloomberg, who is no longer registered to any political party, has long pledged to steer clear of national politics and the presidential campaign, but his morning meeting with the Illinois senator (which only appeared late last night on Bloomberg’s schedule, and caught many Obama-watchers by surprise), comes on the heels of a similar meal with Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska, just a few days ago.

Obama and Bloomberg first met earlier this year, when the mayor came to Washington to press for more Homeland Security funding for the Big Apple.

– CNN Associate Editor Rebeca Sinderbrand

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

NEW YORK (CNN) — Two men have been accused of stealing money from the personal bank account of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Manhattan District Attorney's office announced Tuesday.

Charles Nelson, 31, was charged with grand larceny and identity theft after stealing $10,000 from the billionaire in an online transaction on May 11, the district attorney's office said in a news release. The defendant allegedly transferred the money into an e-trade account and then withdrew it using a debit card.

The release said Nelson was arrested in Newark, N.J., after authorities discovered a computer, documents and two guns linking him to the crime. He was to be arraigned in New Jersey on weapons charges and then transferred to the district attorney's office.

Authorities discovered the withdrawal after being alerted to a different transfer from Bloomberg's account allegedly attempted by Odalis Bostic, 24, of Elizabeth, N.J.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg greets President Bush.

NEW YORK, New York (CNN) — Democrat-turned-Republican -turned-Independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg stood alongside President Bush Wednesday, as the president touted one of his main domestic priorities.

As he wrapped up his trip to New York City, Bush made a case for Congress to renew the No Child Left Behind Act, saying, “Don't go backward when it comes to educational excellence."

The New York mayor joined forty fourth and fifth graders from P.S. 76 for the announcement, and First Lady Laura Bush.

President Bush cited new results from the National Report Card showing improvements among fourth and eighth grade students in math and reading test results. The president also noted that the New York City school system recently won the Broad Prize, an award given to the urban school district that shows the greatest improvement in poor and minority student achievement. Bush said No Child Left Behind Act was a factor in the city’s progress, but praised Bloomberg for his leadership.

The president said, “The mayor is a no-nonsense guy who understands that if you set a goal, you expect to see results in achieving that goal. He knows how to ask tough questions, and he's pretty good about moving aside bureaucracy that will inhibit the people he has selected to achieve the goal.”

– CNN Political Desk Manager Steve Brusk

Hagel said he has no plans to run on a ticket with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

WASHINGTON (CNN)–Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska, all but put to rest the rampant speculation that he has been planning to run on a third party presidential ticket with New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Chatter for their potential run started months ago when the two political mavericks had dinner together in Washington.

Though neither politician has ruled out running for higher office, Sen. Hagel said on CNN’s Late Edition this morning that there is no plan in place to run together. “I have never, along with Mayor Bloomberg, as far as I know, come to any conclusions or worked our way towards [running together] or applied any focus on that,” Sen. Hagel said. “I don't really see that happening.”

Sen. Hagel announced last week he would not run for reelection in the Senate when his term expires in 2008.

-CNN Late Edition Producer Ted Metzger

Bloomberg discussed the 2008 presidential race on his Web site Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has repeatedly said he's not running for president. But for a man who claims he has no interest in the White House, he does not shy away from talk about the 2008 race.

His latest comments sure to arouse speculation came in a personal entry Thursday on the billionaire's personal Web site.

The former Wall Street CEO again denies he has any interest in a presidential run, but wrote, "It's time for something real…that's what this upcoming campaign needs to be about."

Bloomberg also said the question of whether he plans to run for president is misguided.

"'Are you running?' is the wrong question," Bloomberg wrote. "The question should not be about politics, but about leadership. Not who is the best candidate, but who will be the best president."

The New York City Mayor then dolls out what seems to be an early version of a stump speech.

"We need solutions that are innovative and bold, not superficial half-steps that are driven by politics, partisanship, or special interest campaign contributions," he wrote. "We need real solutions that honestly address the big challenges we face as a nation."

In recent months, Bloomberg has taken a series of actions that have raised speculation he may be considering an Independent White House bid. He dropped his affiliation with the Republican Party in June and has given several policy speeches outside of New York this summer.

– CNN's Paul Steinhauser, Katy Byron, and Alexander Mooney

Bloomberg denies he is considering a presidential bid.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will deliver a major policy address on poverty next week in the nation's capital, the latest in a string of national events that his office says is unrelated to a possible White House bid.

Bloomberg will discuss his recent initiatives in New York City to combat poverty in a speech sponsored by the Brookings Institution's Center on Children and Families. The event will be held on Tuesday, the same day the U.S. Census Bureau will release its annual report detailing income and poverty levels in the nation.

"The mayor said he is not running for president, but he's going to use his time in office to work on the issues important to the city and important to the country," says Lindsay Ellenbogen, a Bloomberg mayoral aide.

Bloomberg, who left the Republican Party in June to become an Independent, has denied rumors that he is mulling a third-party run for president. He most recently addressed the issue in an interview on the HDnet television network with journalist Dan Rather.

"Nobody is going to elect me President of the United States. What I'd like to do is to influence the dialogue. I'm a citizen," the mayor told Rather in a quote confirmed by Bloomberg's office.

– CNN Political Research Director Robert Yoon

Buffett supports both Clinton and Obama.

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) — Billionaire investor Warren Buffett says it can get a little lonely being a Democrat in Nebraska. But he had plenty of company Wednesday night at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama — and organizers say Obama made a valuable investment.

"I think his stock in Nebraska goes up from here," said Omaha, businessman Harley Schrager, who co-hosted the event with Buffet and others.

The total raised wasn't immediately available, but the minimum price to get into the event was $500 a person, and organizers estimated the crowd at about 200. About 40 people attended an earlier reception, and each donated at least $2,300 for admission.

Obama called Buffett "one of those people I listen to," but said that while the support from the so-called Oracle of Omaha is great, it's not enough to get elected, and he appealed to the gathered business people, lawyers and local politicians for their help.

Buffett hasn't endorsed a presidential candidate yet, but he said Wednesday that Obama "is going to bring outstanding ideas to a new administration."

He's said previously he'd be happy with either Hillary Clinton or Obama and has also spoken favorably about the presidential prospects of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who recently left the Republican Party to become an independent.

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Watch Bloomberg's immigration comments Monday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — He's not a presidential candidate, at least not yet, but New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is weighing in on comments from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney that New York is a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants.

"I can't think of any laboratory that shows better why you need a stream of immigrants than New York City," he said Monday. "I don't know what to tell anybody. They just — if they don't believe that immigrants add a heck of a lot more than they cost, they just aren't looking at the numbers.”

Romney has repeatedly criticized GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani saying the former mayor supported illegal immigration in New York City during his term in office. During his comments, Bloomberg did not mention either candidate by name.

While New York City has never declared itself a sanctuary city, it does protect citizens' confidentiality when they seek medical care or report a crime, according to The Associated Press. Giuliani supported that policy when he was mayor.

Following a tour of the border in San Ysidro, California on Monday, Romney said, "We welcome legal immigration. Legal immigration is great for this country. It brings culture and vitality, skill and innovation, which is helpful to this country and always has been."

"We are a country largely of immigrants and it’s a wonderful thing," he added. “But we want to make sure it's legal immigration. We have to end illegal immigration; we have to protect legal immigration. "