Major effort launched to draft Bloomberg
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
I am confident that when people get to know Mr Bloomberg they will find a lot to like.
GO MIKE GO!
What makes him more capable for the job than Clinton or Obama? He has billions of dollars? If every billionaire pursued their whims, Bill Gates might be president now. They need something to keep them busy.
We need an exceptional person in this job, and as far as the Democratic field goes we have great choices in either Hillary or Barack.
Isn't one NYC mayor enough, You see how he is doing in the primaries....
Ron Paul is truly the only one that understands our economic demise, its very unfortunate that the MSM and the GOP cannot understand that, actually I think they do understand which is why they black him out, they just don't wont Paul to make them all look like idiots, that don't have a clue on how to run a country.
if he wants to be president he should stick with a party? onece a dem then a gop then a indi????? whats next, will he be a comunist? He would only be a spoiler of those who have stayed with their convictions and worked hard. I hope this country isn't buying all this lou dobbs independant crap, Lou dobbs is in everyway except on this issue, of independants. Saying you are DEM, or GOP lets me know what your ideals and values are, if your not either it just means you are a flip flopper and wishy whashy and have no core values.
To: Brian in Boston and Kevin,
Both of you getting on Jane who says we need a Dem to turn the economy around, and you guys think the Repubs can do a better job. PLEASE!!!!!!! Spare me!!! Your both drinking the kool-aid aren't you, you've got to be. The economy right now is crap because of the current admin and the past repub controlled house and senate. Get real fellas. Kevin you said "Democrats raise taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals that employ the less fortunate people that the Democrats are trying to help. The result is that because of greater tax expenses, corporations are forced to lay off workers and move operations out of the country. There is a reason that most professionals in the financial world are conservative". So with the GOP in charge since 00' (until the dems got the majority)and the Bush tax cuts,the only thing that has come of the poor corporations is the ceo's and shareholders have made a boatload of money and they continue to ship jobs overseas, and yeah the reason most professionals in the business world are conservative is because they want to pad their wallets and buy a fourth or fifth house in the Hamptons. If that is really how you feel,please don't even vote, you are insane. And Brian, Carter did inherit the Ford/Nixon economy. You two need to wake up and be honest with yourselves.
I fail to understand how Mr. Bloomberg could possibly believe he can get the Republicans and Democrats working together. The only way to do that is if we sent them all home and elected new representatives. This country doesn't need another self centered, egotistical President we've had our fill of the one we have now.
No core values? Independents are fed up with the BS the two parties have been shoveling. Republicans used to be for fiscal responsibility and smaller gov't. Have the Republicans delivered after all of these years of being in the majority? Democrats used to be for the working class. Right now they are in court trying to make it more difficult for workers to participate in the primaries in Nevada this weekend. My values haven't changed. The clowns representing the two political parties have abandoned their core values.
I like Bloomberg, this country needs a guy like him. Great leadership, tight fiscal spending and not absorbed by special interest. Plus he is a monument to personal responsiblity and selfiless service. What many people don't realize is this election for the first time probally since 1929 is not about our personal political beefs or or racial or gender hang ups.We are at a cross roads to where we have to see the whole picture outside our own personal interest. If not we all will suffer together black white rich poor male and female alike. This is our time America lets fix this
Bloomberg is also more of the same. The only candidate that is different is Ron Paul, but most people aren't educated enough to vote for Dr. Paul. Unfortunately we aren't living in a time of enlightenment. It may take the complete downfall of the US for people to realize what they have been doing. Both parties are on the spending bandwagon now, so it shouldn't take too many more years to see the results of their mistakes.
As a democrat, I could really attach myself to a Bloomberg/Clinton ticket. The best of the independents AND the democrats. Moderate Republicans are searching for something that different and Hillary's faithful would follow towards a united America.