Bloomberg Closes the Door on Indy Run

In a New York Times op-ed piece running in tomorrow's paper, but online now, popular New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces he will not run for President in 2008:

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.

Bloomberg goes on to hint at whom he might endorse:

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.

Of the three remaining candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama enjoy the widest support across the political spectrum, but it seems unlikely that McCain will buck "party orthodoxy" after he's spent this entire primary campaign trying to convince voters that he is a "true conservative."
A Bloomberg endorsement would be a great feather for Barack or McCain, as both are courting the same independents and party moderates in their respective bids for the White House. It will be interesting ti see if a "Bloomberg Effect" emerges in the way that the "Edwards Effext" did following his exit from the Democratic Primary race.


Bloomberg lays out his recipe for non-partisan success:

WATCHING the 2008 presidential campaign, you sometimes get the feeling that the candidates - smart, all of them - must know better. They must know we can't fix our economy and create jobs by isolating America from global trade. They must know that we can't fix our immigration problems with border security alone. They must know that we can't fix our schools without holding teachers, principals and parents accountable for results. They must know that fighting global warming is not a costless challenge. And they must know that we can't keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals unless we crack down on the black market for them.

While he throws a little boilerplate from each party in there, I think he "must know better." His own poll, released today, shows that McCain's party is starving for some red meat, while Obama already has moderate positions on trade and education. I don't see McCain contorting himself too much to grab the brass Bloomberg ring, shaking his party's base off of the carousel in the process.


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