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Michael Bloomberg considers a presidential run Michael Bloomberg considers a presidential run
(35 minutes later)
Michael R. Bloomberg, the billionaire and former New York mayor, is considering making an independent bid for the presidency, a move that could mark yet another wild turn in a 2016 race that has already seen more than its share of them.Michael R. Bloomberg, the billionaire and former New York mayor, is considering making an independent bid for the presidency, a move that could mark yet another wild turn in a 2016 race that has already seen more than its share of them.
Bloomberg’s deliberations, first reported by The New York Times, were confirmed Saturday by several close associates. Bloomberg’s deliberations, first reported by the New York Times, were confirmed Saturday by several close associates.
This is not the first time that Bloomberg has explored the possibility, and he may well decide that a race is not feasible. But three associates said that several factors have convinced him that a run outside of the Republican and Democratic party process is worth another look. This is not the first time that Bloomberg has explored the possibility, always with a pragmatic calculation of whether winning is feasible.
One is the possibility that either his fellow New York billionaire Donald Trump or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz might be at the top of the Republican ticket, facing either Sen. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist who Bloomberg considers not to have a viable chance, or a severely weakened former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Three associates said that several factors have convinced him that a run outside of the Republican and Democratic party process is worth another look.
If any combination of those prospects looks likely — something Bloomberg believes could be clear by some time in March — it is possible they could create an opening for the former New York mayor to run as an independent. One is the possibility that the Republican ticket may be headed by a polarizing figure, such as his fellow New York billionaire Donald Trump or Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), the two leaders of the race at this stage.
In addition to his considerable financial resources, Bloomberg has a reputation as a skilled manager and political bridge builder with moderate views on social issues. The other is that the Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton, may turn out to be a far weaker candidate than was once expected — and might even lose the nomination to Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), a self-described democratic socialist whose mainstream appeal is in question.
If the right combination of those possibilities begins to look likely — something Bloomberg thinks could be clear in March, after the first big round of state primaries — it is possible they could create an opening for him to make a credible run as an independent.
“It’s something that he’s looked at, off and on, for years, and every now and then, he polls. At one point, he concluded it just couldn’t be done,” said one Bloomberg friend, speaking on the condition of anonymity, because of the political sensitivities involved.
But with the unexpected upheavals that appear to be taking place in both parties, the friend said: “What you have is some stirrings, and people taking some fresh looks.”
In addition to his considerable financial resources, Bloomberg has a reputation as a skilled manager and political bridge builder.
The onetime Republican has moderate views on social issues. In 2014, he launched a $50 million effort to take on the National Rifle Association on gun control — an issue that Clinton has also emphasized in her campaign.