NYC's Billionaire Mayor Eyes White House

Bipartisan Summit On Third-Party Candidates Fuels Michael Bloomberg Buzz

(CBS/AP)  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other potential independent presidential candidates are joining prominent Republican and Democratic centrists at a meeting that will consider the merits of a third-party bid for the White House.

The Jan. 7 event was organized by former Democratic senators David Boren and Sam Nunn, and about a dozen prominent figures are expected to participate, including Bloomberg, former Republican senator John Danforth of Missouri and Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., each of whom has been mentioned as a possible independent candidate.

Plans for the meeting were first reported by The Washington Post.

Boren said the meeting will serve as a form of "shock therapy" to the major-party candidates to stop bickering and provide Americans with a blueprint for bipartisanship in Washington. The event will be at the Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma, where he is president.

"We used to work together across party lines and we used to cooperate with each other," Boren said of his relationships with current and former senators who plan to attend. "It is a message to the two parties: Please rise to the occasion. If you don't, there is always a possibility out there of an independent."

In an interview with the New York Times, Boren suggested that if the prospective major party nominees failed within two months to formally embrace bipartisanship and address the fundamental challenges facing the nation, "I would be among those who would urge Mr. Bloomberg to very seriously consider running for president as an independent."

Bloomberg's spokesman Stu Loeser told the New York Post that "[Bloomberg] is going [to Oklahoma] because he has seen again and again as mayor how hyper-partisanship in Washington isn't just getting in the way of big reforms, it's getting in the way of any meaningful progress on a whole host of issues."

"He's looking forward to the opportunity to sit down with like-minded leaders to try and find solutions," Loeser added.

The meeting comes one day before the New Hampshire primary.

"We need statesmanship, not politics," Boren said. "The meeting in itself implies there could be other possibilities" than a two-party contest.

A Dec. 18 letter from Boren and Nunn to participants asserts that the political system is "at the least, badly bent and many are concluding that it is broken at a time where America must lead boldly at home and abroad. Partisan polarization is preventing us from uniting to meet the challenges that we must face if we are to prevent further erosion of America's power of leadership and example."

"As the letter says, we've literally become a house divided," Boren said. "We really need a government of national unity."

Bloomberg, once a Democrat, then a Republican and now an independent, has denied any interest in running for the presidency even while keeping speculation alive that he might.

"Despite public statements that he has no plans to run as an Independent candidate for president, his staff has laid out exact plans for the press on many occasions," reports CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "A billionaire businessman who has in the past indicated his future lies in philanthropy could easily spend that money on a campaign instead." (read more in Horserace)

Like the meeting's organizers, the mayor has criticized the tone of the campaign as one of overbearing partisanship. He said last month the country "needs somebody that says, 'I'm going to get the best from both parties.'"

Boren said some of the presidential candidates want to embrace a bipartisan platform but fear being attacked politically if they do so. "Many of the major issues are just not being addressed," he said.

[blancadebree]

Michael Bloomberg should run. Nothing brings says Democracy more than multiple parties.

And we''ve seen in the past how third party candidates ensure a victory for an otherwise weak candidate.

Can anyone say President Mike Huckabee?

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com

[skyk-2009]

Real Republican''s fed up with the Religious Reich and the Bigots that make up the Southern Fascist block of the GOP are looking for somewhere to go. This could well be the begining of a NEW (old) Republican Party. Let''s hope so.

[berniepeders]

leafsntrees make pointless posts to this board
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[inbredwhty]

Forgettaboutit...

[berniepeders]

I suppose I should stop responding to that fool and giving him the attention that he so desperately seeks.
Sorry folks.
Pax vobiscum

[jetranger7]

Well I don''t know much about ol'' Bloomberg really, but here my thoughts on this, 1st- I think its pathetic, that only the "RICH & WEALTHY" are able to run for President. 2nd- I''m NOT sure I or anybody else is gonna believe somebody like this is gonna really truly represent the interests of real "Working class American Workers", or represent the interests of the Elderly and the poor, at heart. I do believe a person like this would be more apt to represent and protect the "RICH & ARROGRANT & CORRUPT", than the rest of the Working Class People, who make up this country and those that are struggling ! If you think those Corrupt CEOS have been getting by like Fat Cats the last 8 to 10 years with their Big Salaries and Bonuses, just wait till he gets in office, or somebody such as this, just not sure "Billionaires" and the like are what we truly need to represent this country !!! Lets have some feed back on this now- Whats your thoughts ?????????

[neenga]

Hey, skyk -- I''m a southerner, a liberal, with a PhD in social statistics. Don''t be dissing on southerners alone, pal.

[excoachken]

Bloomberg is a perfect third party candidate------ONE HUGE JOKE

[hypnotoad72]

Terrific news! If people truly want change, they will vote third party. Mr Bloomberg has the respect and integrity people on BOTH sides want, and last to my knowledge plenty of both people on BOTH sides are tired of "politics as usual".

If he doesn''t, the next best candidates are out there (Huckabee, Paul, Edwards, Obama...)

We should have more than a two party system. That is democracy in action and it is up to each individual candidate to make their best case. If that candidate loses, it''s incredibly wormy to blame everyone else. Period.

[gunownerdan]

It doesn''t matter who we vote for, we are going to get a greedy rich a$$hole controlled by big money.

[harp1963]

More greedmongers, just what America needs. Our lack of humility is killing this country.

Yes, the real problem here is that Democrats just aren''t accommodating enough to Republicans.

[gunownerdan]

The White House...
For sale to the best prostitute

[cbsblogger]

Every time the mainstream media opens their mouth about Romney they are fretting about his Mormon religion.

If Bloomberg runs will we hear them fretting about his Jewish religion, and question his loyalty to the USA vs Israel?

I''ve actually never heard anyone have concerns about dual country loyalties of Mormons as they don''t have a homeland except for the USA.

[jetranger7]

OK- I''ve had Enough - I can''t take anymore - I''m going to be Voting for somebody who is not a Politician,, so I''ll be Voting for "PARIS HILTON" - and "Jennifer love hewitt" as VP OF THE USA !!! Thats whom I''m Votin for, tired of these Rich arrogrant Corrupt Swinging D-I-C-K-S in the White House, Time to put some good looking "SNATCH" in the White house thats at least decent to look at,, and ohh ya the PARTIES will be great too, lots of parties, the the fun begin Baby !!!!

[mike71067]

...Posted by JetRanger7 at 01:03 PM : Dec 31, 2007

I concur.

[briannorwood]

Great, another rich-boy egomaniac looking for his 15 minutes...

Cough, cough, puke!

[jsilver2th]

This isn''t a third party- it''s a collection of has beens and passed bys who think they should have been the really big shots...

Nobody out here in the West gives a rip about this Billionaire- Ross Perot did better that this guy will ever do because at least he had a populist edge-

Sure there''s plenty of consultants and hired-ons ready to predict great things- Boren quit his Senate seat when the going got tough-

I hope they aren''t spending public money from the state University on this- a conference my behind- launching pad for Bloomberg sign sealed and delivered- the timing- oh yeah- People that think they are God''s gift because they are rich- BORRRING

[tomar0317]

I have long wanted a third party to challenge the first two in no particular order. These first two have failed to listen and abide by the direction the electors have demanded. A strong third party is feasible but *** must be different from the first two in that the needs of our country are first and foremost. We''re tired of politicians that we''re embarrased of and want mature people, willing to "get it done". We want leaders, not lying bullies. We want honesty with black and white responses.

[gunownerdan]

Vote for your favorite one.....

Aristocracy
a government or state ruled by an elite, or privileged upper class.

Oligarchy
a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique; government by the few.

Plutocracy
a government or state in which the wealthy class rules.

[marcodele]

I guess that makes us a Pluto?

"Whoever has the most money wins."

[sharncedar]

SCOP - Standard Clinton Operating Procedure

Remember "Ross Perot" and his 19,741,065 votes? That was the only reason for the Clinton victory. Clinton got 43% of the popular vote, and they knew that going in. Thus the creation of a false ringer candidate in this case "Ross Perot" who would have been a non-entity except for the media types on the Clinton payroll who brought him out there as a serious candidate. They even allowed him in the final presidential debate, the only time in history that has happened.

Once again, the Clinton mafia has a candidate that cannot get more than 43% of the vote, thus they are looking to put another ringer in there. "Bloomberg" I suppose is meant to appeal to the middle Republicans, the money Republicans, enough to swing key states to her satanic majesty the clinton.

But I doubt anyone will vote for him - the "Ross Perot" fake candidate came out with a pseudo-populist agenda designed to fool middle Americans, he said all the things they wanted to say, and therby guarateeing that the arch-evil architect of NAFTA would seize the White House. What fake positions will "Bloomberg" take? Lower taxes for the rich? More wealth for the super-wealthy? A bigger share of our national treasure to be misspent in that Hell-hole New York?

If this is all the Clintons have, they are getting weak.

[ilovemydoggy]

"I wish ''they'' would do something about Health Care, Global Warming, the War, the economy." Who is ''they''? Forget ''they'' - it is ''we'' who must. Wake up.

[ilovemydoggy]

"I wish ''they'' would do something about health care, Global Warming, the War, the economy." Who is ''they''? Forget ''they'' - it is ''we'' who must. Wake up.

[Krazcarl]

Why do rich peaple want to run our country wou would think they would be happy with thier cash???

[jsilver2th]

Who would want to go to this and listen to these has beens whine because they got left behind? Always the bridemaid never the bride- guess what there''s a reason for that- CBS didn''t print the longer list: Conveners of the meeting include such prominent Democrats as former senators Sam Nunn (Ga.), Charles S. Robb (Va.) and David L. Boren (Okla.), and former presidential candidate Gary Hart. Republican organizers include Sen. Chuck Hagel (Neb.), former party chairman Bill Brock, former senator John Danforth (Mo.) and former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman.

Sam Nunn (Ga.), He is a board member of the following publicly held corporations: Chevron Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Dell Computer Corporation, General Electric Company.

Charles S. Robb (Va.)Married into LBJ Family= he was the only senate Democrat to vote for all items in the GOP''s "Contract with America" when they reached the Senate floor, including a Balanced Budget Amendment and a line item veto.


Former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman. Whitman as Bush EPA executive appeared twice in New York City after the September 11 attacks to inform New Yorkers that the toxins released by the attacks posed no threat to their health.

Gary Hart? ho ho ho he likes the hos.

And this is change?

Bloomberg changes parties like he changes his expensive shirts...he has no commitment to anyone or anything. He''s a change? What a laugh!!!

[gunownerdan]

"Whoever has the most money wins."
Posted by marcodele

Unless your name is Ron Paul.
The corporate-owned mass media tries hard to ignore those they can''t control.

[mudrose-2009]

Only more baffoonery to contend with.

[danstoned]

Republicons have a well documented track record of being the "Party of Self-Centered Thieves in Union with the Fundamentally Ill." Not since the Confederacy has America been under such constant attack by the NEOCON traitors from the Fascist Southern States. Since these traitors hate the USA so much, it is past due time for the Confederacy to secede and join union with their 3rd world counterpart Mexico, with the name of the Mexican Confederacy. Southern Neocons are all like women, in that they will never forget the fact that the Yankees slaughtered their forefathers into submission in the 1860s.

[savdavid]

In America, money can buy you anything. Might as well hand the keys to the White House to Bloomberg now. No one can compete with a billionaire.

[prinzowhales]

Just when you thought two parties that favoured open borders, endless war, the export of American jobs and Israel first...here comes another...."Spider pig... spider pig...doing whatever a spider pig does..."

[standlee5]

Posted by SharnCedar at 01:39 PM : Dec 31, 2007

I would vote for anyone other than Bloomberg. Americans need to stand up and say we''re not going to let global wealth run our country. Never again. Ron Paul or John Edwards what other choice is there?

[marcodele]

Bloomberg couldn''t win as a third party candidate, only as a partisan candidate.

But isn''t it nice to have so much money you can run for president just for the fun of it? Just ask George.

[usakousagi]

What exactly are Ron Paul''s stands? I can''t seem to find them anywhere other than supporters...

[hungry1968]

In America, money can buy you anything. Might as well hand the keys to the White House to Bloomberg now. No one can compete with a billionaire.

Posted by savdavid at 03:43 PM : Dec 31, 2007



No current presidential candidates political record can compete with Bloomberg''s record either.

[hungry1968]

No kidding. Another Monied Self-absorbed arse who surely thinks of himself above OUR Nation.

Posted by FloydZepp at 04:35 PM : Dec 31, 2007



Floyd - Bloomberg is the man!! Please take a look at his record AND his approval rating in NYC.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1302.xml?ReleaseID=1065

NYC residents are tough, and they don''t give their politicians an inch.

[apolloknowsa]

Those of us in the rest of the country couldn''t care less about New York City. I realize that the media in the city would find that blasphemous, but, really, I couldn''t care less about the guy. no chance. He''s a democrat, no wait, I''m a republican, no, wait an independent, no, wait, what was I last week?

[fairandbal]

Makes me sick. The GOP finally talks bi-partisanship and ''working together'' ONLY when they are about to get trounced in a major election. Where was this c-r-a-p from the R senators a year ago or in 2004 when Bush and Rove were calling for a permanent GOP majority and trouncing all over the constitution and our country''s pocketbook?
This smacks of someone wanting to save from getting caught in a landslide, nothing more!!!

[omega39-2009]

NYC''s Billionaire Mayor Eyes White House

And the way Bush and Cheney are selling off America''s assets, he could buy it for a song.

[tylenol6]

Who in the world is going to vote for a billionaire to
be the next president???? Duh..... Besides, Bloomberg
is a CFR NEW WORLD ORDER SCUM.....BEWARE!!!!!!

[tylenol6]

Speaking of Chuck Nagel of Nebraska, I heard he won his
seat twice because he bought up all the voting machines
in Nebraska. What a SCUM BUCKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[standlee5]

What a coward junmping in at the last minute like some kind of great white hope. We don''t need Bloomberg there are plenty of wqualified candidates. He''s a spoiler it''s just not clear who campaign he''s trying to derail. Don''t like him never will.

[standlee5]

Bloomberg is a globalist and a corporate tool. Who needs a billionaire president.

[rowdytexan2]

Neocons trying to split the vote, folks. Oldest trick int he book.

[cbs_oliver]

""We need statesmanship, not politics," Boren said."

Boran has got it perfectly wrong.

We need more politics and less "statesmanship".

I am not interested in an elitist candidate or leader seeking to sort things out with other elitists in back room meetings.

We''ve had enough of that.

Straight up public politics is what we need for a change.

[jsilver2th]

I''m sure all of his lackeys swoon and lick boots all day telling him whatever he wants to hear... with money like that you live in your own little dream world enabled by syncophants droolling after your mighty dollars:

Earth to Bloomberg: Nobody oustide of Manhattan gives a tinker...

[excoachken]

Isn''t that just like your average billionaire, whenever a "one of a kind" thing is up for sale (like our Presidency) they are the first to get in line to buy it!

[creeper00]

Oh...so NOW we''re supposed to "embrace bipartisanship", huh? After eight years of Dictator Bush dragging us over the right side of the cliff we''re now supposed to meet them halfway?

Scr@w that.

[mediacreedia]

Who is this guy? What does he represent? What are his credential? Mayor of New York? Supported by Giuliani? What the heck is up? Why is he running? There are reasons.