NYC Mayor Fuels Rumors Of Independent Run

Michael Bloomberg Denounces Partisanship At Summit Of Elders From Both Parties

(CBS/AP)  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg turned up the volume on a possible independent bid for president on Monday, participating in a bipartisan summit that stole a bit of the spotlight from the announced candidates in New Hampshire.

Amid talk about Washington riven by partisanship, Bloomberg gathered with Democrats and Republicans - some current elected officials, others out of office for years - to discuss bridging the divide between the parties. The summit came on the eve of the first-in-the-nation primary.

"People have stopped working together, government is dysfunctional, there's no collaborating and congeniality," Bloomberg said to applause from the crowd. "America is being held back," he said.

The panel also included Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, who is often mentioned as an ideal running mate for Bloomberg.

"Every one of us in this group this morning believes there are opportunities to turn things around for our country, our future, our children, the world," Hagel said.

A long line of people - students, political junkies and Bloomberg backers - stretched down the street before the event began.

"The opportunity to remove partisan politics from the dialogue is a wonderful idea," said Dennis Ryan, 74, a lawyer from Oklahoma City.

But the national media who traveled to the University of Oklahoma, and some in the crowd of about 1,000, were there to see Bloomberg more than anyone else. The multibillionaire mayor switched his party affiliation from Republican to independent last summer, increasing the political chatter about a potential third-party bid for the presidency.

Some of the event's organizers themselves have bluntly billed the gathering as a warning to the major party candidates that they are prepared to back an independent candidate - someone like Bloomberg - if they do not see more cooperation among the declared contenders.

It is unclear what exactly the group is seeking from the candidates. Several already have made bipartisanship part of their campaign messages.

Democrat Barack Obama, who won the Iowa caucuses, referred to that theme several times during his victory speech, telling his supporters: "You came together as Democrats, Republicans and independents, to stand up and say that we are one nation... you said the time has come to move beyond the bitterness and pettiness and anger that's consumed Washington."

The Republican winner in Iowa, Mike Huckabee, also referred to a desire for bipartisan unity.

What Americans want, he said in his speech, is for their president "to bring this country back together, to make Americans, once again, more proud to be Americans than just to be Democrats or Republicans, to be more concerned about going up instead of just going to the left or to the right."

The group in Oklahoma spent several hours Sunday night and Monday morning drafting a joint statement about the urgency of drawing the parties to work together in addressing issues such as health care, climate change, homeland security and the economy. It urged the presidential candidates to provide "clear descriptions of how they would establish a government of national unity," and "specific strategies for reducing polarization and reaching bipartisan consensus."

Asked last week what the candidates were failing to do in this area, Bloomberg gave an answer that did not have one main focus, suggesting, among other things, that none of the contenders has a plan to fight terrorism, solve world hunger or stop genocide. He did not offer his own.

The group includes former Republican Sen. Bill Brock of Tennessee, former Defense Secretary William Cohen, former Democratic Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, former Democratic Sen. David Boren of Oklahoma, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, who is often mentioned as the ideal running mate for Bloomberg.

"We come together to appeal to all presidential candidates to tell us how they plan to bring us together: Hear our plea, bring us together," Boren said.

Asked what he would do if the candidates did not respond, Bloomberg demurred.

"I think all the members of the panel are optimistic that the candidates will listen to us and will understand that there is a deep need in this country and a deep desire among the electorate to have the candidates face the issues," he said.

The billionaire mayor, who is in his second term, says publicly that he will not run, but his denials have weakened as his aides more boldly explore a potential candidacy.

The mayor has been entertaining presidential speculation for more than two years, but time is closing in - he needs to make a decision within about the next several months in order to begin the exhaustive and complicated process of collecting signatures to get on the ballot, a process that differs state by state.

The earliest deadline now is Texas; he would need to collect about 74,100 signatures by May 12, and can only begin the petitioning there on March 5. A number of states follow with June deadlines, including Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina.

The process takes a lot of troops on the ground and an army of election lawyers to fend of the eventual challenges that would come from the major party candidates. Bloomberg, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes magazine at $11.5 billion, could solve most of these problems with money.

Whether the confab is intended as a launching pad for a billion-dollar Bloomberg candidacy, that depends on whom you ask.

Graham, who sought the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, told The Associated Press last week that the meeting "is not a third-party effort" and said he didn't think an independent candidate could get elected.

"Frankly, what I think is best for the country is to have a strong viable two-party system," he said. "We have enough problems getting consensus with the two parties - our goal is to make suggestions on how to make the current system work."

And Whitman issued a statement last week to clarify that it was "never the intent" for the conference to be considered the first step toward a third-party presidential bid.

"We continue to be loyal party members," Whitman told CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller, "but the parties are in trouble right now, and we're not responding to the American people. We're not providing them with the kind of answers that they want."

[aboz3]

Time for a reality check folks! Neither the Dems or the Repubs will allow a third party a ballot position in enough states to make any real impact. Sad but true!

[hwy71so]

Seems to me like they''re trying to take away the people''s voice all together rather than listen to the people.

[obama1289]

This video switched me to an Obama guy after Biden dropped out. Please watch this moving video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jPev5sEdTjg

[jmagarotz]

I read "comments" often to see who actually pays attention to what''s going on around them. Unfortunately only 3 or 4 seem to know what''s what here. The rest,,,,,well, haven''t got a clue. Bloomberg''s style of "you''ll do as I say" government is exactly the problem not the solution. I predict that, if government remains "in your face" then America is either headed for a "Police State" form of rule or a civil war. Neither is appealing to me but I don''t have a choice do I? I might add in closing that none of the candidates give me much hope for unity and some scare the HE double toothpics out of me! Some of you with BDS need to study the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

[trinitron01]

Hello People! You have a real chance to get the best man in office with a perfect record in congress-- none of them come close to Dr. Ron Paul. I have compared them. I didn''''t know who was who and didnt trust the media machine. Look up ronpaul2008.com and his issues and record, and you will see for yourself. Don''''t be fooled by the imitators, there is only one guy that can really make a difference for the people. Also Dr. Ron Paul is on TONIGHT WITH JAY LENO - Tonight!!!

[pepperp1]

If the Dems put Obama up then in a second I would vote for Bloomberg Hagel.

[random_radar]

When we talk about freedom, what do we mean? Isn''t freedom the ability to do what you want without other people interfering in your life?

And how do people interfere with your life? Isn''t it by passing laws against what you want to do, and using the police to fine or imprison you?

The freedom you need is freedom from government meddling in your affairs. Government is the enemy of freedom. Government is a group of people who want to control your life, take your money through taxation, and make you do what they think is good for you.

Liberty is where you live how you want so long as you leave other people alone to live as they choose. You get to spend your time, your money, and your effort the way you think best.

American was once a land of liberty and freedom, but that day is long past. We now live in a tyranny of democracy where everyone gets to oppress their neighbor and be oppressed by their neighbors.

Why can''t we leave each other alone to live in peace and prosperity? Why do Americans care more about stopping their neighbors from being happy than being happy themselves? Why did we trade our freedom for the chance to oppress everyone else?

[candide777]

Good for Bloomberg -- he''s no doubt tired of the stranglehold the Jesus freaks have had on the republican party for too long now, effectively killing the party. Truly, can anyone tell us what republicans stand for? Certainly not being fiscally conservative and not spending money you don''t have. On the other hand, a very good case can be made that one thing all republicans agree upon is that rather than basing decisions on facts, evidence and reason, they should confer with an invisible man before making any decisions. What a joke their party has become!

[mcrae100]

I suspect that the real reason for this summit has more to do with the Republicans losing the executive and legislative branches of Government ... where were they for the last 7 years when the Republicans had control ... nowhere ... Bush supporters when they had power .. no that the power is beginning to shift they are scared of losing theri power

[cbs_oliver]

I really like partisan politics.

I don''t think there any other kind of politics.

Perhaps what Bloomberg is suggesting is that he does''t agree with people who don''t agree with him.

Makes sense.

Very partisan too.

Or maybe what he means is that he doesn''t care about progressive values or about conservative values , he just cares about monetary values - for himself and his friends.

So, are you a friend of Bloomberg?

[bobnjersey]

[We''''ve already had our 8 years of a do nothing trust funder ... Why would we need another 8]
[Posted by marcodele at 04:54 PM : Jan 07, 2008]

no trust fund anywhere in sight for michael bloomberg ... unless it''s for one of his kids. this guy is hardly ''do nothing''.

[marcodele]

I wish Americans would quit adoring people based on their net worth.

This is just an independent Mitt Romney. We''ve already had our 8 years of a do nothing trust funder.
Why would we need another 8?

[cbs_oliver]

When Bloomberg talks of "Americans" and "America" I suspect he isn''t talking about you or me or the places where we live.

Perhaps he is talking about very wealthy folks like himself and the places where they live - either here or abroad - depending perhaps on the season.

[bobnjersey]

[I am a Republican, and the last thing I want is "unity" with those DNC socialist wackos. The only "unity" the Democrats want is for everyone to see things their way.]
[Posted by mike71067 at 01:33 PM : Jan 07, 2008]

well than ... it''s good that the republicans are open minded and will entertain ''other'' ideas.

[bobnjersey]

[He changes parties for his own personal gain...this speaks to his lack of commitment and empty values. The only thing he has going for him is his money, a fact which hardly makes him a good candidate for the common man.]
[Posted by sesanders1 at 01:51 PM : Jan 07, 2008]

he probably got all that money w/ his lack of commitment and empty values too.

[jsilver2th]

"bipartisan summit" ha ha-
Rigged rally by corporate clones...
Billionaires; out-sourcers; hawks...
Is Whitman still covering-up for the 9/11 poision air that injured thr first responders?

I hope the taxpayers of Oklahoma didn''t foot the bill for this "conference" - Bloomberg''s announcement...

I got two words for you all: Ross Perot

[denn034]

How many times does he have to rule it out before the media gets it in its thick head that he''s not going to run?

Bloomberg is for the Iraq war...the only thing he has any loyalty to. He changes parties for his own personal gain...this speaks to his lack of commitment and empty values. The only thing he has going for him is his money, a fact which hardly makes him a good candidate for the common man.

[mike71067]

"Politcal unity"??? What''s up with that crapp? I am a Republican, and the last thing I want is "unity" with those DNC socialist wackos. The only "unity" the Democrats want is for everyone to see things their way.

Democrats can french-braid my butthairs with their teeth.

[hypnotoad72]

To clarify, read "she" as "Hillary Clinton". Her racist comment is unforgivable in this day and age.