NYC Mayor Researching Presidential Bid

Sources Say Michael Bloomberg Is Polling, Collecting Voter Data Nationwide As He Considers Independent Run

(AP)  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has quietly been polling and conducting a highly sophisticated voter analysis in all 50 states as he decides whether to launch an independent presidential bid, associates said Wednesday.

The exhaustive data collection started months ago, and when the review begins shortly, it will provide the data-obsessed billionaire businessman with the information he will use to decide whether to make a third-party run for the White House.

The scope of the research, details of which were revealed to The Associated Press, demonstrates how seriously Bloomberg is considering running for president despite his almost-daily denials that he isn't entering the race. The extensive coast-to-coast research effort shows that Bloomberg is willing to dig deep into his wallet simply to gauge his chances of winning and lining up the proper support network.

"They want a hard-headed sense of their chances," said Doug Schoen, who spearheaded Bloomberg's voter database efforts, known as microtargeting, for his two mayoral campaigns.

Bloomberg's spokesman Stu Loeser declined to comment.

Schoen says he is not working for Bloomberg now, but he is part of the mayor's inner circle and makes a convincing and well-researched case in his new book, "Declaring Independence," about how a third-party candidate such as Bloomberg could run for president and upset the election this year.

Schoen was widely recognized for his microtargeting work in Bloomberg's first campaign. It was considered a groundbreaking concept in 2001 to gather and use information on individual voters, rather than voting blocs, to tailor and tweak the campaign message, advertisements and overall theme.

The Bloomberg database being created nationally would also be used in those same ways if he were to run, Schoen said. But for now, it will serve as the basis of gauging potential support for a bid.

Using the microtargeting model, research firms working for Bloomberg are gathering comprehensive information on voters throughout the country, such has who owns a home, has children in college, where they vacation, type of car or computer and past political support. All the puzzle pieces will then be arranged to create a picture of each individual.

Most of the data already exists in commercial databases that the multibillionaire Bloomberg can simply purchase. It will then be analyzed to determine how each voter fits into several categories: "strong supporter," "persuadable supporter," or "potential volunteer."

Bloomberg's public denials of any interest in running are getting weaker; he typically says only that he is "not a candidate."

On Monday, he participated in a bipartisan summit in Oklahoma that only fueled speculation about his interest in seeking the presidency.

William Cunningham, who worked on Bloomberg's mayoral campaigns and was communications director during his first term, said it makes sense that Bloomberg - who founded the financial information company, Bloomberg LP - would gather voter information in this way.

"The mayor has both built a business and managed the city by using data and analyzing it, so it would seem to me that any other venture he gets involved in, he'd be analyzing and collecting data," he said.

For Bloomberg's campaigns in 2001 and 2005, he spent more than $155 million, and in both cases, poured millions into the development of his voter database.

The work that Schoen did in 2001 came as Republicans were also developing a similar concept, known nationally during the 2004 presidential election as "Voter Vault."

Now, mictrotargeting has now become a crucial tool for political campaigns.

The obstacles to a third-party victory are enormous, but Schoen argues they are not insurmountable.

Previous independent bids such as those by George Wallace, John Anderson and H. Ross Perot faced problems of money, organization and ballot access that someone like Bloomberg could more easily overcome.

The 65-year-old mayor already has the money - Fortune magazine estimates his worth in the neighborhood of $11.5 billion, and others have speculated it could be double that.

Next comes organization, and Bloomberg operatives believe they could recruit a million volunteers within a month of launching a campaign, aided by information gleaned from the voter database.

A major task for the volunteer force would be doing the ground work to get him on the ballot - a tricky process that differs wildly by state.

The first deadline to get on a state ballot is May 12 in Texas, and petitioners can only begin collecting signatures after the state's March 4 major party primary.

So far, the surprise outcomes of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary have added urgency and strength to the Bloomberg operation, Schoen said.

"The uncertainty in the nominating process on both sides makes it more likely that Mike Bloomberg will explore a candidacy," he said.

[logicanada]

Soooo...if Bloomer joins the race do we refer to them as Mr Mayor #1 and Mr. Mayor #2 or as straight mayor and twisted mayor?

[prinzowhales]

Bloomberg is part and parcel of the the Oligarchy''s lying propaganda network...who met with him?--Mass murdress Christine Todd Whitman--whose EPA told the first responders and clean up workers that the poisonous air around the WTC in the aftermath of 9-11 was safe..."Get back to work, or my friends might lose money!!"

[kevzgrl]

DON''T DO IT, MIKE!!! We need ANOTHER rich, entitled, male candidate like we need a hole in our heads......

Kinda like the "diversity" of the Repuglicans with Bush and Chaney being from two different Texas oil companies....

[gunownerdan]

Another filthy-rich A$$HOLE running for president.
So, what''s new?

[shutupnvote]

They want a hard-headed sense of their chances," said Doug Schoen, who spearheaded Bloomberg''s voter database efforts, known as microtargeting, for his two mayoral campaigns.


Let me help ZERO, dividing and attempting to conquer the electorate wont work this time, if the liberals push Senator Clinton out of the party as they are trying then Women, Hispanics and Christians, Blue collar voter can ban together which would be a natural fit when you remove the manufactured wedgies and elect a Huckabee no neo con liberal puppet just keep engaged watch for the continued massive SWIFTING these guys have billions to spend against us, and make it about us America thats the REAL change we need. I read so good news yesterday negative adds have run there course they are no longer working, but the trick is the media can replace that lost revenue by creating false fake news to riase ratings and their price like they did when the savaged Senator Clinton this week end by manufacturing lies.

[shutupnvote]

Dream on if you think another NY Mayor Billionaire Media Mogul effeminate mannered Jewish Independent who also hates Senator Clinton getting in the race will pull voters from Senator Clinton, he would pull them from Senator Obama and McCain this guy hasn%u2019t a chance with real Dems he had to run as a Republican to get elected in NY because the Dems would not have him.

But this guy is powerful maybe responsible we should look for the triaged of lies and savagery the MSM pulled to enthroned Senator Obama last weekend as the nominee until NH Voters snatched choice back for the rest of America.


He is a huge threat to our democracy and can be his own Swift Boat campaign contributing all the money himself control his massive media reach they say he is willing to spend 2 Billion dollars to subvert America choice well you would need that to put lipstick on this pig for regular Dems to vote for him, personally never read Bloomberg News. And he is After Senator Clinton, why is obvious he is one of the Economic Royalist running the country, so it is real that the Liberal and Neo Con presses will be working against America as we saw this weekend.

The movement going on is a Power grab for the heart of the Dem Party not the manufactured need of Change being job number 1, it%u2019s the economy stupid and rather you like it or not Senator Clinton is the threat to them and our firewall against them.

[hwy71so]

Since 1981, Congressman Duncan Hunter has served on the House Armed Services Committee, as Chairman from 2002-06, and currently as the Ranking Minority Member. Hunter has championed a strong military, border security, and protecting America''s workers and small businesses against unfair trade competition by opposing schemes like NAFTA and the North American Union. He understands that protecting jobs in U.S. defense, aircraft, ship repair, machine tools, textile, steel and titanium industries are essential for maintaining the surge capacity of the U.S. industrial base. Since 9-11-01, Hunter has led the fight to secure our borders against transnational terrorists and lawless elements; and to release two unjustly convicted border guards, Ramos and Campion.

Hunter earned the Combat Infantryman''s Badge and Bronze Star in Vietnam and demands that the U.S. Government keep its promises to Veterans. His efforts to provide tax relief for working families, protect Social Security, and promote strong family values earned him 100% ratings from Eagle Forum, the American Conservative Union, the Concerned Women of America, the Christian Coalition, and the Campaign for Working Families; a 92% from the American Conservative Union; and an A+ from the NRA.

Vote for Duncan Hunter.

[hwy71so]

We don''t need another candidate. We''ve already got the man for the job lined up and waiting your support.

Vote for Duncan Hunter.

For 15 years, major strategic mistakes have been made by Administrations of both political parties because they lacked substantial military and foreign policy experience. This is not gained by a governor calling out the National Guard for state duty, or by a mayor responding to a highly localized terrorist attack, no matter how admirably. Rather, it comes form mastering the economic, diplomatic, military and intergovernmental elements of our national power to shape sound security strategy and policy. Congressman Hunter cannot only tactically, operationally and strategically employ our forces, but also balance those other elements of power with equally superior competency to restore America''s greatness. Now Americans will wake up and realize that they don''t have to "settle."

[shutupnvote]

Am I the only one feeling like these male left elitist media moguls are attempting to Subvert the election process and enthrone their choice and new best Puppet king. Where is the outrage liberal outrage on this? Regular Dems need to stay alert and be on guard there is a powerful massive power grab going on here and attempt to railroaded herd strong arm our choices and its not Lobbyist its Elitist Neo Cons and Liberals ahhah thank god the electorate is engaged just like in NH, who snatch our choice back for us we are here to fight you for our country Royalist Media Puppet Master wannabes.


Ladies get out your bras and start the fires, hah
America we need to make our own choices

[hungry1968]

PLEASE, PLEASE, RUN FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!

[antoniof123]

Krap! It''''s the Neocons trying to split the votes, folks!

Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 08:27 PM : Jan 09, 2008

As always and you have the nut cases that will fall for it. They will give the religious nuts another 4 years here we go again with another stolen election because Americans can''t see past their noeses.

[prinzowhales]

MORE NEWS ON THE THEFT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FROM PAUL AND OBAMA!! Real time capture of AP election numbers on Boston.com, the BOSTON GLOBE net vehicle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV6qAGigGYY

We are not only dealing with the theft of the election which CBSNBCABCFOXCNN is studiously ignoring but there is the question of no chain of custody for the ballots which obviates the value of a recount!!

THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN--THE MACHINES IN SOUTH CAROLINA ARE EVEN EASIER TO USE TO RIP OFF THE VOTERS!!

Bloomberg? Who cares? Just another Demopublican pretending to be an ''Independent''. Look who else was ''exploring'' an Independent candidacy--Christine Todd Whitman, the mass murderer of 9-11 clean up workers, the now disgraced and displaced head of Bush''s EPA.

[hwy71so]

Candide, you''re playing right into big media''s hands.

From what I''ve seen, this "new" non-partisan movement is primarily Democrats. And the problem here is, they''re not willing to compromise.

[candide777]

Krap! It''''s the Neocons trying to split the votes, folks!
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 08:27 PM : Jan 09, 2008

This is good -- Bloomberg is sending a clear message to the republican party: Clean up your house! The current republican party is run by religious fanatics who are anything but conservative. I hope Bloomberg does run. It''s time for the republican party to have a little "come to Jesus" about what they really stand for.

[rowdytexan2]

Krap! It''s the Neocons trying to split the votes, folks!