Bloomberg arouses speculation again: Says he's not running, but sounds like a candidate

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: September 6, 2007
Bloomberg still talking about '08


Bloomberg discussed the 2008 presidential race on his Web site Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has repeatedly said he's not running for president. But for a man who claims he has no interest in the White House, he does not shy away from talk about the 2008 race. His latest comments sure to arouse speculation came in a personal entry Thursday on the billionaire's personal Web site.

The former Wall Street CEO again denies he has any interest in a presidential run, but wrote, "It's time for something real…that's what this upcoming campaign needs to be about." Bloomberg also said the question of whether he plans to run for president is misguided. "'Are you running?' is the wrong question," Bloomberg wrote. "The question should not be about politics, but about leadership. Not who is the best candidate, but who will be the best president."

The New York City Mayor then dolls out what seems to be an early version of a stump speech.

"We need solutions that are innovative and bold, not superficial half-steps that are driven by politics, partisanship, or special interest campaign contributions," he wrote. "We need real solutions that honestly address the big challenges we face as a nation."

In recent months, Bloomberg has taken a series of actions that have raised speculation he may be considering an Independent White House bid. He dropped his affiliation with the Republican Party in June and has given several policy speeches outside of New York this summer.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/09/06/bloomberg-still-talking-about-08/

[saltpoint]

1. Beats me what this man is up to, but my take on him is that he's

infinitely superior as NYC mayor to his thin-skinned predecessor and generally a resourceful mind (former Democrat/sought Repub nom to compete in NYC mayoral race/ won narrowly over my preferred candidate Mark Green).

Also if you count him as a Republican, he shines next to almost anybody the GOP can name.

If you count him as an independent -- and he'd likely run only as an independent -- we have to count him as a wealthy one. This guy has the bank account to reset the screen.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Agree with you, OC--

If he runs, he's got the cash to do it in style. I think he's going to keep up the speculation-inducing candidate maneuvers AND simultaneous flat denials for some time, until the D and R nominee picture becomes a little more clear. He will definitely make things interesting.

[saltpoint]

3. Hey there, wienerdoggie. Good to see you. Yep. Bloomberg's an

interesting guy. Can't vote for him but greatly prefer him to Giuliani. Some recent poll of New Yorkers leaned toward Bloomberg over Rudy also.

I wonder what Rudy's pollsters tell him when they meet over coffee -- that he is losing to Clinton, Obama, and Edwards in Ohio and that he isn't going to carry his own home city. Seems as if that would be an early sign of a doomed campaign.

[JTFrog]

4. Someone posted this yesterday and

suggested he may be talking about Gore. One can only hope.

[saltpoint]

5. Hi, JTFrog. Gore and Bloomberg were at some function together recently

and there were interesting references to the presidency that passed between them, although I don't know what they might have meant.

Two very capable souls who evidently have a lot on their minds about a lot of things, and leaving folks hanging on their next move. Honestly, this is one of the fun things I love about politics.

[JTFrog]

6. Interesting.

They are definitely keeping me intrigued. I keep wanting to turn to the last page and get a sneak peak of how this all turns out. :)