If Bloomberg runs for Presdient

[brettdale]

Isnt that great for the Democrats, because he would split the right vote?

[babylonsister]

1. He could run as a Dem; don't forget that possibility. nt

[monkeyhq]

2. If Hagel runs with him, it is good for the dems.

IMO.

[Renew Deal]

5. I agree.

I don't think Hagel is a good/strong choice.

[TwilightGardener]

10. Why? Because Hagel's about as progressive as, oh, say...Pat Buchanan?

Or Rick Santorum? Or Mitch McConnell?

[Renew Deal]

11. Yes

And I don't think he's genuine.

[TwilightGardener]

19. I think he's genuine, just too conservative--Bloomberg might want

to consider a more moderate running mate.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi monkeyhq!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. More than that

he could siphon off money that otherwise might have gone to Republicans.

I'm glad he did this, because now he can't latch onto Unity08 and run on their money and organization. I was concerned that that might happen. He'll have to start from scratch.

[Renew Deal]

4. He's more of a Democrat than a Republican

I think he hurts Guiliani. He probably hurts the Dem otherwise.

[onehandle]

6. He would be the Nader of 2008. The Democrats would lose.

The GOP base Hates him. Fickle Dems would lean to him and extend GOP rule for EIGHT MORE YEARS.

Believe it.

[depakid]

9. Actually, the way things are going an independent bid could win

People underestimate how sick and tired both sides the electorate are with business as usual- and that's not considering what's likely to happen to the economy and the war over the next 16 months.

If we're left with the current slate of candidates- plus a viable 3rd party, anything could happen.

[democrat2thecore]

16. Damn right.

That's the thing. This year is SO different. ANYTHING could happen.

[Melynn]

12. Bloomberg would take votes away from the Dems

He's more liberal than the Republican base, who as onehandle points out, hate him. The question is if he is doing this in order to split the moderate vote so that a Republican can win the Presidency or is he doing this because he is on a ego trip? I vote ego trip. I don't think he cares about the Republican party.

[Virginia Dare]

13. He would do terribly in the south...

and I just don't see Dems going for him, maybe some in the Northeast, but not enough to make a huge difference.

[monkeyhq]

14. I disagree with you.

And so do the political pundits. The left and center wing of the democratic party is more loyal than the center of the republican party. What you will get is the effect that happened in 1992 when Perot entered the race. Clinton won because Perot took enough from the GOP to make it impossible for the GOP to get their 33.3%.

Now if it were Gore who were running as an independent, that would hurt the dem candidates and help the GOP.

[CK_John]

7. IMO, he has a 50/50 chance wining with the right VP. Melinda Gates would

put them over the top.

[bigwillq]

8. I think he would be more like Nader.

And that's not good news.

[monkeyhq]

15. No, it is good news.

Because he takes votes away from the GOP, not us. He would be the Nadar of the GOP.

[Hamlette]

17. why would he take votes from the GOP? He's only been a republican for about 18 minutes

he's a life long dem who switched to GOP so he could run for office.

But I think dems are pretty loyal. I don't see his positions being far from the Dem positions and hopefully the dems would stick with "our own."

[TwilightGardener]

20. I see it the opposite way: I see Repukes as disturbingly, goose-steppingly

loyal. I see Democrats as free-thinkers who will jump ship for the craziest reasons (many DID vote for GWB, you know!).

[bigwillq]

18. I don't see it that way (nt)

[malachibk]

21. Not necessarily

Lets put it this way - I'm a New Yorker and a Dennis K. kind of Democrat.
If Bloomberg runs and HRC is the Dem nominee, my vote goes to Bloomberg -- no hesitation
Not good for Democrats at all.

Bloomberg is smart, principled, friendly to the environment, gays, the poor, a bold thinker (conditional cash transfers, trans fat, smoking ban, congestion pricing, etc) and, most importantly, has so much money he doesn't have to give a shit what big business thinks.

Hell, Bloomberg might get my vote if Obama is the nominee. Definitely if Dems put up Edwards. If Gore runs, though, sorry Bloomie!

[Virginia Dare]

23. Even if he won, it would be great for Democrats...

assuming they pick up more seats in both houses of Congress, as they are projected to do. He would be an incredibly weak President, having no political base to work with, and holding virtually no veto power.

It would be the opposite of what's happening now, where the Executive Branch is holding the lion's share of the power.

[KharmaTrain]

24. A Non-Starter...Who The Hell Is Bloomberg???

Sorry...I don't see this guy getting much traction at all...even with all his money.

The "third party" hole is not there for a moderate but for a right winger...a "true believer"...a Gingrich or some other flying monkey who wears his religion on his nose, wants to bomb any and all brown-skinned people and force gays, women, blacks and other minorities into servitude. That doesn't sound like Bloomberg.

He sure isn't bringing anything to the Democrats that isn't already there...other than his money. He's got very little name recognition outside New York and the fact he's switched parties makes him a traitor in my book...I don't care if that was the way he chose to get elected...he cut a deal with the worst regime this country has had to endure.