Sneaky, Sneaky (The undercover campaign)

Although Bloomberg hasn’t formally announced his candidacy, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t campaigning. Rumors speculate that he has his eyes on March, waiting to see the clear set of primary winners and then formally announce his candidacy. Just this past week he attended a news conference concerning the National Economy in California with California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell. At the conference Bloomberg stated, "We cannot hand our children a nation that is crumbling from neglect," – mighty words from a non-presidential election candidate. Bloomberg continues to travel across the country, making statements regarding national concerns in order to further his ‘independent’ mission to ‘re-build’ America. Furthermore, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania are all rich with electoral votes and Bloomberg just happens to have made ties to all three. Like a ninja, Bloomberg is running his campaign under the radar. The only difference between his campaign and all the other candidate’s is that the latter have publicly stated their presidential ambitions and openly campaigned for popular votes, whereas Bloomberg is building ties and biding his time. Keep an eye out for Bloomberg; he’s a sneaky one.

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/92244
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5izinQos18ZF8h0q5LJjf0VpGmj5wD8U9B1G00
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nymike205545272jan20,0,5797169.story

Bloomberg Still Weighing His Chances

With the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary completed and still no front runner in either party, pressure is mounting for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to announce his candidacy. While Bloomberg maintains his positon that he will not run, time is running out. Many expect the campaigning to turn bitterly partisan - thus leaving Bloomberg less and less time to offer up his opinions without recieving a volley of criticism. A potential Bloomberg bid for the presidency depends on being able to run in the center of the political spectrum, but both Iowa and New Hampshire leave doubts as to whether a moderate campaign is possible. A Hillary Clinton or Mike Huckabee nomination would leave more room for Bloomberg to play the center field, but if Senators Obama and McCain win their respective nominations, voters would be less receptive to another moderate candidate. Bloomberg may be waiting to see the direction of the economy; if the U.S. lands in a recession, he be able to portray himself as a successful money manager and businessman, where he has the most experience. Despite polling that indicates support for Bloomberg from both Republicans and Democrats, many still fear that a Bloomberg candidacy could split the Democratic party in a fiasco reminiscent of Ralph Nader's run for president in 2000.

Obama's win makes Bloomberg reluctant

On January 8th, just days after the Iowa Caucuses, Bloomberg along with Democratic and Republican leaders participated in a forum aimed at influencing the campaign as well as discussing the the dense disunion in America. The event, held at the University of Oklahoma, was attended by student, faculty, and people who were not familiar with Michael Bloomberg and an independent candidate. Clearly the main focus was on Mayor Bloomberg, but his sole presence did not suffice for most attention at the time was on Iowas Caucus winner, Obama. Obama's win in Iowa poses brings about weariness on Bloomberg because Obama is a Democrat who is interested in bipartisanship and unifying the America, as noted on his speech after winning the Caucus, "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." This is significant because most people that would vote for Bloomberg want a unified America. Previously, Obama had not offered this but now, post the win in Iowa, Obama states his aim is to have a unified America, and not a partisan America. His speech targets independent voters, which is exactly the people Bloomberg is going after. If he does decide to run Bloomberg will have to gather signatures in Texas to be on the ballot on March 5th.