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.

He Will Announce!!

The wait is over friends. It seems to be that Michael Bloomberg has come to a decision on whether he will run as an independent for president or not. He plans to announce the he will in fact run for president after Super Tuesday on February 5th. He has strategically planned to announce it post Super Tuesday because by then he will be fairly certain of who his competition will be......clever. But wasn't he certain he would not be running for president just a few months back? Well, after having toured the United States and the World, it seems that his popularity has increased and he is more on the map....coincidence? I think not. But does he want to win or is he simply in it to "Show." Although it is almost certain that he will announce that he will run for president of February 5th, many unforeseen events could happen that might cause him to change his mind. Currently he is still traveling the world lecturing, while Patricia E. Harris runs New York City.

Bloomberg's Friends and Demands (Dec 3 - Dec 9)

This past Friday Bloomberg and former president Bill Clinton became truly acquainted at a discussion in Bronx, New York about energy efficiency in public housing. Clinton has previously stated that he supported Bloomberg but in recent press he seems to have taken him in high regard. Clinton a stated “He's been a really good mayor….I have the highest regard for him.” There is still much debate as to whether or not the enigmatic Michael Bloomberg will still enter the race as a self-funded independent, but he insists that is not the case.
Bloomberg is still parading about making speeches concerning his views on energy efficiency and foreign affairs. On Monday, the mayor demanded that restrictions be set on the inhibitory actions of the Chinese, which he believes seek to undermine American and Chinese trade and industry. Bloomberg LP also recently hired former head of the City of New York, Daniel L. Doctoroff as President of L.P. Bloomberg has recently been featured in the Wall Street journal as a ‘man of action’. All in all Bloomberg is getting really good PR and is slowly becoming a favorite for the Presidential election. But will he run? And if he does run where will the votes be coming from and how will that impact the other candidates.

Bloomberg's Eggs are Scrambled!!!

The morning of Friday November 30, Bloomberg and Senator Barack Obama had breakfast together. It wasn't any old breakfast, it was a flashy breakfast in which both power houses could be seen eating next to a window. Barack Obama savored eggs over easy as well as wheat toast, while the billionaire Bloomberg enjoyed scrambled eggs and white toast*. The flashy breakfast was to the request of Bloomberg, and according to him they discussed education and other issues that the Mayor feels strongly about, "“We talked about the things that I really feel very strongly about that Washington can make a difference whether you’re president of the United States or a senator." Bloomberg also plans to meet with other candidates. Bloomberg hopes to "influence the national debate on issues he deems important." WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?!?!?! Could he bee going for the vice presidency? Will Bloomberg surprise us all and enter the heated race for president? To be continued......

*Billionaire Mike Bloomberg did not pay the check, Obama did.

Bloomberg Briefed on Foreign Policy

Michael Bloomberg appears to be gearing up for a potential white house bid. Last week, the New York City Mayor held several foreign policy briefings with former U.N. Ambassador and Clinton foreign policy advisor Nancy Soderberg. Currently, Soderberg is not associated with any presidential campaign. The discussions, which focused on the Iraq War, the defense budget, and non-proliferation would strengthen a Bloomberg campaign, as the mayor has yet to take a definitive stance on major foreign policy issues, except for calling the United States the "world's moral compass," and demanding an end to the "go-it-alone" approach to foreign affairs. Although Bloomberg claims he will not run in 2008, his briefings, coupled with visits earlier this year to Mexico, England, Ireland, and Israel suggest an attempt to court potential supporters who are weary of the his lack of foreign policy experience