Bloomberg leaves Republican Party
 

This "could" make things even more interesting:
Bloomberg leaves Republican Party
NYC mayor, subject of speculation about presidential run, now unaffiliated
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19317522/
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,284612,00.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/polit...27608620070620

i'm not surprised, I WAS surprised when he ran under the republican party, but it made total sense. My father works for Bloomberg's company... I'm interested to see what he has to say about all this.

Here's a guy who could potentially split the Democrat vote and put another Republican in the White House.

I wouldn't complain.

Eh, I doubt he'll run as a democrat either.

He isn't Rudy. The entire country doesn't know and love (or hate) this guy. He's the mayor of NY, not "America's Mayor"

I doubt he'll affect either side like Thompson is.

Exactly. Which is what is so interesting about the whole thing...My husband and I love Bloomie, but know he could never win the White House. We've been reading a lot about a potential run, and we just don't see how he would ever do it. He is way too smart a man to not realize that he would definitely split the Democratic ticket.

I suppose it could be so he could be picked as someone's (Dem or Rep.) running mate, but we don't see him as VP material - he's way too used to being in charge.

Hmmm, who knows...I do dig his running of the city, though.

Looks like he's just losing the affiliation...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070620/pl_nm/bloomberg_dc

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Wednesday he was not a candidate for the 2008 U.S. presidential election despite having changed his political affiliation to independent from Republican.

A day after announcing the shift, Bloomberg said -- as he has before -- that he intended to serve as mayor until the end of his term in 2009."

Actually I truely wonders who cares waht he does.

He has a lot of $$$$ but I have not been impressed with him as mayor.

If people living outside of NY, NY have to start paying $$ to work there well, that ought to be interesting.:(

They did not want to live in NY, that is why they left!

Rudey, well I see Fred above all of them!:D

Hillary, well, she moved to NY so she could run for the Senate. I think that was called carpetbagging in the olden days!;)

If he splits the Dem vote, it's because he's NOT running as a Dem. Same happened with Perot, Nader, etc... they were liberal independants that ran and got votes that would have probably otherwise gone Dem.

Yeah I messed that up. But I don't think he's a Perot or a Nader. He's not that big of a personality or a name. (although he says he's not running now so the point may be moot)

Well, whether I'd complain would depend on who the Dem and GOP candidates were.

The conventional wisdom I'm hearing is that he he could split the Dem vote if he runs (little credence is being given to his statement that he will not run, since there's so much time left to change his mind), but he could also make things hard for Giuliani.

I've heard some people saying he could take moderate GOP votes. However, I don't think this is credited. If it were Tancredo v. Hillary, sure, he might. However, the discussion I heard revolved around Guiliani v. Hillary, in which case you'd have a slightly moderate liberal matching up against a significantly moderate conservative, and I don't think Bloomberg would really catch the middle-right.

Thats the biggest problem I foresee for the Democrats in 2008. When there is middle ground to be won, you don't throw up 2 very liberal candidates. Adding Gore isn't the answer either. Ideology and hope can be blinding sometimes, and for the left it seems to sometimes come at the expense of smart politics.

Because you're day to day life has so been touched by his mayorship of NYC? :rolleyes:

:confused:Are you talking about the proposed tax on drivers coming into the city? Millions of people living outside NYC work there every day using mass transit. The tax is just an idea, albeit a controversial one, but you make it sound like anyone working in Manhattan will have to pay money to work here. Wrong!

Wrong again. Many people who work in the city would love to live in the city, but it's way too expensive. So we move to the outer boroughs or suburbs so we can have more than a rat-infested studio apartment for our 2K a month.

It's probably fair to point out that, before becoming a Republican, he was a Democrat.

Now, he wants to be an Independent.

Doesn't anyone else think that this guy will accept any label that he thinks is the most popular way of getting a few votes?

He may be a great mayor, but there's a lot of difference between Gracie Mansion and the White House.

You just need to sit down and shut up. You don't know jack shite about anything. The only thing you need to be comparing is Boones Farm and Bartles and Jaymes, you old lush.

From what I've seen of him, I have to agree with you on this one.

Well, he switched to Republican b/c the Democratic candidate for the mayor's race that year was pretty set already and he knew he'd have no way of getting the nomination. I think that's the same reasoning behind being "independent" (though I still don't think he's going to run).

Plus, he's a businessman before anything - he cares less about lables and more about the bottom line I think, so I agree he'll accept any label that gets him what he wants - but I don't think it's a negative. The whole 2 party system has some major issues, IMO...

And your last line I'll make 2 points about...
1. Bloomie doesn't live in Gracie Mansion. He lives in his own mansion b/c he likes it better and b/c it costs the city less than maintaining Gracie for him. :)

2. Then why the heck do people think Rudy will do such a good job?!?!?! He won't, people! There's a lot more to running the US than looking good in a press shot after a national tragedy...:rolleyes: (Directed at those who think Rudy can run the country, not at DA!:p)

Nice Post!:rolleyes: knock yourself out ditsoid!:rolleyes:

Well, it seems I have been around and been to more places than you ever thougt of being.

In answer to another poster, yes it is expensive to live in NY City and people moved out to where there is grass and trees other than Central park. So, it is only a suggestion by the Big B about charging for incomeing trafic , tell the folks Oh, Do Not come into the city and work. Well, since you have seemed to live there, then why is the traffic so bad going out as it is coming in?

Ta Da, give the people going out the city jobs, and the people coming in the jobs they had?

Granted, I have only flown into the 3 local air ports, been in only 3 bouroghs (?)(SIC), and have been lost on The Island trying to get the hell off of it back to Gods Country. Only worked with RH Macy as a buyer and delt with Presidents of NY Companies or with a major Distillerlery with HQ at 7th and 7th.

No, I guess I do not know anything!:confused:


If you think The Donald has an ego, at least he is smart enough to not run for the Mayoral job. DAR!

So what's happening with Gracie, then? I wouldn't think the City would want it sitting empty. Just curious.

/sidetrack

According to wiki:

As of 2005, current mayor Michael Bloomberg does not live in Gracie Mansion, although he uses it for meetings and events. At the beginning of Bloomberg's term he launched a major restoration of the mansion, which was funded by an anonymous donor, rumored to be the mayor himself. Bloomberg has used the Mansion as a place for official visitors to stay while in the city.

There are events there a lot. Usually there are city employees in bad suits, wearing cheap ties. You shake a few hands. Sometimes there's a photo line so you can get a picture on the lawn with Mike. Things of that nature.

And Bloomberg screwed up my zip code. I wouldn't mind if people between Lex and 5th got their own zip code because I think anything East of Lex is trashy, but he had to be silly.

-Rudey

Thanks, AlphaFrog and Rudey.

Tom, just because you've come here for business doesn't mean you have any clue what it is like to live here (or in the general area). A random business trip here and there doesn't give you a real idea of how the city runs day to day.

And, again, MOST people take mass transit into NYC for their jobs, so this proposed fee isn't hurting MOST people who work in NYC. So quit making it sound like he's keeping people from working.

I have no idea what you mean about giving other people jobs, so I'll just ignore it. As far as why is the traffic so bad, here's a little hint - biggest city in the country. Millions of people. Not a hard concept on the traffic issue...:rolleyes:

Thanks for answering about Gracie, AlphaFrog! :)

What about if you're between Lex and 3rd - is that only half trashy? :p

And I thought you lived in Chicago now...was that a long time ago?

Just curious.. but is Fox News running a lot of crap about the fee? I'm trying to see why anyone in KC would even know or care about this.

Ewww you live near Dorrian's! haha.

Chicago was many moons ago.

-Rudey

I used the term "Gracie Mansion," because it is the traditional home of NYC Mayors and has become sort of a catch phrase for the office.

I could have been literal and said there's a lot of difference between being the mayor of New York and President of the United States -- but I like the analogy better.

I think your post basically says the same thing mine did. As for Rudy, I don't necessarily think he'd be a good President.

Sort of a follow-up:
Candidate Bloomberg may face anti-New York bias

Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:24PM EDT
By Daniel Trotta
NEW YORK (Reuters) - He's from New York, an independent and Jewish. If New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg runs for the White House, he will face those three issues, any one of which could sink a presidential campaign, experts say.
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...45980420070621

I don't think Rudy is the best choice to "run" the country, but then again if he gets the nom, I don't see him facing someone better prepared to do it in the general.

Yeah, like rehab. Or maybe that's just a place you should have been.

Oh, big whoop you've been here for business. The people with whom you are disagreeing have lived in the NYC area or grew up there. I'm so glad you've been DEMODDED so I can put your drunk ass on ignore.

Why am I trying to talk some sense into a walking bottle of moonshine? :confused:

Ha ha - I'm not talking about me! I'm a suburban girl, now. Just wondering your opinion...

You'll really think I'm trashy when I tell you where I live...think "up the river", as in prison...But we live on the nice side of town. :p

So you're bridge & tunnel? I'm kidding. There's nothing wrong with the burbs (or Riverdale if that's where you live?) as long as you don't come into the meatpacking district on the weekends.

-Rudey

You are right, I do not live there nor would I want to.:)

It has been a myrid trips by the way.;)

Well, I guess NY City is no different than any others, the outs and ins!

Yes, the rail system is second to none!:)

Pellam 123!

I read that book a long time ago...

I lived in NYC (Manhattan) for a while a few years ago and really love the city.

That really has nothing to do with the Mayor or politics -- but The City sometimes takes a bum rap.

So much to do and see.

True, sit on the rim outside of MSG and people watch!;) God it picked me up!

First night in a Deli, ordered a cheese burger and fries. That is what I got. Asked for water, that was extra. Onions, lettuce, and tomatoes were sides to put on My burger.:p


Mayors wanting to run that City have to have a death wish!
Did get a sauna and massage at the National Democratic Club of N Y from the President of Dante Jewellery. Wow was that FANTASTIC! Laying next to me was a City Councilman and finding out I was from Kansas wanted to know about Indians and buffalo!

Said they were all in zoos or on reservations just like cows and sheep in NY!:D

Had Toddies In the Kansas City Bar just off of Times square and drinks in a local Brooklyn bar watching Pitts Steelers and Giants.


Oh, NY that Toddlen town!;)

Don't hate it, it is crazy as hell!;)

Visit, yes, live there NO!:eek::D

But being the Mayor, there is either Ego or a Death wish! LOL!

haha Tommy come back and we'll get you a burger and a massage from a nice asian lady I know. you'll love it.

-Rudey

I couldn't agree with you more, Earp! lol!

Yes I'm B&T - but Westchester so I'm snottier about it! :p

Dude - prison - as in Sing Sing.

And the last time I was in the meat packing district is was to get headshots done at a photographer's studio and it still smelled like rotting meat - very not "hip" then...

I'm a pregnant suburbanite with a mid-size sedan now; I'm lucky if I ever get into the city. :(