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Breaking: Mike Bloomberg is Rich, I Mean, Really Rich …
… and his entourage is none-too-discreetly leaking to The New York Times that if the electorate doesn’t get its head straight, soon, he’d be willing to drop a billion on an independent bid:
Galled by Donald J. Trump’s dominance of the Republican field, and troubled by Hillary Clinton’s stumbles and the rise of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on the Democratic side, Michael R. Bloomberg has instructed advisers to draw up plans for an independent campaign in this year’s presidential race.
Mr. Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, has in the past contemplated running for the White House on a third-party ticket, but always concluded he could not win. A confluence of unlikely events in the 2016 election, however, has given new impetus to his presidential aspirations.
Mr. Bloomberg, 73, has already taken concrete steps toward a possible campaign, and has indicated to friends and allies that he would be willing to spend at least $1 billion of his fortune on it, according to people briefed on his deliberations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his plans.
Apparently, he’s decided it would only be worth his money if the GOP nominates Trump or Cruz and the Democrats nominate Sanders or Hillary’s indicted. (Too bad the Times didn’t make a little flow chart to help us visualize the decision tree.) Otherwise, he figures it’s not worth the investment.
Envision a Trump-Bloomberg campaign. Trump’s net worth is $4 billion. Bloomberg’s is $37.2 billion. Since Trump’s running on the idea that winning-ness can be measured by net worth …
We all better stock up on salt, cigarettes and Big Gulps just in case… The black market value will be yuge…
Finally, those who have suffered under the weight of having to make mundane day-to-day decisions for themselves, a beacon is lit.
I think we need to consider organizing a grassroots effort to get politics out of money.
Hope he does. That would only help the Republican candidate. He’s so socially Liberal that he wouldn’t get any more than a handful from the right.
Decisions, decisions… should I vote for the New York billionaire Republican with a record of supporting progressive policies, or should I vote for the New York billionaire Republican with a record of supporting progressive policies…
Meh, If Trump runs as a Republican and Felony runs as a Democrat and Bloomberg runs as an Independent, I hope Bernie runs as a Socialist so we finally have a real choice.
It’s the new thing: everyone wants to be elected King.
Nice to have options isn’t it?!
We are saved. Run, Bloomie, Run!
Clinton v. Bloomberg v. Trump. Ah, the populist moment in American politics.
That’s true. But Bloomberg might be more Liberal than Trump. In fact I would say he is. I lived (and still do) in NYC when Bloomberg was the mayor.
May he go through with it and may he be the Ralph Nader of 2016.
The more I think about this, the more I like it. The Donald has staked his campaign on his success as a businessman. He’s put a dollar amount on his qualifications. If Bloomberg enters the race, it sort of shames the shameless Trump, doesn’t it? I mean, Bloomberg’s bank account makes Trump’s look like a child’s piggy bank savings. Oh, the angst! The embarrassment!
We’re entering Greek tragedy territory. And I thought the race was grimly amusing up until now. Think how much we have to look forward to with this development!
Awesome. Someone else that I won’t ever vote for.
Reaction #2: I wonder if he’d make New York competitive.
First, I think Trump makes NY competitive. But so does Bloomberg. In a discussion with my “moderate” NYC cousins (I put moderate in quotes because they lean left but are not Liberals) they can’t stand Trump but love Bloomberg. They would vote for him in a heartbeat.
Kudos for calling her Felony. Felony Rotten Clinton…
Flying monkeys, trolls, morlocks and goblins will have full employment at last.
He’s probably got a fair chance, running against Clinton, Sanders, and Trump. A Bloomberg/Sanders/Cruz election would be pretty interesting, as I wonder how many Republicans would vote for Bloomberg.
Your 2016 ballot:
President
Vote for one socialist:
If we can get some more billionaire attention whores in the race perhaps their advertising expenditures and private plane jaunts will help revive our sinking economy.
Dear Ricochet Texans, If this doesn’t convince the rest of you to support a Republic of Texas secession effective January 1, 2016 what is it going to take?
Now if someone would only get Bill “Red” diBlasio in the race….
The voice of a new generation, too.
Yeah, I’ve been ready for a while now. Lets do it!
Yeah, would y’all get on it, already? We’re going to need a new country to move to soon. You’re down to about 362 days.
Western. You better get here before we tear up the treaty. I have a feeling Texas is going to enforce her borders.
That Washington top two primary system is looking worse every day.
You’ll put in a good word for me, though, right? You’ll vouch that I’m a patriot? The Republic might need Mr. C’s mad missile defense skilz in its Defense Department, too.
We scouted out New Braunfels a few years ago and felt right at home. Like the America of my youth. Keep the porch light on, ‘mkay?
Western. If I am not President I will put in the good word with whoever is. Can you Bring Ray and Linda?