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 …

Published in Elections, General
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  1. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    EJHill:

    Claire Berlinski, Ed.: That would be a lot of fun — and possibly very interesting, too. Don’t you think?

    Yes, an investigation by state’s attorney generals for running an illegal internet book is always both fun and very interesting.

    I’ve seen John Stossel talk about “prediction market” sites where people can buy shares on the outcomes of elections.  It still goes on in Europe but Americans are now forbidden from participating.  So the federal government has already taken a stance against it.

    • #61
  2. Claire Berlinski, Ed. Member
    Claire Berlinski, Ed.
    @Claire

    Randy Weivoda: It still goes on in Europe

    It’s a major business in London.

    • #62
  3. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Carol:

    Manny:

    Fred Cole: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.

    There are many things to be said about Bloomberg that wouldn’t scare Republicans : had a phenomenally successful business career ( he did build that); inherited a repaired NYC from Rudy, but kept things humming along; friendly to charter schools and school reform; not friendly to unions; tough on crime. If it wasn’t for the crazy nanny statism , the war on salt and Big Gulps, he wouldn’t be that objectionable.

    Nah, pro gay marriage, pro abortion, pro global warming, pro gun control, pro tax and spend.

    • #63
  4. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    Manny:Nah, pro gay marriage, pro abortion, pro global warming, pro gun control, pro tax and spend.

    You talking about Trump, Hillary, or Bloomberg?

    • #64
  5. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Fred Cole:

    Manny:Nah, pro gay marriage, pro abortion, pro global warming, pro gun control, pro tax and spend.

    You talking about Trump, Hillary, or Bloomberg?

    :)

    • #65
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