Bloomberg's '08 Run: Over Before Starting?

Posted by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report at 3:40 PM on February 1, 2008.

We may finally be at a point in which we can stop talking about New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his subtle-but-not-really interest in launching an independent presidential campaign.

There have been several reports of late indicating that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) had been one of the high-profile figures urging Bloomberg to consider a third-party campaign. Of course, the encouragement looks a little hollow now that Schwarzenegger has given his enthusiastic support to John McCain.

Worse, the Unity08 gang folded their tent to create a Draft Bloomberg campaign, which has an online petition that is yet to generate 5,000 signatures -- weeks after its launch. Adding insult to injury, one of the effort's top organizers conceded this week, "Even his good buddies are backing McCain."

Worse still, Joe Lieberman, an active Bloomberg supporter during the mayor's re-election campaign, has said publicly that the mayor no longer has a reason to launch a campaign.

When the New York Observer talked to Bloomberg organizer Karin Gallet about the future, he said:

"He's not running. He's convinced me. I'm returning to more obtainable goals like passing my business law class and supporting moderate Republicans! [...]

"We have not mustered up any kind of significant groundswell support. I think Bloomberg is just too good for this country."

Misplaced sycophancy aside, even the mayor seems to realize this isn't going to happen.

The New York Daily News reported today:

Mayor Bloomberg appears to be backing further away from a presidential run, telling a group of Google employees in the city Thursday "I am not a candidate and I'll stay that way."

His comments, the firmest denial to date, came the day his biggest political supporter, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.), endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for the job.

Although Bloomberg's aides are meeting with ballot access experts and generating a buzz that their boss will run as a third party candidate, Bloomberg has been coy about his plans.

When asked yesterday if he was running, he flatly said "No," but then launched a two-minute speech on his disappointment with the current candidates.

When a reporter followed up to find out if he might change his mind, Bloomberg said "I am not a candidate and I'll stay that way ... I plan to finish out my term."

It sounds like it's really not going to happen. Sorry, David Broder.

Tagged as: schwarzenegger, bloomberg

Steve Benen is a freelance writer/researcher and creator of The Carpetbagger Report. In addition, he is the lead editor of Salon.com's Blog Report, and has been a contributor to Talking Points Memo, Washington Monthly, Crooks & Liars, The American Prospect, and the Guardian.