Michael Bloomberg confirms he is actively considering entering presidential race as independent

The confirmation by the former mayor of New York followed a report last month that he was prepared to spend $1bn of his own money

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, has personally confirmed that he is actively considering entering the US presidential contest as an independent candidate. He said he was unimpressed by what he had been of the campaign so far and believed Americans deserved “a lot better”.

The 73-year-old confirmed that he was “looking at all the options” when asked whether he was considering putting his name forward.

“I find the level of discourse and discussion distressingly banal and an outrage and an insult to the voters,” the tycoon told the Financial Times.


The confirmation by Mr Bloomberg followed a report by the New York Times last month that said he was prepared to spend up to $1bn of his own money to fund a campaign, and that he had instructed advisers to draw up plans for an independent run.

The report said Mr Bloomberg, who served three terms as mayor between 2002-2013, had been spurred to action by the Donald Trump’s dominance in the Republican field and the stumbles of Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

Mr Bloomberg would need to start putting his name on ballots across the US at the beginning of March. “I’m listening to what candidates are saying and what the primary voters appear to be doing,” he said.

His entry would have the potential to dramatically impact the campaign. A number of experts have said it would be most likely help a Republican candidate as he would draw support away from the Democrats, and attract independent voters.

In both 2008 and 2012, Mr Bloomberg conferred with advisors and commission polls to assess his chances of making it to the White House, only to decide against a run.

At the same time, he would face a huge challenge. While there have been third party or independent candidates before – businessman Ross Perot ran in both 1992 and 1996, and activist Ralph Nader has stood in numerous elections – no independent candidate has ever been elected to the White House.

The most recent poll by the University of Massachusetts has suggested Mr Trump will win the Republican race with 34 points, followed by Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz on 13, then John Kasich and Jeb Bush on 10.

In the Democratic race, the same poll put Bernie Sanders on 56 per cent, compared to Ms Clinton on 40 points. Four per cent are undecided.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/michael-bloomberg-confirms-he-is-actively-considering-entering-presidential-race-as-third-party-a6861916.html

hope not !!!
'the power' is just getting him in to draw votes away from Bernie
they are running scared of Bernie and his potential to Unfuck the USA and free it from the chians of bondage the corporation have currently got it's citizens restrained in. 

The plebs are not doing what 'the power' wants they are not falling for the Clinton Sham

I'm rooting for Bernie, would be bloody fantastic.

I don't see Bloomberg pulling votes away from Sanders.  Bloomberg is the antithesis of Bernie...he is Wall Street personified.

Besides, it's waaaay late.  I think the New York financial establishment may be desperately pushing him for a run, seeing all Koch Bros.' attempts to buy government failing. They are simply without ammunition.