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Flashback: Last Brownstone Standing
We think we smell another presidential candidate. Or at least one who will deny it until the last possible moment!
Time cover (co-)subject Mayor Bloomberg was in California yesterday to give speeches with a national-bent - all while claiming he's not running for President. His first speech was at Google headquarters in Mountain View (his engineering degree from Johns Hopkins is his "geek cred"), where he said, "The country is in trouble. I don't think you can blame either party.... I think they've all done this together." Bloomberg continued the theme of disgust with the current political system, saying the debates "don't tell you anything about whether or not any of those candidates would be good or bad presidents." [You can see his entire Google speech above; his speech was part of the "Authors@Google" program, not the "Candidates@Google" program (labels, schmabels).]
He also spoke at a USC event, called "Ceasefire! Bridging the Political Divide":
“America, the most wonderful country in the world, is at a crossroads. The politics of partisanship and the resulting inaction and excuses have paralyzed decision-making, primarily at the federal level, and the big issues of the day are not being addressed – leaving our future in jeopardy. We can accept this, or we can say – ‘Enough is enough!’ – and together, build a bright future for our country.And does Bloomberg represent the new different politics? He also slammed the candidates for falling back on terror to entice voters instead focusing on street crime, which kills more: “Yet every press conference, they all beat their chests and say, ‘I can protect this country better from terrorism.’ Well, what about protecting them out in the streets every day?”“I believe we can turn around our country’s current, wrong-headed course, if we start basing our actions on ideas, shared values, and a commitment to solve problems without regard for party.
“The point of this conference is clear: We do not have to settle for the same old politics. We do not have to accept the tired debate between the left and right, between Democrats and Republicans, between Congress and the White House. We can and we must declare a ceasefire – and move America forward.
You can read his entire "Ceasefire" speech at his website, MikeBloomberg.com. Other ways in which Bloomberg isn't impressed with the way the country has been run or 2008 presidential candidates: How they're handling immigration, how they're ignoring education, and how many people believe in creationism. Naturally, Bloomberg tooted his own horn, mentioning the end of social promotion, raising taxes and keeping an eye on the budget and his environmental plans.
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I can't believe nobody has commented on this yet. Every time there is a picture of Giuliani the crazies show up and scream "9/11 whore". Post an article about a politician that actually wants to do something positive and isn't bound by corporate or union donors to fight for the status quo and you can hear the crickets chirping.
I would vote for him.
Me too.
Too bad he's against guns. I know he says he isn't but gun owners don't trust what he says.
Thank God we still have the second amendment.
molon labe.
the biggest obstacle for bloomberg, if he chooses to run for president, is his height! he's too short! there were only 10 presidents his height (5'8") or shorter.
RUN BLOOMBERG RUN!
He's far superior to any other candidate: he's smart, honest, and fair, and he'll change his mind if evidence is presented to him.
As someone said on a political show once "if you were going to HIRE someone to be president, he'd be at the top of the list!" isn't that what we're doing?
Without Bloomberg America is doomed.
People scream "9/11 Whore" because, well, Guiliani is the 9/11 Whore. But I think I see your point. Fact is, Bloomberg doesn't inspire the same passion - positive or negative - that others do. Whether you think he's done a good job or a poor job, he's pretty much a dishrag as a personality. Which is probably why Tien will be President before Bloomberg.
Bloomberg=Nanny State with a nasaly voice.
Run! Run! Run! He's the only (non)candidate my friends and I all agree on (and its a pretty broad spectrum of views!)
HE'S RUNNING!!! Well, at least they broke in on the news to say he's changing his party affiliation to "unaffiliated" or something. I've never participated in a campaign, but I might just have to sign up for this one.
"RNC 2004" is all I have to say, that son of a bitch.
If he's smart - and I believe he is - he will continue to prowl the sidelines until the 11th hour, interjecting his name in the rumor mill every once in a while just to whet the collective centrist appetite.
Spring of next year is when he should make his big push.