Could Bloomberg Be a Democrat Next Year?

With the City Council's passage of a term limits extension, the Daily News reports that Mayor Bloomberg may consider running on the Democratic line. Bloomberg was originally a Democrat but became a Republican to run for mayor in 2001. Then he shed his GOP coat to be an independent last summer as he flirted with a third party presidential bid.

The News explains that though Bloomberg could run as an independent, "the independent line would be at the bottom of the ballot and difficult for voters to find - much less pull the lever on in the Democratic-dominated city." Therefore, "the mayor's brain trust has not ruled out trying to run him on the Democratic line."

Ha! Can you imagine a primary race between him, Anthony Weiner and Bill Thompson?! But that would only happen is three of five Democratic county leaders okay Bloomberg for the primary, and that would be especially unlikely if Thompson is running, "They can't help Bloomberg if it would hurt the man seeking to be New York's second black mayor."

In the mean time, Bloomberg has been busy giving whomever becomes the 44th president some advice, via a memo in Newsweek: He discusses immigration, education, energy, economy and emphasizes a "bold, independent agenda" for success in difficult times. Also, he added this:

As you prepare to assume the awesome responsibility of leading our country during a difficult period in our history, I want to leave you with one story. On September 11, 2001, I was a first-time candidate running for mayor of New York. After the attacks on the World Trade Center, one of my advisers said to me: "You sure you want this job?" Without blinking, I replied: "More than ever." At the time, I had no experience in politics, so I hadn't learned what I couldn't do. Looking back now, I realize that was my greatest asset.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 27, 2008 3:48 PM

Comments [rss]

jack9

"In the mean time, Bloomberg has been busy giving whomever becomes the 44th president some advice..."

It's "meantime".

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

fuck bloomberg

blablanyc

Bloomberg is the devil in wolf's clothing. Bloomberg gave $20,000 to the Republican Assembly Committee last Thursday when the term limit vote was being held. And now he wants the Dems to take him in? This is ludicrous. The Dems are the equivalent of a human being with low self esteem if they take him into the party.

NYCSniper

C'mon, it's all about CHANGE, right?

NYCSniper

I think Bloomy has been a good mayor too. But why does he deserve a break in the rules? Bloomy himself said that anybody who thinks they are indisposable in a company usually turn out to be the easiest to replace. What? He is the ONLY person who can get us through the next four years? OK then. King Bloomy.

jonathan

I feel like, yeah, he can be a douche, but hell, the other candidates look like Isaiah Thomas compared to him.

Rfive

Well, not just to be the voice of dissent, he hasn't been the worst mayor we've had in NYC over the past 20, which is when I first cast a vote for mayor. He seems, given his history as mayor, and running that other company he dabbled in, to be a success at running a large business AND a large metropolitan city.

He used the political system, working within its rules, to make himself able to run for a third term. He's got balls, has shown them and now its up to us, the voters, to make a choice.

At this point, he's got my vote.

NYCSniper

GaryK: You win today's B-I-N-G-O!!!!!

GaryK

who is he taking his advice from - Robert Mugabe and Putin? welcome to the fall of the American Empire.

HUGO_MEGO

SNL would never do a skit about Bloomberg. He is way too liberal, why would SNL go after him?

The neo-lib hipsters are not sure how to react to Bloomberg without direction from SNL.

megs

What an asshole. Hate him.

JacqueMehoff

no one wants your advice.

if you wanted to run for president, you should of,

now it's too late.

his ego is too large to be a bit player.

he's not part of the solution, he's part of the problem.

hurhg

I despise Bloomberg now. In the beginning I loved the guy- a smart, effective manager. He's so sleazy these days. God.

brooklynbird

Sure, he's full of shenanigans, but regardless of which political party he's a part of, he's proven himself to be a better than adequate mayor. Hey, have you ever met a New Yorker--any New Yorker--that doesn't have an angle?

Wonder which SNL actor would do the best Bloomberg impression? I hope he gets re-elected and makes a great big contribution to the municipal piggybank.

Pull My Finger

What a shit bag low life.

Wza

King Douchebag.

NYCSniper

Bllomberg will go whichever way he thinks will save him. Doubt he'll be riding the subway anytime soon though after all his shenanigans attempting to overthrow the will of the people.