Politics –
Bloomberg Considering Run
For President

Multi-billionaire business mogul and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg doesn’t like the state of today’s politics — so he’s seriously considering mounting his own independent run for President of the United States.

Politics
Bloomberg reportedly sees the Republican and Democratic presidential races as becoming increasingly polarized and less focused on the important issues.  He’s also not a fan of the available choices and would seriously consider a run if Donald Trump or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ended up facing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the general election.

Last month, Bloomberg commissioned a poll to gauge his chances as a third-party candidate against Trump and Hillary Clinton, who will likely become the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees. Watching Trump’s seemingly impossible rise to the top of the GOP field, combined with Bernie Sanders’ popularity among young voters and his serious challenge to Clinton, prompted Bloomberg to consider his options.

The billionaire bachelor, who also happens to be Jewish, was a longtime Democrat before switching to the Republican Party to seek the NYC Mayor’s Office in 2001.  He then ran for a 3rd term as an independent and remains a nationally recognized political figure.  If he runs, he plans to focus on issues he believes in: more gun control and preserving a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion. According to a source, the media mogul would be willing to spend $1 billion of his own money on a White House bid.

Not surprisingly, conservatives are not a fan of the former Republican and his push for non-conservative issues, including greater gun control. Last summer, the National Rifle Association launched an ad campaign accusing him of using his personal fortune to try to strip people of their individual rights and freedoms. Already, Republicans are weighing in on what a Bloomberg independent candidacy would mean to the current race.

On Saturday, Ohio governor and Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich told reporters in New Hampshire that he isn’t worried about a possible Bloomberg run, but added that he likes the former mayor.

“I just worry about doing my thing and we’ll see what happens. But, you know, he was a good mayor of New York, and if he wants to run, it will probably stimulate the debate. I’m all in favor of that,” Kasich said.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who was also in New Hampshire for a state GOP town hall event, told reporters that a Bloomberg run would split the Democratic vote due to the former mayor’s longtime support for greater gun restrictions.

“It seems to be what activated him and inspired him in recent elections has been gun control. So if he splits the Democrat vote, those for gun control, that might be good for Republicans,” Paul said.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump also weighed in.

“I know Michael very well and would love to compete with him. He is very opposite from me on guns and pro-life … I would love to have Michael get in the race … I would love to compete against Michael,” Trump said.

Politics
Several political analysts believe a Bloomberg entry into the race could siphon Democratic votes and be another blow to Hillary Clinton, effectively ending her 2nd bid to become the first female President of the United States.  However, Mrs. Clinton put that theory to rest.

“He’s a good friend of mine and I am going to do the best I can that I get the nomination and we’ll go from there,” Hillary Clinton told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“The way I read what he said is that if I didn’t get the nomination he would do it,” she said, adding that she intends to relieve him of any concern.

As for the current mayor of New York, Bill De Blasio, he is very cool toward a Bloomberg run.

“I don’t think the people of the country want to give more money to billionaires at this point,” De Blasio said on ABC’s “This Week.”  I don’t think most Americans think billionaires are the ones who are going to help give us a more fair economy.”

Interestingly, this is not Bloomberg’s first time considering a run for the presidency. He considered his chances as an independent during the 2008 campaign, before ruling out a bid early in the primaries.  He even waited until November to endorse President Barack Obama for re-election in 2012.  However, he is said to be more serious now than ever.

Aides to the 73-year-old Bloomberg are looking at ballot access issues and believe their boss will make his decision by March.

OK WASSUP! covers politics, including
billionaire Michael Bloomberg potentially entering
the race for president.