New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared Thursday that he will not run for president, ending the chance that the billionaire maverick might scramble the politics of Election 2008 by mounting a self-financed independent campaign.
Bloomberg declared his decision in a by-lined article on the OpEd page of The New York Times. "… I am not — and will not be — a candidate for president," he wrote.
Bloomberg had made preparations for a potential independent candidacy, and has billions of dollars at his disposal to finance one if he'd chosen to run. Analysts thought he might have a chance if the major parties nominated polarizing figures such as Rudolph Giuliani or Hillary Clinton, but with John McCain and Barack Obama showing strong appeal to independent moderate voters, Bloomberg may have reasoned that there was little room left for him to forge a winning coalition.
However, he added, America faces huge challenges, from global warming to crumbling cities, that can be tackled effectively only by a leader willing to take an independent, practical, non-partisan approach. Bloomberg said that if a candidate shows such leadership and willingness to "challenge party orthodoxy," then he will work to elect that candidate.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Bloomberg's decision to not run in this election. One can see principle, vision and a clear unerstanding of the fundamental changes occurring in the American electorate in his decision. Those changes range from the enormous impact of the internet on elections. The internet and computer are increasing citizen awareness and participation in the political discourse and funding of campaigns. This improves understanding of issues, and expectations. These two factors will have a long term 'accountability' effect. The unprecedented involvement of Americans in the political process combined with fundamental new realities frame a need to define our "Democracy" based on the core values of our country and the guiding principles of the Constitution. The election as it shapes up between the two major parties present that unique opportunity. The American Voter gets to choose between two distinct concepts of Governance and their practical representations. The election as it stands, gives Americans the opportunity to decide the essential question, are we a Democracy in rhetoric and function or a Republic?
We presently present ourselves as a Democracy but the government increasingly functions as a Republic, where public will is secondary to elected political doctrine. Can we continue to function in this hybrid fashion and if so, should our philosophic rhetoric change?
We need to become that which we preach. Mr. Bloomberg's decision preserves that opportunity. Word and deed combine to Truth.
Posted by: Hurley Jones | February 28, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Bloomberg's bow out means there will be no real change in politics this time around. The party faithful drive elections. If you don’t have a party apparatus on the ground in every precinct you’re not really running. It would take the perfect third party candidate with IMMENSE financing and clout to reinvent the wheel.
Posted by: A Running Commentary | February 29, 2008 at 03:19 PM