"Mayor Bloomberg took his biggest step toward a White House run - and potentially plunged the 2008 contest into chaos - when he announced yesterday he's quitting the Republican Party to become an independent.
The stunning move could make Bloomberg, who has insisted he has no plans to run but has refused to completely rule it out, the third New Yorker involved in the White House race. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the front-runner in the Democratic contest, while Bloomberg's predecessor, Rudy Giuliani, leads most polls for the Republican nomination.
"Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city," Bloomberg said in a statement last night, explaining why he had filed papers with the Board of Elections last Friday, changing his party registration.
"We have achieved real progress by overcoming the partisanship that too often puts narrow interests above the common good.
"As a political independent, I will continue to work with those in all political parties to find common ground, to put partisanship aside and to achieve real solutions to the challenges we face.
"Any successful elected executive knows that real results are more important than partisan battles."
Political insiders familiar with Bloomberg's switch said it was triggered by the fact that some states where the billionaire mayor could compete as a self-financed candidate have rules making it complicated for people to get on the ballot as independents if they're registered to a party in their home states.
The mayor faced a mid-October deadline in order to be a registered independent by November 2008."
Hussein has the timidity to become Hillary's VP, but never, ever, Bloomy. His ego is bigger than Central Park and just as just as dangerous to be around come nightfall. The Clinton megabucks all but assure Hillary the nomination, but Bloomberg can spend more money than she can without taking a dime of contributions.
This could be big. This could be kismet. Ross Perot all over again, but this time taking the votes FROM a Clinton and not a Republican.
Prediction? The Clinton camp begs him starting 5 minutes ago to forget any plans to run for the Presidency. With of course some plum job in the offing. Some NYC-based Ambassadorship. Brand spanking new title to go along with it. Free passes to the Lincoln bedroom. His own reserved seat on Airforce One.
If he bites, the hook better be big enough to keep him on the line.
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