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McCain-Bloomberg or Obama-Bloomberg? Mayor Flirts With Both Sides

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May 23, 2008 2:35 PM

ABC News' Ed O'Keefe Reports: Mike Bloomberg likes his day job. But that hasn't stopped presidential contenders from both sides of the aisle from perusing the resume of the billionaire turned mayor of New York City.

Bloomberg enjoyed breakfast with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., late last year and now the Mayor confirms on his weekly radio show on WOR-AM that he has also dined with presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"We did not discuss who he was going to pick," Bloomberg said of his conversation with McCain. "He said that was one of his great challenges, was to find somebody. We didn't talk about anything else in terms of the vice president, it was just part of the list of things he had to do."

Bloomberg's name has been floated as possible veepstakes contender for either McCain or Democratic frontrunner Obama. Gotham's Mayor was elected as a Republican but left the party in 2007 to become an Independent. 

On the radio Friday, Bloomberg, who contemplated, then declined an third party presidential bid in 2008, had compliments for all sides.

"John McCain and his family are great Americans, they've contributed an enormous amount to our country. I was honored to have him campaign for me back in 2001, somebody introduced us, and he came up, and we walked the streets of Brooklyn. And I think he will be a great candidate. And I think on the Democratic side, whether it is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, all three of these people bring something very different to the party. And I think that is very healthy for our system," he said.

Bloomberg also speculated on picking a vice president, careful to note of his current post, "I have 587 days left, but who is counting and I will continue in that job."

"I just hope that this country has great alternatives. You need two good presidential candidates for the general election, and also you want to make sure that whoever the two candidates pick, those people could be President of the United States. Sadly, you know, we've had great tragedies, presidents assassinated or dying, and you want to make sure the number two guy is picked not because of how he can deliver electoral votes, although I don't think they don't deliver any, but whether or not they could be president. The future of the free world depends on it. I'm sure that whoever these guys are, they will pick somebody very competent. In terms of myself, you know, I've got a job," Bloomberg said.

Speculation abounds among political pundits and prognosticators that a McCain-Bloomberg ticket could help the Republican contender in the northeast and on economic issues; on the Democratic side, an Obama-Bloomberg ticket may aid the Democratic contender in his appeal to Jewish voters. 

But Bloomberg seems to dismiss such electoral calculations.

"I think, if you really look at the numbers, there is no evidence of vice presidential candidates delivering electoral votes or even popular votes. Vice presidential candidates should look to see if the president can't serve, is this somebody I think can run the country?" Bloomberg said on WOR-AM.

ABC News' Justin "360" Anderson contributed to this report.

May 23, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (17)

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Bloomberg, an Independent! Hillary,could run as an Independent!

Two Independents on a ticket: Clinton/Bloomberg,,,,A WINNER!!!!!

Posted by: mary | May 23, 2008 3:03:26 PM

Obama being out of the race will do for me.

America needs to come to their senses before that put something as dangerous as Obama in office.

If you Look at it realistically Obama is the last person in the country who should be president.

I love America and do not want to see it destroyed.

Posted by: seah | May 23, 2008 3:32:20 PM

It's funny how Bill was pushing for Hill to get to be the VP today...and then her campaign says the obama people put it out there..

lol

These people are unbelievable. Literally.

and Bloomberg is going to be Obama's secretary of the treasury or of commerce.

Posted by: dl | May 23, 2008 3:45:45 PM

Debra

Bloomberg hates hillary...
he said if she had the nomination he was going to run as an independent.

don't you people read this stuff...

Posted by: dl | May 23, 2008 3:47:24 PM

and the only way Bloomberg would run with McCain is if Hillary got the nomination.

Posted by: dl | May 23, 2008 3:48:24 PM

dl...believe me, most Hillary supporters don't want her on the ticket with Obama AT ALL! Why should he get the benefit of the more than half Democrat support (17 million voters)that support Hillary? Whether Bill is talking about this or not, most of us wouldn't vote Obama even if Hillary was VP...so they really need to put this talk to rest. It turns my stomach.

Posted by: Debra | May 23, 2008 4:09:57 PM

I don't make this stuff up. And, fyi, I worked on the Clinton/Gore Campaign in 1992. Listen to the Appalachian Queen in real time discussing her rationale for continuing her candidacy. Dems, Progressives & Independents who are unalighned need to examine what in the hell this woman truly is. Examine the monster behind the fake blue contact lenses,dyed blonde hair, botox treatments and yellow pant suits. What Hillary is vying for is to be the last white lady standing.

WATCH THE VIDEO: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/FRONTPAGECAROUSEL/80522033&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Posted by: Christopher London | May 23, 2008 4:47:31 PM

Do you people really think Clinton will get Bloomberg as VP even in the Independent ticket? Hahahaha, they hate each other.

Posted by: Francis | May 23, 2008 7:05:03 PM

idiots you cant get on the ballot in all 50 states this late in the game. Hillary would have to pull out NOW and get the signatures NOW. She doesnt have time. Its over. Plus hillary would never undermine the DEM's that way. I hate her but she wouldnt EVER do it. Its over go vote for chelsea thats your last hope. LMAO.....

Posted by: Make it all stop | May 23, 2008 8:52:54 PM

Is it possible between now and November to post commnents without Probloggers hijacking every space in the so called the so called "free press"? Tinted comments! It's hallirious. Normal people get deleted.I guess was nice posting once. it's all fixed.sounds familiar?

Posted by: comicrelief | May 23, 2008 9:34:54 PM

Bloomberg would be a disaster for
either Obama or McCain!
Obama/Bloomberg would put two liberals
on the Democrat ticket making it a
sure loser! McCain is a moderate
Republican and therefore needs a running-mate who's a little right of
center!

Posted by: reaganfan | May 24, 2008 12:25:49 AM

Those of you who keep bringing up
McCain?Hillary are out of your minds!
We Republicans despise The Clintons and would not give them the time of day!
McCain would not even consider Hillary
Clinton as his running mate, maybe
Joe Liberman but not Hillary!

Posted by: reaganfan | May 24, 2008 12:30:06 AM

I laugh when people say Barack Obama is dangerous to America.

George Bush is the most destructive force on America's way of life to come along since Nixon.

And that didn't seem to bother these American flag hat-wearing, knee-jerk my-country-right-or-wrong, FoxNews-addicted, pseudopatriots when they voted for him twice.

Posted by: Naive | May 24, 2008 1:38:11 PM

Who's naive?

The candidate who wants to sit down and talk to the leaders of other countries and make our positions clear?

or

The people who said the Iraq war would last six weeks, pay for itself and have our troops welcomed in a shower of flowers as liberators?

Posted by: Naive | May 24, 2008 1:41:53 PM

I ran across this - sounds like a winner! Michael - save us!!!

"I was listening to Rush (oh My God)! A valid point was brought up - who do you want to disenfranchise more - women or black voters? One of his listeners brought this up, and said no one wants to talk about it - if BO does not get the nomination, the race card will be pulled and there will be riots in every US City. The Superdelegates fear this as well as the DNC. THey are being held hostage by the race card.

You know, there may well be something to that. Ok,

I have read that both John McCain and BHO would love to have NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a running mate. Many US Citizens would like Bloomberg to step up to the plate and run Independent...

So...Hillary should get with Bloomberg and try to get him to be her running mate and they should run as Indpendents together. I think they could easily win. This would get the Dems off the hook.

Michael...step up to the plate and save the country!!!!"

Posted by: Thomas | May 24, 2008 4:05:48 PM

Thomas you haven't "read" anything of the kind! McCain Never said he would
love to have Bloomberg as his
running mate!
A Clinton/Bloomberg Independent
ticket would split the Liberal Democrat
vote between Hillary and Obama and
John McCain would Waltz into the
White House! Sounds Good to Me!
Run Hillary Run(as an independent)! LOL!

Posted by: reaganfan | May 24, 2008 4:18:23 PM

Bloomberg can "flirt" all he wants to but it is my sincere hope that Sen. Barack Obama picks Jim Webb as his running mate.

Posted by: WarriorLemming | May 25, 2008 3:28:59 AM

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