There is no doubt that Mayor Michael Bloomberg would be a formidable candidate, however some political pundits are currently making the argument that if the race becomes McCain versus Obama they will win the votes of all independent and moderate voters in the center, leaving no room for Michael Bloomberg independent Presidential run. However as the nation’s economy continues to gain prominence and coverage of the Iraq occupation continues to dwindle, my feeling is that the door remains open for Bloomberg.

Michael Bloomberg, the current Mayor of New York City, earned his wealth by being the founder of the largest financial news outlet in the world, Bloomberg L. P. So while McCain is reading up on the economy while on the campaign trail, and close examination of Obama’s fiscal policy proves it to be simply unaffordable, Bloomberg has been in the thick of the economic world for over 20 years.

Bloomberg has proven himself as an executive not only in the private sector but also as mayor, by turning a $6 billion deficit into a $3 billion surplus in New York City and continuing the reduction of crime in the city. So in the eyes of some he has earned the right to call himself an economic conservative, something that is more difficult for McCain to say with a straight face. Bloomberg would be the only candidate in the race with such a resume of executive experience, both in the private sector as well as his terms in the Mayoral office.

On foreign policy Bloomberg falls short of McCain’s hawkish stance, but falls in line with mainline conservatives. He supported the Iraq War from the beginning and has said he believes it is America’s responsibility to protect people around the world.

While I don’t believe the conditions in Iraq will become completely quite in the next 9 months, what is important to the race is that Iraq may very well become the next Afghanistan by slowly beginning to fall off of the map in mainstream American Press. We are already beginning to see this happen. Focus outside of the country is beginning to shift to Israel and Pakistan.

March 5^th is a date to watch because it is the date when Bloomberg would be able to officially begin to collect signatures to get on the ballot in Texas, the first state in the process. One month ago Bloomberg met with a ballot access expert in Texas. Since then many believe Bloomberg has quietly put out feelers in all 50 states to determine his chances if he were to become involved in the race.

As a campaigner, Bloomberg would not have to focus on fundraising, and therefore would not owe any lobby once in office. The only fundraising he would need would come from his checkbook because his net worth is estimated at over $11 billion. Therefore he would have no problem getting his message out (most likely through a big budget ad campaign, similar to his successful mayoral campaign) on how he would plan to turn around the slowing economy. He already has a presence in the national media, making headlines just last week for his critical comments on the economic stimulus plan. Because he would be able to effectively get his message out he would be a more formidable opponent to Obama than Hillary has been, because he would have the dollar power to make the race about issues. This could possibly deflate the importance of Obama’s lofty rhetoric and charming personality, something McCain will not have the dollar power or charisma to accomplish.

Publicly Bloomberg has continually stated that he is “not a candidate,” and last week he slightly strengthened that stance by adding that it will stay that way. But until ballot access dates begin to fade into the past, speculation is likely to continue.  What has become clear is that if he does run, Senator Chuck Hagel is no longer a likely running mate. Hagel recently stated publicly that the rise of McCain has essentially shut the window that was once open for Bloomberg. This comment could be chalked up to Hagel towing the party line.

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