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With the chance of Hillary dropping out looming over Democrats' heads, names being mentioned to replace her (or to enter the race to be a just-in-case backup) are retreads like Joe Biden, John Kerry and Al Gore. Those guys (maybe with the exception of Biden) are not going to cut it. The biggest problem with someone jumping in this late in the game is that all the major donors are already committed to Hillary. But this is not an issue if a candidate self-finances his campaign like Mr. Trump.
I believe that the former mayor of NYC, Michael Bloomberg could be the answer. He spent about $75 million of his own money in each of his three campaigns in NYC, so he is able and willing to pay a campaign entirely out of pocket. Just to give you an idea, I believe Ross Perot spent less than $70 million in his Presidential bid. The biggest appeal to me is that he is a self-described fiscal conservative who believes in progressive social platform.
Here are some considerations:
* He is the 13th richest man in the world with $36 billion estimated fortune (sorry, Mr. Trump).
* A lifelong Democrat who switched party to the Republican Party to run for mayor, then switched to Independent. He changes parties almost as often as Mr. Trump.
* Not an ideologue, he is all about getting things done.
* Credited with turning around NYC's financial mess from $6 billion deficit to $3 billion surplus.
* Very successful businessman, having build the Bloomberg financial empire, which employs 15,000 people, from the scratch with a severance from Salomon Bros. Truly self-made.
* Fiscal conservative, anti-income tax (property tax is OK to increase apparently).
* 11-year executive experience as the mayor of the NYC, the largest city in the US
* Strong advocate for women's choice.
* Believes in climate change.
* Advocated for same sex marriage.
* Supported immigration reforms.
* Supported NYPD's stop-and-frisk program.
* Puts strong emphasis on public health and welfare.
* Wants tough gun control.
* Felt the need to regulate soda size for some reason.
* Rode NYC subway to work everyday, and rode a bike to work during MTA strike.
* He would be the first Jewish POTUS.
* He is older than other candidates at 73.
Thoughts on the likelihood of his entering the race and, if he did, his chance of winning the primary and general election? If for nothing else, he'd drive the gun rights people absolutely nuts.
If Bloomberg was going to enter the race, he would have done it already. He certainly won't do it because of Hillary Clinton.
The DNC is in deep "you know what". Nobody with the wherewithal to win the race for US President, wants to enter at this point to cover for The King. It make he/she look like the "B Team".
The only exception to this would be Joe Biden as he has a legitimate reason for entering the race. Sitting VP and his dead son wanted him to.
Hmmmm, let's see. Cankles, or gaffmeister Biden.......
I'll just vote Republican this time around, is the likely sentiment.
Although I suppose it's possible the DNC might be able to coerce Bloomberg.......or someone else. But probably not until Cankles completely flames out.
If Bloomberg was going to enter the race, he would have done it already. He certainly won't do it because of Hillary Clinton.
You would be 100% right as of June or July. Clearly, he had decided not to run in 2016. But if he had any interest whatsoever, the most relevant consideration for him would have been how good of a chance he had to become the POTUS. That chance has increased greatly since, which in turn could alter his calculus. Money is not an issue. At his age, this is his absolute last chance and Mr. Trump might be becoming his inspiration. Not likely to happen, but can't I just dream, please?
Mick
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