June 20, 2007

Bloomberg Drops The 'R'

UPDATED.

Michael Bloomberg quit the Republican Party yesterday, fueling speculation that the New York City mayor is considering a run at the White House as an independent.

"I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead," Bloomberg said in a statement.

In a news conference today on city business, he strongly denied interest in a White House bid, pledging to fill out his term as mayor through 2009.

But this latest change in party affiliation -- Bloomberg quit the Democratic Party in 2001 to avoid a crowded mayoral primary field -- is another in a series of hints at a possible presidential bid. His busy out-of-state travel schedule (including a trip to New Hampshire last weekend), comments by Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska (another Republican who some say wants to leave the party) about a possible Bloomberg-Hagel ticket, and speeches focusing on national issues have fed the rumors that he could run.

Yesterday's announcement came shortly after Bloomberg appeared with centrist Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., at a Hollywood forum on "bridging the political divide." "We need Washington to begin taking the same nonpartisan results-oriented approach that is succeeding in cities and states," Bloomberg said in his speech.

Photo: Spencer Tucker

Posted at 2:00 PM
Posted to: Campaigns, Michael Bloomberg, WH 2008
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