Bloomberg: Will He or Won't He?

We take a lot of walks in the "Sunken Forest," a fantastic holly tree forest that is a part of the Fire Island National Seashore park. The forest is located about 20 minutes west of Cherry Grove by foot and features a wooden walkway that winds its way from bay to mid island. Dan took this photo of me and Bradley a few days ago.

Think of it: Michael Bloomberg could be the only candidate running for president besides Kucinich who supports gay marriage, if, that is, he decides to run. It sure does look as it he is seriously considering running. If he enters the race that will shake things up for certain. He has enough money to pay his own way, and he's a smart, successful businessman with a proven track record.

I would enjoy seeing a Bloomberg independent candidacy. I really hate the two party political monopoly, which for the most part renders mediocre candidates and no real choice for voters. I hope he decides to run. I could support an anti-war, pro-gay-marriage Bloomberg assuming he doesn't abandon his socially liberal positions. He would probably team up with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, a fierce Bush and Iraq war critic. That worries me a little, because Hagel is a social conservative. Let's see how it plays out. Pundits are suggesting that Bloomberg would most likely make the call as to whether or not to run early next year. If he does run that might mean that voters would have three choices in November, 2008, but all of them from New York state!

Jim

The Billionaire Ticket

The most interesting thing I heard yesterday on the political talking heads shows was the possibility that New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg would pair with Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and form a third alternative presidential/vice presidential ticket for 2008. Bloomberg is a billionaire and could finance his own presidential run if he chooses to. Ross Perot managed to garner 19 percent of the popular vote when he ran as a third alternative candidate against Bush senior and Bill Clinton. With a general sense of dissatisfaction out there with all of the major party candidates who have declared that they are running so far, some pundits think the Bloomberg/Hagel candidacy could happen. If it did, it's not clear which major party it would hurt the most. And, do we really want to see a billionaire "buy" the presidency? Or, are we that used to the reality that most politicians are wealthy, and that you have to be wealthy to go far in politics that we don' care?

Personally, I'd like to see a third alternative ticket happen. I have never been a fan of the "two-party" system. This is not something that the Founders set in stone by incorporating it into the Constitution. It evolved over time and has morphed into an undemocratic framework which presents the American voter with limited options. I'd like to see more candidates with alternative viewpoints. Of course, that would work best with an educated populace that has not bought into the crap that they have been fed by mainstream politicians year after year. Let's see what happens!

Photo: the architecture of Rio Grande, Brazil, February, 2007

Jim