Tomorrow in Manhattan, Obama will be giving a speech on the economy, and Bloomberg will be introducing him. The Obama campaign says it is not an endorsement but that Bloomberg will have some nice things to say about Obama.
Not too long ago, Bloomberg made some very nice public statements about Obama's economic plan. He has also been saying that his endorsement is up for grabs between all three candidates.
Also, just came across a tidbit in another story on this:
In 2001, when Bloomberg was a politically untested businessman attempting a long-shot bid for City Hall, McCain endorsed the then little-known Republican.
This is the entire article in the Baltimore Sun:
Before Sen. Barack Obama gives a major policy speech on the economy here Thursday morning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to introduce the Illinois Democrat at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
Obama's campaign stresses that it is not an endorsement. Just some friendly remarks for Obama, who had breakfast with the mayor when he was in New York City in November.
The meeting in November prompted some people to speculate on an Obama-Bloomberg ticket, but I think that's a bit over the top. Nevertheless, this is what Bloomberg's spokesperson had to say about the possibility of a Bloomberg vice presidency:
"The man has the ability to finance a campaign. I don't think that's why you choose a vice president. I do think that people are going to be very concerned about the influence of special-interest money in this campaign going forward," Sheekey said.
"Back to Obama. You were the one asking about an Obama ticket. I think the mayor is the ultimate swing voter. He is someone who the country is looking at to find out where they will go," he said.
"He [Bloomberg] is one of the true independents in the country," said Sheekey, who would not rule out the mayor as Obama's running mate.
For the record, I don't think there's a chance in hell that Bloomberg will be Obama's vice president. But I do think he's got a really good shot at getting Bloomberg's endorsement.
Bloomberg has repeatedly given his criteria for an endorsement, and it seems tailor made for Obama. The most important criteria that he has stressed over and over is the ability of the candidate to reach across partisan lines to effect change. He also wants a candidate who understands the subtle nuances and consequences of policies rather than a candidate who just offers more rhetoric. And he has said he will issue a sort of "common sense" test.
Bloomberg, a Republican (and former Democrat) could still endorse either of the other candidates. I know endorsements don't always mean a lot, but a lot of people really see him as an economic guy, and this could bolster Obama on an issue that is really front and center right now.
Also, just came across another tidbit in another story on this:
In 2001, when Bloomberg was a politically untested businessman attempting a long-shot bid for City Hall, McCain endorsed the then little-known Republican.
So, this could bode well for Obama in the general election. I think the Republicans have worn out their welcome on the campaigns of fear, and the economy is going to be the major overriding issue this year.
This could also be important because HRC shares her quasi-home state of New York with Bloomberg, and he is quite popular there. But even more important in the run up to the Pennsylvania primary -- some of Pennsylvania is in the New York media market. This is likely to get quite a bit of play in Pennsylvania.