Perot, Buchanan, Nader hats in ring?

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Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg considers presidential run

Trump thrilled, others contemplate run as well

In an unexpected election development, the New York Times today reported that former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has instructed advisers to draw up plans for a potential independent campaign in this year’s presidential race. His advisers and associates said he was galled by Donald J. Trump’s dominance of the Republican field, and troubled by Hillary Clinton’s stumbles and the rise of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on the Democratic side.

Setting a decision deadline of early March, Mr. Bloomberg, 73, has indicated to friends and allies that he would be willing to spend $1 billion of his fortune on a presidential run.

Reaction to the possibility of a Bloomberg presidential run was swift.

Donald J. Trump, the current Republican front-runner said he would welcome a presidential campaign by Mr. Bloomberg, whom he called “a friend” and “a great guy.” Trump went on to say, “I like Mike. This is huge, great. My billions against his billions. It’s the way American politics should be, the richest guy wins. And, not only that, Mike will take a lot of votes away from Hillary.” Trump, clearly unfazed by a Bloomberg run also said at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters."

Beyond Trump's reaction, several former third-party candidates vowed to throw their hats into the ring if Bloomberg does decide to run.

H. Ross Perot, who ran in 1992 and 1996, winning 19% and 8% of the popular vote respectively in those elections, said, “I’ve always said in plain Texas talk, 'do the right thing' and running again, even though I’m 85, would be doing the right thing. And, even more important, if Mike does run I would finally be running against someone I’m taller then.” (Note: Perot is 5’5” while Bloomberg is anywhere from 5’4” to 5’10” depending on the source or the shoes he's wearing)

Pat Buchanan, who ran an abortive campaign in 2000, said he was thrilled at the prospect of a Bloomberg candidacy. “It would open the door for my own entry into the race and the potential for a serious debate on the issues most dear to me including closing the borders to protect white dominance, repealing homosexual marriage, and rolling back every civil rights law passed in the last 50 years.”

Ralph Nader, whose presidential run in 2000 is considered by many to have contributed to Al Gore’s loss to George W. Bush, said, “As before, the Democratic and Republican parties, two apparently distinct political entities, are feeding at the same corporate trough. And who has a bigger trough than Michael Bloomberg? If he’s in, I’m in.”

Other former third-party aspirants including John Anderson, Ron Paul, Lyndon LaRouche, former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr, and his cousin TV personality Roseanne Barr, have not yet announced their intentions.