Bloomberg’s got a fee-vah and the only prescription is 10% of the popular vote
posted at 7:24 pm on June 19, 2007 by Allahpundit
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He’s running. If he wasn’t, this would be completely superfluous. He was spouting plenty of anti-Beltway boilerplate through his blowhole last night in Silicon Valley, too. A refresher for those who aren’t unfamiliar with him: the guy stands for nothing. He has no discernible principles aside from avoiding the limelight and trying not to screw anything up. As a governing philosophy, you can do far worse than that; as an organizing ethos for a messianic presidential campaign, it’s pathetically wanting. And I’m not just saying that as a resident of the neighborhood Mayor Mike sneered at last year when we were living in Third World conditions for a week thanks to the local power company’s incompetence. Memories are long, Bloomy; when a very minor crisis finally hit, you were awfully slow to act.
No matter. How he fares will depend largely on Iraq. If things go to hell and a good chunk of the GOP turns anti-war, they’ve got an easy target for their protest vote. If Petraeus can keep things under control and gin up a little optimism, B will end up playing Nader to Hillary’s Gore in some of the northeastern states. Welcome to the campaign.
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Bloomberg will skim off more Democrat votes than Republican, regardless of the (R) after his name. He is a liberal.
Let him run and waste some of his billions. Moron.
IrishEi on June 19, 2007 at 7:31 PM
Let him pump some of his money into the economy…I don’t see him getting too much of the conservative vote…maybe he can take a few away from Hillary?
DCJeff on June 19, 2007 at 7:33 PM
That giant sucking sound you hear is, well, Michael Bloomberg sucking!
SouthernGent on June 19, 2007 at 7:33 PM
Are you kidding? The media will constantly and exclusively portray him as a “disgruntled” Republican.
Hail to the Chiefess.
Editor on June 19, 2007 at 7:34 PM
He’s completely irrelevant.
Mindcrime on June 19, 2007 at 7:36 PM
Nope. And I know I’m right. NYC is democratic with a capital “liberal.” There are 8 million people in the Naked City and that is about 42% of the population of the entire state. They will all vote for their newly independent Bloomy; and fewer votes for the Democrat candidate will mean a higher percentage for Fred!.
IrishEi on June 19, 2007 at 7:42 PM
His version of Escape From New York after riding on Giuliani’s coat tails. Go ahead and run, it won’t change my vote, Come on Fred!
Kini on June 19, 2007 at 7:45 PM
No, this guy stands for Nannystatism, and screwin’ the taxpayer.
His big legacy is gonna be ramming a congestion pricing plan down our throats. Completely ignoring that congestion pricing didn’t work in London, it made problems worse.
Not only that, but the quality of life stuff that made Guiliani famous, well Bloomy ain’t doin’ it.
No Republican will vote for him, he’ll only suck votes from Nader-McKinney 08.
Iblis on June 19, 2007 at 7:45 PM
soon we’ll have some polls of an all NY race: Rudy vs. Hillary vs. Bloomberg
i’d like to see it with Fred thrown in also.
jp on June 19, 2007 at 7:46 PM
He has no more use for Rudy’s coatails so he might as well stop impesonating a Republcan and let his liberal biases shine.
rplat on June 19, 2007 at 7:47 PM
Exactly, he may even make NY in play by taking a good portion of the NYC vote.
Tim Burton on June 19, 2007 at 7:48 PM
Even if he doesn’t put NYC into play, he is still going to make Hillary dump tons of money into the state to shore it up.
Tim Burton on June 19, 2007 at 7:49 PM
You mean he is like Ron Paul ?
Bloomberg’s only support comes from “elites” who veiw that there is a different set of rules for them and the peasants. While there are certainly some elitists in the Republican party the democrats crawl with them.
William Amos on June 19, 2007 at 7:55 PM
Hooray!
wryteacher on June 19, 2007 at 7:56 PM
Queens?
I didn’t see that at all.
JackStraw on June 19, 2007 at 7:57 PM
There is nothing worse than a coattailer jumping ship
tomas on June 19, 2007 at 7:59 PM
So in other words, Bloomberg just quit pretending to be something (a Republican) that nobody really believed he was anyway.
These rich guys crack me up. Just because he can surround himself with sycophants doesn’t mean that all Americans are dying to do his bidding. The only thing I’m dying to do for Bloomberg is to tell him to bite me.
ReubenJCogburn on June 19, 2007 at 8:01 PM
Don’t forget he has at least one issue: cheap labor for his golf course. Like most many elites he isn’t conditioned to treat that one in a nebulous, don’t-rock-the-boat kind of way. He’s confident and rude about it. He instinctively wants that sweet mass unskilled migration and anyone who doesn’t is a toothless redneck loser.
Alex K on June 19, 2007 at 8:01 PM
Who or what is Bloomberg’s base in NYC? A Demo until 2001, then GOP, now nothing at all. Outside the city, no one knows him. He’s the puny shadow of Rudy. Nothing to get worked up about. However …
… we now have narrowed down Allah’s ‘hood. He’s in Queens. Question: does he sound like a radio talk show host whose name is never spoken here?
laelaps on June 19, 2007 at 8:02 PM
The NRA could not ask for a better fund raising target.
Ripclawe on June 19, 2007 at 8:10 PM
This may be good news. I can’t imagine anyone outside NYC voting for him. Actually, I can’t imagine anyone voting for him, but he has lots of money to throw around.
I suppose he could make it a tight race in NY, does his influence extend into New Jersey?
Other than that - just another billionaire trying to be relevant.
reaganaut on June 19, 2007 at 8:10 PM
Bloomberg/ Paul 2008 ! Start of the new Truther party funded by bloomer and with star studded celebs like Rosie !
William Amos on June 19, 2007 at 8:13 PM
At least he’s showing more Malkins than Fred? who is pussy-footing around. Fred? stands for nothing and is vacuous, hides behind his wife (young enough to be his daughter), and he ran over my cat when I was 8….boohoo!
csdevan on June 19, 2007 at 6:66PM
omnipotent on June 19, 2007 at 8:15 PM
Nobody outside NY
has heardcares about this turd-burglar.omnipotent on June 19, 2007 at 8:17 PM
Bloomberg needs more cowbell
F15Mech on June 19, 2007 at 8:22 PM
Perot captured 19% of the vote in 1992, won no states and placed second in Maine but like Nader did to Gore in Florida Perot pulled more votes from Bush than Clinton. Main reason was that voters were angry that Bush didn’t read his own lips about raising taxes.
The issue is Iraq and the dissatisfaction is similar. Discount Bloomberg at your own folly. Dems could roll in with the sweep, even with Hillary as nominee. She is probably happy about this news.
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 8:24 PM
I read on Drudge earlier today that Bloomy is raising money to fund an “experiment” PAYING poor people in NYC for various good deeds such as working and attending parent/teacher conferences. Now, call me crazy, but shouldn’t you be doing things like attending your child’s parent/teacher conference b/c you WANT to, not for money??
hollygolightly on June 19, 2007 at 8:27 PM
I think he has a theory that Rudy’s been taking the lead, simply because he was Mayor of New York, and B thinks he can copy it.
amerpundit on June 19, 2007 at 8:28 PM
In this case it his money so what is wrong with him spending it as he sees fit. Nothing ventured nothing gained…
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 8:34 PM
Ya, I read that. I liked the part about how it’s been implemented in Mexico and Brazil.
Mexico.
Ya, how’s that working out down there? The gov’t giving the poor money to pay the coyotes…
reaganaut on June 19, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Heh.
IrishEi on June 19, 2007 at 8:37 PM
In a society with functional families where parents actually acted like parents, sure. Unfortunately, liberals like Bloomberg have been doing their best to destroy the American family for the last several decades–”for the children”, naturally. So now we have “parents” who don’t care about their kids unless they’re paid to. But you knew all of that, it was a rhetorical question.
ReubenJCogburn on June 19, 2007 at 8:42 PM
If he wants to spend his billions on jelly beans, it’s really irrelevant to me b/c, you’re right, it’s his dime. However, I just think it’s interesting to pay poor people to work, shouldn’t they be working anyway? Doesn’t pretty much everyone have to?? Few people like it, that’s why it’s called work, not fun, but you still have to do it b/c that’s life.
Also, I don’t see many redeeming qualities in people who couldn’t be bothered to attend a parent/teacher conference before but now that they’re passin’ out greenbacks they’ll go?
Again, call me crazy, but I hate rewarding people for things they SHOULD be doing anyway. My mom’s a teacher and nothing irks her more than when a mean kid gets a reward for not being a little butthead for one day by doing what most of the other kids do EVERY day. What kind of message is that to people (especially kids) who do the right thing just b/c they should??
hollygolightly on June 19, 2007 at 8:53 PM
I don’t want this jackass checking the color of my caca to make sure I’m getting all my vitamins and fining me if I’m not. Based on what I read about his initiatives, such an idea isn’t out of bounds for him.
Mark V. on June 19, 2007 at 8:58 PM
Not enough jerks running this nimrod has to join the folly.
Wade on June 19, 2007 at 9:01 PM
I won’t disagree with your thoughts about what should be happening. But the fact is that inner city kids come from circumstances far different than you or I. If the poor people don’t have the skills to work a job that will allow them to pay for day care while they work what are they to do?
I think Bloomberg’s idea is to try to start a trend where those who have money help out in this way to try to stabilize families with little realistic chance of making it to adulthood with the family backing and support (moral and financial) we enjoyed. I’m not for government programs but the only alternative is for people to pitch in. If he manages to start getting the parents engaged with their child’s education that is a great thing.
As for the message to kids who do the right thing I would hope they didn’t carry a chip because they didn’t get money they didn’t really need the help. Parents of these kids should emphasize the goodness that people of America have and commend the contributions of those who can assist.
What’s the harm in trying? Is there really any reason to be angry at those who need help?
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 9:04 PM
It’s his money now, well his and the suckers he got to donate, but it will be ours soon enough. In Mexico it’s gov’t funded, the only reason it’s prviately funded here is that it’s experimental. I’m sure the data they create will prove just how wonderful the program is, and well, that story only has one ending.
reaganaut on June 19, 2007 at 9:05 PM
And until the suggestion is made that it should become some sort of tax I won’t get too worried about it. Isn’t what Bloomberg is doing the type of thing that Bush encourages with compassionate conservatism or faith based initiatives. Those who can give do, but it doesn’t mean a tax.
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 9:09 PM
John and Ken, KFI radio, are a riot. They called the four, Schwarzenegger, Bloomberg, Villaraigosa (Villar) and Davis the four-circle-bleep this afternoon.
In case the link forces you to register, I’ll provide a few morsels. Registered just for this, chhhh.
J & K said this “love” sounds creepy.
The foreplay of the cluster-bleep was this
And the most ridiculous part was little poodle Villar’s desire to play with the just-freed-from-Washington-and-all-parties terriers. He wants to be governor soooo badly and now thinks he’s an ‘independent’. He falls off the leftie cliff. Who’s he got fooled?
Bloomberg has been a life-long Democrat and ran on the other ticket to jump into Rudy’s shoes. He just went half-way home, again for political expediency. If he thought that the leftie party w/b a winner, he’d have gone all the way.
Why all these 4 turkeys think they’re so great is beyond any thinking Californian and New Yorker. They haven’t done much, me speeketh from more experience about Kalifornia, of course.
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 9:11 PM
Here’s the link which didn’t work above, and just in case
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arnold20jun20,1,3756258.story
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 9:17 PM
Yep, you’re right and I know way to little about the program to comment in depth, I just know how these things end up. I just thought it is ironic he would visit Mexico to see how the handle their poor. It’s just too much.
I really don’t have problem with programs that give money away, which includes welfare, SSI, and so on. It’s that the programs are so vulnerable to corruption and mis-use. Plus, they don’t know how to wean people off the money… this may be going too far off topic for the thread.
reaganaut on June 19, 2007 at 9:19 PM
So the guy who sent his attack dogs after gun stores in the south has decided to become an independent. IF he got into the race I don’t think he is going to get a warm reception down south after that stunt.
LakeRuins on June 19, 2007 at 9:22 PM
Media curioser and curioser in their biases - most headlines “Bloomberg left the GOP to become an independent”.
How about “Bloomberg’s just joined the independents”, after having been a lifelong democrat, who switched to the GOP for a few years because it was politically expedient. What’s wrong with the truth?
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 9:23 PM
It doesn’t anger me at all, helping people who are less fortunate than you or I is very important and I’m definitely not angry with those who need it b/c goodness knows people fall on hard times a lot, even when they do work hard and try. I thank God every day for blessing me with so much. I see no harm at all in trying to help those that need it. I don’t have a problem with this b/c I grew up privileged, I have a problem with this b/c I grew up working in tobacco fields sweating my buns off every summer and know what it’s like to EARN my money and not be paid extra just for going to work.
I guess it’s just the principle for me. My parents are insanely supportive and wonderful, while my dad worked his two jobs, he never once missed a ball game, play, etc. that my sister and I were involved in, even if it meant he didn’t sleep. He wasn’t paid to be supportive, he did it b/c he loves us. It’s hard for me to swallow that my wonderful parents (again, I realize how blessed I am) did these things b/c they should, not because they were being paid. I just don’t get how that helps to develop your character. If they didn’t care enough before, will they care when they stop getting paid for it?
hollygolightly on June 19, 2007 at 9:25 PM
Sorry for going OT a little, this Bloomy business just struck a nerve with me after reading that article.
hollygolightly on June 19, 2007 at 9:28 PM
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 8:24 PM
2008 will not be 1992 and she’s not happy.
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 9:28 PM
Exactly, Not to mention what he did (or his attack dogs) did was illegal.
So far he has been given a pass on that. I hope he runs so this can be brought up over and over again.
F15Mech on June 19, 2007 at 9:35 PM
If he is discounted outright as Perot was it is a possibility. Nader cost Gore the election with his several thousand votes in Florida. Republicans would be foolish to ignore him.
I haven’t talked with Mrs. C this week so it was only a guess as to whether or not she is happy about Bloomberg. ;)
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 9:45 PM
Guess you aren’t living in Virginia, the New York, Upper East Side Liberal’s favorite scape-goat state for their own failures. Bloomberg sent his people into Virginia to make, what so far seem to be legally indistinguishable from, illegal straw purchases of guns in order to set up VA gunshop owners to sue them out of business. It was so egrecious, BAFT is looking into it. He is currently using his vast resources to pressure VA legislators into supporting his personal vision of how Virginians should live: without guns of any kind.
Wasn’t enough transfat in NYC to keep him busy evidently so three states distant, he wants to establish NYC gun controls on Virginia. Then of course if/when Virginia capitulates (currently under a coordinated Left onslaught - VA concealed carry owners woke one morning to discover their names and addresses were printed in the paper - the excuse, that they were akin to child molesters so people should know where they live,) then Bloomberg will use VA as a stepping stone to bully all the South of the Mason-Dixon Line states. Already, residents of other states, with concealed carry permits have discovered their names and addresses printed exposed in print.
The guy is a meglomaniac and has so much money, he thinks the law doesn’t apply to him. Bad combo.
naliaka on June 19, 2007 at 9:49 PM
Oh, I am DELIGHTED that Bloomberg has quit the GOP, the party he USED to get into office, cause he knew an uber liberal with a (D) by his name couldn’t win. My only complaint is that the GOP should have either refused to let him use Rudy’s political capital and rejected his application in the first place or tossed him out with great fanfare and much snarling and rattling of spears the second it was apparent that he was a Hard Left opportunitist political tick.
Bloomberg has obviously determined that a (D) is still a handicap for his aspirations. Interesting.
naliaka on June 19, 2007 at 9:55 PM
Bradky, the 90s were the Nirvana years, after the fall of the carton-house we thought the Soviet Union was. Now, of course, Russia is trying to rebuild some of it. Then, we thought that life will be good forever and that we’d have to worry only about the economy, taxes and the good times. In that sense Mr. Clinton was the perfect man, for those times. Yes, I mean it with sarcasm, but also with a sense of reality.
To our shock, this new century has us fighting with 3rd-7th century primitivists. This and other challenges make 2008 much more difficult to gauge. The same challenges, and new events, will make it very hard for Hillary and all who’re running.
As you said, it’s not good to discount him. If he’d have a military record Hillary w/b on the phone with him to run with her. Two from NY w/b a bit much for the rest of the country to contemplate.
I wasn’t arguing against you - was just saying…
I don’t talk to her either, thank goodness. However, I love to get into others’ heads, in great part due to own work. She’s hardly ever happy and anyone running, now or future, against her will not make her jump up and down. She’s got to worry about the rest of the country not liking her more than him, anyway.
Seriously, I miss the trolls. In you I appreciate that you like to reason/argue nicely and when possible with facts. Regards,
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 9:59 PM
Yeah, my jaw hit the floor when I heard about that this morning. WABC newsradio reported that people would be paid $200 to go to the doctor. $200 to go to the doctor!
That’s neither teaching a man to fish or giving him a fish. It’s paying him to let you fish for him.
Kensington on June 19, 2007 at 10:04 PM
I would say Bloomberg/Hagel but Bloomy is too pro Israel for the raging alcoholic Hagel.
Hilts on June 19, 2007 at 10:08 PM
New York libs (I count Bloomberg among them) have never understood our firearms tradition in the South. His little stunt with the straw purchases chapped a lot of asses down here. When I first read of his shenanigans in that area, I went out and bought another gun and a whole bunch of ammo, just for spite. AAMOF, that’s a great idea for all of us who still reside in free states. Any time some yahoo introduces anti-gun legislation, buy another gun just to boost sales numbers. I’m voting with my dollars.
Oh, yeah. As a Tennesseean, this is the appropriate time to invoke the name of Fred!. Deliver us, oh Fred!! Hear our plaintive cries and vanquish our enemies that thy justice be established on earth.
Barntender on June 19, 2007 at 10:22 PM
How is Bloomberg “raising money” to pay lazy people to do what’s right? Taxes?
The old days it was cheaper - just toss them in jail to contemplate their loser ways. 90% of them abruptly discover inner resources of strength and responsibility they never thought they had, at least enough to keep them clear of the law next time. The other 10% will show up in jail later for something or another, so just keep them.
If he was so all fired concerned, he’d use only his own money. Billions and billions. He’s got far more than his fair share, more than he could ever hope to use in his lifetime and he knows cloning doesn’t work, so perhaps he should be taxed a little heavier to spread the wealth around. 90% tax bracket solely for him would still leave him with gazillions.
naliaka on June 19, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Rush’s sub today also thought, along with some of those who have posted here, that this augers poorly for Hitlery. It’s the Clinton playbook for sure. Have a third party shunt vote so your
guygirl gets in. And they say Rove is an evil genius.I’m actually am quite optomistic for ‘08 and I say a hearty amen to you Barntender. Yabba dabba doo!
Mojave Mark on June 19, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Bloomberg is a vain, selfish businessman that has no real convictions besides only caring about his own power and glory. Thus, he would be dangerous to the country.
For example, take a look at what he did to the New York public schools by taking control of them. He basically handed power over to radical liberals to control the entire school system causing untold damage to the New York public school system. The following commentary is by Diane Ravitch who wrote The Language Police and is a member of many think tanks including the Hoover Institution, Brookings, etc. It is a warning about Mayor Bloomberg’s character for the wise:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110006679
januarius on June 19, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Thanks for the nice words. Even trolls have feelings!
I agree it is not 1992 but I think it is more like 1976 in terms of national anxiety - different set of concerns which you captured well. GOP will have to peel off some moderate Dems. I don’t really think Hillary can win with a couple of exceptions. The first is if she ran against Newt - he’d lock up the base and push Bloomberg off the map but I don’t think he could pull Ohio his way. The other longshot would be a Colin Powell VP pick. Dems may see that as an acceptable mix. The way that Obama is framing his campaign is bound to turn off some moderate dems and would probably hurt Hillary more than help her.
Because of the abbreviated primary schedule my money is on Guiliani at this juncture.
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 10:31 PM
Bradky, your analysis is great, if Powell would run with her. He’s however in the Obama camp.
You’re right - she can’t win - middle America doesn’t like her and the times are what they are. I think they are waaaay more dire than 1976, for which I can’t even speak. Didn’t even know English then :)
I like Rudy/Fred, or the other way, and I also hope that they won’t run from/for the far right either, just center-right.
On the feelings - I don’t even like the term troll, but we’re stuck with it in the internet life.
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Ah that’s true - forgot he had backed him. Will be really tough for her but to paraphrase a saying “it is probably the Republicans to lose”
76 was pretty bad. We were in Germany at the time and the morale in the military was absolutely horrid. Drugs were used almost openly. We went back to the states in 78 and I had to go to 26 different fast food places before I was hired. Interest rates for homes were well over 9 percent..
If Reagan had run as an independent he may have pulled off the unthinkable but his loyalty to the party trumped his personal ambitions.
We are in agreement on your center right hopes. Party discipline is in disarray right now and that is probably the biggest hurdle the Republicans need to jump to do well.
Just kidding about the “trolls have feelings”. Who knows? maybe someday there will be *&*7 hot candidate the HA regulars are going ga ga over and when the candidate is asked about the blogosphere he will grin, bite his lip and give the ol thumbs up as he says “only one word - Bradky”
LOL
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Heh, Bradky, to your last parag. and if it’s Fred, you’d probably be happy :)
Entelechy on June 19, 2007 at 11:24 PM
LOL and CSDeven would be riding shotgun in the ol pickup!
Bradky on June 19, 2007 at 11:30 PM
This is pretty bad for the R’s. The independents don’t care about R vs. independent, so all this will do is split the anybody-but-Hillary vote. It could also split the anything-but-a-Mormon vote, but I don’t think that’s as big, and where it happens will be solid R anyway. Gulliani is toast, since to the base his gun-control, pro-choice stance makes him indistinguishable from Boombug. As for Fred?, he’s going to lose interest in running soon once he forgets what those ‘things’ he wants to do are.
pedestrian on June 20, 2007 at 12:48 AM
“Bing!, right out of the box!”
Jaibones on June 20, 2007 at 1:14 AM
I just searched, and I can’t believe noone here has yet said GOOD RIDDANCE!
urbancenturion on June 20, 2007 at 3:16 AM
Now that Bloomberg is an Independant he is only a migrane for Shrillery. Good riddance ya piece of &@#%! Arrrrrgh!
lynnv on June 20, 2007 at 8:03 AM
Pretty ambitious for someone riding on Rudy’s fumes.
Malpaso on June 20, 2007 at 9:04 AM
Look up quitter in dictionary. He picture is there.
Wade on June 20, 2007 at 9:10 AM
urbancenturion, Ian did on his new site. Scroll down a little.
Entelechy on June 20, 2007 at 2:00 PM
I’d rather a mets v yankees world series, and I hate the mets and the yankees.
shooter on June 20, 2007 at 2:12 PM