The New Republic

Shrum: Bloomberg could mount "a potentially historic independent candidacy" for president. How? He could target states like Missouri, where his gun control position would doom him in a two-way race. In a three-way contest, it could pick up all the state's electoral votes with, say, 36% of the vote. READ MORE >>

What distinguishes the politician from the political agitator is a lively concern for his own job security. Politicians sometimes say what they believe, but they don't usually say things that might jeopardize their political future. Until recently, Chuck Hagel was a consummate politician, and a successful one at that. He defeated a popular sitting governor in his first Senate race in 1996 and won reelection, in 2002, with 83 percent of the vote. READ MORE >>

Did you see that little item in the Times which reports that "Bloomberg Tells Gore He Should Run in '08"? It was at the TriBeca Film Festival where clearly Gore would be a very popular presence. But Bloomberg is an independent cuss, and his ideas bear listening and pondering. Even by Gore. As you know, I want Gore-Obama. Still, I'd be very satisfied with Obama, very satisfied indeed. READ MORE >>

The New York Post has been touting Mayor Bloomberg for president, which means that Rupert Murdoch has a soft-spot for the not-so-long-ago liberal who is also the wealthiest individual in American politics. In fact, one of the wealthiest people in the entire country. In my reading, he is also a very good liberal. READ MORE >>