>>> Bloomberg forces Democrats into "European" coalition

[LVZ]

The scenario, just suppose ...

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg decides he wants significant influence in the next Administration. He knows that it is near impossible for an independent to actually win. However, he has tons of money and he could basically hold the Democrats hostage if he chose to run.

So, the Democrats decide to make a deal.

Bloomberg will run in all states where Democrats are likely to lose anyway or anywhere the probability is better for Bloomberg doing better than the Democratic candidate. The Democrats agree to pull out of all those states. Likewise, Bloomberg stays out of all the other states.

On election night, Bloomberg picks up several states and their electoral votes. The Democrats would not pick up enough electoral votes to win alone but could win if Bloomberg released his electoral votes to the Democratic candidate.

As in most of Europe, Bloomberg could negotiate with the Democrats about what his role would be in the new administration, how many cabinet seats he wanted, and agreements ahead of time about administration priorities and future legislative intent.

If negotiations are unsuccessful, he could threaten to negotiate with the GOP. Either way, Bloomberg would have a lot of leverage to foster his own vision for the future of the nation.

[Ganja Ninja]

1. Let him run.

For the most part the Democrats aren't the ones looking for an alternative in this election. He'll draw more votes from disgruntled Republicans than he will from the Democrats.

[LVZ]

2. You've got to be kidding - Bloomberg would mostly take votes from Democrats n/t

[bigscott]

4. and all the independents too

he would not help our cause one bit

[LVZ]

9. Exactly my point - he would have leverage over Dems if he ran n/t

[rateyes]

6. You got that right...

if he runs and Hillary is the nominee, I'd have one tough choice to make.

[annabanana]

3. I think he would pull so called "centrists"...

He would get every Repub who was fed up enough to jump ship.

He is the status quo dream candidate.

(Look for big tolls to even be allowed to drive into Washington. . "at certain hours")

[LVZ]

7. Electoral vote 3-way vs 2-way example projections

Just with the four states below, if Bloomberg ran in a 3-way race, McCain would likely win all 99 electoral votes.

If Bloomberg and the Democrats instead made a deal for two-way races, Bloomberg running in Florida and Ohio, and Clinton running in New York and Pennsylvania, Bloomberg gets 47 of the electoral votes, Clinton gets 52 electoral votes, McCain gets none.

New York (31):

McCain vs Clinton - Clinton wins
McCain vs Bloomberg - Bloomberg wins
McCain vs Clinton vs Bloomberg - McCain wins

Florida (27):

McCain vs Clinton - McCain wins
McCain vs Bloomberg - Bloomberg wins
McCain vs Clinton vs Bloomberg - McCain wins

Pennsylvania (21):

McCain vs Clinton - Clinton wins
McCain vs Bloomberg - Bloomberg wins
McCain vs Clinton vs Bloomberg - McCain wins

Ohio (20):

McCain vs Clinton - Clinton wins
McCain vs Bloomberg - Bloomberg wins
McCain vs Clinton vs Bloomberg - McCain wins

[Ganja Ninja]

10. Polls can be wrong.

These polls don't take into account the campaign process. What people think today could be very different by November. Let's see who wins the nominations first before we start negotiating the surrender.

[robbedvoter]

5. Bloomberg - an even pastier, duller uglier Giuliani - who cares what he wants?

Billions can buy you a mayoralty (with the lowest turnout in history), but aren't worth much nationally. Just ask Mitt Romney!

[LVZ]

8. What ignorance - Bloomberg is nothing like Giuliani n/t

[Inuca]

11. Nor like Romney

though I must admit Romney looks better :-)

[robbedvoter]

13. Different religion. Otherwise, billionaires, owning media - same interests, same

BS...

[robbedvoter]

12. No, he owns media - so he gets better PR. As for ignorance - are you a NYC-er?

What makes you such an authority in NYC mayors?
Nothing drives me madder as out of towners schooling my in MY local politics...:banghead: :argh:

I suppose you were in NYC in 2004 - RNC convention (Bloomy's invite) when he spied on protesters and locked some up, denied us the use of the park..But what do I know? I only live here :shrug:

[LVZ]

14. Craigslist Version

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pol/534442618.html