The question arises whether the threat to unleash an independent challenger is genuine or if Bloomberg is being used to club the big party nominees into line behind the restoration of a deposed Establishment.

The self-described "centrists" may also hope to prevent American voters revolted by this corrupt, incompetent presidency from "going too far" and electing a populist peace candidate who will not understand that what is needed is not a change of policy but a change of management.

With the Giuliani and Clinton candidacies possibly DOA as early as next week, the Establishment suddenly alert to the likelihood that the next president -- be he Edwards, Obama, Huckebee or Romney -- may not be committed to restoring the reins of American power to their dead hands.

How hard the Bush years must have been on them, exiled to endowed chairs on provincial college campuses with nothing to do but watch "Empires Behaving Badly" videos.

Voters should be suspicious of calls for a "government of national unity" devoid of content, as if the only thing we have to worry about is whether we can't all just get along. If Nunn and his comrades want to get behind someone who supports universal health care and reduced military spending, as the majority of the American people do, it might be easier to take them seriously. But power, unfortunately, not the quality of the lives of Americans, is what is behind rhetoric that equates partisan divisions during what they inflate to "a time of national challenge" with the difficulties faced by Great Britain during World War II.

The most telling indication of the group's intentions comes from former senator Cohen. "The important goal all of us share," he said, "is to get government back to the center." In plain English this means, "we're going to wrest power from the Bushite whackos and get it safely back in our hands, where it belongs."

One suspects the group will be content to accept as worthy of the office any White House aspirant who indicates his willingness to welcome them back to the table.

At about 10:35 Chicago time, Bloomberg was on the ABC New Year's show in Times Square.

He was asked directly, "Will you be running for president?"
He very quickly replied, "No."

This is one thing his Billions can't buy.If the American people won't vote for Obama or Hillary what makes Bloomberg feel that they'll vote for a Jewish man for President.It will never happen in this lifetime.

christine "THE AIR IS SAFE TO BREATHE" toad whitman, head of the EPA on 9/11, is one of the most despicable human beings ever to breathe clean air

all of the rescue dogs that breathed her "clean air" in the days following 9/11 were dead within a year and many, many thousands of first responders are now sick and dying

if she is any indication of the type of human being involved in this bloomberg/corporate charade's attempt to buy the white house, america should be very worried

also, it doesn't take a genius to see this little oklahoma get-together as plan B in the republican party's bid to keep the white house - split the opposition vote so the criminal assholes in washington can keep on shitting all over the Constitution and the american people

christine "THE AIR IS SAFE TO BREATHE" toad whitman, head of the EPA on 9/11, is one of the most despicable human beings ever to breathe clean air

all of the rescue dogs that breathed her "clean air" in the days following 9/11 were dead within a year and many, many thousands of first responders are now sick and dying

if she is any indication of the type of human being involved in this bloomberg/corporate charade's attempt to buy the white house, america should be very worried

also, it doesn't take a genius to see this little oklahoma get-together as plan B in the republican party's bid to keep the white house - split the opposition vote so the criminal assholes in washington can keep on shitting all over the Constitution and the american people

I don't want any Republican-Lite old a$$wipes making nominations to the Supreme Court which is already so far tipped to the Right, gays/lesbians and pro-Choice women won't have JUSTICE for 30 years. The replacements of left leaning judges needs a progressive president and a progressive Senate with 60 seat majority.

The article suggests to me that the mayor is set to insure that the establishment wins the presidency, whether it is himself, or a member of one of the two parties. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up being a running-mate to one of the Democratic front runners, and how the American public would swoon over the suggestion that the rancor in Washington then might be over.

How could it be possible that one would consider partisanship the main problem in our country today? That implies that one solution would be an even more spineless Congress. That issue is a distraction from the real problem, which is "real outsiders need not apply."

This is just preparation. The only way this comes about is if hillary fails to win the nomination. Edwards is their worse nightmare and Obama is a black man. The idea that a rich jewish man from New York who supports gun control and is pro choice would get any votes from the republican "base' is laughable.
Then there is about the same percentage of people who will vote for the democrat, no matter who the candidate is.
He would have to carry enough states (electorates) by a minimum of 40%, which is just not possible.
But he would get enough votes,( maybe as high as 20%) insuring the presidency to the republican candidate.
The reasons are obvious. To continue and expand bushes wars.

War in the middle east (never ending in Iraq and expanded into Iran) and the war against the constitutional rights of the American people.

My, my - the ruling corporate elite are getting nervous. The great unwashed are getting way too uppity. Of all the nerve, dirty hippies taking down Hillary and Ron Paul is handing them their lunch.

Go America! It is time to take our country back.

While I promoted a Democratic Presidential candidate, Al Gore and a Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Chuck Hagel, I in no way support Bloomberg/Hagel. Bloomberg was a Republican before he was an Independent. Chuck Hagel is a Republican. I have agreed with many things said by Chuck Hagel, but blind faith, never! We can not afford two people who swing right. Al Gore and Chuck Hagel would have been balanced. America could use some balance. We can't afford to risk another 4 years of Republican spin.. George Bush claimed to be a compassionate conservative. Almost everything he claimed he would or wouldn't do during the campaign has been proven false in reality. Words are not deeds. I preferred an "American Party", but Unity Party will work. We need to be Americans first, Democrat or Republican second. Democrats need to be careful, Republicans will claim to be Independent because George W. has tainted their party. Republicans who supported George W. and his policies have not changed their views, just their tactics.

There are benevolent corporate dictators and malevolent corporate dictators. But they are all dictators.

The moderates are coming!
The moderates are coming!

Oh gee, willywillickers, I think I shall swoon!

S-N-O-R-E........................................

The moderates are coming!
The moderates are coming!

Oh gee, willywillickers, I think I shall swoon!

S-N-O-R-E........................................

Us New Yorkers know that like Rudy, Bloomie is a Republican. Gee, because he changed his affiliation months ago things have changed? I don't think so!

finally a socially liberal, but an economically smart person running. As a liberal that actually understands economics beyond the rhetorical level (aka how shit actually works), I'd vote for him in a heart beat.