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Michael Bloomberg, current mayor of New York City, financial whiz and billionaire, has been listed as one of the many people on Obama's short list for Treasury Secretary. Because of the economic crisis, much has been written about Obama's choices for the position, though it's unlikely that Obama would offer the position to Bloomberg in the short term. New York state is currently going through an economic crisis of its own, and Bloomberg has won the right to run for a third term, despite the city's mayoral two-term limit, so that he might use his economic expertise to guide the city and state through the hard times. Still, Obama is rumored to be considering keeping Hank Paulson in the Treasury Secretary position, so it's possible that Paulson may wait until the economic dust has settled before he steps down, which would give Bloomberg time to hold office for his third term.
Bloomberg, a moderate Republican, was even a plausible contender for the VP slot at one point. From the New York Times
It was only hours after Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg finally made it clear that he was not running for president that his chief political guru, Kevin Sheekey, suggested that he would be the perfect running mate for Senator Barack Obama.
So Mr. Bloomberg's highly orchestrated introduction of Mr. Obama at a speech at the Cooper Union on Thursday quickly resuscitated speculation that the billionaire mayor might end up in the White House after all. But despite a few jokes and a stiff embrace, the men seemed nothing like two peas in the same political pod, destined to share a ticket.
In presenting Mr. Obama, Mr. Bloomberg pointedly noted that he had not endorsed a candidate, saying that now was the time for people to listen to the candidates' ideas. Referring to the "private breakfast" the two men shared at a Midtown coffee shop in November with a throng of news media pressed against the window, Mr. Bloomberg joked that it was his pleasure to introduce him, "and not just because he picked up the check."
Mr. Obama had kind words for Mr. Bloomberg as well, saying that he had "demonstrated extraordinary leadership." He joked: "The reason I bought breakfast is because I expected payback. I'm no dummy. The mayor was a cheap date that morning. There are some good steakhouses in this city."