Michael Bloomberg On 2012 GOP Field: 'Some Of These Candidates' Positions Really Trouble Me' (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg criticized the 2012 GOP presidential field for the candidates' extreme positions on Sunday, lambasting their questioning of science and rejection of more moderate policies.

"Some of these candidates' positions really trouble me," Bloomberg said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "To not believe in science is just ridiculous."

Bloomberg was likely referring to the fact that the majority of the GOP presidential contenders have questioned the scientific consensus of manmade climate change. Perry also questions evolution.

Candidate and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has also called out his fellow candidates on the issue.

"When we take a position that isn't willing to embrace evolution, when we take a position that basically runs counter to what 98 of 100 climate scientists have said, what the National Academy of Science has said about what is causing climate change and man's contribution to it, I think we find ourselves on the wrong side of science, and, therefore, in a losing position," he said on ABC's "This Week" in August.

Bloomberg used to be a Republican, but in 2007, he left the party over ideological differences and became unaffiliated.

Bloomberg praised former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry for the two positions that have caused them the most grief with the Republican base. On health care, Bloomberg said Romney's plan turned out to be "the only health care change that really has worked." On Perry mandating young girls receive a vaccine against HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that is the leading cause of cervical cancer, Bloomberg said "he probably did what's right."

"Both of these two candidates -- who seem to be ahead at the moment -- have things I agree with and things I don't agree with," he said.

Bloomberg said that despite the tough economy, Obama can still be reelected in 2012, and he doesn't believe that a third-party candidate would be viable.

"The incumbents have a real advantage," he stated. "If I were the president, I'd go out there and emphasize the things I have done. I'd say some things haven't worked, and I'm sorry about that, but I keep trying. I think the president is a very viable candidate. You'll have a real horserace here, no matter who the Republican nominee is."

Bloomberg added he will "probably not" endorse a candidate because he has to "work with whoever wins."

"I have an obligation to do what is right for the city of New York and not just to go out there and express my views, even if i think it's right for the country. My job is to make sure that New York City benefits from whoever is in office, and I'll work toward that."

WATCH:

Comments

[KrazyJay]

08:58 PM on 09/26/2011

Here's to hoping they trouble you enough to run, Mike!

[Gaylord P Farqua]

12:47 PM on 09/26/2011

It is really great that this hugely successful mayor can find two positive things that the Tea Party/gop Presidential candidates have going for them. He praised Romney's health care plan but of course Romney is running as fast as he can from it. And the Buckeroo's decision to allow young women in Texas to be vaccinated against the threat of cancer. Of course the Buckeroo's Tea Party/gop competitors denounced his decision and racked it up to a kick back scheme the "cash  and carry" governor is notorious for. Shames is even the kinda good guys in the Tea Party/gop cannot bring themselves to see the Tea Party dominance as destructive and the eight ball candidates they are running as loons.

[JoanMeijer]

12:35 PM on 09/26/2011

I'd like to see Bloomberg address his City's police force violating the first amendment rights of the peaceful protesters on Wall Street. I don't really care what he thinks about the Republican field.

[DocturT]

05:40 AM on 09/27/2011

Yeah just like the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Progress is a wonderful thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Democratic_National_Convention

Slow motion, captioned attack by Deputy Inspector Bologna.

http://youtu.be/TZ05rWx1pig

[nbb]

11:04 AM on 09/26/2011

Bloomberg's stance is way softer than mine. Mine would be nearly all GOP candidates' positions really trouble me. Obama in 2012!

[wrabbitt]

10:28 AM on 09/26/2011

Whats this the first Teapublican with a half a brain? Better watch out Clown car your going to get a new master clown.

[Lex Anton]

09:23 AM on 09/26/2011

His penthouse is tacky. Nobody ever said the wealthy had taste. All day all week #occupywallst

[ebanks84]

09:12 AM on 09/26/2011

This is a smart man and he's what the conservatives used to be. Between him and William F. Buckley, the conservative party has lost its greatness for sure. It's like their intelligence is gone. No one in that party is showing that kind of "smarts" any longer. Holding conversations with the group that's left is like pulling teeth without Novocaine. It hurts!

It seems the only thing they have left is gimmickry and boldface lies. It's like facts and truths have left the building that house the GOP and wizardry and tricks have taken over. You just don't know what new fandangled magic is coming at you next.

[norkas]

08:47 AM on 09/26/2011

Mayor Bloomberg would make a great third party candidate and bringing together many Democrats , Republican and Independent voters.

What Bloomberg did to run for a third term i did not like but it was in fact legal. I will never find anyone perfect but i would love to see a person run that cannot be owned and has the ability to run a Country and remain fiscal responsible.

Mayor Bloomberg understands global economics and foreign policy we would have a great advantage as Americans to rid ourselves of politicians that are owned by big business because of the Supreme Court decision to allow business to give UNLIMITED contributions to politicians.

[LeftLeanWing]

09:04 AM on 09/26/2011

the Supreme Court decision gave permission for corporation to campaign against any politician...

Not directly give that person money....  that didn't change......

but it is a distinction with no difference.

[bessielil]

08:27 AM on 09/26/2011

He picked the two positions said candidates now disavow. So, 'troubling' isn't quite the word for those left playing in the field.

[loveis22984]

08:24 AM on 09/26/2011

I was really hoping that he was going to say eliminating SS.

[ruthtruth]

07:47 AM on 09/26/2011

The TP/GOP may trouble him but it scares the hell out of me. Our futures depend on no letting these guys take us back to the wrong path and back to the 1800's. I think they want to refight the Civil War. Don't forget that in their minds it wasn't about slavery. Talk about heads up their butts. I would like them to tell that to my ancestor who fought in the Civil War and my husbands ancestor who stood next to Lincoln when he accepted the nomination for president. There is even a picture in the archieves in Washington and we just found a small picture of Lincoln with a picture of his ancestor. History is an amazing thing when not altered by BS.

[davegstein]

08:50 AM on 09/26/2011

Incredible isn't it,that so many can be persuaded to accept alternate versions of history,and reality.Right wing forces have even attempted to rewrite the textbooks our future generations will study from.
Seems to me that this sort of thing has occurred in our not to distant past,and the outcome was not very good.....

[UpNorthGuyWI]

07:33 AM on 09/26/2011

An endorsement by the Mayor means that person will not win. No one cares what he has to say.

[Coloradem]

03:01 PM on 09/26/2011

So who forced you to click on this story? Deep down inside, you must really care what he thinks.

[fineartgalaxy]

07:33 AM on 09/26/2011

I am not a Republican because I have common sense. You can say whatever you want. But the fact is that I would be very concerned to allow my daughters to be vaccinated with a product from an industry that has to recall drugs almost constantly. Three or five years from now we will hear about this vaccination under another light.

[pmb299]

07:22 AM on 09/26/2011

The right wing doesn't even believe in vaccines!

[UpNorthGuyWI]

07:33 AM on 09/26/2011

Mostly a leftist thing to not get vaccinated.

[ReverendMilo]

08:06 AM on 09/26/2011

Maybe in your neck of the woods, down here in Texas, it was only conservatives emailing me (debunked) immunization horror stories questioning if vaccinations I was allowing my daughter to get from her primary care doctor were safe and wouldn't make her retarded.
Despite their paranoia, she is innoculated and able to attend school because I can provide her immunization records.

[davegstein]

08:53 AM on 09/26/2011

Wow...that comment was so stupid I don't even have a clever response.........other than to say that,coming from you,I am not surprised......

[Hey Einstein]

06:49 AM on 09/26/2011

Rick Perry (D),(R), Has Been.