Bloomberg's Independence Primer

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I think he is planning to evaluate the situation as it unfolds to watch, to have the option of running. [It requires] taking action sooner rather than later because of the ballot access rule... So when we get into February and March a decision will have to be made on whether or not he wants to maintain the option of running by seeing if he could get on the ballot in sufficient states to be elected.

If he were to run, would you help him?

We didn't discuss that... I'm for anything that encourages competition and a level playing field, so I would be inclined to help Mayor Bloomberg in order to increase competition and level the playing field for independent candidates.

You said he'd be a good independent candidate. Where would he be strong?

I think nationwide there's an appetite. Whenever you have a third-party candidate the proportion of people voting goes up dramatically. The mistake people make is thinking of it as a zero-sum game. 'Who would a third-party or independent candidate help?' It's not a zero-sum game. More voters come into the process.

An Independent candidate has yet to win the presidency. Why would Bloomberg run?

One, I don't think he will run unless he thinks he can win. Two, personally you could win the election by affecting the debate.