
Possibly setting the stage for an independent bid for President, billionaire New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican Party yesterday, changing his party affiliation to “unaffiliated.”
But let’s not fool ourselves here. This is a man who changed his party affiliation to Republican so he wouldn’t have to deal with a competitive Democratic primary in 2001. He’s openly courting Chuck Hagel to be his running mate. But the “independence” of such a ticket would be in serious question.
It’s unclear what possible constituency a Bloomberg candidacy would have. He seems to be buying into the fallacy that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party represent opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, and that there is a void that can only be filled by a third party candidate. But the truth is this: as the Republican Party has moved further and further to the right, the Democratic Party has come to represent mainstream America. Look at any of the most important issues, and the majority of the American people agree with the Democratic Party. From terrorism, to Iraq, to health care, to the economy, Americans trust Democrats. (We’d do well to earn that trust, but that’s another discussion for another day).
But right now, I’d say Bloomberg appeals more to disaffected Republicans than any Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents. Lovely how Republicans love to pull the experience card, except when it comes to mayors running for President.
Are you and Joe Jordan sharing a blog?

http://action3news.typepad.com/politics/2007/06/bloomberg_leave.html
Bloomberg is just one in a series to change parties. It is a little disconcerting when you think about it though. We can see right through them.