Liberal Values Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

Earlier in the year there was speculation that Michael Bloomberg and Chuck Hagel might run for President and Vice President as independents in 2008. Recent comments from them appear to leave the door open a crack. The New York Daily News reports:

An hour before meeting President Bush yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg shamelessly flirted with the idea of taking his job.

The mayor denied he wants to run for President – but didn’t deny he’d like to be President. He gave his blessing to a longtime supporter’s push to create a third party.

And with just slight provocation from reporters, he launched into a nearly 2-1/2-minute discussion of what’s wrong with America and what kind of leader could get the country back on track.

“People always ask me, am I running? That’s not the right question. The real question is, what skills should the person who leads this country have?” Bloomberg said.

“We have intractable problems which are coming closer to biting us: the cost of health care; the cost of Social Security; fighting terrorism; immigration; tax policy. All of these are issues that Congress has been unwilling to face, and we are running out of time to face them.”

Bloomberg ally Frank MacKay, chairman of the state Independence Party, is trying to start a national third party – and has told the Daily News he’s in regular touch with Bloomberg’s people.

“I wish them well,” the mayor said. “I’ve always said, the more choice, the better. I don’t know why you have to have two parties.”

Meanwhile Chuck Hagel is sounding more and more like an independent such as in this comment on closing Guatanamo:

“It’s a Republican litmus test this year,” complained Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, one of the few GOP lawmakers calling for the swift closure of Guantanamo.

“The Republican Party has won two elections on the issue of fear and terrorism,” Hagel said. “[It’s] going to try again.”