Bloomberg says he’ll decide on 2020 run by February
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that he will decide whether to run for president as a Democrat in early 2019.
Bloomberg, 76, the founder and CEO of the media and financial company Bloomberg LP, said at the tail end of an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press” that he is close to making a decision.
“Timeline is beginning of the year — end of January, into February maybe. There’s no rush to do it. Everybody wants to know what you’re going to do. The bottom line is: I’m not sure yet,” Bloomberg said in an interview that aired Sunday morning. “I care about a bunch of issues. I care for my kids. I care for this country that’s been so good to me. And I want to see how I can help the best.”
Bloomberg, who was mayor of New York from 2002 until 2013, said he donates 100 percent of the profits he receives from his company to his foundation. Bloomberg Philanthropies directs its resources toward public health, the arts, education, government innovation and the environment. As a private citizen, he organized a movement among business leaders, politicians and private citizens to ensure that the United States fulfills its commitments under the Paris Agreement, regardless of the Trump administration’s actions.
Before deciding to run for president, Bloomberg said he needs to decide whether he can better serve the country in the private sector or in the White House.
“I think I can make the world a better place in the private sector. Can I make it a better place in the public sector? Maybe. I loved 12 years in City Hall. I think it’s fair to say most people liked what we did in City Hall.
“Do I think I could be a good president? Yes. I’m not the only one who could be a good president. I disagree with our current president on so many things that I don’t even know where to start there.”
Bloomberg considered running as an independent in the 2016 presidential election but decided against it, based on strong data indicating he would probably split the Democratic vote and propel Trump to victory. This time around, Bloomberg said, he would pursue the Democratic Party’s nomination.
“I would certainly run as a Democrat. I’m much closer to their philosophy, although I don’t agree with any one party on everything. You would have to run as a Democrat. You would have to get the Democratic nomination.”
Just like Trump, Bloomberg has changed his political affiliation over the years. He was a Democrat until 2001, when he became a Republican. Then he became an independent in 2007, and finally returned to the Democrats this year. Bloomberg said he doesn’t think that issue would work against him in the primaries.
“Keep in mind, I got elected in New York City, an overwhelming Democratic city, and overwhelming minority city. I got elected three times, so I must know something about this.”
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