A New Candidate in the Works?

It's been long rumoured but know we finally have some substance
to go with the speculation. AP reports that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been conduction some pretty amped-up polling and CNN says he and his exploratory committee have placed a March deadline on whether or not the mayor will throw his independent hat into the race.

A quick update on Bloomberg and why you should care about his interest in the 2008 race.

-- Bloomberg is flithy rich: Forbes estimates his worth at over 11 billion due to the success of his financial services software company, Bloomberg L.P., thus making Mitt Romney and his pathetic $250 million dollar net worth look like welfare in comparison. However he makes none of his dollars as New York City mayor, instead only taking a $1 annual retention for his services.

-- Bloomberg is an opportunist: A lifelong Democrat, Bloomberg switched parties in 2001 to run for Mayor during a time when New York city dwellers didn't hate Republicans. In 2007 he left the party to become an independent presumably because New Yorks started hating Republicans (and most people in general) again.

-- Bloomberg is straight up NYC: He rides the subways to work and lives on the Upper East Side where his address and phone number are in the White Pages. When the city life is too much for him, he's got spots in Bermuda and Britian to let the time pass.

-- Bloomberg shares the wealth: The New York Times estimates that Bloomberg has given over $300 million to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University, and averages over $140 million annually in donations to various charitable causes including the Carnegie Foundation, World Health Organization, Harlem Dance & Art Club and Tobacco-Free kids.

-- Bloomberg is socially liberal: He wants his NYC mayor legacies to be public education reform and a general end to poverty. He supports abortion rights and same-sex marriages and a legalization policy for illegal immigrants. He also supports stem-cell research, opposes the death penalty and supports strict gun control.

-- Bloomberg is economically centrist: He supports public welfare but he's pro business and free trade.

-- Bloomberg is conservative in foreign policy: He supports the Patriot Act and is not opposed to the War in Iraq.

Looking for a running mate? Look no further than Republican Senator Chuck Hagel from Nebraska. One of the ballsiest GOP members around and a known enemy of the Bush administration.