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Feb 6, 2008 7:38 pm US/Eastern
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Sources: Bloomberg Run To Depend On Party Climate
Mayor Likely To Get Involved If Dems, GOP Remain Divided
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
In wake of Tuesday night's primaries, there's renewed buzz on whether Mayor Michael Bloomberg will launch an independent campaign for president.
CBS 2 HD has learned why some say the latest results make it more likely the mayor will jump in.
The crowds have cleared, the dust has settled and Super Tuesday is over. So is Bloomberg running for president or not? This was his reaction to Tuesday night's results.
"I'm not a candidate so it didn't bother me," Bloomberg said.
But his aides are busy laying the groundwork for an independent run. And three political insiders told CBS 2 HD they think Tuesday night's results make Bloomberg more likely to run.
They say the more conservatives feud with moderates over John McCain and the more Democrats fight over Clinton versus Obama the more room there'll be for a third candidate.
"Are there suicide conservatives who are gonna object to McCain so much there's confusion on the Republican side?" political expert Joseph Mercurio said. "Is Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton gonna be in a delegate squabble that's gonna go right to the convention?"
Bloomberg has been considering this race for months now. He was asked Wednesday if it usually takes him this long to make decisions. He made a joke about ordering dinner Tuesday night.
"I was in a restaurant with Diana last night and I took about 30 seconds," Bloomberg said. "I made that decision instantly, soon as they give me the menu."
In light of Tuesday night's results, New Yorkers still seem mixed on a Bloomberg run.
"I think Hillary is strong and New Yorkers love her, so I don't think it would make much difference if he ran," voter Ana Beard said.
"I think it's too late and the Democrats have it all wrapped up," another man said.
Locally, pressure has been building on Bloomberg to make up his mind, but politically it makes a lot more sense for him to wait this out. As one Democratic insider conceded, time is on his side.
The petitioning process to get Bloomberg's name on the ballot begins in a few weeks, and his aides have made extensive preparations for that.
But sources tell CBS 2 HD the mayor may wait a lot longer before finally deciding whether or not to run.
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