In a previous post, I discussed the possibility of NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg running for president. One of the appealing things about him is his lack of blind party loyalty. He’s been a Democrat. He’s been a Republican. Recently he left the Republican Party. People speculate that it’s a first step toward running for president as an independent.
If he runs, here’s my prediction. I think you’ll see a web-oriented campaign, the likes of which you’ve never seen. I think it will redefine the campaign process. In particular, I predict his web site will do what no political web site has done before: Show both sides of the issues.
Politicians are advocates. They minimize the other side of the argument and exaggerate the wisdom of their own side. This is a fancy way of saying they are liars. That’s how politics works. The best liar wins. As long as our choices are limited to liars, we’ll keep electing them and wondering what went wrong.
Bloomberg strikes me as 80% businessman and 20% politician. A good businessman knows how to bring the opinions of his “customers” into the process. I don’t think he’ll minimize any side of an argument. As a businessman, he’ll highlight the pros and cons (via the website) and then tell you why he picked the side he picked. It will be rational and fact-based government.
Bloomberg could be the first presidential candidate immune from the idiocy of the “flip-flop” accusation. A normal brain is supposed to change opinions if the information or the situation changes. The first candidate to make that case to the voters will seem to be the only sane person running.
I don’t have enough faith in the voters to believe an independent can get elected president. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished a strong second to the tall guy with the good hair (Romney).