Bloomberg for President?

In a previous post I said Bill Gates would be a good president because he’s rational, smart, successful, and has a good track record of targeted philanthropy. And he wouldn’t be in it for the money. I soon discovered that Bill Gates is not as beloved as one needs to be to get elected president. And he isn’t interested in the job.

Moving on.

Second choice: Mike Bloomberg, mayor of NYC.

Like Bill Gates, he’s rational, smart, successful, pragmatic, and is already starting his philanthropic organization. Best of all, no one seems to hate him for selling Windows. He’s a highly popular mayor who is regarded as highly competent. And he has the added benefit of not totally ruling out a bid for the Whitehouse.

He’s also right in the middle between being a Democrat and a Republican. He was a lifelong Democrat until he ran for office as a Republican. Both sides could embrace him as one of their own. He’s a Republican in name with Democrat views on social issues. It’s the Arnold Schwarzenneger approach. It works.

And Bloomberg could fund his own campaigns. He'd be beholden to no one.

I’ve often said that a real leader would tackle problems in the order of their logical priority, not the order they appear in NY Times headlines. Bloomberg has gone after smoking in public, and trans fat in restaurants. Smoking and bad diet kill more people than any other cause. That’s a leader.

Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?

Comments

[Vladlena Nyzhnik]

Yes, it’s nice point. I am totally agreed with you... Thank you.

[Think twice before you commit to a candidate...]

visit the website Vault for an inside look at the internal dissatisfaction that employees have.
Bloomberg, LP has been sued by the federal government for discrimination in the workplace on a systemic basis.
Mike has essentially hired his former deputy mayor to run his private company.
The high level of arrogance within Bloomberg, LP suggests a rather dangerous brand of leadership should Mayor mike consider running. (Capital Ms are reserved for those at least 5'8" tall).

[Think twice before you commit to a candidate...]

visit the website Vault for an inside look at the internal dissatisfaction that employees have.
Bloomberg, LP has been sued by the federal government for discrimination in the workplace on a systemic basis.
Mike has essentially hired his former deputy mayor to run his private company.
The high level of arrogance within Bloomberg, LP suggests a rather dangerous brand of leadership should Mayor mike consider running. (Capital Ms are reserved for those at least 5'8" tall).

[Andrew Jackson]

'When a door is closed, God has a tendancy of opening a window.'

Obama-Bloomberg would be a weapon.

Good luck and God bless to them both.

[Archiebunker]

I had supported, passivly, a Bloomberg run, but now think he would do nothing more than suck the air out of the Democratic bubble. He's a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, much as McCain, though neither will label themselves as such, and we can ill afford another 4 years or more of these Neocon ideologues.

Bloomberg would have no institutional backing; it is a recipe for a coalition between the moderates of both parties who would tirelessly work to stop any of his reforms. Our bippartisan system was broken (Romney is not the surgeon, even if he has diagnosed the wound) by the Neocons. They have polarized the system and have destroyed any opportunity for a moderate coalition to solve our nation's problems under the two party system, which is what it will take to address any of our real issues. Perhaps a weak Executive is what will turn the trick. We have had 7 years of no legistlative branch; why not as many with no exectutive one? Shades of the other coalition governments throughout the world.

I hate to say it, but the two current candidates who would most likely welcome such a coalition are McCain and Obama. Lordy, Lordy, who would have thunk it. Brought low by a frat boy cheerleader and the two guys with the longest resumes in the government, Rumsfeld and Cheney. 3

Pray for America. But for God's sake, don't vote for Huckabee, the guy running for America's Preacher. After his latest comment, how can anyone take the oath of office, after declaring we should re-write the Constitution in his image of God's will? Man, are we in deep doo-doo.

Stick McCain or Obama in there, and let's get on with it.

[Joe Clientelle]

Bloomberg is rational, which is a plus. But he is not good for average people. New Yorkers are having a hard time, especially young New Yorkers starting out. Median apartment price is now $2900 per month in NY. The city is becoming a playground for the rich, with average people suffering with rising rent and stagnant pay. Many many luxury developments are going up all over but very low goals and mostly talk about affordable housing. Where can our "heroes" like teachers and firefighters live?

[Think twice before you commit to a candidate...]

Think twice before you commit to a candidate...
Take a look at:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=3684511

This is an update on the EEOC case raised in late September 2007 against Bloomberg, LP wherein the US Government is suing the company for systemic discrimination of workers in a protected class(race, gender,age, etc).

Mister Bloomberg at first (9/27/07) said he wasn't involved whatsoever with the company dealings "for a very long time" and then a week later reversed himself to confirm his ongoing dealings with management when this claim was made by the three (now four) women impacted by the company's discriminant behaviours.
As further evidence of the doublespeak surrounding Mister Bloomberg, I would direct the readers to a story that broke in December 2007 wherein Deputy Mayor, Dan Doctoroff, resigned from his city post to become President of Bloomberg, LP.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071206/FREE/71206003

The connections between Mayor Mike and Corporate Mike are so blurred that it makes a mockery of the NYC Conflicts of Interst Board and it's hands off approach to Mister Bloomberg.

Mister Bloomberg, meanwhile, has demonstrated in a series of decisions his willingness to choose paths where he "is above the law" and that is a very dangerous player for US national office.

No matter where your political beliefs reside there should be no question that "the law applies to all and no one individual can lay claim to an exempt status as a law abiding citizen".

Discrimination? Blatant conflicts of interest? At what point does the end stop justifying the means in Mister Bloomberg's decision making tree?

[anonymous]

I actually used to work closely with Bloomberg every day for a summer about 12 years ago. He is one of the smartest, hard working, honest, and successful people I've ever met. I sincerely hope that he does run.

[Rich]

I hope that this is not a repeat of 1992 and 1996, when that jug-eared dwarf, Ross Perot basically insured a win for the Douchebags-in-Chief--- Bill/Hillary Clinton.

Don't want Hillary to win because the disaffected vote for Mike, but I do have a campaign slogan for Bloomberg as a choice over Hillary---

"Vote for Mike, not the Dyke!

[David Tussey]

Worked at Bloomberg for 3 years without Mike. His absence was keenly felt. He is an immensely smart guy and also pragmatic. But his two tours as Mayor of the largest American city have been what really makes him a contender. He had brought great political, environmental, fiscal, and technological progress to New York City.

Given the mediocre choices across the board in the two major parties, and as a direct observer of his competence in business and politics, I'd be happy to give him my vote.

For bonus, I'd propose a Bloomberg-Gore ticket. Nice.

[JW]

Well, like Perot, he would certainly run the country like a business. Maybe that is what we need for a change. Politics aside, let's just look at the country as a potentially profitable entity. It might be nice. Except, to undo all of the mess that has been done, Bloomberg would probably have to go through 4 terms as president! But just think, the country might just become functional. Then we could go back to the 2 term limits so that the next guy could undo it all. Dream, dream, dream......

[SolveClimate]

From a climate change perspective, Bloomberg's the best in the bunch by far. Independently wealthy and not beholden to any antiquated, fossil fuel industries and their industry shills? Can't be that. And can't be his ability to unite on a global scale.

Here's a rundown on his latest visit to Asia:
http://solveclimate.com/blog/20071218/bloomberg-asia-planets-climate-spokesperson

[SolveClimate]

From a climate change perspective, Bloomberg's the best in the bunch by far. Independently wealthy and not beholden to any antiquated, fossil fuel industries and their industry shills? Can't be that. And can't be his ability to unite on a global scale.

Here's a rundown on his latest visit to Asia:
http://solveclimate.com/blog/20071218/bloomberg-asia-planets-climate-spokesperson

[Carlton Colquitt]

Bloomberg for President.

[Carlton Colquitt]

Bloomberg for President.

[Andrew MacRae]

Scott, it's a pleasure to know that this topic is interesting to you. At the Draft Bloomberg movement, we are very interested in finding out the answer to your question; "Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?"

We think he can, please visit UniteForMike.com to learn more.

[Keno]

Sam Nunn would probably run with Bloomberg. They think very much alike and both are disappointed with the bickering amongst the parties. Nunn has mentioned that he hasn't ruled out a run as an independent. He's very active in world affairs. Pass it on! Bloomberg & Nunn.

[Kelly]

He is an ideal candidate! Go Bloomberg!

[Kid-Bloom]

THE NEO-NAZI-CORPORATE-MEDIA HAS A PERSONAL VANDEDA AGAINST N.Y.C. MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBURG!!!!!!!

If NEWS REPORTERS are so conservative, they would not have a problem with Mayor Michael Blooburg running for President.The Corporate Media is afraid of BLOOMBURG because he has a BETTER CHANCE TO WIN THE WHITEHOUSE than a Democrat or a Republican. But the only way he can do that is if he runs.
BLOOMBURG HAS TO RUN IN ORDER FOR HIM TO WIN. THE ONLY REASON THAT HE WOULD NOT WIN IS IF HE PULLED A FRED THOMPSON AND NOT RUN UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

THE LIBERAL PARTY IS AFRAID OF BLOOMBURG, BUT THE SKINHEAD PARTY IS EVEN MORE AFRAID OF BLOOMBURG because Bloomburg (like Hillary) is in the center.
But Since BLOOMBURG-A MAN, HILLARY-A WOMAN, RACIST, PATRIARCAL WHITE MEN WILL VOTE FOR BLOOMBURG BEFORE THEY WOULD ELECT A WOMAN PERIOD!!!!!
IT'S TIME FOR THE NEO-NAZI-CORPORATE-MEDIA TO ADMIT THAT FACT!!!! AT LEAST ADMIT THAT THEIR NAZIES AND POLITICALLY BIASED, THIS ALONE WILL ELIMINATE ANY NEEDS TO PRESERVE THE "FAIRNESS DOCTORINE" THEREFORE MAKING AMERICA SAFE FROM FUNDAMENTALIST EXTREMIST LIKE CHENEY, PAT ROBERTSON AND FOX NOISE!!!!

[Karin Gallet]

The Draft Bloomberg effort was founded with the belief that the American voter will look toward qualifications in November 2008.
www.bloomberg08nyc.com

[Gerald Ledbetter]

Could a short, Jewish, and highly competent guy get elected?

Irrelevant to being short, Jewish, and highly competent, the question is could Mike Bloomberg get elected? I'm anxious to persuade the people to acknowledge effective policies in progress: education, health, and the economy. I challenge anyone to say they've done better, or are doing better. Action speaks louder than words. Every politition has told the auidiences what sounded good and promises might not get fulfilled, but Mike Bloomberg is doing what's good for a society that could well determine the fate of a successful campain to the White House.

[William Hicks]

I live in New York City; do you? I'm here to tell you that Bloomberg is just anorther golden spoon in the mouth priviliged snot who knows nothing and cares nothing for the middle class or the poor. I call him "Mayor Pothole" because the infrastructure of the city and the streets have fallen into disrepair, and he does nothing. These wealthy types seem to think they are above the law by virtue of their great wealth; just look at George W Bush, another child of privilege who thinks the country is his toilet and uses the U.S. Constitution as toilet paper.

[BLOOMBERG DARTBOARDS DOT COM]

THIS MAN IS SUCH A RAT AND USELESS PIECE OF SHIT THAT HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR NEW YORK CITY OTHER THAN RAISE THE COST OF EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH OR OWN. THAT'S WHY THERE IS A SURPLUS OF $3,000,000,000. THE MAN IS AN ARROGANT LITTLE PILE OF SHIT THAT THINKS HE'S THE PRINCE OF THE CITY. WHO SPENDS $65,000,000 ON 2 CAMPAIGNS?! I'LL TELL YOU WHO. THE SNEAKY LITTLE RAT FUCK THAT OCCUPIES THE MAYORAL OFFICE OF NEW YORK. WHY, BECAUSE HE'S DUDLEY DO-RIGHT? HE WANTS TO MAKE THE CITY BETTER? HE HAS JUST PUT HIMSELF IN A POSITION WHERE HE CAN STILL WHEEL AND DEAL WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTRACTORS AND SUCH AND PAY FAVORS BACK, MAKE MONEY AND SET FAVORS UP FOR HIMSELF FOR THE FUTURE. HE HAS ACCESS TO DEALS HE NORMALLY WOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO. THE FIREMEN HATE THE PUTRID LITTLE BUGGER. THE POLICE HATE AND DESPISE THE LITTLE SNOT FACE. THE LITTLE TURD HAS DONE NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, FOR N.Y.C. JUST ABOUT EVERYONE DESPISES THE LITTLE NASAL SPEAKING BUG. EXCEPT THE YUPPIES AND THE WEALTHY, WHO HE CATERS TO, EVERY ONE ELSE IS PRETTY MUCH SCREWED. GO BACK TO BOSTON YOU FUCKIN' MUTT!!! GOD FORBID, NO, GOD HELP US IF THIS PIECE OF SHIT BECOMES PRESIDENT THE WAY HE BECAME MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY!! BUYING HIS SPOT! THE MERE APPEARANCE OF THIS SNEAKY LITTLE JERK OFF TURNS MY STOMACH!!

[Richard Soderberg]

Neither party could nominate him, now. Does Bloomberg pass the "tall, nice hair" criteria enough to win?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6722146,00.html

[Chris Koch]

There is a perceived debate amongst the scientific community. There isn't. If there is, ask if that person's paycheck is dependent upon not believing. There is man-made global climate change happening.

The real issue to me will be our inability to respond. We don't seem to have it in us as human beings. Show us smoking causes cancer and we smoke. I bring that up, because we could be shown the future to 100% certainty and we will still have the inability to change our current actions. Just my thoughts on the wisdom of mankind.

It may not be this issue that gets us, but it may be the next.

[freddiemac]

Oy Vey said:
What about picking a President sort of like the Catholics pick a Pope?

How about a bi-partisan committee of a variety of high ranking, mostly elected officials... and they have to select someone by a unanimous vote?

Actually, that's pretty much how the "Electoral College" works, at least up until the 60s.

[Little me]

To Mark:
"Are there really still people who think that someone who inherits a title is better or 'higher' than someone who does not?"

Very few, if any. And that is not what monarchies (of today) are about. Why don't you visit one, and get a first hand experience...

Being a regent is a tough job. Quite unfair that one guy (or family) needs to do it alone. But they have practiced it for most of their lives, so they should be good at it. And that is good for the nation.

[Polymath]

I worked for Bloomberg from 1993 through 1998, and I worked as a professional political scientist from 2002 through 2006, so I'm pretty well-qualified to comment here. Mike is smart enough and pragmatic enough that I expected he'd be an effective mayor after climbing the learning curve, and I correctly predicted it would take him 2 years to learn how to be mayor which gave him enough time to get popular and be reelected since it was a 4-year term.

I don't want the President to learn on the job any more than is absolutely necessary. This is why, for example, Hillary is the only Democrat I wouldn't expect to send the country down the toilet, since she's already been President. Bloomberg just isn't ready.

A ticket with Bloomberg and Hagel would have no shot because neither man has much personal charisma, and without such charisma you have to be extremely well-known for people to be comfortable with you (like Nixon, or Hillary again).

The previous comments are independent of politics. I think that Bloomberg would be just as liberal in office as any Democrat (his only advantage is he wouldn't be LEFTIST and so would avoid the worst Democratic craziness), and as a Conservative in my private political opinions, there is no way I would ever vote for him.

[Mark]

Anyone named Bush or Clinton must be automatically ineligible from now on. I've had more than enough of McSmirky the Chimpster. And why is it that Bush sr and Clinton seem to be friends now?

Oh, and all monarchies must be abolished. All people are equal and must have an equal chance at being head of state of their country.

Are there really still people who think that someone who inherits a title is better or 'higher' than someone who does not? Abolish all aristocracy! And abolish all hereditary titles and hereditary privilege.

[Justin]

You, sir, may be psychic. Or maybe Reuters is using you for some leads. Or maybe Bloomberg just thinks you have something here...

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1836870820070518?src=051807_1414_DOUBLEFEATURE_

[srapp]

Why go through this bother every 4 years?
Return to America's British roots.
Have Queen Elizabeth as head of state.
Canada manages quite well with this arrangement.

[Kilgore J. Trout]

Everyone is cavalier about their health until they are in chemo.

[AndyT13]

Ugh. I want more choices. I lean towards libertarianism and and centrist on most issues but I htink that makes me the minority. If you watch TV you get the impression that most people are fringe loonies, but I think that's because they yell the loudest. That said I can't see bible belt middle America electing a black man with an unpronounceable name (except the Hussein part), a rich white woman that most people hate, or a short rich Jewish guy. I just don't see it happening. How weird would it be to see Guiliani and Bloomberg as the Presidential candidates? That'd be a fun election but again it will never happen. Right wing Evangelicals in their masses will not choose a pro choice candidate. They'll sooner stay home. One can only HOPE!
I worry a great deal when people's religious convictions effect politics.

[Wolfger]

"Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?"
Short? Yes.
Jewish? I think so.
Highly competent? Never. It's hard enough to get a moderately competent guy elected. Voters like politicians who are competent at lying to voters, and nothing else.

[Appalled in Tokyo]

Nope, not if he has even the slightest thing to do with the Republican Party. And he quacks like that duck.

[h]

Nurse Bloomberg? Oy vey.

[Jeremy]

Has anyone seen this? http://unity08.com/ Apparently it's a bipartisan, grassroots coalition that is making what appears to be a good attempt at creating a third party in our two party system. What's more, they are considering pushing Bloomburg as their candidate. Check it out.

[GeorgeH]

Any guesses as to how impotent a president without a single Senator or Representative to help carry his water is going to be?

Bloomie is a good bet to found The Nanny State Party.

[Walter E. Wallis]

President Bolton will take care of everything.

[Mike]

"Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?"

No. This country will never have a highly competent President.

[Dalebert]

OK, now you're really just trying to get our goat. I'm not biting.

[Brian]

"Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?"

No one higly competent will be nominated... they can't be pupeteerd. (Or however it is spelled)

[Boraxis Baugmonster]

Goats don't have the right to vote?

Let them eat tutnups!

DilbertWhore? *DilbertWhore?*

-- baug

[Don]

Bloomberg would not seek the presidency for money, he would seek it to push forward a social agenda that is contrary to the will of the authors of the Constitution. He is a draconian big brother who wants nothing more than to make certain all of us "less-enlightened" folks are safe from our own free will.

[Jared86]

Chuck Hagel, another moderate Republican, recently said he might run with Bloomberg on a third party ticket. I think that would be very interesting. I live in CA, so there's no real point in me voting anyway because my state always goes blue no matter what. I might as well vote for them.

[JT]

Since most people are stupid, if he puts on a good enough show, he may get a statistically significant percentage of votes. I suspect he would pull more of these from the Democratic side than the Republican.

A side note: Anybody who attacks somebody based on physical characteristics is loudly proclaiming their intellectual bankruptcy.

[me]

let me also add that 'beholden to no one' is remarkably naive. bloomberg has cut a bunch unscrupulous deals in New York to prop himself up for this run.

also frankly i think your last statement infers that anyone opposed to this smart guy must be because he is Jewish.

Is someone's background an issue? can it be discussed?

[me]

let me also add that 'beholden to no one' is remarkably naive. bloomberg has cut a bunch unscrupulous deals in New York to prop himself up for this run.

also frankly i think your last statement infers that anyone opposed to this smart guy must be because he is Jewish. Being Jewish is an issue at least on Foreign policy which are painfully learning in the Middle East.

[dipy911]

All you wimps saying he can't get elected. All he needs is to take slightly more that 1/3 of the vote from each party in each state, or the right states. A third party of Moderates has a good chance of winning. Personally, I vote for myself. That way I can still complain about the president whoever wins.

Someone can win a state with 34% of the vote.

dipy911

[Ethan]

Since by your examples he obviously doesn't understand what government is for, he's not really my first choice Scott. It's not about smoking and arteries, it's about private property and free trade. If I can control who smokes in my house, why not in my bar? Anyone forced to come into my bar? Nope. And as long as everyone is able to be clear on ingredients, where is the force? Where is the fraud? No injustice happening in a Big Mac.

Everyone is HARDLY a libertarian. Libertarians establish a principle of zero aggression and then follow it unwaveringly, regardless of the consequences. This is because their goal is not to create a society that suits their particular fancy, but to create a just government, be the resulting society what it may. Almost everyone else is doing the exact opposite: they decide what they think society should be like, and are willing to pass nearly any law in an attempt to make it so. The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. Most people aren't just ignorant or stupid: they genuinely prefer government control of their own and their neighbors' lives. We can hand out flyers for the rest of our lives, publish as many books as we like, make speeches until we're blue in the face, and most of them aren't going to change their minds. While they disagree among themselves about the details, authoritarians of one sort or another constitute an overwhelming majority.

But I am not merely a means to your ends, or to the ends of the rest of society. I am an end unto myself. Society exists for the benefit of its members – not the members for the benefit of society. In a free society the state does not administer the affairs of men; it administers justice *among* men who conduct their *own* affairs. Vices are simply the errors which a man makes in his search after his own happiness. Unlike crimes, they imply no malice toward others, and no interference with their persons or property. What difference is it to me if a decision is forced upon me by a dictator or by half of my neighbors? Either way my right to free, peaceful action has been nullified.

Apologies to Spooner, Mencken, Spencer and others for stealing their words. Especially Spooner, since he believes in Intellectual Property. :)

[me]

Ron Paul is the only candidate who's spoken the truth about the iRaq war and middle east policy. Bloomberg never will for reasons you unwittingly alluded to in your post.

[Ben Stuart]

Jews aren't permited to asume the presidency. It's a law. Or constitutional ammentment. If you pay attention to those.

[Mark]

Who hates gates for selling windows?

Nobody as far as I can tell.

Hate him for being an over-agressive napoleon prick, yes. Hate him for doing everything in his warchest to make sure that, if he can't win, he'll at least kill the competition, yes. Hate him for lying and getting away with it when Joe Blow would be looking at some serious time alone with Bubba, yes.

Selling windows? No. Don't think so.

[Borjan]

If GWB was elected, I think anything goes...

[TallDave]

In related news, fruit flies have free will.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070516071806.htm

[me]

He's doing everything SHORT TERM to look good on paper and doing NOTHING long term. He is also one of the worst abusers of eminent domain in the country and he's either letting slide the real tough job that was done by Giulianni.

Hes pro open borders and pro iraq war.and given the new york mind set (heavily pro israel for obvious reaons) we'll be plunged into a war with iran on top of iraq

[XX EE]

Hey, DilbertWhore:

I suggest you get some science yourself before accusing others of not having read the studies that, by the way, they have read.

Try using "the Google" for starters:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/reviews/transfats.html

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/135/3/562

and even the more informal but nonetheless citation-including article in WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20070326/trans-fats-heart-risk-strong-link

which says, "The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting trans fats to no more than 1% of total calories and saturated fats to less than 7% of total calories."

1% is not very much!

Why don't you read a few studies yourself -- there are far more than 6, by the way -- before you start accusing others of something you seem yourself to have done?

The life you save may be your own.

[milkey]

Bloomberg becoming President would mean that one of my worst nightmares has come true.

You site his draconian efforts to legislate smoking bans and trans-fat bans. Both are issues that have nothing to do with the rights of smokers/eaters or the rights of non-smokers/non-eaters. It deals with the fundamental issue of private property rights and personal choices. Don't want to be somewhere that offers a smoking or fatty section? Simple. Don't go there. Problem solved. Bloomberg would love to legislate a national bedtime next. (Note: I do not smoke and also try to eat healthy.)

Overall, Bloomberg continually steps over the line. Research his use of his personal fortune to illegally attack the legal business of firearm dealers across the country. Here's a link that will get you started:

Virginia Warns Bloomberg on New Gun Law
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/nyregion/11gun.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

VA had to pass a new law saying that Bloomberg wasn't allowed to use illegal sting operations in their state. That's pretty messed up when that's necessary.

He's also started a very misleading coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/home/home.shtml

That webpage's info doesn't look too bad on the surface. I'm a gun rights advocate and I'm also against illegal guns myself. However, mayors are dropping out left and right because they realize and are reporting that the coalition's main purpose is to remove all guns from our society, including those owned by law-abiding citizens for self-defense.

Bloomberg? I say nay. We need to return to what made our country great. Think to yourself how you would define the "American Dream". Do you think of onerous government regulations that choke the free market and personal liberties? Or rather, do you think of the ability to work hard, produce, make something of yourself, and be free to pursue happiness?

Bloomberg somehow defines it as the former.

[alex]

Not a chance...

Short and Jewish we could live with, but competent???

As an example see the present administration, and previous administration, and the one before that....

I see a disturbing trend here.

[sophie]

Run Mike Run!
We need a fresh, competent person to lead this country.

[Mattg]

Unrelated,

The only Republican candidate I'd even consider after the debate highlights I saw was McCain. The notion a presidential candidate at all would ever consider torture is exactly why these folks don't deserve to be president. They have no morals.

The fact that they would make statements implying they'd allow torture is even worse and more wessely. I am sorry Republicans but you have 1 candidate. Rudi has significantly turned me off the more I see of him. The Moron's own comments make me terrified of him. He switches position more then Hef at an orgy.

Seriously if Rudi mentions 9/11 anymore I am inclined to start just saying 9/11 infront of every comment I make. He is the ultimate exploiter of a bad situation.

Plus the guys an idiot. What kind of moron puts your anti-terrorism command center in a huge terrorist target.

[John]

Going after public smoking and trans fat isn't leading that is just following the headlines. Smoking kills smokers. Any one who reads the actual science knows casual exposure to second hand smoke is annoying but not harmful. If I locked you in a windowless room with a pack a day smoker for 10 years you will suffer but if you go to a bar with smoke in it once a week for a couple of hours you will not be harmed. Trans fat is just another fad diet scare like cholesterol in the 80's. If they really cared about food they would still cook fries in lard so they taste good.

[T.G.]

[Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?]
No, it is worldwide knowledge that americans only want a mirror of themselves for president, if the guy results better than expected, then there is ever a good sexual scandal to fix things (a trick that only works on america as the rest of the world would just think of it as unimportant).

About the free will posts ... well, after reading the article it is obvious to me that the experiment, instead of "free will", it demonstrates that fruit fly brains and reactions are more complex than what our oversimplification would like, and that we dont know much about its internals. But, of course, it is more appealing to call it free will, althought the defenders of that concept would deny it on flies and other not human living beings. Weird World :).

[Ben Fulton]

Schwarzenegger said he could fund his own campaigns and be beholden to no one as well - until after the election. Then he was out whoring for money with all the others. Bloomberg would most likely be the same way.

[jamie, derby]

Bill - do you read your own posts? Safer cigarettes - sureley thats an oxymoron?

[The Writer Formerly Known as CC]

Bill-

Smoking doesn't kill non-smokers? Do you live under a rock of un-education? Seriously bud.. it's called secondhand smoke and along with it come all the fun diseases like cancer, COPD, emphysema etc.
Heather Crowe was a waitress for 40 years who got cancer from second-hand smoke working at a restaurant in Canada and pushed for banning smoking in public places.
I guess if you had to pay for public healthcare you'd want to ban public smoking too. Why should I pay for the moron who can't put down the cancer stick long enough to let others breathe?

Can you take Bill off the voters list?

[wernman]

Roll back the turnup truck.... By going after smoking and transfat he's totally following the NY Times liberal agenda. Republicans will never embrace a democrat wearing republican clothing; that's John McCain will never get the Republican nomination.

And Arnold Swchar... in CA proved he's a social conservative when it came down to it, much to the horror of the hollywood gay community...

[wernman]

Roll back the tutnup truck.... By going after smoking and transfat he's totally following the NY Times liberal agenda. Republicans will never embrace a democrat wearing republican clothing; that's John McCain will never get the Republican nomination.

And Arnold Swchar... in CA proved he's a social conservative when it came down to it, much to the horror of the hollywood gay community...

[Boozeheimer]

Hmm, is he goat-friendly? If goats had the right to vote, would it make a difference?

[Dan the Man]

1st, someone that switches parties basically JUST to get elected is not the type of guy I want as president. Secondly, stay away from my personal choices. OK, maybe smoking can affect other people's helath so that one might be OK. But the trans fat in restuarants issue? Next, the government will be telling me what I can/can't eat in my home!!!! I thought we cherished our personal freedoms in this country!

[Stretch]

No one who wants to rule should be allowed to...

[daloon]

on the actual question, I doubt it, but who konws. You might have a serious diplomacy problem in the middel east. And american president who's a jew? double up on hadtred.

[daloon]

"Sad fact: No reliable study has ever proven a link between second-hand smoke and disease. Anecdotal observation: Up until 25 years ago 75% of the adult population of this country smoked. If there were one word of truth in any second-hand smoke study we'd all be fuckin dead."

Really jim, so the fact that virtually every single occupation that has a high level of exposure to second hand smoke has a lower average living age doesn't count? Or that you can actually meausure the particles? I guess you just don't trust those cheesy scientists, probably all paid off by that huge anti tobacco lobby- or is it the other side that has all that cash?

And true everyone is-or was exposed to second hand smoke, but second hand smoke- like smoking is a slow killer, you might even die of something else first- but on average it will shorten you life by a few years (so will being a chemist- but what the hell it's fun)

[Thomas C]

Tho, don't get me wrong, I believe that there should be smoking restaurants. The non-smoking employees and patrons should simply choose not to work at or dine there.

[Thomas C]

Sorry, I left out a phrase

Smoking, Bill, is almost as deadly - if not as deadly - to the people around smokers as the smokers themselves

[Thomas C]

> Smoking doesn't kill nonsmokers, bad diet doesn't kill anyone intelligent either (well, once they get away from public school lunches).

You MUST be kidding, Bill! Second hand smoke is almost as deadly, if not as deadly, to the smokers themselves. Also, there is a correlation between bad diet and poverty - are you saying that everyone impoverished is unintelligent?

[James Langham]

Still suggest Bill Gates, anyone who DOESN'T want the job is an ideal candidate!

[Jim]

I doubt it. That Bloomberg would make a good president is beyond doubt, but the good 'ol US of A has long since abandoned any common sense when choosing it leaders.

[Ami]

This is totally off topic but I was just interested in hearing your comments on this article that claims they have evidence for free will in fruit flys:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070516/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_flies_freewill;_ylt=AprTzV26JiKvEIb6TuTfnwbMWM0F

Have fun. ;)

[Azi]

Hey, out here in Africa we've had white supremists, women, intellectuals, inbred morons and, more recently, black people running the governments. So far as I can tell, none of them have been silver bullets for the country's ills. So feel free to get all warm and glowy about getting your "First XYZ president", but seriously... don't expect it to make very much improvement at all. In fact, as near as I can tell, the general trend has been downward since the monarchy.

I say "Dr Strangelove for President". It may be a really bad idea in the short run, but it'll surely make all the other politicos (domestic and foreign) work their asses off trying to keep everything in balance. At the very least it'll stop you yanks from sitting around complaining about diet, celebrity lifestyles and conspiracies.

[Iain]

"He's a flaming leftist: pro-gun control, pro-homosexual union, pro-illegal immigrants rights, pro-abortion and he smacked the city with a whopping tax increase during his first term - in a city with the dubious distiction of already having the highest tax rate on the continent!"

Wow. Are you actually allowed that opinion in public? How on earth is there *anything* bad about Gun control, abortion and human rights?

Idiot.

[bart]

if I may point out just one fatal error, IT HAS BEEN DECADES SINCE THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HAS VOTED BASED ON LOGIC!!! seriously thou, if a canidate was introduced that offered a plan for leaving the middle east the fuck alone, droping gas prices by using our own existing oil fields, and promoting economic growth thru energy efficient auto agendas (with the stipulations that those vehiles must best atleast as much fun to drive as what is on the market now) the whole world would stop rotating! At which point we sit back and watch other oil dependant nations attepmt to destory each other, maybe even buy stock in our military contractors for a legal extra buck or two. Suddenly this "american dream" of a country can start making progress on all the important issues.

or of cousre we can use the current system of "I will lower gas prices......and in very hushed voices raise the ever living shit out the taxes" verses "We should accept gas prices as a way of life so I can tax the fuck out of that oil distilate and maaybe lower taxes by 0.00000243% nation wide"
The most fun part is that the american ignorance (i.e. the general populus that was formerly known as the american public) will be divided equally bewteen those who don't know shit and vote for choice A cuz he's got nice hair and those who don't know shit and vote for choice B cuz she's got nice tits.
qfter all nobody cares about the issues and even those who do are trapped trying to vote for the lesser of the evils.
In conclusion, FIX THE FUCKING SYSTEM, EDUCATED THE 30 IQ PUBLIC, AND ACTUALLY STAND FOR SOMETHING INSTEAD OF THE SAME OLE "NOT WHAT THE OTHER GUY SAID, I'M TOTALLY AGAINST THAT STUFF"

go ahead and contact me with all the imagined senerios ths make me wrong, if you couldn't make use of the hyperlink its eric.pio@wdpartners.com
Night Chums,
Bart

[dontbother]

This has nothing to do with potential president Mayor Bloomberg, which must mean that I'm exercising my free will.

Today I read in the China Post, an English-language newspaper here in Taiwan, a Reuters article that said because fruit flies turn in various directions without external stimuli to induce that behavior, it seems, according to scientists who discovered this little known fact last year, that free will might not only be a reality but also an innate trait of the human mind.

I always wondered why my back and shoulders felt so tired and my nose stank like a rotten banana after what I used to think was a good night's sleep. Now I know. Fruit-fly transmogrification when I'm somnambulant.

All my dreams about free will and flying now make sense!

Andre Delambre

[Erik]

The problem with the way democracy is set up is that a person must be a good CANDIDATE and a good CAMPAIGNER to win an election. At least the first time.

Winning an election has little to no correlation to being a good president, senator, or other elected official. It has entirely to do with convincing people that you will be good at the job.

An election is like a big, public job interview where millions of people get to have their say in which candidate gets the job. Well, there are professionals who do exactly the same thing for a living, and even they hire the wrong one sometimes, so how can the general public do any better?

This is our reward for giving the same vote to both morons, bums and dead beats as we do to geniuses, hard workers and people who are willing to risk their lives to defend their country or fellow citizens.

Anyway, no one likes the smartest kid in the class. Even Clinton, who had one of the highest IQ of any president in the last 100 years - maybe 200 - came across like just plain folks, almost red neck at times.

So to summarize: short, no problem. Jewish, maybe a problem for some folks, but it will eventually happen, just as there will eventually be a female president and a black president (maybe both at the same time?) No, the knock on Bloomberg will be his brains, and his failure to hide them.

[ian]

much better then rudy

[Theodore Nugent]

Is Wally Jewish? He's short; no wait, he's not highly competent*.

(*or maybe he's so competent, he's always finished)

[Michelle]

About today's strip: dashboard application/key metrics -- loved it!

[mgnoonan]

So why not go with the *former* NYC mayor, Rudy?

He's got a sexual history the Dems can latch on to, and a 9/11 leader that Repubs can get behind.

He's the best of both worlds.

[Bill]

Oh, and let's not forget another government anti-health subsidy: the Cocaine Price Support Program ;)

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig5/walker6.html

[Bill]

>Smoking and bad diet kill more people than any other cause.

Smoking doesn't kill nonsmokers, bad diet doesn't kill anyone intelligent either (well, once they get away from public school lunches).

Government kills more people than any other cause. Among other things, they make it illegal to sell safer cigarettes, and the Dept. of Agriculture spends a hundred billion dollars a year to make fruit and vegetables more expensive while subsidizing corn syrup.

So in your mind, the solution is to give the government even more power, using a popular mayor as a front man.

Do you read your own posts?

[Misanthropic Scott]

I live in NYC too. I think Bloomberg's doing a pretty good job. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative is pretty Libertarian.

I disagree with the comment that we're all Libertarian. To me, libertarian merely signifies the freedom to starve.

I'm liberal through and through (with some very minor exceptions on specific issues), a fiscally responsible rather than fiscally conservative liberal. The difference here is that I believe the government should be responsible for providing many of our basic, life-sustaining services. The fiscal responsibility part comes from the recognition that the bills must be paid.

This last bit is one of many that is currently severely missing in the Republican party. They seem to believe that they can run up debt forever and never have to pay it back. Or, more accurately, leave it for the next administration to pay back ... or the next ... or the next.

It's kind of funny that by actually being willing to raise taxes for their programs, the Democrats are being more fiscally responsible than the Republicans, a party once known (ok, very long ago) for being fiscally conservative.

Anyway, I believe a fiscally responsible liberal would be a wonderful change. Maybe, just maybe, we could even have decent health care in this country. Wouldn't it be nice to move up from our current rank of 47th best health care in the world?

[Kevin Kunreuther]

[Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?]

Yes, my gosh, yes.

Bloomberg could be, in fact, the recently late Jerry Falwell's Antichrist (http://www.slate.com/id/2166221/)..

And all this time I thought it was George W. Bush ...
Thanks Scott, I may start attending Catholic Mass again!

[Kevin Kunreuther]

[Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?]

Yes, my gosh, yes.

Bloomberg could be, in fact, the recently late Jerry Falwell's Antichrist (http://www.slate.com/id/2166221/)..

And all this time I thought it was George W. Bush ...
Thanks Scott, I may start attending Catholic Mass again!

[Barnz]

Trans fats are just another in a long list of fad diets.
Remember Omega 3 fatty acids? People were popping those pills left right and centre. All of a sudden Omega 3's particularly those from flax seeds, are found to be detremental.
Infact take a look at this.
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg19325934.000-can-vitamin-supplements-do-more-harm-than-good.html

Forget the bullshit nutritionalists and fad diets. Everything in moderation people.

[Free Will(e)]

Free will may exist!!!
(At least in fruit flies)

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=3178129

So there Scott ... hehehehehe

[Todd]

"If you want an even better reason to support Mayor Bloomberg for President, you should figure out a way to visit the corporate offices of his company. The women there are consistently the hottest of the smart women in Manhattan. Hot. Really hot. Smokin.

'nuf said."

ha ha--but he outlawed "Smokin" in public places!!! He'll have to fire them....oops, that's more smoke!!!

[Todd]

I wouldn't care for Michael "you can't eat it unless ***I*** say it's ok" Bloomberg for President, but I'd be ecstatic if he were to run as an independent as he's hinting he will do!!!!

[Sean]

I have barely heard of the guy, but from his picture in Wikipedia his hair can't make up for his lack of height.

[Walter]

I'm from Brasil, so i wouldn't vote in the US, but in a hypotetical situation, i would vote on Chris Rock for president. Wouldn't be nice to have a black man that's not afraid to say what the people want's to hear or to say what needs to be said, in an easy-going language?

[Foo]

If you want an even better reason to support Mayor Bloomberg for President, you should figure out a way to visit the corporate offices of his company. The women there are consistently the hottest of the smart women in Manhattan. Hot. Really hot. Smokin.

'nuf said.

[tord]

Hey jim, sure second hand smoke might well be "elitist bullshit" as you say. I'd just prefer not to have second hand smoke ruining the enjoyment of my meal, or beer as the case may be.

[zed]

from 'jim': "Sad fact: No reliable study has ever proven a link between second-hand smoke and disease.."
really? then i'd quite love to stick you in a small room full of 2nd hand smoke for a good while and see what happens.

zed

[Wayne Kartchner]

This next election we may get the first woman president(Clinton), the first black president (Obama) or the first Mormon president (Romney). I say elect Gladys Knight and get all three.

[Don]

It would be nice to have a pragmatist rather than an idiot at the helm.

[Daniel]

I would love to vote for him. I mean really, do any of the headline-chasers we have in the mix right now even come close to what a REAL leader can do? Only one way to find out...

[hockey monkey]

How about Mike Goldberg, host of SpikeTV's Bullrun, for president?

[Jez]

I'm in the UK so I wouldn't be voting. But Microsoft aren't such a bad company. I rely on them for a lot of technology, which is generally slicker than the local competition, and thanks to the American legal system I can still run Firefox on their OS. Plus Bill Gates is pretty philanthropic for a business shark geek. If scientists could create a kind of hybrid of Bill Gates and Mayor Bloomberg and ship it over here, I'd go and see it, especially if the science wasn't quite perfect.

[D. Mented]

In my 20's, I was naive. I thought we had done away with prejudice against black people except for a few idiots. Observing human behavior, I learned that although the mainstream culture has driven that form of racism underground, it is still as widespread as ever.
So is anti-semitism, of that I never had any chance to be naive, also the belief that women are a species of subhumans.
IF THE SHOE DOESN'T FIT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR IT. These prejudices are widespread, NOT universal. If you see individuals according to their character and accomplishments, not race, religion, gender, or other broad categories, I wasn't talking about you, but you probably know how rare you are.
Average America isn't ready for a jew, a woman, or any black man who doesn't have a distinguished military carreer, in the White House, any more than they'd elect a tattooed biker or an out-of-the-closet homosexual.Or anybody under six feet tall. Or somebody otherwise well qualified who isn't charismatic and charming...
If Mel Gibson wasn't an Australian citizen, he could get elected.
(about the idea of opening our presidential elections to people who weren't born American citizens, I believe if we can't produce one worthy candidate from among all our natives, we need to disband our government. I also don't like the fact that that would allow other countries to sponsor one of their citizens to come here, get naturalised and -with our 'biggest campaign fund takes all' system - become president.)
D. Mented
(does that make me paranoid? I'll admit to a healthy level of isolationism)

[Jim]

Sad fact: No reliable study has ever proven a link between second-hand smoke and disease. Anecdotal observation: Up until 25 years ago 75% of the adult population of this country smoked. If there were one word of truth in any second-hand smoke study we'd all be fuckin dead.
Anti-smoking movements are a bunch of elitist nonsense. Smoking has become percieved as an activity of the lower classes and of course since right minded people are superior in some way they have a right to make laws that make no sense based on faulty science.
My point is; anyone who endorses this elitist bullshit is unqualified for public office.

[Dan Summerbell]

Well said, XX EE.

Small Jewish guys can do surprising things; Einstein, Jesus, Arthur Miller (He married Marilyn Munroe for the ingnoramuses (ignorami?) amongst you.

I'm hoping Arnold runs for president (and loses - he's not nearly as 'liberal' as he makes out). Then, as a foreign born American citizen, so can I.

In America, anyone can grow up to be president. That's the risk you take.

(Sadly I don't have the millions of dollars to spare at the moment. Donations to the campaign fund, anyone?)

[Dilbert's Rabbi]

"Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?"

"Short" is ok and easily observed and quantified; "Jewish" is pretty straightforward and also ok.

I guess "highly competent" is in the eye of the beholder. I suggest Scott/Dilbert examine the man's record a little more closely.

[Sarves]

One more of your impractical solutions to world problems.

[Fred]

Gaaa! I wanted a Dilbert Wallpaper, but the survey was 'limited edition'... It's not fair! =p
Of course the guy can get elected! After Schwarzeneegerrera, I guess we can expect anything! =p
(Bloomberg, from the outside, seems to be doing a good job... I don't know Obama, but I guess for Americans, the color may count...)

[DilbertWhore]

I'm not sure where Bloomberg stands on any of the issues. Frankly, I'm not sure where most of the candidates stand on the issues, because they are afraid of alienating one side or the other. Get out of the middle of the road!

Sure he ran a city, but what does he know about foreign policy, stem cells, global warming, etc?

[DilbertWhore]

Hey HHEE:

"Hydrogenated oils, or trans fats, are not 'extra tasty.' Nor do they make your 'french fries taste better.' (Try eating a spoonful of Crisco if you’d like to prove this to yourself.)"

Uh, salt makes my fries taste better but I wouldn't want to eat a spoonful of it. Get some better logic.

"Medical science has discovered that trans fats are far more dangerous to eat than butter: you'd do just as well eating your Tupperware."

Have you bothered to actually READ any of the six human studies regarding use of trans fats? No conclusive risk for heart disease. Possible increase in cholesterol, but high cholesterol does not cause heart disease. And as a matter of fact, "medical science" in this case consists of 2 researchers, Alberto Ascherio and Walter Willett. Their names are on all six studies. How about *independent* replication of scientific results?

I'll comment on Bloomberg in a separate post.

I'm not saying trans fats are good. I'm saying lets get some actual science behind it before we start potentially useless legislation.

[D]

True, that someone's right to smoke ends with my right to clean air. However, as a non-smoker I don't have to go to places where smoking is allowed. If the public wants a non-smoking society then they will stop going to smoky bars and restaurants and eventually businesses will, one by one, ban smoking in their facilities (without the government telling them they have to) because that's what is demanded.

Similarily, if the public cares enough about trans fats then there is an incentive for the first restaurant to promote the fact that they don't use trans fats. As popularity for non-trans fats restaurants grows, more and more restaurants will do the same...because the market dictated it.

Tweaking markets leads to loopholes and black markets which, in turn leads to more tweaking and so on. Let the markets work.

[D]

True, that someone's right to smoke ends with my right to clean air. However, as a non-smoker I don't have to go to places where smoking is allowed. If the public wants a non-smoking society then they will stop going to smoky bars and restaurants and eventually businesses will, one by one, ban smoking in their facilities (without the government telling them they have to) because that's what is demanded.

Similarily, if the public cares enough about trans fats then there is an incentive for the first restaurant to promote the fact that they don't use trans fats. As popularity for non-trans fats restaurants grows, more and more restaurants will do the same...because the market dictated it.

Tweaking markets leads to loopholes and black markets which, in turn leads to more tweaking and so on. Let the markets work.

[Rick]

Not related to this topic but I thought you should know that fruit flies have something we humans don't -according to you.

Free will! ;)

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn11858&feedId=online-news_rss20

[John]

A true leader would not need to use legislation, or the court system to keep people from doing unhealthy things. Do we really need government as surrogate parents telling us to quit smoking and eat our vegetables or they'll send us to our rooms?

[Cyrus]

Sometimes it seems as if the country is going the wrong direction. But now it is a real possibility that the Presidency could be between a woman, a jew, a black guy and a morman. Either we're making some sort of progress or it's just the opening to a bad joke.

Cyrus
http://blogging4burgers.blogspot.com

[Chris Honkala]

I don't know if being Jewish or Logical are likely to get you elected, but I agree he would be a good candidate.

[The Dude]

To Jeff, (nice name by the way)

You cannot compare smoking bans, transfat bans, and cfc bans to child labor. My argument as to why the government should not ban smoking, transfats for businesses is because the free market can dictate those changes for the businesses by people making the personal choices whether or not to support businesses that allow smoking in their restaurants or transfats in their food. As far as Child Labor this is something that the people at the time couldn't afford to decide for themselves since many of the families whose children worked needed the extra income because they could barely survive due to the humongous void between the rich and poor. In that case the government had to step in and help.

Again this issue is about personal choices and personal responsibility. I personally don't smoke because I have never liked the smell of it and I know that it has some impact on health however I respect a persons right to smoke and they should be allowed to do it wherever they want so long as the free market allows them. I have the ability to choose whether to support a restaurant that allows smoker in or not, it's that simple. And I have exercised that right on a few occasions, in some restaurants their smoking section was sufficently isolated so that it did not affect my dining experience, in others it wasn't so I didn't eat there.

The bottom line here is that I don't need the government telling me what is good and bad for me, I should have the ability to make that decision for myself.

[Josh]

Did he ban smoking in public, or in privately owned property such as restaurants and bars? I had heard the latter, which is an atrocious abuse of a government's power over a private citizen's possessions. If I'm wrong and it's the former, then kudos to him, because people shouldn't have the right to force others to inhale toxic chemicals without their permission. And yes, walking outside is a right. And no, eating at someone else's restaurant is not.

[Quad]

Bill Gates would be a great president. The US is a better country than Windows is an OS (note that this is not necessarily praise for the US. I could mean something similar to saying someone is more attractive than Nick Nolte in his DUI mugshot). So, imagine what he could do for the US given what he did for Windows.

[Michael Terry]

Sorry, you killed your own argument. Going after trans-fats was not logical prioritization. People's diets are bad because they eat too much, not because of trans-fats! I'm not in NY, but I assume he went after trans-fats because he was pandering to the idiots who jump to conclusions without very credible evidence. There's not even remotely enough scientific evidence to single out trans-fats for time on the public policy agenda. One study does not constitute proof. There are dozens of studies showing echinacea aids colds. There's also dozens of studies showing the opposite. Look before you leap.

[Brad]

But how would you tell him and Vlad Putin apart at those international pow-wows? Would Nurse Bloomberg wear a name tag or just a cute dress?

[Boraxis Baugmonster]

Everybody with the hair already! Spot-on, I say. Especially with that Sarkozy guy now.

Jon Stewart, now there's a gorgeous head of hair, eh? Yeah!

-- baug

[Rich]

"He’s a highly popular mayor who is regarded as highly competent."

HA! You obviously do not live in NYC.

[Bruce Harrison]

Once again, you have given me cause to thank the Lord that you do not vote.

[Lazy Boy]

"Bloomberg has gone after smoking in public, and trans fat in restaurants"... "That’s a leader". No, that's a dictator. You can't claim to be a great leader if you don't respect people's choices.

If you want to educate them and help the be better humans that's fine but that is not done by prohibiting. If you're not smart enough to realize that you can't protect people from themselves you're just not smart enough to be my leader.

Some dictators are highly efficient and intelligent and rich but I still wouldn't want to live under their rule.

Lazy Boy

[MajorDomoe]

That's a leader??

That's what my grandma calls a schmuck butt-inski. Keep your govt. outta my kitchen, pub, bedroom, whatevahhhhh.

Nobody cares if he's a tall, accomplished black woman or any other group label. If he has the right politics & team players he gets my vote. This guy don't.

He's a flaming leftist: pro-gun control, pro-homosexual union, pro-illegal immigrants rights, pro-abortion and he smacked the city with a whopping tax increase during his first term - in a city with the dubious distiction of already having the highest tax rate on the continent!

You summed it best: He's a Republican in name with Democrat views on social issues. The guys a stinkin' RINO!

Been to kalifornia lately? The Arnold Schwarzenneger approach doesn't work.

[Ax]

Only four comments about how much his hair matters? People are slipping.

Personally, I think he might be able to pull it off. It really depends on what his stylist does at the debate.

[Lupus]

Hmmm, 118,000 people in CA were followed for 39 years, and they couldn't find a link between 2nd hand smoke and mortality risks.

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7398/1057
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/326/7398/1057.pdf

And when we actually look at overweight people, we find they live longer.

http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=042505D

So I'd prefer a guy who actually checks to see if problems are actually problems before spending the public's money "fighting" the "problems".

But in a "feels right" "sound bite" generation like we have today, I'm pretty sure he could get elected with that platform.

[Oz]

A short Jewish competent guy??? Only if he had won multiple Olympic gold medals, been a Hollywood star, had a gorgeous (Christian) wife......and then converted to Christianity.

Maybe.

[Gleetnorx]

Six foot is the minimum height requirement for prez.
Good hair helps ... also, a stainless steel lifelong sunday-school record of perfect attendance and moral terpitude.
Bloomberg has no chance, although some comedian once commented that politics is like show business for ugly people. Witness Dukakis.
The democrats should get James Arness type marlboro men to run, but then that would constitute a cultural oxymoron.
Maybe Obama has enuff of the right stuff for that role.
Probably not, though.
Our poor sick choice will inevitably, deterministically be twixt McCain and Hillary. It is to vomit.

Wavy Gravy for president!

[Michel]

From reading the comments after Scott Adams interesting idea, I have only one thing I can say.

You really do get the governement you deserve.

Darn.

[Paul]

I think we should elect a vegetarian cartoonist as president. Lots more humor, and couldn't possibly perform any worse than our current president. And we would get a presidental blog. How fricking cool is that.

[George Benedik]

"Could a short, Jewish, highly competent guy get elected president?"

Nicolas Sarkozy is short and Jewish. He got elected...

[Yuriy]

[That free will in fruitflies article has nothing to do with the philosophical concept of 'free will'. The study just shows that the flies behaviour is part deterministic and part random.

I have two dice. One of them is normal, the other has a six on every side. When I roll them, one always comes up six, and the other shows anything from one to six. They behave in a part deterministic, part random way, but they don't have free will.]

Both dice are deterministic, and the way they come up depend on their shape, mass, various forces, and so forth. No need for randomness.

Same thing with the fruit flies: just because the choices of whether to go "left or right" look random to us, doesn't mean that they are. They are no more random than a pseudo-random number generator in your favorite programming language.

[Ajay]

Americans are fucked up. We have had too many american presidents in America. Lets give others a chance. No, I am not interested. Thank you very much though.. It sounded flattering for a few hours.. but later on.. no.

[Sigh]

Just because a creepy politician is rich doesn't mean he'll fund his own campaign or be beholden to nobody. Look at the spoiled rich brat we have as president now!

[XX EE]

To my fellow commenters who attack Mayor Blookmberg regarding the government taking away people's right to choose: you are right and wrong. I devoutly agree that the government has no business dictating most individual choices, but it seems to me that some of you have missed some salient points regarding trans fats in restaurants and public smoking.

The problem with trans fats in restaurants is that consumers typically do NOT have the right to choose because food ingredients are NOT labeled adequately enough to give them this choice. I have no problem with people who complain that Mayor Bloomberg should have mandated that restaurants list their food ingredients rather than banning trans fats--sure enough, informed people would figure out which dishes and which restaurants to avoid, leaving induhviduals the freedom to chow down on as much plastic fat as they like. And the "free market" is a myth: the market is a set of rules, agreements, and conventions agreed upon by government and business. While we the consumers can drive demand to some extent (except, for example, for monopolies and necessities), we do not have the power to regulate product safety, import/export tariffs, tax rates, etc.

The problem with smoking in public is that smokers do NOT have the right to poison the people around them--in other words, smokers do not have the right to interfere with other people's choice not to be poisoned by second-hand smoke. Personally, I have no problem with induhviduals poisoning themselves with nicotine as long as they use smoke free products, like those cool-looking Nicorette inhalers. Heck, they can even use chaw as long as they swallow. ;)

And, no, hydrogenated oils, or trans fats, are not "extra tasty." Nor do they make your "french fries taste better." (Try eating a spoonful of Crisco if you’d like to prove this to yourself.) All trans fats do is provide the processed food industry with a cheap form of long-shelf-life fat that is solid at room temperature. Medical science has discovered that trans fats are far more dangerous to eat than butter: you'd do just as well eating your Tupperware. Now you know!

All of that said, I don't have a particularly high opinion of Bloomberg. He and other mayors now routinely install provocateurs in domestic spy operations on nationwide political groups simply because of their political beliefs--with no suspicion of crime needed. While I'm no fan of nanny government, I am far more concerned about Big Brother and America's ever-speeding descent into fascism.

And I agree with my fellow commenter(s) who said that Bloomberg is a rich elitist who hasn't a clue regarding the daily challenges that the poor and middle classes face every day to make ends meet.

[Ajay]

Short, Bald, Jewish, and competent !

Well, If competent equates to intellect - then forget about those without coasts.

But u didnt answer the most imp questions:

1. What version of God does he believe in?
2. Is he - actually a she ?
3. does he talk in bumper stickers or sentences?
4. If Al Gore invented the net - what would he invent?
5. Can he say Iraq, SUV, sacrifice and budget in the same breadth?

If he cant get till 5.. forget about it: 'he was bald anyway'

ajay