don't know that much about him. Of course he's going to take votes away from Republicans now that everyone is talking about how he left the party. But what happens when people find out how liberal he is? What happens when he's the only candidate in the race who supports gay marriage?

I'm not happy about this at all. But it really depends on who the two parties end up nominating.

do those people in AL, TX, and VA who don't want to vote for a Mormon know that Bloomberg is jewish and single?

He's not well-known, but I worry he could pull some disgruntled Dems.  What kind of Republican wants gun-control and trans-fat legislation.  I don't know much about him but he could attack most of the Democratic candidates from the left on some issues. 

Plus more and more people are registering Independent.  The two party system is under attack.  Look at all the elections that were spoiled by an independent run.  Perot knocked out Bush the Father.  Nader cut Gore's throat in Florida. 

Frankly I just cringe when these guys start these independent runs.  So far--they're just spoilers.  Now I'm hearing Nader's threatening to rear his bonehead.  Somebody ought to belt that guy into a Corvair and set it running toward the lip of the Grand Canyon. :)

I'd say more but the party barons are coming :-p

What is it with RK and people who ARENT running for President....

Clark, Gore, now Bloomberg....who is next, Gerry Baliles?

Presidential stuff isn't half as important in VA as the state Senate races, but sometimes you've got to get in on the watercooler chat.

...let's keep our eye on the ball, 2007 in Virginia.

Last night, The Daily Show mocked the fact that even with a huge number of people already running, the media can't get enough of those who aren't.

When people learn what Bloomberg stands for, he would undercut the Dems because when two candidates with roughly the same platform and ideas run against eachother in a three way match up with a conservative, who do you think will win?  Who will split which vote?

Bloomberg won't necessarily take votes from the very liberal or progressive base, as Ralph Nader did in 2000, but he will definitely undercut the Dems with independents and it could let a conservative Republican with fewer but more dedicated true believers slide into office.

Bloomberg also never cut some of his most important ties to New York Democratic fundraisers and even some unions.

I wrote a post on this topic just now.

You know its pretty funny now with three New Yorkers getting most of the press these days and talkabout at the local Starbucks. Clinton, Rudy and now Bloomberg. Transplanted New Yorkers in Virginia are full of the "real" story behind all three of these and lets face it they are not shy about letting you know whats up. What I learned from speeking with folks goes agianst the Survey. More Democrats that are left of center prefer him to Clinton and less Republicans right of center prefer him. Seeing how the majority of the Democrat base if you ask MoveOn is left that hurts Dems and if most of the Republican is right of center and they go for the Republican nominee that keeps them where they would be anyway. Its certainly not scientific at all but it seems to me Bloomberg would hurt Democrats more in a three-way at least in Virginia. One thing people seem to perceive early on is Bloomberg is more of a Democrat than a Republican. Perception may be enough.