Michael Bloomberg considering independent presidential run

“Galled” by Donald Trump’s domination of the Republican field and “troubled” by Hillary Clinton’s falters and Bernie Sanders rise, Michael R. Bloomberg has instructed his advisers to prepare a plan for an independent presidential run in this year’s campaign. The billionaire and former mayor of New York City has contemplated a third-party ticket White House run in the past, but always came to the conclusion that he could not win. However, as the 2016 election approaches he has seen a possible opening.

Bloomberg has indicated to friends and allies that he is willing to spend at least $1 billion of his own cash on the campaign. He will make a decision in early March, which is the latest point at which his advisers believe he could enter the race and still qualify as a candidate on all 50 states’ ballots.

A poll was commissioned by Bloomberg in December to gauge his chances of success against Clinton and Trump, and another round of polling will be conducted in February after the New Hampshire primary, with the hope of determining whether there is indeed an opening for the former mayor as an independent. His aides have also been performing detailed studies of past third-party bids.

One sketched-out version of the Bloomberg campaign plan has the charismatic former mayor delivering a series of detailed policy speeches with an intense television campaign. He will be seeking to introduce himself as a self-made businessman who understands the economy and who, as mayor, built a bipartisan administration.

No independent candidate has ever been elected president. Voters could find Bloomberg’s liberal social views and close ties to Wall Street distasteful. His strong support for gun control and abortion rights could repel voters on both sides.

Bloomberg says that if either Trump or Senator Ted Cruz were nominated by the Republicans, and the Democrats were to choose Sanders, he would be likely to run.