# Does Bloomberg matter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 1, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743 "2008-03-01T16:47:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/1 "2008-03-01T16:47:30Z")
Now that Bloomberg is officially out, [some](http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/michael_tomasky/2008/02/out_of_the_running.html) are wondering if he’ll endorse anyone in the general. The thought is that his endorsement could matter, especially in Florida. Would it make any differnce? And if it would what way do you think he’ll go? My own bias is that endorsements matter little. In that regard I appreciate [Richardson’s self awareness](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/26/richardson-endorsement-could-come-within-days/) that “… an endorsement by me, I don’t think it is that significant” But then again, Charlie Crist’s McCain endorsement was widely credited with making a difference in Florida. And Bloomberg has deep pockets if he really gets behind someone. And his endorsement of economic policies may carry some weight with financial conservatives. Which way will he go, if he goes? Well the linked article makes a reasoned analysis and I’ll add in what Bloomberg has said about Obama’s [economic policies:](http://wcbstv.com/campaign08/bloomberg.federal.government.2.654315.html) > [@](#): > > he praised Democrat Barack Obama for the plan the Illinois senator outlined on Wednesday that would create a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank to rebuild highways, bridges, airports and other public projects. Obama projects it could generate nearly 2 million jobs. > … > > “I don’t know whether Senator Obama looked to see what I’ve been advocating, or not – you’ll have to ask him – but he’s doing the right thing,” Bloomberg said. What are your predictions? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/2 "2008-03-01T17:37:11Z")
He’s at least as important as any governor of any state, and more important than the governor of some states. If he breaks Obama-wards, he may pull some nominally republican votes over. If he breaks McCain-wards… hard to tell if he’ll pull some nominally republican votes back from Obama. Might. He’s smart, respected, and someone who is known for honestly trying to do a good job, rather than gain power. Will he shift voters? No. Donors? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/3 "2008-03-01T22:05:37Z")
I was at the Rally a couple hours ago and if you nice folks here at the SDMB will allow a little virtual yelling - {{{{{{{{HOLY COW THAT WAS a MOBBED FRIGGIN STADIUM!!!}}}}} For a state Clinton is likely to do well in, he drew an amazing crowd! People of all walks of life were cheering and shouting it was difficult to imagine he brings so much joy to so many different folks. It was fantastic! Now on to your **OP**. I’ve heard rumblings over the last fews days that Bloomberg has mentioned Barack in a favorable way several times, and has commended him on is ideas for National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank. An endorsement by Bloomberg for Barack would be a logical step…He does appear to be [heading down that road to an endorsement of Barack](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/opinion/28mike.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin). Barack is getting backed by more and more legislators and senators every day - the tides are already showing a turn [and have been for some time]… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/4 "2008-03-01T22:39:21Z")
[QUOTE=DSeid] Now that Bloomberg is officially out, [some](http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/michael_tomasky/2008/02/out_of_the_running.html) are wondering if he’ll endorse anyone in the general. The thought is that his endorsement could matter, especially in Florida. [/QUOTE] I think this pundit is incorrectly viewing the Jewish vote in Florida as a swing vote. It’s not. And I know Bloomberg is Jewish, but that doesn’t guarantee him as a potential vote-changer among older Jews. I agree that he could help persuade some independents that Obama’s economy policies are sound, though. That could be a valuable endorsement. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/5 "2008-03-02T00:03:12Z")
Bloomberg has some clout. Of course, his clout could depend on who he endorses. If he endorses McCain, it would definitely help, but not as much as it would for Obama. Obama would get a hearty pat on the back from Wall Street (even though they’ve been getting some scratch from Wall Street…more so than in recent years). ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/6 "2008-03-02T12:51:38Z")
A lot depends on whether the media notice that he’s [quite openly a GOP partisan](http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/03/bloomberg-to-help-senate-gop.html) these days. For being an allegedly post-partisan sort of guy, he’s sure willing to invest himself in a big way in maintaining the GOP’s slipping grasp on the NY state Senate. After all, one Republican endorsing another in a general election is really no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743/7 "2008-03-02T16:48:01Z")
He’s really more a ‘best for business’ partisan, I think.