WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Former New York Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg could draw on a widespread hunger by US centrist voters for an ideology-free approach to politics and national problems, business and political analysts told Sputnik.
"The fact that rumors of a Bloomberg candidacy is gaining so much traction is very telling in itself," Woodrow Wilson Center political and economic analyst Shihoko Goto said on Monday. "There's obviously a hunger for his pragmatic approach to politics, that's not being delivered by Trump, even though he markets himself as an entrepreneur."
On Saturday, the New York Times reported that Bloomberg, who served three terms as mayor of New York City, was considering entering the US presidential race as an independent candidate.
"Whether or not a Bloomberg candidacy is feasible at this stage in the election game, Bloomberg appeals to those middle-of-the-road voters from both the Republican and Democratic camps," Goto noted.
The leading candidates from both sides have been characterized by extremism, and there is growing concern that whilst such rhetoric is appealing on the campaign trail, it does not necessarily lead to practical policies, Goto suggested.
"At a time when the world is facing grave hurdles, from global economic unrest to growing security threats… the ongoing fall in global markets would add to Bloomberg's allure," she said.
The former New York mayor had the credentials and credibility to plausibly present himself as a figure of stature, Goto argued.
"Bloomberg would be poised as the candidate with experience, both in politics and in business. He would certainly be welcomed by many of those in overseas capital, as someone who would be pragmatic," she added.
"They have never been able to win outright. But they do have ability to affect the results for the other candidates," Winnie said.
In 1992, Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot took two votes from incumbent President George H.W. Bush for every vote he took from Governor Bill Clinton, and appealed to voters who had rejected Bush because he broke his pledge never to raise new taxes, Winnie recalled.
"In 2000, [Green Party candidate] Ralph Nader tilted the election to the Republicans. He took 3 million votes away from Al Gore, the Democratic candidate," he added.
Winnie noted that Bloomberg had very strong business credentials appealing to establishment Republicans, but he also held very liberal positions on gun control, gay rights and abortion.
"Bloomberg can take a lot of votes potentially away from the Democrats. He is the anti-Trump and anti-Sanders candidate. He is strongly opposed to Trump on the issue of guns. He is opposed to Sanders on regulating the banks and financial institutions," Winnie pointed out.
If Bloomberg entered the race, he could hurt badly Democratic frontrunner Hilary Clinton since a lot of Democrats have not been enthusiastic about her and have been looking for some alternative, Winnie observed.
