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Politics

Campaign Notes

By Times Wires
Published February 5, 2008

New York 

Don't count Bloomberg out just yet

Michael Bloomberg may soon begin a massive operation to get on the ballot in up to 15 states even though the billionaire mayor may not decide until May whether to run for president, according to associates. Despite John McCain's widening lead in the Republican race, an imminent ballot deadline for third parties in Texas and a recently expanded denial of interest from Bloomberg, associates say the mayor and his operatives are laying groundwork for an independent campaign and are in no hurry to decide whether or not to run. His political operatives have spent several months assembling the skeleton of a nationwide ballot-access movement, one confidant of the mayor said. Bloomberg's evaluation of his own plans could stretch all the way into May, said Doug Schoen. "This can play out over the next two to three months before he has to make a decision."

Campaign grind tests the limits

After months on the road, the wear on the candidates was showing as Super Tuesday schedules strained human endurance. Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton's voice was raspy, and at one stop Monday, she struggled to control her coughing. GOP hopeful Mitt Romney had breakfast in Tennessee, was in Georgia at lunchtime, was touching down in Oklahoma at the dinner hour and was scheduled to arrive in California for a rally just before midnight local time. All before flying through the night so he could attend the West Virginia state convention this morning.

Celebrity watch

Nicholson, DeNiro have their say

Actor Jack Nicholson announced Monday that he is backing Clinton. Democratic rival Barack Obama was introduced in New Jersey at the IZOD Center in the Meadowlands by actor Robert DeNiro, who said it was his first speech at a political event. He was booed when he said Obama didn't have the experience to be president - the experience to vote for a war that has damaged the United States or the experience to be beholden to special interests, DeNiro went on to explain.

New York

It's a doubly super day in New York

New York will hold the rare distinction of hosting a presidential primary and a ticker-tape parade for the Super Bowl winning New York Giants on the same day. Mayor Bloomberg said today was the only practical date for the parade because players were in transit on Monday and would start dispersing on Wednesday. He said the parade might make primary day even more special.

New York

Bob Dole defends McCain's record

McCain, taking heat from conservative talk radio pundits, got an assist Monday from former GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole. Dole wrote a letter defending McCain to talk radio pioneer Rush Limbaugh, saying he is neutral in the race but "I worked closely with Senator McCain when he came to the Senate in 1987. ... I cannot recall a single instance when he did not support the party on critical votes."

Times wires

[Last modified February 4, 2008, 23:51:03]