Obama Gets His Morning Coffee With Bloomberg

[ccpup]

Source: TPM and The Atlantic.com

At 7:45 this morning, Sen. Barack Obama will set vice presidential speculation on fire with a brief stop to say hello to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, himself an occasional presidential flirt. The meeting appeared on Bloomberg's schedule, which was distributed to reporters last night.

An Obama aide said the meeting was scheduled because of "mutual interest" and did not know whether the two had met before.

More coffee than ticket talk, though -- and Obama had better be brief. He's due to speak at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting in Vienna, Virginia around noon.

Obama was in New York Thursday for a day of fundraisers, including a young professionals event at Harlem's historic Apollo theater. He also grabbed a burger or three at a local White Castle.

Read more: http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/11/obama_gets_his_morning_coffee.php

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So, let me get this straight: he can be in New York yesterday morning for a meeting with Bloomberg and some fundraisers and then hop on a plane to speak at the DNC's winter meeting in Virginia at Noon, but he couldn't be in New York -- or at least the Northeast -- for a speech and fundraisers and make it to DC in time for a controversial Iran vote a few months ago?

:shrug:

[Inuca]

1. I am sure he knew about

the DNC meeting well in advance. He did not about the timing about the vote. Whether he would still been able to make it, I obviously do not know. But if he had some event already planned, and he was told that his vote will not change the outcome, then IMHO it was OK for him to skip it.

[hisownpetard]

2. He was campaigning in NH.

[TwilightGardener]

3. What do they mean, "vice presidential speculation"--is Obama going

to be Bloomberg's VP on an Indie ticket (God, I hope not)? Because it wouldn't make sense for Obama to court VP candidates for himself at this point--he's got to win the nom first. I think much ado is being made about nothing.

[bigworld]

4. Actually it's a bright idea.

If the November race turns out to be Hillary v. whichever Republican v. Bloomberg/Obama, which ticket do you think would win?

[TwilightGardener]

5. Not for Obama, it isn't. He will be the future "heir apparent" in the Democratic Party

if he loses the nom--he can do whatever he wants within the party--he will only continue to accrue power, either as a Senator or Governor. It would make absolutely no sense for him to suddenly oppose the Dem party in '08, and look like a sore loser--he's only 46, for God's sake, he's got a lifetime of politics ahead of him.

[bigworld]

6. Yeah but under Bloomberg's wing

he wouldn't have to play the campaign financing game, which is where he wants to be. He'd have the opportunity to speak out and not worry about where his money is coming from. I think he'd be more comfortable as an independent anyway. Even though he agrees with the Democrats on most issues, I'm not sure he wants to be beholden to them. Bloomberg's money, oddly, would enable him to do the whole transcending politics thing of which he often speaks.

[TwilightGardener]

7. No, I think he's VERY comfortable as a Democrat--I can't conceive

of any scenario in which he leaves (or opposes) the party. That would be extremely short-sighted of him. The chances of Bloomberg winning are small, even with a rock-star like Obama on the ticket--people ultimately don't vote for VP. Obama is not going to throw away his extremely promising political career for a chance to be number 2 on a ticket that is unlikely to win. Chuck Hagel, yes--he's leaving the Senate, his political career is almost over, he has nothing to lose by teaming up with Bloomberg--same with Sam Nunn and David Boren, who've been mentioned in a possible VP slot. Obama, hell no. That would be stupid.

[hedgehog]

17. Umm, I don't think he has to worry about where his money is coming , now.

That's what happens when you speak plainly and consistently about what this country needs, people agree with you and the internet makes donating easy.

[Tyler Durden]

8. The Republicans would win.

This is a no brainer. What on EARTH do you see as a "good thing" about this?

[fujiyama]

18. LOL

Obama isn't going anywhere. But an endorsement by Bloomberg could widen his appeal among independents now. As far as I know, Bloomberg is still fairly popular in NYC. I could be wrong though. And this could possibly bring Bloomberg back into the Dem party. He was a Dem earlier...

Granted, I think there are MUCH better potential VP picks than Bloomberg were Obama to win the nomination.

[msongs]

9. "mutual interest".....republican bloomberg has lots of cash nt

[DemKR]

10. when is the next date with mcclurkin?

[Infinite Hope]

11. Obviously...

he could have been present to vote if he wanted to be. He missed the vote because he wanted to. Voting is the most important aspect of reps/sens jobs and when it's a particular vote is a priority for them, they're there. He missed it because he wanted to miss it. From my experience on Capitol Hill, that much is obvious.

[SKKY]

12. I think Mark Warner would be a better choice...

...What's Bloomberg going to bring to the ticket? New York? We've already got NY. Now, if Warner were on the ticket, being a very popular Democratic Governor from a "Red" State, that would be huge. Plus, Warner's got all the street cred he would need. His only drawback, as I can see it, is his initial support for the war in Iraq. I don't think that would be a show stopper though.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Mark Warner is running for the Senate, so that's a no-go. Bloomberg

isn't auditioning for Obama's VP--he's tweaking Hillary, from accounts I've read, and he's promoting himself as a non-partisan guy to grab the same Indies in his prez run that Obama appeals to, by public association with him. He's definitely up to something, and just like his public association with Al Gore, it benefits HIM, not necessarily the person he's seen with.

[SKKY]

14. Damn it, that's right. I just heard that on one of my NPR podcasts too....

...They also mentioned Evan Bayh as a possible candidate. Sort of a Democratic version of Dan Quayle is the comparison they used.

[TwilightGardener]

15. Yes--Evan Bayh is about as useful to a ticket as Quayle. Indiana knows how to grow 'em--

NOT!

[Honeycombe8]

16. The Bloomberg mtg is interesting. Not sure what I think about it, really. Except..

it's interesting.