Bloomberg mum on endorsement

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) is remaining mum on whether he would endorse a presidential candidate, saying Sunday he wants to make sure he has a “good dialogue” with both nominees. 

“I’ve listened to both candidates and I want to make sure that, for as long as I can, I have a good dialogue with both, that I can give them my views and the perspective of New York,” said Bloomberg on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

{mosads}“I represent 8.3 million people in New York, and it's important that these two candidates understand what's in the interest of those people, and so I want to make sure that I have a good dialogue with both,” Bloomberg added.

In light of the current crisis of the financial markets, the mayor said the next president’s “main job is going to be to lead Congress to work together and to give us the kind of regulation, the kind of tax policy, the kind of financial world, and investments that in tough times…that this country needs.”

Bloomberg, once rumored to be pondering an independent White House bid, said he is “sympathetic” to the task of Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.).

“They have to explain complex problems and come up with solutions for basically insoluble problems that have been with us for a long time,” he stated. “And the public demands that they do that in 30 seconds.”

The mayor also urged greater bipartisanship on the economy.

“What the Democrats have to understand is that, while we do need to reform our regulation and we do need more restrictions, it is true that it is capitalism and free enterprise and companies that create jobs and wealth for every American,” Bloomberg argued. “And what the Republicans have to understand is, while it may be capitalism and free enterprise and companies that create jobs, we have to have regulations that are realistic and they have to be followed.

“And I think if both parties could learn that and come together then there really isn't that much difference between them, and they can go and take this country to the next level,” Bloomberg stated.