Bloomberg denies White House aspirations

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) emphatically rejected the notion that he will run for president Thursday, saying that he enjoys being mayor and will pursue philanthropy upon finishing his term in City Hall.

“I have 890 days left in my term, but who's counting?” Bloomberg said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I plan to finish out my term as mayor of the New York City and then go into philanthropy.”

When asked whether anything would compel him to enter the race, Bloomberg answered, “I don’t think so.”
Bloomberg, who fueled speculation of a 2008 White House run this week when he unveiled a Mike2008.com website, also hinted at the divisiveness of presidential politics.
 
“I think that both parties will come up with candidates that the public will look at and half will like one and half will like the other,” he said. “The public will have a choice.”

Bloomberg also minced no words in ruling out a bid for the vice presidency. When asked if he would consider running on another candidate’s ticket, Bloomberg flatly replied “No.

“I've got a job and it's a great job. And I'm going to finish this job and then my next career is going to be in philanthropy.”
Bloomberg, a Democrat turned Republican turned Independent, said his recent travels around the country were made to raise awareness on issues about which he cares. He added that many are reading too much into these trips.

“I think it's interesting, people assume you are running for president when you just say, ‘Look, these are issues that I care about. These are issues that are important for my daughters and for the world that I’m going — that they're going to be part of that I'm going to help leave them,’” he said. “Why should only presidential candidates focus on that? I think we all have an obligation.”