Bloomberg leaves GOP just in time for DMI benefit
Mayor Bloomberg is leaving the Republican party:
Michael R. Bloomberg, a longtime Democrat who switched to the Republican Party to run for mayor of New York City in 2001, announced this evening that he is changing his party status and registering as an independent.
Mr. Bloomberg maintained that “my plans for the future haven’t changed,” but his decision — the first change in party affiliation by a sitting New York City mayor since 1971, when John V. Lindsay switched from Republican to Democrat — immediately set off intense speculation that he will enter the 2008 presidential race as an independent. [NYT]
How considerate of Bloomberg to quit being a Republican just in time for the DMI Major Institute's Drum Majors for Justice awards ceremony--it's not too late to get your tickets for Thursday's event.
Since I'm on the host committee, I'd like to think Bloomberg switched just for us.
That's right, Linds; he switched just for you. May I call you the "Politically Magnetic Lindsay Beyerstein"?
Me? I'm just sexually magnetic, just like Shit-faced Hitchens. Of course, it behooves me to remember that magnets can both attract AND repel. At least that's what all the ladies tell me. As they're walking away. And by "walking" I mean "running". Fast.
Posted by: John Lucid | June 19, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Lindsay - I had the same thought exactly. Perfect timing, and it makes the event hotter. (BTW, Elana has assembled a killer committee). See you there?
Posted by: Tom W. | June 19, 2007 at 08:25 PM
You bet, Tom. I'll be there, camera in hand.
Posted by: Lindsay Beyerstein | June 19, 2007 at 08:37 PM
John,
Quit stealing my schtick. And while your at it you can quit stealing my schtick of stealing schticks (for those unfamiliar with my schtick stealing prowess, consult my first victim, the venerable Mr. Alon Levy).
Posted by: Tyler DiPietro | June 20, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Running for president probably takes a certain amount of optimism. But if I were a Republican candidate (for anything) and wanted to maintain my sunny outlook, I'd have to try very hard not to think about the implications of Bloomberg's apparent feeling that the first step to the White House entailed scraping off the GOP.
* * *
And may you have a lovely time at the awards ceremony!
Posted by: Molly, NYC | June 20, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Thanks, Molly. The DMI-folk are always great to spend time with.
Never met Bloomberg. Should he be crazy enough to run for president, at least I'll know for a fact whether he's a fun guy to have a beer with. Heh.
Posted by: Lindsay Beyerstein | June 20, 2007 at 10:42 PM