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The billionaire mayor of New York City was the networks' Story of the Day. The day after Michael Bloomberg left the Republican Party, he attracted Campaign 2008 coverage by coyly denying that his departure paved the way for an independent third party run. Since Bloomberg's moves provoked mere speculation they were not newsworthy enough to lead any of the three newscasts. ABC and CBS chose news--President George Bush's veto of a stem cell research bill and the US military sweep of Baqubah respectively. NBC chose an Investigates feature to kick off its three-part series from the Tex-Mex border.

Mayor Bloomberg announced his plans to serve out his term in New York City instead of seeking higher office and was promptly disbelieved. ABC's Jake Tapper (no link) outlined the form of words that Bloomberg could have used--"I am not a candidate. I will not be a candidate. If drafted, I will not run. If elected I will not serve"--and noted instead "currently" and "intention," qualifying language "that leaves the door open." NBC's David Gregory consulted Bloomberg aides and confirmed that, yes, he is "investigating a potential run" and that he is "building a profile" with a media blitz that included an interview with Brian Williams on NBC just last week.

Why would he announce? CBS' Jim Axelrod cited "widespread dissatisfaction with the highly partisan political atmosphere." His network's poll shows that 57% of Republicans are unhappy with their current candidate options and 35% of Democrats. A Bloomberg candidacy "would set up Times Square as the crossroads of the political world. Imagine New York's top three political heavyweights--Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg--all duking it out."

Andrew Tyndall 6/21/07 8:25:59 pm

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