NEW YORK, NY March 27, 2008 —NEW YORK (AP) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to appear today with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at an event in Manhattan.

Bloomberg will introduce the Illinois senator at a speech on the economy at the Cooper Union college.

The billionaire mayor has said his endorsement is up for grabs in the presidential race. He had considered his own independent presidential campaign but said a month ago that he had decided not to run. He said his focus would be on getting the candidates to embrace a bipartisan approach.