The Presidential Plunge Bloomberg Will Not Take

The Brian Lehrer Show | Mar 8, 2016

Michael Bloomberg has officially come out and said it: no, he will not take the plunge into this year's presidential elections.

Howard Wolfson, political strategist and former New York City deputy mayor who served as a counselor to former Mayor Bloomberg, talks about his decision not to enter the 2016 presidential race.

Here's one argument Bloomberg made against his own candidacy:

"As the race stands now, with Republicans in charge of both Houses, there is a good chance that my candidacy could lead to the election of Donald Trump or Senator Ted Cruz. That is not a risk I can take in good conscience."

Wolfson explained it in this way: while a Sanders-Trump-Bloomberg race would have provided a strong path to victory for Bloomberg, a Clinton-Trump-Bloomberg race would've risked an outcome where none of the candidates secured enough delegates, leaving the choice to our Republican congress.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Jack Schlossberg, the Kennedy Running for Congress in New York. Plus, the Astronaut Reid Wiseman

The candidate on the role of social media in politics, and speaking out against his cousin R.F.K., Jr. Plus, the commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission on the dark side of the moon.

The New Yorker Radio Hour |

NJ Gov. Sherrill: If state police were too aggressive at Delaney Hall, we'll look into it

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill took call after call Wednesday night from people who told her state police had been overly aggressive in violent clashes with protesters outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center this weekend.

Ask Governor Sherrill |

I.C.E.'s "Wartime Recruitment" Campaign

Hiring at the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency.

On the Media |

Ask the Mayor Recap and More News From City Hall

Elizabeth Kim discusses the issues Mayor Mamdani talked about in his first "ask the mayor" segment.

The Brian Lehrer Show |