The New Perot

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who switched his party affiliation to Republican only to run for his office (he'd been a life-long Democrat) has announced he is leaving the Republican party. The media is pimping it that he is going to try to buy the office of President with a self-financed third party run.

The billionaire former CEO, who was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the GOP for his first mayoral run, said the change in voter registration does not mean he is running for president.

"Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city," he said in a statement.

Despite his coyness about his aspirations, the mayor's decision to switch stokes speculation that he will pursue the White House, challenging the Democratic and Republican nominees with a legitimate and well-financed third-party bid.

Bloomberg has an estimated worth of more than $5 billion and easily could underwrite a White House run, much like Texas businessman Ross Perot in 1992. Bloomberg spent more than $155 million for his two mayoral campaigns, including $85 million when he won his second term in 2005.

The 65-year-old mayor has fueled the presidential buzz with increasing out-of-state travel, including New Hampshire last weekend; a greater focus on national issues and repeated criticism of the partisan politics that dominate Washington.

Well, aside from his nanny state actions as mayor of New York and his admitted conspiracy to commit felonies* with his gun-buying stunts in Virginia, what else qualifies him for the office? Other than his ginormous ego and his legend in his own mind, of course. Nothing.

* BATF form 4473 clearly states that making false statement, either orally or in writing in an attempt to purchase a firearm is a felony. Bloomberg sent his "private investigators" to do just that. And he should be prosecuted for it, frankly.