Probably one of the few very interesting things I've read on politics lately.

What you learn from Heilemann’s sources is that Bloomberg is seriously considering a presidential run; that his close aide Kevin Sheekey is “eagerly monitoring” Americans Elect, a group that plans to hold a “web-based convention” to nominate a “balanced presidential ticket” and place it on the 2012 ballot in all 50 states; and that, if he runs, Bloomberg is prepared to spend between $1 to $3 billion on his campaign.

Estimates are that there was 4 billion spent on this election cycle--contemplate the possibility that one single candidate could spend more than half that on his campaign. Bloomberg is not particular well-known outside of New York and wonky political circles, but 2 billion buys a lot of name recognition. That fact, and his relatively centrist policy positions is going to draw votes, but from whom?

A lot depends on what Obama's popular support is in two years, which again depends on a whole host of variables, only one of which appears to be in his control--what Obama does. If things are still bad economically, as projections seem to indicate that they will be, Bloomberg could peel off a lot of traditional Democrats, perhaps getting some union endorsements in the bargain.

It strikes me though that Bloomberg contemplating a run is pretty much a case of the man realizing all of a sudden, "Hey, I'm a Democrat Mitt Romney!"

The election would in effect play like an old joke--a Mormon, a Jew and a Muslim-slash-black version of Ayran Christian, go into a bar...

My guess is that Bloomberg is hoping Sarah Palin announces her candidacy.