Donald Trump said Sunday that he would welcome the entrance of Michael Bloomberg into the 2016 presidential race if the former New York City mayor chose to run.
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Bloomberg a “great friend” on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and pledged to relieve him of his worry by capturing the Democratic nomination.
Hillary Clinton also weighed in on the NBC current affairs program to say she was unfazed by the prospect of a Michael Bloomberg candidacy, and vowed to win the Democratic candidacy herself to prevent Bloomberg from ever having to enter the race.
Bloomberg gets in, you’re going to have two multi-billionaires running for president of the United States against me.
Todd asked Trump, “What do you make of the idea that if you’re the nominee, if Sanders is the nominee, that’s what would inspire Mr. Bloomberg to go third party?” “I would love to have Michael Bloomberg run, I would love that competition”.
The rumors of Bloomberg’s alleged run at the White House have been widely reported in most major media outlets over the last few days, starting with a major story in the New York Times.
Sen. Marco Rubio downplayed Bloomberg’s potential bid as just talk.
A file picture dated 27 February 2015 shows American businessman Donald Trump on stage to address the American Conservative Union.
Trump noted that he and Bloomberg have differences on the issues of gun control and abortion and that he would love to compete against him.
“And Michael’s been a friend of mine over the years – perhaps we’re not friends anymore”.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich told reporters he would welcome a Bloomberg candidacy, saying that “maybe we could have a more serious debate instead of, you know, some of the things we see”.
This isn’t the first time, however, that the former mayor has Bloomberg has flirted with a run: He briefly considered and rejected bids in 2008 and 2012.
Religious voters are a big factor in the Republican caucuses in Iowa, and Trump is working to build his appeal among them, especially considering that Cruz is the son of a conservative evangelical preacher and has strong support among evangelicals in the Midwestern state. “I think I’d do very well against it”.
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The sources said Bloomberg has already commissioned one poll to determine his fate against both Trump and Clinton – with another sampling slated after the February 9 New Hampshire primary.
