PRESIDENT MIKE? – AT 11:47 A.M. ET:  The great band singer Helen Forrest once had a big hit  with the Harry James orchestra called, "I've Heard That Song Before."  I started humming it this morning when I read that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, another billionaire, is mulling a presidential bid.

This story comes up periodically.  I mention it only because it may be more serious this time, considering the chaos within the Republican Party.  From The New York Times:   

Michael R. Bloomberg has instructed advisers to draw up plans for a potential independent campaign in this year’s presidential race. His advisers and associates said he was galled by Donald J. Trump’s dominance of the Republican field, and troubled by Hillary Clinton’s stumbles and the rise of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on the Democratic side.

Mr. Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, has in the past contemplated running for the White House on a third-party ticket, but always concluded he could not win. A confluence of unlikely events in the 2016 election, however, has given new impetus to his presidential aspirations.

Mr. Bloomberg, 73, has already taken concrete steps toward a possible campaign, and has indicated to friends and allies that he would be willing to spend at least $1 billion of his fortune on it, according to people briefed on his deliberations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his plans. He has set a deadline for making a final decision in early March, the latest point at which advisers believe Mr. Bloomberg could enter the race and still qualify to appear as an independent candidate on the ballot in all 50 states.

COMMENT:  Bloomberg was a capable, if uninspiring mayor.  His sheer mastery of the job, though, was rarely doubted.  He comes off as Mr. Competence, which may sell well for an independent run.

It is perfectly obvious that the frontrunners in both major parties are disliked by large numbers of Americans, possibly majorities.  That may provide the space for a Bloomberg campaign.

Problem is, how many people have even heard of Mike Bloomberg?  Bloombergers might answer that he could run a massive PR campaign, with his own money, to bring up his name-recognition numbers.  They could point out that, in 1992, Ross Perot, running as an independent, got 20% of the popular vote.  If Bloomberg could go to 35%, he could win.

Big if.  My guess is that he won't run, considering the burden of a presidential campaign, and the historical odds against him.  But this is an odd year, with some odd candidates.  Don't rule out Mayor Mike.

January 23, 2016