Page 5 - Aruba Today
P. 5
U.S. NEWS A5
Friday 12 February 2016
Bloomberg cautiously eyes 3rd party presidential bid
JONATHAN LEMIRE make a comeback. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, center, talks with diplomats at U.N. headquarters on
Associated Press If the contest between Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. Bloomberg sees an opportunity emerging in presidential politics after
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Sanders and Clinton re- Hillary Clinton’s blowout defeat in New Hampshire combined with Donald Trump’s ascension in
New York City Mayor Mi- mains close, Bloomberg the tumultuous Republican race.
chael Bloomberg sees an likely won’t have enough
opportunity emerging in clarity in time for his self- (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
presidential politics after imposed March deadline
Hillary Clinton’s defeat in to make a decision.
New Hampshire and Don- His team this week will com-
ald Trump’s ascension in mission a new poll gaug-
the tumultuous Republican ing Bloomberg’s chances
race. and research ballot ac-
But those surrounding the cess rights in the event of a
billionaire centrist caution third-party run, according
that he’s not rushing to join to a series of interviews with
the competition. Bloomberg aides and po-
Bloomberg, widely consid- litical consultants.
ered a fiscal conservative Bloomberg, a Democrat-
but social liberal, has taken turned-Republican-turned-
the first steps to mount an independent worth $37
independent campaign in billion, said this week that
an election year dominat- he was “looking at all the
ed by candidates drawing options” as he lamented
support from their parties’ the current condition of the
fringes. campaign.
But even as Trump and self- “I find the level of discourse
described “democratic and discussion distressingly
socialist” Bernie Sanders banal and an outrage and
emerged victorious in New an insult to the voters,” he
Hampshire on Tuesday, told The Financial Times on
Bloomberg’s aides sug- Monday.
gested that Clinton’s short- His staff would need to col-
fall may not be enough to lect approximately 900,000
compel his third-party run. signatures to get on the
They point to the upcoming ballot in all 50 states. While
voting states — including many state deadlines are
South Carolina, Nevada, not until the summer, the
and the bulk of southern mayor’s team believes
states voting on Super the petition process would
Tuesday, March 1 — which need to begin early next
could give the former sec- month to be completed in
retary of state a chance to time. q
Congress gives trade bill final OK
WASHINGTON (AP) — A sure would strengthen U.S.
wide-ranging bill that re- trading by improving pro-
vamps U.S. trade laws won tections for American intel-
final congressional ap- lectual property like copy-
proval Thursday. It includes rights and trademarks and
a provision that would re- upgrading trade law en-
inforce the government’s forcement at the country’s
ability to head off China borders
and other countries from The legislation — especially
manipulating their curren- its trade provisions — has
cies to make their exports pitted the U.S. Chamber
more affordable. of Commerce and other
The Senate voted 75-20 for business groups supporting
the measure, sending it to the bill against opponents
President Barrack Obama, including the largest U.S. la-
who is expected to sign it bor federation.
although the White House The House approved the
did not immediately indi- trade bill in December,
cate his intention to do so. with the backing of nearly
That seems to reflect a diffi- all Republicans but just 24
cult political balancing act Democrats.
between some sections Despite two requests, White
in the bill that are popular House press aides wouldn’t
and trade provisions many say whether the president
Democrats considered in- would sign the bill, though
sufficient. he is expected to. q
Supporters say the mea-
