Breathing a sigh of relief

Ralph Nader is irrelevant.

Michael R. Bloomberg is not.

Thus, Democrats - and supporters of both Obama and McCain should be thankful - that Bloomberg is not running for president.

That's because, in my eyes, all three men at a core would have offered the same vision - independent political thinking that crosses boundaries.

Over the past year, I have been working to raise issues that are important to New Yorkers and all Americans — and to speak plainly about common sense solutions. Some of these solutions have traditionally been seen as Republican, while others have been seen as Democratic. As a businessman, I never believed that either party had all the answers and, as mayor, I have seen just how true that is.

In every city I have visited — from Baltimore to New Orleans to Seattle — the message of an independent approach has resonated strongly, and so has the need for a new urban agenda. More than 65 percent of Americans now live in urban areas — our nation’s economic engines. But you would never know that listening to the presidential candidates. At a time when our national economy is sputtering, to say the least, what are we doing to fuel job growth in our cities, and to revive cities that have never fully recovered from the manufacturing losses of recent decades?

More of the same won’t do, on the economy or any other issue. We need innovative ideas, bold action and courageous leadership. That’s not just empty rhetoric, and the idea that we have the ability to solve our toughest problems isn’t some pie-in-the-sky dream.

Hmm. What we need is not some pie-in-the-sky dream. Sounds like he's leaning towards Obama. Bloomberg says he will endorse in the race and I look forward to seeing who he chooses.