Michael Bloomberg may reconsider a 2020 run if Joe Biden bows out
Don't count former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg out of the 2020 race just yet — not even after he counted himself out.
Bloomberg might reconsider his decision not to run for president in 2020, Axios reports, noting he would be most likely to enter if former Vice President Joe Biden decides not to run. He could also launch a 2020 bid if Biden does enter the race but his campaign doesn't last long. As had been previously reported, Biden had been a major factor in Bloomberg's 2020 decision, as he was reportedly worried about whether there would be a centrist spot for him in the race. Still, the Axios report notes it's possible Bloomberg could reconsider but ultimately just decide not to run a second time.
Bloomberg announced in early March he wouldn't run for president, doing so in an op-ed in which he also spends several paragraphs explaining why he thinks he would make a great president. "I believe I would defeat Donald Trump in a general election," he writes. "But I am clear-eyed about the difficulty of winning the Democratic nomination in such a crowded field." He goes on to say that the best way for him to help the party wouldn't be with a presidential campaign — at least, "for now."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This op-ed leaves him some wiggle room if he wants to change his mind should the state of the race dramatically change. And it certainly would if Biden, the frontrunner, decided not to run after two women came forward to say he made them feel uncomfortable with unwanted touching. CNN reported on Monday after the second woman came forward that this "won't dissuade [Biden] from running in 2020," although a decision still hasn't been finalized. Last we heard, Biden was expected to announce by Easter.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The best homes of the year
Feature Featuring a grand turret entrance in New York and built-in glass elevator in Arizona
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nordstrom family, investor to take retail chain private
Speed Read The business will be acquired by members of the family and El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican real estate company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden commutes most federal death sentences
Speed Read The president downgraded the punishment of 37 of 40 prisoners on death row to life in prison without parole
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published