yeah, i never understood why bill couldn't do it in 96 (not trying to be snarky or mean, just musing).  92 makes sense with perot at 19%, but really, 49%?  i guess that's what low turnout does.

Forget about useless polls taken in July 2007 when NOBODY in their right mind is thinking about the Presidential election (well, I was and possibly you were, but normal people were not)!

Bloomberg could only hurt Obama. He was FOR gun-control, and abortion rights. That's all you need to know to be sure that Iowa Republicans would NOT be voting for him.

Bloomberg's only audience would be Democratic leaning Independents who want "bi-partisanship." Republicans don't actually want bi-partisanship, they just want to win. They think Democrats should surrender gracefully, which is why they like ass-kissers like Lieberman.

But, they'd never in hell vote for Bloomberg over McCain.

So, this is a net plus for Democrats. Obama with his message of inclusion, just sucked all the oxygen out a possible Bloomberg run.

Another reason to be glad that Hillary isn't the nominee! Bloomberg was gearing up to be the "sensible alternative" to Hillary, to make sure McCain won.

That would have been a total disaster, making a Democratic defeat absolutely certain. McCain would win Republicans and Republican leaning independents, while Bloomberg took Democratic leaning independents, and Hillary was stuck at about 38% with the Democratic base, and virtually no independent support.

It would be a land-slide for McCain.

But, Obama just totally pre-empts Bloomberg's message, which is why he's staying out.

Net result: Increase in probable Democratic turnout in November, and maybe the election.

Don't underestimate this! This is A HUGE VICTORY!

MSNBC's chatter is has about as much value to it as the babblings of my two year old.