I was discussing the 08 race last night with someone who has contacts with both Giuliani and Bloomberg. She said that Bloomberg has been considering entering the race as a third party candidate, depending on who the Democrats and Republicans nominate.
I responded that a third party candidate could not win enough electoral votes to make any difference in the race. Even Ross Perot with his 19% did not get any electoral votes. Her response was that Bloomberg would not run unless he knew he could win.
My questions are: First of all, is there any actual chance that Bloomberg could/would run as a third party candidate? What combination of Democratic and Republican candidates would make it possible to run? Which of the parties would be helped or hurt by his entry in the race?