| Not Giuliani, who stands a chance, but... |
 When billionaire Michael Bloomberg became New York mayor shortly after the September 11 attacks, some mocked his dullness and lack of political savvy. Now the Republican mayor of America's most populous city doesn't understand why he can't quell talk he wants to be president. "I won't be running for president (in 2008)," Bloomberg said on his radio show on Friday. "I don't know why I can't convince everybody."
Since taking office in early 2002, Bloomberg -- a longtime Democrat who switched parties in 2001 to run in the less-crowded Republican field -- has honed his political street smarts and built a niche as a social liberal and fiscal conservative. Following a landslide re-election win last November, the 64-year-old Bloomberg has been increasingly speaking out on national issues and become one of America's most prominent mayors, fending off more and more questions about a White House bid. |