At a key moment in the race, news reports indicated New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg would praise Sen. John McCain in a speech this morning to the Independence
“„"I feel confident that there will be some positive statements about Sen. McCain," said party chair Craig Swaggert based on indications he began receiving from Bloomberg aides in "the last week or so."
“„A Bloomberg spokesperson did not quibble with Swaggert’s expectation that the New York mayor will single out McCain for praise when he speaks to the party’s $100 per head fundraiser."We look forward to the speech in Minneapolis," said Lindsay Ellenbogen, a Bloomberg spokesperson. "I expect him to talk about effective independent leadership and leaders who exemplify it"…
“„The presumptive Republican nominee, who has long enjoyed a positive relationship with Bloomberg, recently ingratiated himself by meeting behind closed doors with Joel Klein,the chancellor of the New York City school system.
“„During a speech in Minneapolis on Friday, Bloomberg praised both Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. He says both are capable of acting independently and standing up to partisan special interests.
“„Bloomberg says he likes Obama’s positions on gun show background checks and the federal gas tax. He says he appreciates McCain’s stances on immigration, campaign finance reform and global warming.