Michael Bloomberg Planning for Independent Run for President
— -- Another wealthy businessman might jump into the 2016 race.
Billionaire and CEO of Bloomberg L.P., Michael Bloomberg has instructed aides to draw up plans for an independent run for president, according to a person familiar with the former mayor's deliberations.
Bloomberg, who served as the mayor of New York from 2002-2013, has said repeatedly he would not run for president.
Bloomberg and his team have declined ABC's request for comment.
According to the New York Times, Bloomberg's advisers say he's annoyed by Donald Trump's lead and troubled by the rise of Bernie Sanders. The New York Times also reported that according to his associates, Bloomberg believes Hillary Clinton has made missteps in the race and has moved too far to the left.
The criticism of Clinton stated in the New York Times may be "a little bit stronger" than the way Bloomberg feels (they are friends), but the "spirit of the story" is accurate, according to a person familiar with the former mayor's thinking.
"He's definitely thinking about [running for president] more than he was," a person familiar with Bloomberg's deliberations told ABC News.
Bloomberg feels he'd need to get in by March, the New York Times reported.
He also said in 2008 that he would not seek a third term as mayor -- and then did. He also said he would not return to running his massive company -- and then did.
The bottom line here is: People close to Bloomberg said this smart, energetic billionaire has not been stimulated the way he was every single day as mayor of the biggest city in the country since he left office.
Bloomberg was also mentioned as a possible candidate for president in election cycles 2008 and 2012.
