Republicans should be cheering the possibility that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, once a Republican, is getting into the 2016 presidential race because he would eat support away from Democrat Hillary Clinton and hand the keys to the White House to Donald Trump, according to a new poll.
Rasmussen Reports reveals today that in a three way race, Trump would win with 36 percent to Clinton’s 30 percent and Bloomberg’s 8 percent.
Anti-gun activist billionaire @MikeBloomberg again, stokes rumors of presidential run https://t.co/8bpxVbc9rg #2A
— NRA (@NRA) February 9, 2016
For comparison, in a two-way matchup, it’s Clinton 37 percent, Trump 36 percent, with the rest undecided or liking someone else.
Bloomberg, who has adopted several liberal positions and is the face of the anti-gun movement, has suggested he might enter as an independent, though some believe he is also considering a Democratic challenge if Clinton is defeated just like she was in her first bid in 2008.
One thing is for sure, according to Rasmussen. Voters dislike Bloomberg as much as Clinton.
Just 29 percent of the voters surveyed by Rasmussen have a favorable view of Bloomberg. Another 48 percent don’t. But he can look to the 25 percent who don’t have a view as a group he can build on.
Bloomberg’s biggest support comes from self-described “moderates,” and those who make $200,000 or more.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
