No parties to back him. No nominations to be obtained. Michael R. Bloomberg likely entry into the race for the 2008 US Presidency has added the independent streak into a polarized electoral battle ahead.
Dumping the Republican baggage may have freed him from the burden of George Bush’s policies but Bloomberg is now counted among defectors, switching sides at a critical juncture. 
That may not matter in a highly surcharged election campaign which one is prepared to witness as the election heats up but his single status may deny him the Presidency. America has not elected an unmarried President since the 19th century.
But the man has risen from the ranks and built a billion dollar empire. His fortunes are enough to sustain a strong campaign, in case he enters the fray.
For over a century, US political system has stabilized under a two party system. No outsider has breached it.
Is it going to be any different this time around! There is perceivable disenchantment with the Republicans under Bush for having messed up US Foreign policy and still struggling to justify the War in Iraq. Bush’s low rating is bound to impact the Republican nominee.
Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or it may be any other Democrat candidate in the fray, with no clear taking sides about the two wars on terror being fought Iraq and Afghanistan has brought about a convergence of policy between the two main parties. An independent like Bloomberg, in the fray provides room for policies freed of historical burden.
No independent has won the US President Election for over 100 years, and if indeed Bloomberg is in the fray it is unlikely that he will make it, no matter how much fortune his throws in.
However, a third candidate does tilt the scales either way. Ross Perot, as an independent in the 1992 election, secured 19 percent votes. It was considered and achievement but also was largely held responsible for the defeat of Republican George W Bush and win of Bill Clinton.
And an independent Ralph Nader, is largely responsible of making the current Geroge W. Bush the president of America in 2000. It was one of the closest fought election in US history and even though Al Gore polled 50,999,897 (48.38%) votes which were higher than Bush’s 50,456,002 (47.87%) votes, Bush was declared winner with 271 electoral votes over Gore’s 266 electoral votes. In this election it was the votes polled by Ralph Nader 2,882,955 (2.74%) that tilted the balance in favour of Bush.
