Not To Sound Too Skeptical, But Name The Last Nasal-Voiced, Short, Jewish Mayor Unaffiliated With Any Political Party To Become President . . .

Bloomberg ’08 passes an important, important first hurdle — apropos of nothing in particular, somehow convincing the Observer editorial board to print a fawning endorsement of a bizarre pipe dream to see Hizzoner in the White House*:

When Mike Bloomberg came into office in January 2002, downtown New York was in ruins, and the city’s financial and emotional health were precarious at best. Mr. Bloomberg, new to the business of governing, immediately grasped what needed to be done. He came to grips with the city’s finances, made public education his personal crusade, vowed to build on the anti-crime successes of his predecessor, and reached out to New Yorkers in all five boroughs.

. . .

He has presided over the transformation of the New York Police Department into a world-class counterintelligence agency. Amazingly, even as that transformation has taken place, the NYPD continues to win the battle against more conventional street crime.

That is a record that commands attention. That is the record of a Presidential contender.

. . .

As a businessman, Mr. Bloomberg simply went out and did what he had to do. And he succeeded.

As a Presidential candidate, he has a chance to do the same. He ought to think about it.

Here’s a wonderful possibility: Mr. Bloomberg runs as an independent, Mr. Giuliani wins the Republican nomination, and Hillary Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee. Can he beat those two in a three-way race? You bet he can.

No country in the world deserves that last part.

*Is this an example of New Yorkers being incredibly insular or just shamelessly, totally un-self-aware?