By Julianna Parker
Transcript Staff Writer
The bipartisan forum scheduled for Monday at the University of Oklahoma has sparked speculation that New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg may announce his intention to run for president at the event.
Key Republican and Democratic leaders will discuss the need for bipartisan presidential leadership at the event is hosted by OU President David Boren, a former U.S. senator and Oklahoma governor, and former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia. Guests include former members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries and respected political consultants.
The billionaire Bloomberg, a one-time Democrat who switched to the GOP to run for mayor of New York City and now is an independent, continues to attract attention with his travels and speeches but denies he is running for president.
Sunday, Boren also denied that this forum is designed to bring attention to an intended candidacy.
National media began speculating Sunday about the significance of the important forum being held in Norman. Some wonder whether if Bloomberg runs for president, he might add Boren to the ticket as his vice presidential candidate.
Boren said Sunday this forum is not a sign he will be running for vice president. The pairing does make sense, however, to some political analysts.
Boren and Bloomberg seem to respect each other. Boren praised Bloomberg when the former mayor spoke at OU’s May commencement ceremony.
“It would be a powerful running ticket,” said Shad Satterthwaite, OU political science professor, of the possible pairing Monday.
Bloomberg has East Coast clout and enough money to carry him through a bid for presidency. Boren has extensive political experience and is located in the Midwest.
“It would seem to balance the ticket out nicely,” Satterthwaite said.
The real question, though, is whether Boren really wants to leave OU and be the vice president, Satterthwaite said.
“He might be one of those that prefer the role of king-maker rather than king,” Satterthwaite said.
The time may be right for an independent presidential candidate, though.
Because of the electoral college, it is very difficult for independent candidates to succeed, Satterthwaite said. Bloomberg may have enough appeal to make an impact, and U.S. voters may be ready for an independent, he said.
U.S. politics have become more polarized over the last several decades, Satterthwaite said.
In 1970, partisanship reached its lowest point, with Republicans in the House of Representatives voting 60 percent of the time with their party line, Satterthwaite said. Democrats voted with their party 58 percent of the time.
In 2006, Republicans voted with their party line 88 percent of the time, while Democrats voted with their party 86 percent of the time.
The bipartisan conference will come at a good time, Satterthwaite said. Candidates usually court their parties’ narrow voting base before nomination and then once they are nominated try to reach out to a broader audience.
The forum participants will draft a resolution calling for presidential candidates to reach out to moderates now.
The forum at OU Monday will attempt to encourage presidential candidates to be more bipartisan on the campaign trail and in office. There will be a private meeting and then a public conference 11 a.m. Monday in Holmberg Hall.
Other invited guests besides Bloomberg are former Senators Bob Graham, Alan Dixon, William S. Cohen, Charles Robb and presidential candidate and Senator Gary Hart. Top Republicans invited include Sen. Chuck Hagel, former GOP chairman Bill Brock, former Sen. John Danforth, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman. Also attending will be former U.S. ambassador Edward Perkins, political consultant Susan Eisenhower and president of the Center for the Study of the Presidency David Abshire.
Julianna Parker366-3550jparker@normantranscript.com
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