Michael Bloomberg's not-so-surprising decision to bolt the republican party is being widely portrayed as a first step in an eventual Presidential run by our billionaire mayor.

There are two ways of looking at such a candidacy. One would involve taking into account his vast personal fortune, which would allow him to run a national campaign without having to engage in the drudgery of raising money. Given that candidates generally have to spend half their time, or more, raising funds, that's a huge advantage in itself. He also has something that previous independent candidates did not, which is a solid record of governance. However one may feel about specific policies of the Bloomberg administration, he's done a reasonably good job of running New York City. As far as technocrats go, Mayor Mike is accomplished.

Quinnipiac is reporting that Eliot Spitzer's overall job approval rating has fallen under the magical 50%.

New York State voters give Gov. Eliot Spitzer a 48 - 27 percent approval rating, with 25 percent undecided, and say 47 - 36 percent that his "Steamroller Style" is good for the people, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

These numbers are down from a 61 - 11 percent approval for Gov. Spitzer in a February 13 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, when voters said 61 - 24 percent that the "Steamroller Style" was good for the people.

In today's survey, 47 percent of voters say the steamroller tactic contributes to legislative gridlock, while 23 percent say the tactic is working.

Looks like being on the receving end of a few million dollars worth of ads that say you hate nurses and teachers does have some effect.

There's a new Quinnipiac Poll out, and it shows what these polls always show: Rudy Giuliani wipes the floor with Hillary Clinton.

Giuliani Leads Clinton In Two Of Three Swing States, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; FLORIDA: Giuliani Over Clinton 47 - 42; Clinton-McCain Tied at 44 - 44; OHIO: Clinton 44 to Giuliani 43; Clinton tops McCain 45 - 42; PENNSYLVANIA: Giuliani Tops Clinton 51 - 40; McCain Up 47 - 41

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is the early favorite over New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in Quinnipiac University's Swing State Poll, three simultaneous surveys of voter opinion in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, states that have been pivotal in presidential elections since 1964.

Interestingly, the Democrat that does best against the republican field is, also as always, John Edwards. Funny how these things happen.

Rasmussen Poll:

In a match-up between the early 2008 frontrunners, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) leads New York Senator Hillary Clinton (D) 52% to 43%. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Giuliani’s lead growing in recent months. His current nine-point advantage is up from a six point lead in January and a four-point lead in December...

Clinton is viewed favorably by 50% and unfavorably by 48%. The last four times that Rasmussen Reports has polled on a Giuliani-Clinton race, Clinton’s support has remained unchanged at 43%.

While both candidates draw reasonable levels of support from within their own party, Giuliani has an enormous 64% to 27% advantage over Clinton among unaffiliated voters...

However, Edwards and Obama tend to do better in match-ups against Republican prospects. In the latest survey, while Clinton trails Giuliani by nine percentage points, Edwards trails only by two points, 46% to 44%. An earlier survey found Obama trailing Giuliani by six points...

McCain now leads Clinton by five percentage points, 47% to 42%. That is similar to the lead he enjoyed in December. Our January poll found McCain and Clinton tied.

Can someone please call Camp Clinton and tell them to occasionally read the polls, before they drive us all over a cliff?

We don't normally link to confirmed enemies of all that is good and right, but today, RedState has an interesting diary about the Presidential contenders of the dark side, titled "They all Suck".

They all suck. Let's just admit it. Every one of the thus far announced Republican candidates for President sucks. From the lecherous adulterer to the egomaniacal nut job to the flip-flopping opportunist with the perfect hair to the guy who hates brown people to the guy we've never heard of to the guy who has a better chance of getting hit by a meteor while being consumed by a blue whale being struck by lightening[sic].

The Washington Post: E.J. Dionne on Jim Webb.

The Nation: Webb should consider running for President. Amen.

The New York Times on the primary calendar.

Daily Kos has the results of their straw poll, with n=22,000. Edwards 35%, Obama 28%, Clark 17%, Richardson 5%, Clinton 4%.

The Albany Project: Craig Johnson picks up momentum and endorsements.

The Albany Times-Union: Next steps in the Comptroller replacement process are unclear.

And lastly, Blue Spot notes that George Pataki has closed his office in New Hampshire. Har.

The newest CBS poll has George Bush at a new all-time low of 28% approval, 64% disapproval; by contrast, Richard Nixon's lowest approval number ever was 29%.

Scary thought: who are those 28%? And what is wrong with them?

At some point, the idea of impeachment, if this trend continues and Bush plunges through the 20% mark, will become a political necessity. The country won't tolerate this man very much longer.