'Just What Dems Need: A Ralph Nader, With Money'

Would a Mike Bloomberg presidential candidacy be the Dems' worst nightmare? Yes, according to Bill Schneider. The CNN Senior Political Analyst described the NYC Mayor in terms that should make Hillary Clinton's blood run cold: "a Ralph Nader, with money."

Schneider offered his analysis at 4:40 PM ET today on the Situation Room.

View video here.

BILL SCHNEIDER: Bloomber, like Perot, is rich enough to finance his own campaign. Perot got nearly 20% of the vote in 1992, but he didn't carry a single state. Do Bloomberg's prospects look any better? It depends on who the Democratic and Republican candidates are. Will the parties nominate candidates who have broad enough appeal to unite the country, or, will they nominate divisive candidates with highly partisan support? Partisan and divisive nominees would leave a lot of room in the center for a Bloomberg candidacy. He has to wait and see who the nominees are.

Cut to a clip of former Dem prez contender Gary Hart.

GARY HART: We could well know by February 5th who the two nominees are. That's the time then to ask your question.

SCHNEIDER: But will that leave enough time? Sure. Perot didn't indicate his interest in running until February 20th, 1992, on Larry King Live.

Mayor Bloomberg is from the most Democratic part of the country: the Northeast. And his views are much closer to the Democratic party than to the Republican party. So there's a good chance Bloomberg would split the Democratic vote and help elect a Republican. Just what the Democrats need: a Ralph Nader, with money.

So . . . will we see MSM stories intended to dissuade Bloomberg from muddying Dem waters? In the meantime, Bloomberg is presumably enjoying the moment, keeping the political world on tenterhooks as he makes his decision.