If New York Mayor Micheal Bloomberg decides to run as an Independent who will it affect more Democrats or Republicans?

I would say it hurts the Democrats and helps the Republicans. Bloomberg technically served as a Republican in New York City, but no "real" Republican can win in New York (just look at their Senators and Governor). His ideology is clearly closer to that of Hillary Clinton than of a Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, or Jeb Bush. He would therefore pull more votes away from Clinton than he would from a Republican candidate in my opinion.

I'd have to say he'll hurt the Democrats more. They are in greater need of a viable candidate and Bloomberg's progressive positions, especially on gun control, won't attract many Republicans. The real question is how the Independents will lean. I suspect they may split. Those who are disgusted with the GOP candidates, especially Trump, and might have stayed at home, will probably turn out for Bloomberg. Those who are tired of politicians and want an outlier will go for Trump if he is the GOP nominee. If a politician takes the GOP nomination, say Cruz, then the Republicans will stay at home thinking that Bloomberg is acceptable but not excited enough to go vote for him.

It will spit the Democrat vote! YAY!

Democrats. The Republican base is too deep for him to make a mark there.

I think it would ultimately depend on who is nominated as the Democrat and the Republican. If it were Clinton vs. Trump or Rubio, then I'd say it would hurt the Democrats. If it were Clinton vs. Cruz, then I'd say it would hurt the Republicans. I don't think Sanders has a chance at the nomination, and I'm not seeing a path for any of the other GOP candidates. However, I don't see any Bloomberg damage having much of an impact. Bloomberg isn't known nationally for any major issue other than gun control, and those sides are already firmly set with both parties. Plus, he's not a very charismatic person or a dynamic speaker. I just don't see him getting any measurable following to sway the race either way, especially in any swing states. The NY or NJ areas might be the races where he could have a measurable impact, and those are both deep blue states. He won't flip them red.

My understanding is that his plan is to run if it looks like a Sanders vs Trump race. I think he'd hurt both parties, but it's hard to see which one he would hurt more. He wouldn't be a first choice for most conservatives, but if you're stuck between drowning or burning alive... you might just choose Bloomberg instead.

Democrats for sure. There is no way any freedom-loving person would vote for the SOB.

Geez. Vote for Jim Webb for goodness sake.

Walt

republicans

Both. And you can be sure of one thing. He'll have SWAT teams at our door, demanding our guns!