Hizzoner is Out.

“In the weeks and months ahead, I will continue to work to steer the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity; away from ideology and toward common sense; away from sound bites and toward substance. And while I have always said I am not running for president, the race is too important to sit on the sidelines, and so I have changed my mind in one area. If a candidate takes an independent, nonpartisan approach — and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy — I’ll join others in helping that candidate win the White House.” In a NYT editorial this morning, Mayor Bloomberg confirms he’s not seeking the Oval Office in 2008, and may even endorse somebody eventually. This isn’t all that surprising, given that the two major party candidates with the most independent cachet now look to be facing each other in the general. I betting a Romney v. Clinton contest might’ve brought a different story.