New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican party rather abruptly yesterday, stating he wanted to begin a nonpartisan approach.

"I have filed papers with the New York City Board of Elections to change my status as a voter and register as unaffiliated with any political party," he said.

His decision has created sparks of interest as to whether he will invest his multi-billion dollar fortune in a bid for the presidency as an independent in 2008.

"Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city."

Bloomberg has often denied any interest in the presidency but his decision to leave the GOP along with his recent trip to New Hampshire has caused speculation about his intentions.

Bloomberg stated that his trip last weekend was purely a social visit and said on his radio show, "People will read into the fact that I'm going to be in New Hampshire tomorrow."

Host John Gamblind replied, "They have a primary there, you know."

Bloomberg's decision to register as an independent is viewed as a way to give him more options in his political career, whether as mayor of New York City or in the future if he officially runs for president.

He plans to implement a nonpartisan approach because, he says "A nonpartisan approach has worked wonders in New York. We've balanced budgets, grown our economy, improved public health, reformed the school system and made the nation's safest city even safer."

Mixed reactions have been posted around the blogosphere since his announcement yesterday.

Fullosseous Flap's Dental Blog writes:

Bloomberg was a RINO at BEST.

But, who REALLY cares?

Rudy and Hillary…….

Stay tuned……

Lustig on PR writes:

Despite specifying the exact amount of time remaining for his mayoral tenure, visiting Presidential campaign states like New Hampshire (technically for a reunion) and making some other moves that some might infer as a pre-cursor to a Presidential run, Bloomberg is once again playing the PR game of "I'm not running for President, wink wink."

Say Uncle writes:

Apparently, it is only shocking to Michael Bloomberg that he was never a real Republican.

Maria Houser Conzemius at My PC writes:

Bloomberg's take on the Republicans and Democrats in Washington as being too timid to take on the big issues with common sense and purpose, and too busy squabbling to solve issues even if they did have common sense and purpose, is absolutely correct. All you have to do is take a look at what is and isn't happening on immigration to know that that's true.

BlondeSense writes:

New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is no longer a Republican. There is speculation that he may run for president. Maybe he is just fed up.

Maybe he is just fed up with the Republican party. I have that feeling myself.

Contributing Editor Dana J. Tuszke also blogs at The Dana Files.