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       Bloomberg campaign downplays report he is considering Hillary Clinton as running mate Early voting begins ahead of the Nevada caucuses and Bloomberg campaign downplays report he is considering Hillary Clinton as running mate

       “Watch for smoke signals from Chappaqua,” a Democratic friend said recently. “She wants back in.”

       She — there is only one political she — might be getting what she wants.

       The report that Hillary Clinton could become Michael Bloomberg’s running mate is one of those times when it is no exaggeration to use the word bombshell. Earthquake would also work, assuming the political marriage actually happens.

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       For now, it’s a trial balloon, as demonstrated by the timing and the way the idea was leaked. A big red banner on the Drudge Report blaring “EXCLUSIVE” is designed to shock and awe the political system, then gauge the fallout.

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       Bloomberg, remember, is a numbers guy and his team conducts polls relentlessly. Drudge says they’ve already tested the tag-team idea quiet-ly and, liking what they saw, now want to go public and test it more broadly.

       It won’t take long to figure out which way the wind is blowing. It is such a big, bold stroke that, while it comes out of the blue, the public -reaction will be swift.

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       My guess is that this marriage of convenience gets consummated fairly quickly. Bloomberg needs immediate help to win the nomination, with March a make-or-break month.

       Clinton, as the world knows, is desperate to get revenge on Donald Trump and will almost certainly seize another chance at the White House, even if it means being relegated to standby equipment.

       CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING MICHAEL GOODWIN'S COLUMN IN THE NEW YORK POST

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