The talk of the town here in New York City is the rumor that Time Warner CEO Dick Parsons will throw his hat in the ring for the mayor's office. Should Parsons seek the Republican ticket for mayor, he will join a growing list of dealmakers and executives seeking public office.
Most New Yorkers are already familiar with Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a case in point, but there are other examples, some of whom are seeking higher office. For example, venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli is one of three men seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in Massachusetts. Should he win the September primary, and November's election, then he'd become yet another dealmaker to lead the Bay State. In 2002, Bain Capital founder Mitt Romney not only won the Republican nomination to run for governor, but won the election too. Unfortunately there is no chance for a dealmaker face off in November should Gabrieli beat his opponents, because Romney has opted not to seek re-election.
Romney reportedly has his eye on the White House, but he hasn't formally announced a bid for the Republican nomination for president. If Romney runs, he'll join another dealmaker-turned-politician seeking the presidency: Democrat Mark Warner. The popular former Virginia governor was the founder of venture capital firm Columbia Capital Corp.
While Dealscape would love to see the two face off next fall, the odds are currently not in either man's favor. The odds that either Romney or Warner could win the presidency currently stand at 15-1, according to online gambling site Sportsbook.com. Democratic front runner Sen. Hillary Clinton stands at 3-1 and Republican front runner Sen. John McCain stands at 6-1. When compared with other rivals in each party, Warner does stand a winning chance, since the odds put him as runner up to Sen. Clinton. Unfortunately, for Romney, three other Republicans, Sen. George Allen, Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Sam Brownback stand better chances with 10-1 odds each.
At best, it looks like dealmakers may have to settle for the vice presidency. —Matthew Wurtzel
See story about Parsons from New York Magazine
See story about Gabrieli from The Boston Globe
See story about Garbieli from The Boston Herald
See MSNBC's Presidential candidates preview
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