Bloomberg Dodges Pesky Question Under Oath

A lawsuit by gun dealers fighting a crackdown on illegal sales in New York City provided what looked like an airtight opportunity to learn Michael Bloomberg's real presidential intentions. Testifying under oath, the mayor was asked if he intends to run for president. His lawyer quickly interceded, instructing his client not to answer and getting the question rephrased to apply only to early 2006, Reuters reports.

New York brought suit against 15 out-of-state gun dealers in May 2006, alleging that their illegally sold guns were ending up on city streets. One of the dealers sued Bloomberg, arguing that the suit was meant only to raise his national profile in advance of a campaign. Bloomberg testified that "prior to May of 2006 I certainly was not considering running for president." (More Michael Bloomberg stories.)