washington former new york mayor michael bloomberg say monday would mount independent bid u.s. presidency fear would increase chance republicans donald trump ted cruz could end white house billionaire media mogul combine business-friendly fiscal policies liberal view gun control social issue bloomberg could potentially appeal centrist voters year candidates far leave right political spectrum gain traction bloomberg 74 say conclude candidate would unlikely win clear majority three-person race would throw election republican-controlled house representatives would able hand white house trump real-estate billionaire cruz conservative u.s. senator texas risk take good conscience write bloomberg view opinion website part media empire bloomberg never receive much interest american voters 12 percent likely voters say would support three-way race president democrat hillary clinton trump accord reuters/ipsos national poll conduct wednesday monday among respondents 41 percent say would support clinton 31 percent would support trump poll 1,695 likely voters credibility interval percentage point bloomberg say trump lead battle win republican nomination nov. election back policies would undermine religious tolerance threaten national security trump call build wall u.s. border mexico deport country illegal immigrants temporarily bar muslims enter country run divisive demagogic presidential campaign remember prey people prejudice fear bloomberg write trump say cruz favorite evangelicals conservative tea party movement divisive well bloomberg also hit clinton rival democratic nomination u.s. senator bernie sanders vermont criticize free trade financial industry extremism march unless stop problems home abroad grow bad write spokespeople trump cruz immediately respond request comment bloomberg criticism bloomberg found majority owner bloomberg l.p. news financial information provider compete thomson reuters corp tri.to fear general election contest trump sanders democratic socialist drive bloomberg begin seriously explore independent run senior adviser say condition anonymity clinton pull away sanders democratic race bloomberg conclude path victory rationale run go aide say clinton react news polite praise say great respect bloomberg make decisions look forward continue work say fox news sanders ask bloomberg decision run say election laws change make easy people rich friendly rich people run office think bad idea american democracy people feel many ways run president people much money say fox news bloomberg opt u.s. presidential bid call centrism