Michael Bloomberg has not said that he is running for president. However, the Virginia Independent Green Party (which is not affiliated with any national party) is already circulating a petition with Bloomberg listed as its presidential candidate. Virginia permits stand-ins. The vice-presidential candidate listed on the petition is Gail Parker, but if Bloomberg were to run and make use of that petition, Parker would be free to withdraw, and Bloomberg could substitute his actual running mate, later in the year.

The petition already has 300 signatures. 10,000 are required, due in August 2008.

On January 3, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Seattle Housing Authority cannot bar residents of public housing from placing political signs and posters on their exterior doors. Some of the doors face the street, and some face interior halls. The majority depended on the First Amendment and said, “Displaying a sign from one’s own residence often carries a message quite distinct from placing the same sign somewhere else.” The dissent said, “While there is undoubtably concern about tenants being able to express their views, there are neighbors with rights as well.”

The case is Resident Action Council v Seattle Housing Authority, 80006-5. Thanks to How Appealing for this news.

On January 3, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle refused to issue an injunction to postpone the Florida Democratic presidential primary. However, the case remains alive, over the constitutional issue. The Florida Democratic voter who had filed the case had argued that it is the state’s fault that the Florida Democratic voters can’t elect any delegates to the national convention, and that therefore the state should be forced to schedule the primary in February. If the primary were in February, Florida Democrats could have delegates to the national convention. Ausman v Browning, 4:07-cv-519, Tallahassee. The judge said it would be chaotic to reschedule the primary at this late date.