Enlarge By Bebeto Matthews, AP The mayor visits a 311 call center where New Yorkers can get information about city resources. He said he would not run for president though he shared his views on national issues.  NOTABLE INDEPENDENT RUNS FOR THE PRESIDENCY New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to cut his ties to the Republican Party has drawn attention to a possible independent or third-party bid for president. A look at selected candidates: Candidate Year Party Vote received George Wallace 1968 American Independent 13.5%; 46 electoral votes John Anderson 1980 Independent 6.6% Ross Perot 1992 Independent 19% Ross Perot 1996 Reform 8.5% Pat Buchanan 2000 Reform 0.4% Ralph Nader 2000 Green 2.7% Sources: Congressional Quarterly, USA TODAY research  '08 RACE FOR PRESIDENT USA TODAY ON POLITICS: Blog covers the road to Election Day | Full coverage Campaign tool: Web has its uses and limits Debate: Republicans spar over immigration, Iraq | Democrats clash over war fund votes Diversity: Blacks Dems proud | Candidates reflect changing America | Poll: Voters are comfortable with ... Campaigning: Dems court Calif. delegates | Candidates roll out ideas Issues: Abortion | Immigration Candidate profiles and more

Maybe that's why New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a day after cutting ties with the Republican Party, said he'd run only if he were the last person alive — but also said, "The more people that run for office, the better."

Or why he reiterated his intent to serve out the remaining 925 days in his second term — and also offered his views on national topics such as Iran, Iraq and energy policy.

Newly registered as an independent voter unaffiliated with either major party, Bloomberg provided fodder Wednesday at a New York news conference for both sides in the debate over whether he will run an independent or third-party campaign for president. As former Republican Party chairman Rich Bond put it, "Why bother to go unaffiliated at this time if you didn't have aspirations for higher office?"