Nearly every day a tiny new development trickles out from the stealth presidential campaign of
Michael R. Bloomberg, the billionaire mayor of New York.
He has talked with
Chuck Hagel and
Sam Nunn, potential running mates. He has delivered a tart critique of the presidential field. He is conducting intricate polling to test his appeal in all 50 states.
Mr. Bloomberg’s dalliance with the idea of running for president has stretched on and on, with his enthusiastic approval despite the public denials. But even before actually entering the contest, Mr. Bloomberg may have already risked losing something: people’s patience.