Mitt Romney (left) and President Barack ObamaNEW YORK -
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was overheard remarking at a party last week that Mitt Romney may be a better leader than President Barack Obama, but he disagrees with his social views, The New York Times reported Monday.
Three guests at a recent charity event told The Times that Bloomberg -- whose endorsement is coveted by both presidential candidates -- was overheard weighing Romney against Obama during a casual conversation at a charity fundraiser last Monday.
According to two guests, Bloomberg, a registered independent, said that he believed Romney would probably be better at running the country than Obama, The Times reported.
Bloomberg went on to say, however, that he could not support Romney because they disagreed on key social issues, including abortion and gun control.
A guest heard Bloomberg say he planned to remain neutral for that reason.
Two of the guests spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity, while the third guest was a reporter for The Times.
Romney courted Bloomberg over breakfast in New York City in May, a week after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) visited the mayor at City Hall to push him to back the Republican candidate.-
Previously, Bloomberg was invited to Washington to play golf with Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who presumably pressed him to support the president.
Read more: The New York Times
