Publisher Steve Forbes predicts that former vice president and recent Nobel laureate Al Gore will endorse New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's independent bid for president.
Bloomberg will return the favor by naming Gore his running mate, Forbes says.
Forbes made his far-out prognostication late Wednesday in a keynote presentation at a technology and media conference hosted by Forbes Magazine at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Forbes says he'll also make the prediction, which he acknowledges is a "longshot," in his column in the next issue of the magazine due out Friday.
Gore and Bloomberg are no strangers to rumors surrounding bids for the presidency. The two have been known to kid each other about such speculation, according to insiders.
Forbes, who twice sought the Republican nomination, presumably has access to top political sources with inside knowledge, so his ruminations on the subject shouldn't be dismissed.
Forbes' column, however, will cite no sources, secretive or otherwise, he says.
While Forbes' opinion about Bloomberg and Gore will no doubt be met with skepticism, another prediction he made at the event drew more universal agreement.
"This is going to be a nasty campaign," Forbes says.
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