US presidential race: Nunn seeks alternative

Former Democratic Senator Sam Nunn has said he is frustrated with the direction of the presidential race and acknowledged talking with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others about an independent challenge to the major parties.

''We've had conversations about frustration with the fact that the process is flawed,'' Nunn said of Bloomberg, who has sent mixed signals about a potential independent White House bid.

''I've told him...It may be time for some serious people to look at what I call a time-out and having people of good faith in the Democratic and Republican parties to come together and address the issues that the parties don't seem to want to address.''

''We have not discussed any kind of joint strategy. I have just had conversations with him,'' Nunn added.

Nunn, 68, a moderate who earned a reputation for bipartisanship during four terms in the Senate, was frequently mentioned as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate before he retired in 1996.

He said he is not ruling out his own White House run. But he insisted that he is not trying to open the door to a campaign.

Either way, he said, he plans to speak out more because he thinks the system pushes candidates toward ''wing issues'' that motivate the parties' bases instead of fundamental priorities like long-term fiscal stability and national security.

''The only thing I would consider would be running for the big office,'' he said, referring to the White House.