Bloomberg: Partisan rhetoric not to blame in Ariz.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the nation should tone down its partisan rhetoric but does not believe it contributed to the shooting of an Arizona congresswoman.

Bloomberg is a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent.

He toyed with the idea of running for president as an independent in 2008, and often criticizes both sides of the aisle for getting caught up in partisanship.

Bloomberg was asked Thursday whether he thought partisan rhetoric contributed to the tragedy.

He said that it appeared to be the work of a deranged gunman, and does not blame “Sarah Palin or any other individual.”