"He’s a great and gifted manager and I think he could do an awful lot of good inside or outside the White House," Bono said.

Bloomberg has been tipped by the media to run as an independent candidate for US President next year, but he has denied having any plans to run.


Bono painting goes for £1,700 - Oct 3 2007
A painting capturing Bono as he received an honorary knighthood has fetched 2,500 euro (£1,733) at auction.

The work by Irish artist David Nolan went under the hammer at a contemporary art sale at James Adam auctioneers in Dublin.

The lot had a guide price of 2,500-3,500 euro (£1,733-£2,426).

The image was based on a picture taken by Press Association photographer Julien Behal which captured the U2 frontman as he was awarded the knighthood earlier this year by the British Ambassador David Reddaway.

The award was in recognition of the rocker’s contribution to music and humanitarian work.

"An anonymous bidder in the sale room purchased the painting after some early brisk bidding," said a spokesman for James Adam auctioneers.

Dublin-born artist Nolan, 40, has painted portraits of other famous figures including Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley.

Accepting the knighthood in the British Ambassador’s south Co Dublin residence in March, Bono quipped: "By the way, you can call me pretty much anything you want, except sir."

The singer added: "You can call me lord of lords or a demi-god ..."

Fellow band members The Edge and Adam Clayton joined the singer’s wife Ali and the couple’s four children, Jordan, Eve, Eli and John, for the reception.


US honours Bono for his work in Africa - Sept 28 2007
Bono has been given a US honorary award for his humanitarian work in Africa.

Accepting the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia, the U2 frontman called on people to keep working to solve the world’s problems.

"When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free," said Bono, as he stood just steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

"When you are a monk in Burma this very week, barred from entering a temple because of your gospel of peace ... well, then none of us are truly free."

Bono and the organisation he co-founded in 2002 -- Debt AIDS Trade Africa -- received the award from George Bush senior at the National Constitution Centre.

It comes with a 100,000 dollar prize, which Bono will give to the organisation.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria, accepted the award for the Washington-based group.

Bono said he’s a fan of the US.

"Your America is where Neil Armstrong takes a walk on the moon," Bono said. "Your America gave Europe the Marshall Plan. Your America gave the world the Peace Corps.

"America is not just a country, it’s an idea, isn’t it? It’s a great and powerful idea.

"The idea that all men are created equal, that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Bono added: "America has so many great answers to offer.

"We can’t fix all the world’s problems, but the ones we can we must."


Bono’s surprise appearance at premiere - Sept 27 2007
Bono was a surprise guest at the UK celebrity premiere of Across The Universe, a musical film featuring songs by The Beatles.

The U2 frontman makes a cameo appearance in the film - his first-ever acting role.