Michael Bloomberg is staying cagey about where his loyalties lie this election season but he continues to stir the pot, appearing Thursday with Barack Obama for the second time since the two had a high-profile breakfast meeting in November.

The billionaire New York mayor, who a month ago scrapped his own simmering idea to launch a presidential bid, introduced Obama before the Democratic presidential candidate's economic policy address at The Cooper Union in New York.

"The mayor did not endorse" Obama at the event, Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser emphasized, deflecting questions about the possibility of Bloomberg as a possible vice presidential nominee.

"What he's trying to do is influence the debate, not join in as a participant," Loeser told FOXNews.com.

Loeser said the Illinois senator asked the mayor to introduce him the day before, and that he accepted -- something he'd likely do for any candidate offering a "detailed policy proposal."

Bloomberg has indicated a willingness to endorse the candidate who in his eyes offers a nonpartisan, concrete platform. Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain both have called the mayor since he dangled the possibility of his backing.

Loeser said that Obama's remarks Thursday on homeowner relief for the most part struck a chord with Bloomberg.

"The mayor has been pretty clear that as a mayor and as a voter he's hoping to hear detailed policy proposals on tough problems," Loeser said. "There's a number of issues that Senator Obama touched on today ... that the mayor has spoken about and that they agree on."

Obama is usually at the tip of the tongue in any conversation about where Bloomberg might drift as a vice presidential candidate, thanks to their gossip-stoking sit-down together at a Manhattan diner in November.

Bloomberg said in February when he halted rumors about his own presidential bid that he doesn't think anybody will ask him to be vice president.

But he and his aides carefully frame the response when asked whether he'd consider lending his economic acumen and broad-based appeal to a November ticket.

Obama joked about their Manhattan meeting Thursday, saying, "I have to tell you that the reason I bought breakfast is because I expect payback at something more expensive ... I'm no dummy. The mayor was a cheap date that morning ... and I figured there's some good steakhouses here in New York."

He called Bloomberg a "remarkable leader" and "a major voice in our national debate on issues like renewing our economy, educating our children and seeking energy independence."

Obama said in February that he hopes the mayor will look at his track record on energy and special interests, and that "I will definitely be reaching out to him."

Though the list of high-powered supporters for both Democrats is long --and Bloomberg comes from a state that usually votes Democratic in November anyway -- the idea of Obama-Bloomberg radiates a "dream ticket" feel for some observers.

Political author and former Florida state Sen. Bob McKnight said Bloomberg's personal wealth, his command of the Northeast media market and his economic experience are tough to pass up for Obama.

"I believe Bloomberg has demonstrated the ability to manage organizations in the private sector and public sector," McKnight said.

He said Bloomberg, who has done his own campaign research, can "hit the ground running" for Obama.

And when it comes to how voters perceive them, he said they both exude a "real deal" quality.

FOXNews.com's Judson Berger contributed to this report.