Michael Bloomberg for President 2020

[hornhorn 100]

Spoiler

Mr. Bloomberg is actively preparing to enter the Democratic presidential primary and is expected to file paperwork this week designating himself as a candidate in at least one state.

 

 

Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, in Manhattan last month.Credit...Krista Schlueter for The New York Times

By Alexander Burns

• Nov. 7, 2019Updated 5:36 p.m. ET
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Michael R. Bloomberg is actively preparing to enter the Democratic presidential primary and is expected to file paperwork this week designating himself as a candidate in at least one state with an early filing deadline, people briefed on Mr. Bloomberg’s plans said.

Mr. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor and billionaire businessman, has been privately weighing a bid for the White House for weeks and has not yet made a final decision on whether to run, an adviser said. But in the first sign that he is seriously moving toward a campaign, Mr. Bloomberg has dispatched staffers to Alabama to gather signatures to qualify for the primary there. Though Alabama does not hold an early primary, it has a Friday deadline for candidates to formally enter the race.

Should Mr. Bloomberg proceed with a campaign, it could represent a seismic disruption in the Democratic race. With his immense personal wealth, centrist views and close ties to the political establishment, he would present a grave and instantaneous threat to former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who has been struggling to raise money and assemble a ideologically moderate coalition.

 

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But Mr. Bloomberg could also reshape the race in other ways, intensifying the Democrats’ existing debates about economic inequality and corporate power, and offering fodder to the party’s rising populist wing, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who contend that the extremely rich already wield far too much influence in politics. Mr. Bloomberg has repeatedly expressed discomfort with certain policies favored by both Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders.

 

 

Howard Wolfson, a close adviser to Mr. Bloomberg, said on Thursday that the former mayor viewed President Trump as an “unprecedented threat to our nation,” and noted Mr. Bloomberg’s heavy spending in the 2018 midterm elections and this week’s off-year races in Virginia. Mr. Bloomberg, he said, has grown uneasy about the existing trajectory of the Democratic primary.

“We now need to finish the job and ensure that Trump is defeated — but Mike is increasingly concerned that the current field of candidates is not well positioned to do that,” Mr. Wolfson said. “If Mike runs he would offer a new choice to Democrats built on a unique record running America’s biggest city, building a business from scratch and taking on some of America’s toughest challenges as a high-impact philanthropist.”

 

 

Our 2020 Election Guide

Updated Nov. 7, 2019

 

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Mr. Bloomberg will have to move quickly if he is to compete in a serious way for the Democratic nomination. Beyond Alabama, several other states have filing deadlines in quick succession, including New Hampshire, with its crucial early primary. While he has maintained a cluster of high-powered advisers in New York, he would have to build a campaign from zero in the early primary and caucus states, and it may be difficult for him to qualify for the two remaining debates this year.

 

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In a Democratic race, Mr. Bloomberg would face a battery of complicated questions about his political ideology and governing record. He has been a vigorous advocate for core liberal causes, like gun control and battling climate change. But as mayor Mr. Bloomberg also championed police searches that targeted black and Latino men; in an interview last fall, he defended his administration’s stop-and-frisk policing strategy and also expressed skepticism about the #MeToo movement.

A former Republican who repeatedly explored running for president as an independent, Mr. Bloomberg registered as a Democrat ahead of the midterm elections last year. In his past flirtations with the presidency, Mr. Bloomberg has never before taken the step of filing to put his name on a state ballot.

Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, S.C., said in an interview that he spoke with Mr. Bloomberg in late October, and the two discussed the unfolding presidential race. Mr. Benjamin, a Democrat who has not taken sides in the primary, predicted Mr. Bloomberg’s background as a businessman and mayor, and his stances on climate and guns, would make him a formidable contender if he runs.

“I believe Mayor Bloomberg would be an incredibly strong candidate,” Mr. Benjamin said. “There’s a lot of work to be done in gearing up for the first four primaries and caucuses, and certainly for Super Tuesday, but I would caution anybody not to underestimate Mike Bloomberg.”

Though Mr. Bloomberg could still opt against running, even his preliminary steps toward a campaign may come as a blow to Mr. Biden, who has been counting on strong support from centrist Democrats, traditional party donors and much of the business community to carry him forward in the race.

When Mr. Bloomberg previously announced in March that he would not run for president, advisers indicated the decision was shaped in part by Mr. Biden’s strong popularity with Democratic primary voters. But Mr. Biden’s position in the race is evidently no longer imposing enough to keep Mr. Bloomberg at bay.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/us/politics/michael-bloomberg-president-2020.html

[Longhorn_Fan68 33898]

[TommyGufano 6021]

1 minute ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

“He thinks Biden is weak and [Bernie] Sanders and Warren can’t win,” said a source familiar with Bloomberg’s apparent about-face

[Js1 85564]

Just now, TommyGufano said:

“He thinks Biden is weak and [Bernie] Sanders and Warren can’t win,” said a source familiar with Bloomberg’s apparent about-face

So he's going to try to split the moderate vote 3ways with Biden and Mayor Pete, ensuring either Warren or Sanders will definitely win?

Also, he's been named in a bunch of polls - usually garners 2-3% and only 6% would "definitely" consider voting for him.

[Longhorn_Fan68 33898]

 

[suddenly shaggy 929]

Between Bloomberg, DeBlasio and Rudy, I've heard far more than I would ever give a shit about hearing from the New York City mayor. 

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

Can we just sit back and admire the entitled sense of self-importance the billionaires have.  

It’s also nice to see the billionaires playing defense now.  Bring it on Bloomberg bitch.

[Longhorn_Fan68 33898]

yeah, this appears less a vote of no-confidence in the other candidates and more of a fear that either Bernie or Warren will win and they'll start having to pay their share.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

 

[hornhorn 100]

4 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Can we just sit back and admire the entitled sense of self-importance the billionaires have.  

It’s also nice to see the billionaires playing defense now.  Bring it on Bloomberg bitch.

Or telling career politicians like Sanders, Warren who have made themselves millionaires to go earn an actual fucking paycheck instead of living on taxpayer tits. 

[JimmyJames 12271]

5 minutes ago, hornhorn said:

Or telling career politicians like Sanders, Warren who have made themselves millionaires to go earn an actual fucking paycheck instead of living on taxpayer tits. 

Woof woof woof!

woof woof! 

[hornhorn 100]

4 minutes ago, JimmyJames said:

Woof woof woof!

woof woof! 

What is Warren's M4ALL plan Lassie? 

Good girl!

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

26 minutes ago, Js1 said:

So he's going to try to split the moderate vote 3ways with Biden and Mayor Pete, ensuring either Warren or Sanders will definitely win?

Also, he's been named in a bunch of polls - usually garners 2-3% and only 6% would "definitely" consider voting for him.

No, he’ll get 100% of the “electability” vote and crush the field.

[DixonHur 11364]

17 minutes ago, hornhorn said:

Or telling career politicians like Sanders, Warren who have made themselves millionaires to go earn an actual fucking paycheck instead of living on taxpayer tits. 

Please explain to me how Warren is a "career politician".

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

12 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

No, he’ll get 100% of the “electability” vote and crush the field.

You can’t be serious.  We have plenty of data on Bloomberg, how democrats feel about him and the current field of candidates.  Majority of Democratic voters weren’t looking for better options than already in the field and Bloomberg is showing up late in the game without anything but name recognition and a bank account.  And don’t get me started on how black voters feel about him. 

This is the mayor that gave Trump a pass in New York too.

 

Edited November 7, 2019 by Hugo Stiglitz

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

How the betting market is reacting:

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

7 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

You can’t be serious.  We have plenty of data on Bloomberg, how democrats feel about him and the current field of candidates.  Majority of Democratic voters weren’t looking for better options than already in the field and Bloomberg is showing up late in the game without anything but name recognition and a bank account.  And don’t get me started on how black voters feel about him. 

This is the mayor that gave Trump a pass in New York too.

 

Yes, they are.  Absolutely zero of Biden's supporters are enthusiastic about him.  He's their default guy because he's the most electable.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

1 minute ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Yes, they are.  Absolutely zero of Biden's supporters are enthusiastic about him.  He's their default guy because he's the most electable.

Bloomberg in the race hurts Biden and Pete.  That’s about it.  There isn’t enough room in this race for Bloomberg unless Biden and Pete drop out. 

[DixonHur 11364]

2 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Yes, they are.  Absolutely zero of Biden's supporters are enthusiastic about him.  He's their default guy even though he's the least electable.

Fify

Biden would get rolled by Trump in the general.  You said it yourself, nobody's enthusiastic about him.  The electoral college means the Dems need more than just, "I'm not Trump" to win.  They need someone who brings enough excitement to bring the "change" minded independents to the polls.

Moderates will hold their noses to vote for Warren or Sanders, but independents might sit it out because Biden is just more of the same. 

Just my 2¢

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

8 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Bloomberg in the race hurts Biden and Pete.  That’s about it.  There isn’t enough room in this race for Bloomberg unless Biden and Pete drop out. 

Which puts him #1 if he takes their votes.  

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

In for the lulz when Bloomberg releases his tax returns and dares Trump to do the same.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

It doesn’t matter how electable Bloomberg is, the electability argument is not a viable campaign strategy in this race and Biden has proven it. 

Edited November 7, 2019 by Hugo Stiglitz

[Foosters 17885]

43 minutes ago, hornhorn said:

Or telling career politicians like Sanders, Warren who have made themselves millionaires to go earn an actual fucking paycheck instead of living on taxpayer tits. 

Lol wut

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

2 minutes ago, DixonHur said:

Fify

Biden would get rolled by Trump in the general.  You said it yourself, nobody's enthusiastic about him.  The electoral college means the Dems need more than just, "I'm not Trump" to win.  They need someone who brings enough excitement to bring the "change" minded independents to the polls.

Moderates will hold their noses to vote for Warren or Sanders, but independents might sit it out because Biden is just more of the same. 

Just my 2¢

Idealogical purity is out the window with Democrats after 2016.  They know not to fuck this up this time.  They'll vote for Bloomberg and fall in line.  Fuck rolling the dice with Warren and Bern.  

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

Just now, Aqua Buddha said:

Idealogical purity is out the window with Democrats after 2016.  They know not to fuck this up this time.  They'll vote for Bloomberg and fall in line.  Fuck rolling the dice with Warren and Bern.  

Not sure if trolling but do you even 2016 bro?

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

3 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

It doesn’t matter how electable Bloomberg is, the electability argument is not a viable campaign strategy in this race and Biden has proved it. 

To that end, our FiveThirtyEight/Ipsos poll, conducted using Ipsos’s KnowledgePanel, contacted the same set of respondents both before and after the debate and asked them what issue was most important in determining their vote in the primary. And by far, Democrats’ most common answer was the ability to defeat Trump — nearly 40 percent of respondents said this was their top issue. Health care, the economy, wealth and income inequality and climate change also ranked near the top of the list, though well behind a candidate’s ability to win.¹ These priorities did not shift much after the debate either (all changes were within the poll’s 1.9-point margin of error).

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

1 minute ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Not sure if trolling but do you even 2016 bro?

Yeah, no one is voting for Jill Fucking Stein again.

[Anastasis 23482]

19 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

How the betting market is reacting:

That’s hilarious. Buy no. Just bought no. 

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

Stop thinking he's some token billionaire.  He was three term mayor of NYC for God's sake and has a wide network of support in the party.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

1 minute ago, Aqua Buddha said:

To that end, our FiveThirtyEight/Ipsos poll, conducted using Ipsos’s KnowledgePanel, contacted the same set of respondents both before and after the debate and asked them what issue was most important in determining their vote in the primary. And by far, Democrats’ most common answer was the ability to defeat Trump — nearly 40 percent of respondents said this was their top issue. Health care, the economy, wealth and income inequality and climate change also ranked near the top of the list, though well behind a candidate’s ability to win.¹ These priorities did not shift much after the debate either (all changes were within the poll’s 1.9-point margin of error).

Am I going to have to explain how “electability” is not a real thing?  This is an abstract concept that does not exist in reality.  The only way to measure electability is when they win elections.  

I might think Warren or Sanders has the best chance against Trump while you might think Bloomberg does.  We are both voting for the candidate we believe is the most electable and they are different candidates. 

[RPM 26351]

1 minute ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Stop thinking he's some token billionaire.  He was three term mayor of NYC for God's sake and has a wide network of support in the party.

He wanted to outlaw Big Gulps. Lardass Nation would never vote for him.

[Aqua Buddha 14608]

1 minute ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Am I going to have to explain how “electability” is not a real thing?  This is an abstract concept that does not exist in reality.  The only way to measure electability is when they win elections.  

I might think Warren or Sanders has the best chance against Trump while you might think Bloomberg does.  We are both voting for the candidate we believe is the most electable and they are different candidates. 

No, it's a real thing.  Obama didn't get the black vote in 2008 until he won Iowa.  He had to prove to black people that white people would vote for him.  They weren't going to throw their vote away.

[RayDog 682]

7 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Yeah, no one is voting for Jill Fucking Stein again.

The Democrats could run someone who is all in on the green new deal and 0.5% will still vote green party.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

Just now, Aqua Buddha said:

No, it's a real thing.  Obama didn't get the black vote in 2008 until he won Iowa.  He had to prove to black people that white people would vote for him.  They weren't going to throw their vote away.

An election of an unpopular incumbent President is a referendum on the President.  That is it.  Measuring who stacks up best against him now carries so little weight a year from the election. 

[RayDog 682]

I hope he takes half of Biden's voters and neither of them break 15% in a primary.

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

17 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

Biden has proven how extremely viable it is considering he’s still leading despite everyone seeing that he’s more senile than Abe Simpson.

Biden’s viability is based on name recognition and Obama.  That’s it.  That’s why people considered him most “electable.”  That perception advantage has evaporated as voters have become more familiar with other options and Trump has become more beatable by sucking.   

Biden has proven that you cannot coast to the nomination on name recognition alone. 

[Dbeasy 15090]

Does someone have data that shows the different factions of the Democratic Party and what percent of the population of Democrats fits into each of the factions? I’m curious to understand whether the party’s majority is as far left as a few posters on this board claim it is.

[Brandywine 1316]

53 minutes ago, Aqua Buddha said:

Stop thinking he's some token billionaire.  He was three term mayor of NYC for God's sake and has a wide network of support in the party.

And he’s smart. I think he would be a good president, better than the idiot in there now. Problem is Presidential politics is as much about personality and someone who makes you feel good than how smart you are. Which is sad. We have not always elected the best person for the job. I was watching someone interviewing a group of so called “swing voters” and one of them liked Trump because he was entertaining. There you go!

[The People’s Elbow 707]

So what’s the play here? Diffuse the moderate vote to ensure a Trump won so he and his buddies can save money? 

[Hugo Stiglitz 23367]

Hugo opinion but Bloomberg has no fucking business being president and neither does any billionaire.  Once you’ve spent your life maximizing profits you do not get take over the military or any other position of public trust.  You might be a great guy and you might make a decent president but you chose your path in life long ago and it was to serve yourself first.  Sorry billionaires, you already have enough power with your bank account. 

[Blotto 23570]

22 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

 Sorry billionaires, you already have enough power with your bank account. 

While I agree with your post, the next billionaire that accepts they have "enough power" will be the first.

The problem Bloomberg will ultimately face is that his primary motivation of protecting the billionaire class would play much better in the GOP than it will with dem voters. He wont make it out of the primary before he has a chance to position himself as a "better" billionaire than Trump.

Edited November 8, 2019 by Blotto

[formermav43 4606]

22 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Hugo opinion but Bloomberg has no fucking business being president and neither does any billionaire.  Once you’ve spent your life maximizing profits you do not get take over the military or any other position of public trust.  You might be a great guy and you might make a decent president but you chose your path in life long ago and it was to serve yourself first.  Sorry billionaires, you already have enough power with your bank account. 

All that proves is that he’s better at serving himself than the other self-serving politicians (which is every politician).

[Tuco 5077]

Yeah, what the Democrats need is an old white guy billionaire from New York to save the day. For fucks sake.

[Tuco 5077]

 

I did not expect Megan to get quoted on this board. Five foot three of liberal awesomeness. I’ve very happy with my state Senator.

[Incredulity 11683]

38 minutes ago, Hugo Stiglitz said:

Hugo opinion but Bloomberg has no fucking business being president and neither does any billionaire.  Once you’ve spent your life maximizing profits you do not get take over the military or any other position of public trust.  You might be a great guy and you might make a decent president but you chose your path in life long ago and it was to serve yourself first.  Sorry billionaires, you already have enough power with your bank account. 

 Referring to yourself in the third person. What a douche.

[Zavala 1384]

[Henry Hill 3156]

Old white billionaires are a no go but old white millionaires are what this country needs.

[Incredulity 11683]

Maybe Greta Thurnberg can get in the race?

[RDCanecutter 26468]

Old Bloomberg in Birmingham RIGHT NOW a couple miles from Casa Canecutter. We drankin box wine and givin less than a damn.

[Message Board User 12396]