Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumBERNIE SANDERS HAS FOUND HIS FOIL IN MIKE BLOOMBERG
Bernie Sanders unloaded on Michael Bloomberg Monday, telling reporters a day after the billionaire entered the 2020 race that Bloomberg is undermining democracy. What he believesand this is the arrogance of billionaires: Hey, I can run for president because Im worth $55 billion, and maybe Ill take $1 billion out of that $55 billionnot a lot, when youre worth that muchand start running a massive amount of TV ads in California and, in fact, all over this country, he said after meeting with union members in New Hampshire Monday. People of this country do not want to see a billionaire buy an election, Sanders added, and that is precisely what Mr. Bloomberg is trying to do.
Bloombergs late entry into the 2020 race has been met with eye rolls from a sizable chunk of the Democratic electorate, particularly on the left, which wasnt exactly holding its breath for an even older, even richer, white former Republican to come in and rescue the party. Bloombergs candidacy has inspired heavy backlash from progressives, who point to signature policies like stop and frisk (for which Bloomberg recently repented) as evidence hes out of touch. Hes just an entitled billionaire who thinks that gives him the credibility to run for president, New York housing advocate Cea Weaver told Politico, and thats ridiculous.
Of course, that makes Bloomberg a perfect foil for Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, the two leading progressives in the 2020 field. Theyve railed against Donald Trump, the wealthy, out-of-touch asshole currently in the Oval Office, but opposition to the president doesnt really distinguish them from their Democratic rivals. Bloomberg, on the other hand, is a symbol of the wealth inequality that both parties have contributed to, and that has necessitated their calls for systemic change. After all, Sanders and Warren arent just running against Trump, but also against a political system that many on the left regard as out of touch itself. Michael Bloomberg is making a bet about democracy in 2020he doesn't need people, he only needs bags and bags of money, Warren said in Iowa on Monday. I think Michael Bloomberg is wrong and that's what we need to prove in this election. Sanders in particular may find a welcome foil in Bloomberg. Warren has distinguished herself for fighting with billionaires, notably driving one to tears on CNBCa phenomenon thats only energized her supporters. Sanders, by contrast, has been less combatant, his tweets at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos having hit their stride over the summer.
That, of course, has not deterred Bloomberg. Hes leaned into benevolent rich guy persona, describing how hes used his wealth to deliver pragmatic political victories. For years, Ive been using my resources for the things that matter to me, he said during his campaign kickoff event at a diner in Virginia on Monday. To be sure, some of those issues also matter to voters across the Democratic spectrum, from climate change to gun control. Whether Bloombergs support on those fronts can outstrip his record as mayor remains to be seen. The rich got richer here, and the poor got poorer, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams told Politico of Bloombergs Mayoral accomplishments. The question is not whether his policies were successful. Who were they successful for?
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/11/bernie-sanders-has-found-his-foil-in-mike-bloomberg
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JoeOtterbein
(7,700 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)Bloomberg is a Democrat. I don't like him much either, and I don't like it that a rich guy is trying to buy his way to the nomination. But I don't see Bloomberg doing well among PoC, young people or anybody who is tired of old, rich white guys. There's no benefit to trashing other Democrats, though. Trump is the enemy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Uncle Joe
(58,355 posts)at every speech he has given.
Having said that I and Bernie believe that Trump is just a symptom of the long festering disease of massive, dysfunctional income and wealth inequality, three people own more wealth than the bottom half of the American Nation.
That dynamic is unsustainable for the good health of any democratic nation.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
helpisontheway
(5,007 posts)Yes, he runs for president as a Democrat. However, if he loses he will go right back to his a Independent status. I guess the only reread on the party allows it is so he wont run third party.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)Maybe I should have said I didn't think he should be trashing Democrats.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Uncle Joe
(58,355 posts)and our dysfunctional system; that empowers the mega-wealthy; to ignore and attempt to supercede the hard campaign work done by all our Democratic candidates in actually reaching out to the voters in a cynical attempt to saturate the air waves and only able to do so because of their extreme wealth.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
vsrazdem
(2,177 posts)I guess we should get a list of the acceptable Democracts to trash and not trash.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)Standing around in a garage doesn't make me a car; calling myself a Democrat is at least questionable if I pal around with Assad, hang out on Fox News and receive the enthusiastic support of RT. Whatever trashing she has received is well-deserved. At least Bloomberg doesn't pull that kind of crap.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
vsrazdem
(2,177 posts)republican policies does not make Bloomberg one either.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)He was an independent when he ran the third time. Now that he's running for President he's a Democrat.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
helpisontheway
(5,007 posts)and your post is deleted.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)Some of his campaign staff, on the other hand...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
helpisontheway
(5,007 posts)Supposedly we are not allowed to say anything negative about any of the Democrats in the race. Yet, I could bash Gabbard all day and nothing would happen. If I say Boo about Bernie and the post is removed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
vsrazdem
(2,177 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,326 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
rocktivity
(44,576 posts)He's Trump with slightly better manners.
rocktivity
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,683 posts)I don't agree that he's Trump with better manners - he supports some good causes - but he's not likely to attract the voters needed to beat Trump, especially PoC. That stop-and-frisk business dooms him with those voters, even though he now (conveniently) has repudiated it. He also has about as much charisma as a bowl of cold oatmeal.
Money can't buy you love, Mike.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
rocktivity
(44,576 posts)Though it might bought him an extra term as governor.
rocktivity
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,252 posts)for gun manufacturers.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Bloomberg's an easy target. It's hitting a barn door with a baseball from only seven feet away.
If Sanders is unable to connect his attacks to a even a small polling bump in the nationals, it's all on him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Uncle Joe
(58,355 posts)will bear the brunt of it.
Bernie is more concerned about the process than his own political fortunes.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided