Bloomberg faces big challenges if he leaps into 2020 White House race

By John Whitesides and Ginger Gibson

 

FILE PHOTO: Former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg speaks in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, U.S., May 30, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has the money and name recognition to shake up the Democratic presidential race, but he will face huge hurdles to the nomination if he makes the leap to become a formal candidate.

 

The billionaire media mogul is laying the groundwork for a possible candidacy and kept his options open by filing paperwork on Friday to run in the Democratic primary in Alabama, which has an early deadline for ballot qualification.

 

The decision to run would be an about-face for Bloomberg, 77, who announced in March that he would not seek the White House.

 

Ranked by Forbes as the eighth-richest American with an estimated worth of $53.4 billion, his potential bid drew immediate criticism that he was just another wealthy businessman trying to buy an election.

 

Bloomberg also will face questions about his record as a three-term mayor of New York, particularly from the Democratic Party's vocal progressive wing, and about why he is needed in a race that still has 17 candidates vying to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November 2020.

 

"There is no constituency for Michael Bloomberg that isn't already taken by one of the candidates who are already running," said Charles Chamberlain, chair of the Vermont-based progressive group Democracy for America.

 

But Bloomberg is skeptical that any of the current candidates can beat Trump, according to a spokesman.

 

Opinion polls show three contenders battling at the top of the Democratic race: U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who lead the progressive wing, and moderate Joe Biden, the former vice president.

 

Bloomberg has been critical of Warren and her desire to institute a tax on the super-wealthy, which she would use to fund programs ranging from universal healthcare to free college tuition.

 

Biden, meanwhile, has turned in uneven debate performances and lagged behind his top rivals in fundraising. Bloomberg would likely seek to appeal to the same moderate voters drawn to Biden.

 

"It's almost like he's running because this billionaire wants to stop Elizabeth Warren," Brad Bannon, a Democratic strategist who advises progressive groups and labor unions, said of Bloomberg. "It's lousy for Joe Biden but great for Elizabeth Warren."

 

Public opinion polls show most Democrats do not share Bloomberg's dissatisfaction with the contenders. A Monmouth University poll taken in late October and early November found three-fourths of Democrats were satisfied with their choice of candidates and just 16% wanted someone else.

 

RENEWED SCRUTINY

 

Bloomberg, the chief executive officer and founder of Bloomberg LP, would be the second-oldest candidate among the Democrats in a race where age has been an issue. Sanders, who took time off the campaign trail after a heart attack, is 78. Biden is 76, and Warren is 70. Trump is 73.

 

Bloomberg's record as New York mayor, and for nearly 40 years running his own company, will come under renewed scrutiny in a presidential race.

 

He is certain to face criticism for New York's implementation of "stop and frisk," a policy that allowed police to stop and search people on the street that was decried as racist for overwhelmingly targeting black men. African-American voters are a critical Democratic voting bloc.

 

Bloomberg has been panned for attempting to ban sodas sold in cups larger than 16 ounces, a proposal that drew national criticism for supporting a “nanny state” that was ultimately struck down by New York courts.

 

Bloomberg also will face questions about his decision to run for New York mayor in 2001 as a Republican. He switched to independent before he ran for a third term in 2009. In 2018, while weighing whether to run for president, he switched his party registration again and became a Democrat.

 

After leaving office, he emerged as one of the strongest supporters of gun-control measures, pouring millions of dollars into advocacy groups that push for measures to ban the sale of some guns and make it harder to purchase others.

 

The late entry in the presidential race would force Bloomberg to play a quick game of catchup to build the sort of campaign infrastructure his rivals have spent months constructing.

 

That would be tough in early voting states like Iowa, which kicks off the state-by-state Democratic presidential primary race on Feb. 3 and historically requires extensive organizing and face-to-face voter contacts.

 

Some Democratic operatives speculated Bloomberg's campaign could emphasize later contests where his rivals would not have as big an organizing advantage, starting with the Super Tuesday primaries in at least 15 states including Alabama on March 3.

 

"It's going to be difficult, but we've never really seen a candidate with this amount of resources at his disposal. That could perhaps make up for a lot of groundwork and a lot of time here," said veteran Iowa Democratic operative Grant Woodard, an aide to Hillary Clinton in 2008.

 

"A lot of people here haven't made up their minds," he added. "There could still be an opening for him."

 

(Reporting by John Whitesides and Ginger Gibson; Additional reporting by Amanda Becker; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Jonathan Oatis and Cynthia Osterman)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-09

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Bloomberg is the real deal a SMART business man but I don’t think he will appeal to the regular folks but who knows sure better than trump that’s for sure

Struggle to find all these big challenges in the article, just gossip and innuendos.

Rut-row...

 

I’m guessing “Little Mike” could actually give the “evil orange one” a run for his money. 
 

Heard Don Lemon refer to home as the “REAL” billionaire. 

I think Don Lemon should be referred to as “the real Buffon”.

 

 

 

Another billionaire. And this one wants to outlaw everything he personally dislikes: smoking, sugary drinks, trans fats, sodium. This man is a nightmare. No more presidents from NYC, please.

 

https://gizmodo.com/the-complete-list-of-everything-banned-by-mayor-michael-1490476691

8 hours ago, Tug said:

Bloomberg is the real deal a SMART business man but I don’t think he will appeal to the regular folks but who knows sure better than trump that’s for sure

I would vote for him against any of the current lefties running.

 

I’d guess he could swing a lot more republicans than any of the others.

 

Nominating Warren and Sanders would be a free “get out the vote” campaign for the right. Bloomberg not so much.

I hope he runs. He has very good ideas and is not as far left as some current dems. He would get a lot of swing voters.

 

Hardest part for him would be getting thebdem nomination.

 

Yes a real billionaire with real ideas.

Just now, Sujo said:

 

 

Hardest part for him would be getting thebdem nomination.

 

That’s what I’m counting on.

 

If he runs a lot of the center right swings or stays home. 
 

The only reason we have Trump if because he ran against HRC. 
 

 

That's what we need another NY billionaire running the country.

Wll at the very least he can speak in complete sentences . so I guess that would be an improvement.

53 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Another billionaire. And this one wants to outlaw everything he personally dislikes: smoking, sugary drinks, trans fats, sodium. This man is a nightmare. No more presidents from NYC, please.

 

https://gizmodo.com/the-complete-list-of-everything-banned-by-mayor-michael-1490476691

I don't think his dislike of the above is only based on personal opinion. 

9 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I don't think his dislike of the above is only based on personal opinion. 

Yes, most of of them are mainstream leftist positions, they’re just taking a back seat to Trump, the greedy rich, evil capitalism, global warming, free healthcare, free college, reparations, etc...

Of the choices, he's the strongest to beat 45 but one of the weakest to get the nomination. If he is nominated, it would be a Bloomberg Landslide. The number one priority is beating 45. Nominating Warren or Sanders is suicidal. I also never believed Sanders would have won in 2016 either. 

24 minutes ago, sirineou said:

That's what we need another NY billionaire running the country.

Wll at the very least he can speak in complete sentences . so I guess that would be an improvement.

Not sure 45 is really a billionaire but maybe that is exactly what we need. Bloomberg would slaughter 45 in debates.

8 minutes ago, RideJocky said:

21 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I don't think his dislike of the above is only based on personal opinion. 

Yes, most of of them are mainstream leftist positions, they’re just taking a back seat to Trump, the greedy rich, evil capitalism, global warming, free healthcare, free college, reparations, etc...

If I don't think solid science has political affiliations, But if you think good nutrition and public health are leftist positions , I would take it as a compliment.

But he might not really run. If he doesn't I hope he gives some of his billions to AMY KLOBUCHAR. Yes, Mayor Pete has positioned himself as the Biden replacement but I'm sorry, a gay man that was a mayor of a small town that looks like a frat boy, I'm not picturing him winning the presidency. 

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Not sure 45 is really a billionaire but maybe that is exactly what we need. Bloomberg would slaughter 45 in debates.

An untrained monkey would slaughter trump in debates , make it a trained one and you got a show!! LOL

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 

 

An untrained monkey would slaughter trump in debates , make it a trained one and you got a show!! LOL

I'm afraid you're wrong about that. Everyone should know by now that we shouldn't underestimate the political skills of 45.

 

For example if he debates Warren, he'll just scream SOCIALIST 100 times and it will sound stupid, but it will work. 

 

We not only have to beat him we need to beat him MASSIVELY. 

Here's a fun game.

Who should Bloomberg pick as VP?

 

38 minutes ago, RideJocky said:

Yes, most of of them are mainstream leftist positions, they’re just taking a back seat to Trump, the greedy rich, evil capitalism, global warming, free healthcare, free college, reparations, etc...

and tax cuts 

17 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Here's a fun game.

Who should Bloomberg pick as VP?

 

Buttigieg!

17 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Here's a fun game.

Who should Bloomberg pick as VP?

 

Klobuchar. Or other way around. Would be a dream ticket.

55 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'm afraid you're wrong about that. Everyone should know by now that we shouldn't underestimate the political skills of 45.

 

For example if he debates Warren, he'll just scream SOCIALIST 100 times and it will sound stupid, but it will work. 

 

We not only have to beat him we need to beat him MASSIVELY. 

I agree with you, but IMO what worked last cycle will not work now.

A few things are different. 

    By now many of the voters had a chance to hear trump's spiel and how it translates to actual policy , that's why  more people than not, support impeachment and removal. So calling people names will not work this time. It might work with his base, but without independants, I dont think his base is enough.

  He no longer has Hillary, with all her negatives. A Waren opponent is much more likable, has a good sense of humor, and excellent timing. Someone in another thread posted her video response to a gay marriage opposition question, Her response was GOLD!!! her timing and facial cues was impeccable. 

I am sure she had practiced it but still.

  

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

If I don't think solid science has political affiliations, But if you think good nutrition and public health are leftist positions , I would take it as a compliment.

Yes, all solid science (i.e. papers written by academics) support left wing issues.

 

To be clear, both sides believe smoking, fatty foods, sugary drinks etc... are bad for you, but only one side wants to tax it such that it is only available to the rich. 
 

I cracks me up that the left wants to outlaw soda-pop but they can’t get grass legalized fast enough. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Here's a fun game.

Who should Bloomberg pick as VP?

 

Al Sharpton

Well this is the democratic party dilemma. Go for broke with Warren or consider the majority of democratic voters who are actually more moderate and also the independents and even some republicans. I think going for broke will mean the ultimate DISASTER in this case. 

Just now, RideJocky said:

Yes, all solid science (i.e. papers written by academics) support left wing issues.

 

To be clear, both sides believe smoking, fatty foods, sugary drinks etc... are bad for you, but only one side wants to tax it such that it is only available to the rich. 
 

I cracks me up that the left wants to outlaw soda-pop but they can’t get grass legalized fast enough. 

 Why you like the rich so much, you don't want them getting sick?

Everyone will pay the tax, to finance the burden such behaviour inflict on our health system .

If the rich want to get sick , let them pay for it . 

45 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I agree with you, but IMO what worked last cycle will not work now.

A few things are different. 

    By now many of the voters had a chance to hear trump's spiel and how it translates to actual policy , that's why  more people than not, support impeachment and removal. So calling people names will not work this time. It might work with his base, but without independants, I dont think his base is enough.

  He no longer has Hillary, with all her negatives. A Waren opponent is much more likable, has a good sense of humor, and excellent timing. Someone in another thread posted her video response to a gay marriage opposition question, Her response was GOLD!!! her timing and facial cues was impeccable. 

I am sure she had practiced it but still.

  

Yes, please let it be her! 
 

 

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well this is the democratic party dilemma. Go for broke with Warren or consider the majority of democratic voters who are actually more moderate and also the independents and even some republicans. I think going for broke will mean the ultimate DISASTER in this case. 

 IMO the ultimate disaster would be another 4-8 years of my life wasted by jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

  I like elizabeth and if it means another 4 years of trump be it,

"Nothing ventured Nothing gained." 

I have extensive training in sales, The number one concept taught. is that "fear of loss, is greater than desire for gain"  Politicians have being using this concept to bludgeon as over the head for too long. Time to take a stand.

6 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 Why you like the rich so much, you don't want them getting sick?

Everyone will pay the tax, to finance the burden such behaviour inflict on our health system .

If the rich want to get sick , let them pay for it . 

I’ve nothing against them, the few rich people I’ve known seemed to be okay, Why do you hate them?

 

Yes, everyone pays the tax, but like all regressive taxes, it’s only a burden on the poor. But it’s for their own good don’t ‘cha know.
 

 

6 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 IMO the ultimate disaster would be another 4-8 years of my life wasted by jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

  I like elizabeth and if it means another 4 years of trump be it,

"Nothing ventured Nothing gained." 

I have extensive training in sales, The number one concept taught. is that "fear of loss, is greater than desire for gain"  Politicians have being using this concept to bludgeon as over the head for too long. Time to take a stand.

I can't relate to that at all.

A second term of 45 would be an unspeakable disaster. 

It's also totally bizarre.

So medicare for all? 

Now IF Warren did win it would be a very narrow win. The republicans would keep the senate.

She wouldn't be able to pass much of anything. 

In reality a moderate can get MUCH MORE DONE if they can win in a landslide and retake the senate.

I'm sorry -- this is real stuff not fantasy land.