So, about Bloomberg.

[Squinch]

So while there are hundreds of posts, each dealing with a creepy thing Bloomberg has said in the past, and while I don't disagree that he said them, I thought I would list some things that he has DONE that you might find a whole lot less objectionable.

* He has given millions upon millions to Planned Parenthood. When Filthy Donnie cut the funding to Planned Parenthood last year, Bloomberg rushed in with millions to make up the difference. “To say he’s one of the biggest champions for women in this country and all over the world would be an understatement,” Jill Lafer, a former national chairwoman of Planned Parenthood, told The New York Times https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-global-to-work-with-bloomberg-philanthropies-to-advance-global-reproductive-health-and-rights

* He is really serious about climate change. He has all kinds of workable plans for getting emissions way down by 2030 and 2050. This is his thing, and he's a genius administrator. He would get this done. He has worked with the Sierra Club to get 300 coal plants closed. He and Jerry Brown have worked together to get major cities to continue upholding the Paris Accord provisions after Trump left the Paris Accord. He cleaned up NYC's carbon footprint, added 850 acres of parkland, planted 800,000 trees, outlawed the most polluting heating fuels. Since he left politics he has been working on showing corporations how their polluting is actually costing them money and how they can reduce costs by going greener.

*He is also very dedicated to gun control. He's for background checks, permit requirements, closing gun show loopholes, prohibiting gun ownership after conviction for domestic violence offence. He's worked with a lot of lawmakers (yes, Democratic AND Republican) to get a lot of gun laws passed in a lot of states. This is another of his pet projects, and he could make it Federal.

* He was one of the founding members of "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry" which pioneered legalization of gay marriage. Yeah, he has said disgusting things about LGBT people. But then he DID this.

* While he was mayor, he introduced a number of initiatives to reduce domestic violence and increase the arrests and convictions for domestic crimes.

* His tax plan is a good one. He proposes to keep the lowered tax rates on low and middle income people while raising it on the wealthy. He would raise the capital gains tax to the same rate as earned income, which is a big deal, and raise the corporate tax rate. There's more but I won't bore you.

* On immigration, he advocates coming up with a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented people in the U.S. He calls the need for that pathway "a no-brainer." On immigration issues as mayor, he did make sure that people were able to get the services they needed whether they were documented or not.

*His labor plan supports $15 minimum wage and paid family and sick leave, and strengthening unions.

*He opposes the death penalty

*He banned smoking in bars and restaurants in NYC. This was thought "authoritarian" when he did it. Now, not so much.

*He has been vocal about his commitment to the separation of church and state.

YES, I AGREE. Stop and frisk was disgusting. But as Al Sharpton has said about that,

“He called me right after the statement,” Sharpton said. “My position is, clearly, it’s going to take more than one speech for people to forgive and forget. He’s right. He’s gonna to earn it, but I think that we at the same time have to hear him out if he runs, just like we’re hearing out Joe Biden, who authored the crime bill that incarcerated a lot of blacks disproportionately, and Bernie Sanders, who voted for it.”

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/al-sharpton-reacts-to-bloomberg-apologizing-for-stop-and-frisk-itll-take-more-than-one-speech-to-earn-forgiveness/

If we don't coalesce behind Joe or Amy on Super Tuesday or soon after, I'm going to probably have to go with Bloomberg. He's not my favorite. There is a lot I don't like about him. I agree. He has done and said some awful things. But he has also done some good ones. And I think he's the only one who knows how to run a campaign that will beat Filthy Donnie.

[calguy]

1. I'm way more impressed by what he's done

Than by what he's said.

[patricia92243]

6. "Mike will get it done" is not just a slogan but a promise.

[PatSeg]

84. Bloomberg also held up compensation

Last edited Sat Feb 15, 2020, 08:36 PM - Edit history (1)

for the Central Park Five for ten years and spent $6 billion fighting the case. There is a lot not to like from a Democratic perspective.

On the plus side, he has unlimited money and he's better than Trump. Other than that, I find him an unappealing candidate.

Edit to correct: he spent $6 million fighting the case, not $6 billion.

[denem]

96. 'spent $6 billion fighting the case'?

Link? Really?

[PatSeg]

97. As reported by CBS

All five men had their convictions vacated in 2002. During the Bloomberg administration, they filed a civil rights lawsuit against New York City, alleging malicious prosecution, racial discrimination and emotional distress. The Bloomberg administration spent nearly $6 million fighting the case over a decade, arguing that the authorities at the time had good cause and acted in good faith.

In 2014, less than a year after Bloomberg left office, New York City and the Central Park Five agreed to a $41 million settlement. Under the terms of the agreement, the city continued to maintain there was no wrongdoing by police or prosecutors in the case.

snip

A reporter from CBS questioned Bloomberg about his opinion and praise of city prosecutors and the NYPD “acted in good faith” and whether or not he feels differently now that Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise have since become “The Exonerated Five.”

“I really have no idea,” Bloomberg said. “I’ve read in the paper, I’ve been away from government for a long time. So apparently, the courts have ruled that they did not commit it, commit a crime, and that’s the final word and we just have to accept that. It isn’t a question of what anybody believes.”

https://www.theroot.com/bloomberg-plays-clueless-when-questioned-about-central-1840759750

[denem]

98. Right. $6 million.

You didn't mean to say $6 billion. K? (i.m not having a go at you)

[PatSeg]

100. Oh crap!

I totally screwed that one up!!! Thanks!!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

102. Not a fan of Mike... we can do better, as Bernie demonstrates everyday out on the campaign trail.

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!

[PatSeg]

109. Interesting post count

22,222 - not a number you see everyday!

[bluewater]

2. In the Primaries, I would vote for every other candidate before Bloomberg.

He simply has too much sexism and racism baggage, making him our worst bet to defeat trump.

Just my opinion.

But I do not see him being our 2020 nominee.

Time will tell.

[bluewater]

11. A POWERFUL INDICTMENT of Bloomberg on Stop and Frisk.

Watch this to understand why Bloomberg will never be our 2020 nominee:

Link to tweet

[spicysista]

49. This is brilliant, bluewater.

If it hasn't been posted as an OP, please consider doing so. More people should see this. Trevor's delivery is pitch perfect in this clip. Thank you for sharing with us.

[bluewater]

51. Skya posted it first as an OP.

I think it needs to be disseminated as widely as possible.

It's powerful and moving.

It's now my go to rebuttal to anyone trying to dismiss Bloomberg's racial baggage.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

104. Me too blue... I would say, I'd take Joe over him. And, ur right again, Mayor Mike has ZERO chance

of buyin the nomination, no matter how many billions of $$$ he spends on promoting himself... We The People will not stand for that, especially with Mike's numerous racially insensitive statements that are on record and his support of the Shrub for President, and other elected RethugliKKKons, who got us into this mess.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join The Revolution!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. He's not on the top of my list but I'll take him over Bernie.

[Squinch]

4. Me too.

[empedocles]

10. Me three

[Sloumeau]

19. Me four. nt

[Happyhippychick]

46. Me five

[Amaryllis]

62. Me six.

[we can do it]

106. Me seven.

[Talitha]

113. Me eight.

The only way Bernie will get my vote is in Nov if things go that way.

But I'll literaly plug my nose while doing it.

[R B Garr]

118. Me nine!

Bernie needs to show some understanding of what the smears have cost our party.

[BigOleDummy]

60. Yep, count

me in too. While I like Bernie and his positions..... I just don't think his nametag "Democratic Socialist" will fly in much of America. For better or worse 80% of Americans equate "socialism" with "communism".

[Skittles]

64. you got that right

[mr_lebowski]

66. Me too, but mostly because I have no faith in Bernie's ability to win ...

And the fact that Bernie has chosen to surround himself with a lot of people I really don't care for. Oh, and a lot of his supporters are obnoxious. Present company excepted, of course

[MH1]

108. What you said.

Of the ones who appear to have any chance at all of the nomination, Bloomberg is just above Bernie on my list. Bernie is last. (I don't even count Gabbard. Someone will wake me up if I need to change that thinking.)

[Mars and Minerva]

73. me too!!!

[Progressive dog]

107. Me too

[Demsrule86]

111. Me 8

[Walleye]

5. I can't argue with the logic. Money talks, bullshit walks.

As they say in NYC.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Mikey is running with Steve Ratner's

and other mega King makers ideas.

[lapucelle]

13. President Obama hired Steve Rattner to overhaul the auto industry after the financial collapse.

Steven Rattner is the Wall Streeter called on by President Obama to lead his auto task force in February 2009. Before resigning from the post in July of that year, Rattner led the team at the Treasury Department that kept GM and Chrysler alive. His new book, Overhaul: An Insider's Account of the Obama Administration's Emergency Rescue of the Auto Industry, provides a peek under the hood at what it took to save two of America's automotive giants.

https://www.npr.org/2010/09/20/129993024/inside-obama-s-auto-industry-overhaul

[Wellstone ruled]

18. Believe he is involved with

the Biden Campaign. These are the people who elect Presidents as well as are the go to Guy's when it comes time to staff the White House as well as critical Agencies.

Well aware of Ratners activities with the Auto Bailouts. Most likely the next Treasury Secretary.

[lapucelle]

23. Who is involved with the Biden campaign? N/T

[andym]

8. Bloomberg is an interesting candidate who has maximal freedom to define his policies going forward

I would like to hear them. I'm especially interested in hearing how he will try to increase opportunities for the poor and underserved, as well as elevate the middle class.

As for his past tough-on-crime policies, he has denounced them and I take politicians at their word, unless their action indicate that is foolhardy. I'd prefer someone like Obama, with spotless credentials. I am not one to hold the past against a candidate, unless it will significantly hurt them too much in the general election.

That said, his previous suspect racist policies and sexist behavior are not exactly reassuring.

[Amishman]

9. He says a lot of things. I wonder if we can believe him given his past

We have so many better options

[bluewater]

12. Here is why Bloomberg will never be our 2020 nominee

Link to tweet

[lapucelle]

15. Because a late night comedian says so?

[bluewater]

17. When he speaks from the heart like that about this issue, Yes.

That clip is a powerful indictment of Bloomberg and his Stop and Frisk Policy.

[honest.abe]

44. I predict it wont stick.

Most people already have a opinion of Bloomberg and I think its a positive view. All this stuff will be seen as politically motivated.

Also, things like this are seen though a viewpoint of Trump and his scandals and Bloomberg is a Saint in comparison.

[bluewater]

47. Time will tell.

But most voters nationally have not heard all the details yet.

It takes about a month of intensive coverage for these things to sink in enough to change polling.

[honest.abe]

52. Meanwhile he is blankenting the airwaves with ads pounding Trump.

Most Democrats will love him for that.

[Squinch]

20. This post was about things he has done as opposed to things he has said.

[Maraya1969]

14. Remember President Obama was not for marriage equality at first. People do evolve.

I happen to think Bloomberg has evolved. He seems to want to help all people, not just white people. And he seems like he wants to put forth policies that will help mend the racial injustices of the past.

[Duppers]

43. Exactly!

TY.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Not good enough -

we need an absolutely perfect candidate. Nothing else will do.

[Dem2theMax]

40. Thank you for pointing that out.

I was thinking the same thing as I was reading through the thread. I'm sure a lot of people posting are absolutely perfect. They have never done anything wrong in their lives.

No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. The difference between our candidates and Trump is that our candidates are learning and changing and growing. They are admitting their mistakes, they are doing better. And we have to give them a chance.

I can't believe that I have seen posters saying that if this person or that person ends up becoming the Democratic candidate, they won't vote for that person.

I know people who were so mad that Bernie wasn't the candidate in 2016, that they flat-out said they wouldn't vote for Hillary. I had to talk them into voting for Hillary, by explaining that if they didn't, it was a vote for Trump.

I know other people who wouldn't vote for Hillary. And they are Democrats. I could not talk them into voting for her. They voted down ticket, they just didn't vote for the presidential race.

So to anyone who is saying you aren't going to vote for the Democratic candidate if it isn't YOUR candidate, grow up. Our country's very survival depends on every one of our votes.

[BadgerMom]

55. You know who is REALLY imperfect? Trump.

I like that Bloomberg has his eyes on that prize with laser focus.

[TheCowsCameHome]

56. I absolutely agree - there can be no second term for Trump. Period.

I will compromise on damn near anything this time around to ensure he is thrown out with a resounding *thud*

[stopbush]

21. Thanks for the post.

I mailed in my CA primary vote this week. Voted for Mike.

Bloomberg/Harris - that’s the winning ticket!

[Squinch]

22. I would love BLoomberg/Harris. With Preet as AG and Liz as Treasury and Schiff wherever he can

do the most harm to the Filthy Donnie clown car.

[QualTest]

24. He's a Republican.. Sorry, No Sale...

Not a "Former" Repub., but a Republican.

Actually, he's whatever he feels is convenient to get elected at any given moment.
Bush Repub. Independent, Dem.

He has done "great things"! Like this:
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/02/14/democratic-presidential-candidate-michael-bloomberg-gop-bankroller

Are you all that afraid of Bernie and Warren that you will vote for Bloomberg?
Jeez, why not just give up now, and re-elect Trump? Same coin, different side.

An FDR type Dem. who is preaching social programs SO radical that those evil Danes and Swedes
have had them forever, is SO repugnant that everyone is willing to jump on a racist, Republican as
their savior.

You gotta be kidding me!

SMH!

[Squinch]

26. Yes. As I said, he did promote Republicans in order to get his gun legislations passed. I don't

condone it, but I get it.

And as for "he's a Republican." He ran as a Republican for expedience. Do I like that? No. But he was open about his reason. And when asked in interviews what his politics actually were his answer was always the same: "I'm a liberal."

No. I'm not afraid of Liz. I love Liz. Of the remaining candidates, she is the one who has my heart. But she just isn't catching on. Which breaks my heart because she would have been so good.

I dislike Bernie. Just do. But the reason I don't want him is because I feel sure he would lose and give us 4 more years of Filthy Donnie. If he won, I'd vote for him, but I think he'd lose.

[QualTest]

39. Sorry

His gun platform, does not explain away all the GOP funding in that article.

Plus, I'm not interested in replacing one Billionaire who has no connection with us working folk,
with another one, who just talks a good story and doesn't act like a crazy person.

All the polls seem to say that Bernie is the only one who consistently will beat Trump.

So, I'm not sure why this is an issue, nor why "electability" is a thing. We all need to vote
for who we think is the best candidate for the people, the country, and our future.....
Based on Platform, facts, and policy.

Then stand behind that person! IF that happens Trump will be gone! There are more of US than THEM!

None of us, or the MSM pundits, have a crystal ball. WE decide who get's nominated, and elected!
All the bloviating, chin scratching, and pearl clutching, is just that... Hot Air!

I say ignore the spin, and BS, and just vote for whomever has the policies that YOU see as just, right,
and meaningful to You, and Americas future. The rest will come out in Nov.

[Squinch]

42. I haven't seen any polls that say BS will beat trump while the other candidates will not.

Would you show us those, please?

And if, as our Democracy falls around our ears and the rule of law is being dismantles, you can't see why electability is "a thing," I can't really help you with that.

[QualTest]

53. OK

Then you don't look around very much they are posted everywhere.
Not my job to pull you out of your bubble, try using Google.

Trying to be an "Electability Forecaster", is a fools errand. Just VOTE for the person who
you feel meets your criteria as a candidate. Then the rest falls in place.

Remember, "Hillary was gonna win".... Ooops! Where did that "Electability" forecast get everyone?
That's how democracy works.

I don't need any help. I actually understand our system, not playing games and throwing clouds, to game it
and try to confuse people.

[Squinch]

63. I have used Google, and I have seen hundreds of polls, but I haven't seen any that show

BS beating trump while the other candidates don't.

And good for you that you understand our system so well. You must be very proud.

[QualTest]

69. It's unfortunate

That when logic and facts go out the window for you it gets ad hominin...

Must not know how to use that Google too well. Took me 1 minute:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-6250.html
and
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/bernie-sanders-can-beat-trump-his-liberal-vision-america-primary-ncna1137031
and
https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=3655

So much for your "Electability" standard...

[Squinch]

72. Your contention was that BS can beat trump where the others can't. I asked for your source

for polls that showed BS beating trump but the other candidates not beating him.

Your first two links do not show that.

Your last link actually shows Bloomberg doing slightly better against trump than BS.

[QualTest]

76. OK..

If that's what you see. Fine.
Done debating with you.

If you think Bloomy is the way forward, go vote for him.

Have a blessed day!

[Squinch]

80. Thank you for the permission.

[Duppers]

48. Ffs, no.

Let's see who else was once a repub?
Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Jerry Brown...

People evolve.

Right now I'm desperate and want only one thing: someone who is sure to beat tRump.

[Squinch]

75. I never knew that about Jerry Brown!

[QualTest]

95. I didn't say once was...

I contend currently still IS.

As per the item I posted.

Actually, I don't think he identifies as any party other than the .01% party.
I'm done arguing with people willing to sell everything just to "Beat Trump"

[Duppers]

99. Yep, excuse me.

So ya did.

I'm just going by this "misleading" NYT headline: "Michael Bloomberg Joins 2020 Democratic Field for President."

So, you contend, as my son does, that Michael Bloomberg is trying to deceive us. I care only about 1 thing: getting shitler out of office (and secondly, in prison). I believe, at this pt, that MB can do it.

[QualTest]

101. Fine..

When the Koch Bros. sign up as Dems and have the power and $$$ to defeat Drumph.
Vote for them....

Trading one evil for another, is no bargain.

[Duppers]

105. 🤣 Remember Rachel Bitecofer..

the famous prognosticator that called previous races? She's predicting ...

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1227571717201186817.html

[progressoid]

112. She said Sanders "will likely become the nominee. "

[MoonlitKnight]

115. He pretty much is running to stop Warren

[link:https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/14/bloomberg-signals-he-would-run-for-president-if-biden-struggles-against-warren.html|

“Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York, has indicated to associates in recent weeks that Joe Biden’s recent struggles against Sen. Elizabeth Warren are making him rethink his decision to stay out of the 2020 Democratic primary. ”

“During his three terms as mayor, Bloomberg was a Republican and an independent. He registered as a Democrat again one month before the party’s triumph in the 2018 midterm congressional elections“

[ToxMarz]

25. This all just vetting, if he survives it we move forward

If not, he's eliminated. Better it come out now if he's gonna be the nominee than later if it's gonna derail him in the general. I can live with pretty much any of the candidates as long as threy end up beating Trump. I say get everything out up front, let them use up all their ammo now. If he saidit, let him answer and the voters decide.

[Squinch]

27. Well, clearly that's happening.

[krissey]

28. This makes me feel better. Thank you for putting this together Squinch.

[Squinch]

29. Makes me feel better too. Especially the climate change and gun control and PP.

[krissey]

31. Right? I had a young 20 something tell me he was interested in Bloomberg. I did not know

about Bloomberg accomplishments and efforts. I trust that young person's judgment so this is great you laid it out. I didn't want to spend the time researching.

[carlvsam]

50. For Shame ...

How dare that 20-something be interested in anyone other than our Warren or Sanders - doesn't he or she know that all the other, more moderate candidates, are EVIL...

[krissey]

88. He was first for Beta, then Buttigieg. Liked Yang. Was interested in Steyers.

The young people I know almost exclusively stand strong with our Democratic candidates. University or higher degrees.

[Laelth]

30. Bloomberg is not my first choice ... not by a long shot.

But I very much appreciate the spirit of this thread and thought I should give it some stormtrooper love.



-Laelth

[Squinch]

34. .

Back atcha!

[Progressive2020]

32. Bloomberg And Hillary

I just saw online somewhere that Bloomberg is considering Hillary as his VP/Running Mate. Anyone heard of this yet, or is it just some Internet Meme?

[Duppers]

57. Wouldn't that kick shitler in his tiny little 'nads.

But putting our real president on the ticket would scare away some of the "never-trumpers" who'd cross the line for MB.

Think there are some of those are out there.

[scarletwoman]

61. It's a trumpist meme - designed to scare rightwingers about Bloomberg.

I think someone posted about here on DU.

[AlexSFCA]

33. he is way more effective than bernie, I'd vote for bloomberg

he gets overly pragmatic sometimes that gets interpreted as racism. He is so driven by getting things done at any cost.

[floppyboo]

35. Choosing Bloomberg is ignoring what's going on. He will never attract the #'s needed.

This is not a betting race between 2 heavy weights. The only people looking at it like that have money to bet and people who are convinced by shiny ads.
Vote Mike and lose. Again.
Very small bubble. Yes, that's all the everyday peeps you see on the news chosen by the news.
Let's see them go down to a soccer pitch in Nevada and ask the neighbourhood gathered there who they are going to vote for.
Burying the story obviously is not working. Save yourself the gnashing of teeth.
Sanders has the lowest #'s of unfavorable and the highest favorable among Democrats.
Way higher than either of the 2 final candidates in Nov.16.
That people here don't agree is kinda sad for the majority of Democrats.

[Progressive2020]

36. The Billionaire Versus The Social Democrat

Should be an interesting match-up between Bloomberg and Sanders.

[Squinch]

37. I agree that it is ignoring the results of Iowa and New Hampshire, but I don't think they are

representative of the country.

Bloomberg knew he wouldn't get them. OR the soccer pitches in Nevada. Which is why he is working to get the big states with lots of delegates.

We are in the infancy of this primary season. Bernie will not end as well as he began, and he began worse than he should have as a returning candidate.

[krissey]

41. For not even running yet, he is so kicking Sanders to the curb "showing the numbers", I think.

[Duppers]

59. I was a Bernie gal.

Still am in policy but what I really fear is this label: Bernie is a "socialist/communist/raise my taxes-er".

The problem is that people aren't truly informed enough and will be scared by the RW labeling Bernie.

My one goal right now is removing that treasonous shitler. And we need left and middle voters to do it.

[floppyboo]

116. Duppers, the republican base isn't going to vote for a Democrat, no matter who

Only 43%? of both Dems and Reps voted in 2016. The Dems and the disenfranchised working class far outnumber anything Trump can drag out to the polls.
The question is going to be who can get them out to the polls? Who can excite the portion of the Dem voters who would/have just stayed home. Not everyone is thinking politics affects their lives - they are too busy, maybe with young families, maybe looking after other family members. These are Bernie voters. Not so much coastal or richer voters who see Bloomberg as an easy saviour.

And hey I get the appeal of boomberg - its free! Sort of. See, he's giving a bunch of bucks to good causes, and are they going to turn a blind eye when he says, with all the sincerity of a data geek - oh, I had no idea my policies impacted your communities negatively. I'll be sure to give you more money next time. Just let me keep making the decisions.
Please please please America - vote for Bernie. Give the working people a chance to shape the future. The old money story isn't working.

[cwydro]

38. Rec.

[marble falls]

45. We don't need another billionaire. I will support him 100% of he gets the nod.

[DIVINEprividence]

54. Most of these stories are bs hit pieces

The GOP are clearly rattled with the idea of Democrats running Bloomberg. Everyone else in the Dem field isnt inspiring any confidence in me that they can take on Trump. I thought Biden and love him, but I think all his personal tragedies have taken their toll and he has lost his edge a bit. Bernie is too divisive and he has burned his bridges with the “establishment” which he will need in the general election. Pete seems like an upstanding guy but too green and strikes me as a light weight. Warren would be running away with this if she had taken a more nuanced approach to health care. A lot of centrist Democrats like her but fear running on Medicare For All is such a drastic overhaul of the economy is too risky and open to backlash and all for a policy proposal that has zero chance of being passed. A public option in Obamacare however does. I was hoping Warren would knock Bernie out. It didn’t happen

[pbmus]

58. Bloomberg is very very rich and can get under the Cons skin easily...

He is also more centrist[appeals to Wall Street and corporations]while leading democrats are more progressive...

My concern is will he come in like Obama and forgive and forget....after Nixon, Reagan, Bush and now the Big Con, I don’t think the country will stand for forgiveness anymore...

[Squinch]

65. My suspicion is that he will work with Republicans on legislation in a way that will sometimes

infuriate us.

BUT I think he will go after Filthy Donnie and his clown car like a dog going after a bone.

[SunSeeker]

67. Raising cspital gains to be the same as earned income would be a BIG deal.

It would pay for a lot of stuff, and it's the right thing to do.

[Squinch]

68. About damn time, too.

[Vinca]

70. The problem is virtually all of the candidates have some kind of skeleton in the closet.

We have to remember that next to the Trump skeleton closet, ours is miniscule. A few weeks ago it was all about Pete when he was mayor or Amy when she was a prosecutor or Joe when he sponsored crime legislation. There will never, ever, ever be the perfect candidate. Even Obama had Rev. Wright. The good thing about Bloomberg, in my eyes, is his willingness to slap Don up side the head twice as hard as anything he gets incoming. I fully expect Bloomberg to say he's a real billionaire and happy to produce his taxes to prove it and dare the King to do the same.

[patphil]

71. I live within 50 miles of NYC, so I am familiar with Mike Bloomberg.

He was a decent mayor, made some mistakes, but wasn't afraid to accept responsibility for them.
He does seem to genuinely care about people, but I don't know if he can win black and hispanic support.
He tends to speak out a bit too often without careful consideration of his words...a little bit like me posting on DU.

All in all, he has an uphill battle, but may end up in the thick of it at what looks like a probable brokered convention.
I don't paint him as a bad guy; a bit of an opportunist, but a couple orders of magnitude better than the president we have now.

If he got the nomination, I would whole-heartedly support him.

Pat Phillips

[Mazeltov Cocktail]

74. Michael Bloomberg turned 78 yesterday...

[Kurt V.]

77. that's all words. i judge a person by their actions. he said Obama divided the country for

Pete's sake.

[Squinch]

81. It's actually mostly about his actions as opposed to his words.

[trof]

78. I WILL VOTE FOR A N Y B O D Y WITH THE 'D' NEXT TO THEIR NAME.

ANY. BODY.
PERIOD

[EveHammond13]

79. BEAT. TRUMP. PERIOD. we cannot be hamstrung by any double-standard. nt

[slumcamper]

82. Thanks. I'm sure everyone here will coalesce around whoever we nominate.

Certainly nobody will cling to rigid ideology and mire themselves in the morass of dogmatism and allow the GOP to sweep all our progressive achievements into the dustbin of history?

Certainly nobody will be so in need of instant political gratification that they will ignore the fact that most of our progress has been achieved incrementally by long, united struggle?

Certainly nobody would allow their conception of the "perfect" to be the enemy of the good?

Right?

[Squinch]

83. I'm just praying no one "boos" at the convention.

[catbyte]

85. And let's not forget he won both the Democratic & republican primary in Dixville Notch 😁

I know it's only 4 votes there, but it shows he has appeal to folks that aren't in the cult. I'm not sold on him yet, but I think he's got one hell of a better chance of ousting that thing currently infesting the White House than Bernie.

[SCantiGOP]

86. Thanks for the post

I would have no problem working my ass off for him.

[Hekate]

87. THANK YOU, SQUINCH. I love fact-based reporting. nt

[moreland01]

89. Yes, I'm an ageist.

If you think Bernie and Joe are too old for the job of President, then you probably won't support Bloomberg.

But after the primaries, I'm voting blue no matter who.

[mdelaguna]

90. Excellent post! And more compelling given the end

I appreciate your measured remarks especially since he’s not your preferred candidate.

While I did indicate him (below, mainly because I think he can win), I can see the positives of a couple other candidates, too, should voters coalesce around one in a major way.

[Prof.Higgins]

91. DU benefits from posts like this instead of so many attacks on opponents.

[tulipsandroses]

92. His labor plan supports $15 minimum wage and paid family and sick leave, and strengthening unions.

Something else, besides Stop and Frisk that he had a change of heart on as he decided to run for president.

In 2012, Bloomberg vetoed the New York City Council-backed “living wage” bill, which would have guaranteed workers a minimum wage of $11.50 per hour or $10 per hour with benefits on projects that received over one million dollars in public funds. The mayor argued this would thwart job creation, even though the bill would have affected only 400 to 500 workers.

In 2013, the mayor also vetoed a Council measure to provide one million workers with a minimum of five paid sick-leave days per year, as he believed it would burden businesses. "The bill, which will impose significant new costs on employers and create a vast new bureaucracy, is bad for the city's economy, and it will harm the very people it seeks to help," Bloomberg said in a statement, explaining his reasons for blocking the measure.

[link:https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/new-york-city/michael-bloombergs-mayoral-actions-may-make-him-a-liability.html|

Bloomberg Now Backs a $15 Minimum Wage — a Change in Stance
By Courtney Gross California
PUBLISHED 11:27 PM ET Dec. 11, 2019

It was more than seven years ago. The City Council was looking to create a living wage, forcing companies that receive city subsidies to pay their workers more.
Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg said no.
Bloomberg 2020: Learn More About the Former Mayor's Presidential Run
"They would make it harder and more costly for businesses to stay, harder and more costly for businesses to stay, and harder and more costly for businesses to thrive," he said in 2012.
Three years later and then out of office, Bloomberg was not convinced raising wages was the way to go:
"I, for example, am not in favor, have never been in favor, of raising the minimum wage," he said in a 2015 interview with his Bloomberg channel.
But in California on Wednesday, Bloomberg the presidential candidate sounded a bit different.

][link:https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2019/12/12/michael-bloomberg-on-minimum-wage-now-backs-15-dollars-minimum-wage-2020-presidential-election|

Hopefully if he is president. He will not change his mind again. If he is the nominee, I will vote for him. But he is going to have to prove his lip service. His track record as mayor is what I am judging him on to see how he would govern. There is a whole lot besides Stop and Frisk that was problematic.

[lynintenn]

93. It' about beating Trump.

Amy Pete nor Elizabeth will do well in the South. You only rack up delegates by scoring 15% or more . If those 3 split the vote Bernie benefits. Vote wisely.

[totodeinhere]

94. He cannot defeat Trump. Money won't beat Trump. The 2016 campaign showed that.

Only a movement can defeat Trump. Bloomberg doesn't have a movement. Bernie does and he is also well financed but he is financed by you and me, not by money earned from Wall Street hedge funds.

[Miles Archer]

103. Hope he can be persuaded to change his mind on marijuana legalization, but...

...if he becomes the candidate, he'll get my vote.

[Demsrule86]

110. I really like what Bloomberg has done.

[MoonlitKnight]

114. While I strongly disagree with the choice of the OP

I like the thoughtful and positive approach laid out. I hope you would take another look at Buttigieg and Warren for your third choice but at least Bloomberg is the third pick and not first.

[Squinch]

119. Liz is really my first choice but she isn't catching on.

Which I think is a tragedy for the country.

I like Pete but I don't think he would do well in the general. I think they would do to him what they did to Dukakis.

[R B Garr]

117. Excellent info! Thanks Squinch.

I do have to hand it to him that his ads are great. He was brilliant in associating himself with Obama very strongly in one ad, with Obama’s voice praising Bloomberg.

He’s about the only candidate besides Biden who has referenced Obama, and it is appreciated. Running to socialism and ignoring Obama is probably a turnoff to many Democrats.