Did Bloomberg lie to us all?

[bluewater]

Link to tweet

Good question.

Link to tweet

Well, Bloomberg still has 4 months to make good on his promise to spend 1 billion dollars to defeat Trump.
Honestly, he should get moving on that.

[MoonlitKnight]

1. Yes

Predictably so.

[NCDem47]

2. Bloomberg's response to all things related to the primaries and what was said, "Oh, never mind!"

Not.

To.

Be.

Trusted.

His arrogance REEKED during those debates.

[Demsrule86]

3. Consider that Bloomberg was treated like shit during the primary...and he did fund

the house takeover in 18. What do we expect?

[uponit7771]

4. Warren tore him a new one everyone else was pretty moderate around him

[Demsrule86]

13. She destroyed him and other Democrats went after him too.

I expect his feeling were hurt and he is angry.

[delisen]

16. Bloomberg has been around a long time.

He is a thinker not an emotional reactor.

[Demsrule86]

38. Maybe. He might think that our party is ungrateful considering the support offered

in the last few years.

[Sunsky]

9. The man to keep his word

Which was made after he suspended his campaign. Therefore, how he was or wasn't treated during his candidacy doesn't matter. However, I thought he got a fair shot and blew it during the debate. He has nobody to blame but himself.

[Demsrule86]

17. Look, I supported Biden the entire primary and Warren probably helped Biden

going after Bloomberg. But Bloomberg did help us take back the house and win Virginia via funding and that should have been considered before some pretty vicious attacks and not just by Warren either. And Sure he said he would help and maybe he will;I hope he does keep his promise ...getting rid of Trump is more important than anger or hurt on his part, but he may not do so. That is the reality.

[JHB]

54. Remember, he also hopped in very late in the process...

...and arguably got special treatment (IIRC, he didn't meet the criteria for being included in one of the debates, but got an invite anyway).

He was great at taking shots at Trump. Building support within the party? Not so much, so he went nowhere when the primary ballots were cast.

[Demsrule86]

60. This is true. Biden sure would have like to skip Iowa,New Hampshire and Nevada I bet

but he didn't.

[JonLP24]

57. Anger or hurt?

I could mention a candidate that was treated a lot worse by the party and the media but he still backs the nominee.

Audio: Bloomberg slammed Warren as 'scary' and demeaned his endorsement of Obama

WASHINGTON – Leaked audio of billionaire and 2020 Democratic contender Michael Bloomberg shows him calling the progressive left and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mas., "scary" while also suggesting that Sen. Mitt Romney, R-UT, would have been a better president than former President Barack Obama.

CNN released the audio Monday, saying it came from a Goldman Sachs event for at Yankee Stadium in 2016. In it, Bloomberg is heard saying "the left is rising. The progressive movement is just as scary. Elizabeth Warren on one side. And whoever you want to pick on the Republicans on the right side?" when asked about the rise of the far-right in Europe.

Bloomberg also said that he would use a "campaign platform" for the presidency to "defend the banks."

"You know how well that's gonna sell in this country," he said, adding that the people in the banking crowd are his "peeps."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/24/audio-michael-bloomberg-slammed-elizabeth-warren-scary/4864125002/

I wish Bloomberg would go away.

Bloomberg’s comments on redlining distort a history of racism


https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/02/20/bloombergs-comments-on-redlining-distort-a-history-of-racism/

Not to mention Bloomberg's racist comments defending stop & frisk. Thank god he isn't the nominee. Could you imagine him at the top of the ticket with BLM protests going on?

[Demsrule86]

59. I don't say I agree with him but acknowledge I doubt we have the house without his

help...and say why he may not help us..hope he does in fact continue to support Democrats.

[JonLP24]

62. I think we win the house either way

The Trump party is too far to the right and they lost a lot of those suburban voters. The Trump party denies climate change while the environment as well as gun control are important to the newly picked up voters.

This is a study from a political scientist

Study: Biden can unite progressives and swing voters with a focus on climate

The environment is the biggest driver of doubts about Trump among his wavering supporters.

Most of the people who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 tell pollsters they’re firmly backing his reelection this fall. But elections are won by margins. And the relatively small number of Trump voters — about 10 percent, according to the Cooperative Congressional Election Survey — who say they’re at least considering casting a vote for the Democratic nominee are a critical slice of the population to understand.

And a new study, provided to Vox by Tufts University political scientists Brian Schaffner and Laurel Bliss and Data for Progress executive director Sean McElwee, argues that climate change could be the key for Democrats hoping to woo these voters.

This is a matter that should be of some concern to Joe Biden in particular, as the wavering Trump voters are disproportionately young and the youth vote has not exactly been Biden’s strong suit. But while these voters take conservative positions on some issues, their ideas on climate are largely aligned with those of the Democratic Party base and with stances Biden himself has already taken.

Who the wavering Trump voters are
Trump voters who’ve lost confidence in the president are an electorally critical demographic, but it’s also a small group of people — just around 10 percent of the approximately 46 percent of voters who pulled the lever for Trump in 2016. The CCES is an ideal tool to study those voters because it’s a large survey, with 19,000 responses, that can still generate statistically useful information about small sub-groups.

https://www.vox.com/2020/4/2/21201825/biden-climate-swing-voters-progressives-2020-election

Trump is probably the biggest reason why we picked up the house.

[George II]

67. I forget the exact number now, but it was in the hundreds of millions to support...

...our Democratic House candidates.

[C_U_L8R]

5. The real action begins after next month.

I'd expect to see Bloomberg's efforts then. Right?

[onetexan]

75. Yup. K&R

[Mike 03]

6. Call me naive, I have total faith in Mike Bloomberg

He's the guy who, on his own initiative, flew to Paris to meet Macron and personally pay the $15 M United States' Paris Accord dues the day after Trump announced he would pull us out.

(Source: p 348, The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg by Eleanor Randolph.)

[HotTeaBag]

10. Yeah, I'm on your side on this one.

Just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it's not happening - I have to believe he's involved somehow.

[Mike 03]

20. He'll come through for us

He is likely doing work right now that we're not aware of.

A lot of his philanthropy is done quietly or through third parties.

[onetexan]

76. Make that 2 - just because we don't hear of it doesn't mean Bloomberg isn't doing anything

[Demsrule86]

19. I hope so... I like the current Mike too...he has evolved and has been very helpful

to Democrats.

[Demsrule86]

24. I did not know that ...very impressive.

[jalan48]

7. Bloomberg, a former Bush/Cheney Republican got in the race to stop Sanders and Warren. Once it

was clear neither would become our Presidential candidate he dropped out. He had some very vocal supporters here on DU.

[Demsrule86]

22. Bloomberg helped us win the house...why would he do that if he still supported the GOP?

[jalan48]

26. My take is Bloomberg supports candidates that will favor him, He's the 7th richest person in the US

with a net worth of over $55 billion.

[Demsrule86]

41. The GOP having the house is way more favorable to rich guys like Bloomberg...than

Democrats in terms of the pugs doing everything in their power to further enrich them. But your post is telling, and with this sort of opinion which I have no doubt is shared by those on social media in large numbers, why should Bloomberg help us? I hope he will because he realizes the danger to our country Trump presents.

[jalan48]

47. Yes, I'm sure all those social media types as well as Elizabeth Warren have hurt Mikey's feelings so

badly he might not support Democrats after all. Quick, we need to suck up up to him before he decides to switch back to being a Republican.

[Demsrule86]

65. I didn't suggest anything of the kinds...doubt it would work, but I wouldn't do it

anyway. I merely suggested a reason Mike has not stepped up...hope he is waiting until fall as many have said.

[honest.abe]

77. I think it was primarily to give Biden voters an option if Joe faltered completely.

When in turn would stop Sanders from winning.

[irisblue]

8. A multi billionaire lying?

Shocked face emoji here

[BigmanPigman]

11. He said he is waiting until the campaign kicks in

after the DNC "convention" then he will support Biden and all the Dems running.

[honest.abe]

21. I think you are correct but do you have a link that statement.

Mike is clearly on our side in the situation and I know he wants to defeat Trump.

[BigmanPigman]

71. Here is one...

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/mike-bloomberg-to-donate-18-million-to-dnc-in-2020-election.html

"Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg will scrap his plans for an independent group to boost Democrats in the 2020 presidential election and instead pile $18 million into the Democratic National Committee, his campaign announced Friday."

"Bloomberg’s presidential campaign said the DNC will use the investment to boost hiring, organizing and data operations in battleground states. In addition, it will transfer “several” field offices to state parties."

[secondwind]

40. Yes, he said that... there really is no reason to spend money now.... he's probably go all out

after Labor Day.

[Jamastiene]

12. *crickets*

He was outright lying.

[UpInArms]

14. It was always about Bloomie

eom

[unblock]

15. So far, whatever he's doing is working lol

[Jersey Devil]

18. It's summer - real campaign starts after Labor Day

relax

[Voltaire2]

23. that is such a quaint perspective.

The 'real' campaign for 2020 started in november of 2016.

[Jersey Devil]

32. advt costs millions so you wait to get the biggest bang for your money

It's not "quaint" to want to to maximize your audience. Although this year may be a bad example due to covid, people are not paying attention in the summer. They are vacationing, enjoying the outdoors, shopping for school clothes, etc. After Labor Day people are indoors more, watching more television. It's why we have summer reruns.

[brooklynite]

25. How many people here work on political campaigns professionally?

I'm guessing: none. What tells you that early July is the optimal time to spend money?

[bluewater]

27. Why sit on one's hands?

It's never too early to prime the pump with adds to set the tone and define the opposition.

Especially if you are going to spend ONE BILLION DOLLARS in total.

The Lincoln Project, who I imagine have some people in it that have worked on political campaigns professionally, seem to realize this and have been running savage, scathing anti-Trump adds to define him now.

[PTWB]

78. Simple

Nothing that happens right now will have significant impact on the election. Humans have short memories. A billion dollars over 120 days will be less impactful than a bullion dollars over 60 days immediately preceding the election.

[Stuart G]

30. I agree with you, brooklynite. A much better time would be September & October..

The billion will be spent, please be patient. Early July around the 4th, is NOT THE BEST TIME!

Everyone, please be patient!!! ...4 months left till November 3..I believe Bloomberg will keep his word..Patience!!!

[Mike 03]

33. I'm with you 100%

[liskddksil]

34. The time to form lasting impressions is as early as possible.

Most of the hack political operatives on our side wait much too long to define our opponents, and also let them define our candidate and policies without push-back. We have lost countless winnable races because of it. See John Kerry (August 2004).

[USALiberal]

35. Call Biden, he might need your advice! nt

[Demsrule86]

43. Trump is defined.

[liskddksil]

50. In our bubble Trump is defined. Outside he is still seen as a better steward of the Economy than Joe

That's on the campaign to fix now.

[Demsrule86]

64. The campaign is doing fine thank you very much. This is a referendum on Trump

and if people are still supporting him after what he has done, they will continue to do so. Trump is a known quantity as is Biden which helps Biden. I believe Biden will win in a landslide.

[liskddksil]

69. Ah a classic "don't worry we got this" post. I saw many in 2016.

I hope anyone working on Joe's campaign doesn't have the attitude that this is in the bag, because it is certainly not. They better give 500% every minute between now and until the electoral college meets and not let down its guard at all.

[brooklynite]

48. THE LINCOLN PROJECT ads that you know and love...

...are not intended to convert voters; they're intended to provoke a reaction from Trump that gets reported in free media. And if LP is paying for them, why should Bloomberg?

[melman]

52. "not intended to convert voters"

Interesting.

[George II]

63. That and to create doubt in the minds of potential trump voters....

Even if they don't vote for Biden, if they don't vote for trump either that's one vote in our favor in each case.

[melman]

45. Do you?

Do you work on political campaigns professionally?

[George II]

58. I haven't worked on campaigns "professionally" (i.e., for a salary) but I've worked at the top....

...of countless campaigns over the years.

They've all been local or state-wide, not national. We started spending serious money in September or very late in August.

What's the point of sending out mailings that will be thrown in the garbage and forgotten months before the campaign gets serious?

I have no doubt Mike Bloomberg will wind up spending big money by November.

[Phoenix61]

28. How many people have said the letter Comey

sent on Oct 28th cost Hillary the election? This nation has the attention span of a flea. I’d much rather Bloomberg hang out in the back ground for now. Biden is doing fine. The Lincoln Project is kicking ass.

[honest.abe]

46. +1

Exactly.

[sarisataka]

31. I recall seeing something on DU

A few weeks ago that the Bloomberg campaign submitted a final report of expenditures for his run came in at just over a billion dollars.

Now he promised to spend a billion to defeat Trump, but if he spent a billion on his own campaign... he can claim that technically he kept his promise. The question then is will he spend more?

I think that depends on how much he hates Trump or if he sees a benefit to himself. I never have seen him as a true ally. He may support Democrats more often, but he has not hesitated to support Republicans when it suits his agenda.

[Snake Plissken]

36. It's only July, the only people are a spending money now are the ones who are behind in the polls

After Labor Day is when the election really begins

[liskddksil]

37. Not true. Impressions become set in stone early on. Whoever succesfully does that will win 90%

of the time.

[cbdo2007]

39. There is still a LONG time before the election and $$$ goes quickly

Why spent money on ads now when he could completely blanket the airwaves with ads in the last 2-3 weeks.

[dalton99a]

42. He will contribute after Labor Day

[melman]

44. Of course

That was obvious all along.

[2naSalit]

49. Aside from it being preconvention...

Perhaps he has been quietly funding TLP and MT? Or maybe even one or two of the other R groups working to defeat the asshole in chief.

[coti]

51. Obviously, he's not a golfer. nt

[jcmaine72]

53. What did people expect?

I got relentlessly pummeled in the Primary Forum earlier in the year for daring to point out Bloomberg's horrendous past and for refusing to accept the store-bought (D) he placed next to his name as proof that he had been miraculously transformed into a genuine pillar of Democratic principles. He's not, never was, and never will be a Democrat. PERIOD!

[LiberalArkie]

55. Yes

[JonLP24]

56. I honestly don't want his money

I don't want anything to do with Bloomberg. We really dodged a bullet with him.

Could you imagine stop and frisk Bloomberg in a race vs stop and frisk Trump.

[George II]

61. Here's what Bloomberg ACTUALLY said:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/11/us/politics/michael-bloomberg-spending.html

Michael Bloomberg Is Open to Spending $1 Billion to Defeat Trump

The Democratic presidential candidate said he would spend big even if the nominee was someone he had sharp differences with, like Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Michael R. Bloomberg on Saturday did not rule out spending a billion dollars of his own money on the 2020 presidential race, even if he does not win the Democratic nomination, and said he would mobilize his well-financed political operation to help Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren win in November if either is the party nominee, despite their sharp policy differences.

Mr. Bloomberg’s plans would effectively create a shadow campaign operation for the general election, complete with hundreds of organizers in key battleground states and a robust digital operation, ready to be inherited by the party nominee — regardless of who that nominee may be.

Already, Mr. Bloomberg has spent more than $200 million on advertising, putting him on pace to spend by early March about the same as what President Barack Obama’s campaign spent on advertising over the course of the entire 2012 general election. If Mr. Bloomberg fails to win the nomination, future spending would be redirected toward attacking Mr. Trump.

To be honest, no one knows yet how much Bloomberg has already spent. No doubt he'll ramp up his spending in the fall.

Remember, although he crushed his 20+ fellow candidates in the primaries, Joe Biden still isn't the "official" nominee. The convention hasn't even been conducted yet.

[H2O Man]

66. I would suspect that

it is way too early to say. If he is going to invest a lot of funds, it would make sense that he hold off until at least after the "conventions."

[lapucelle]

68. I find it hard to take Chait seriously.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/thinnest-media-skins-2018_n_5c084817e4b0bf813ef3c6cc
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/good-stuff-zero-things-better-grandma-twins_n_5b48fbfbe4b022fdcc59432b

[ProfessorGAC]

70. It's July 7th

Major spending starts in September. PINO's gang is spending now because they need to stop the bleeding.
Even if they manage to mitigate a bit, in September and October there's plenty of time to rip the stitches.

[Autumn]

72. I'm sure Bloom will get right on that.

[Dukkha]

73. He realized he couldn't compete against Covid-19

That thing is just a campaign wrecking machine.

[Trumpocalypse]

74. I feel vindicated