Can anyone tell me why the DNC lowered their standards

[tiredtoo]

Allowing Mike Bloomberg on the debate stage?

[lapucelle]

1. Nobody can tell you that because the DNC didn't do that.

As per the NYT when the Feb. 17 qualification rules were announced.

The Democratic National Committee has made it progressively harder to qualify for debates, narrowing the field of candidates invited onstage.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/politics/democratic-debate-lineup.html

[jalan48]

3. Here's what your candidate said about this yesterday....

"The DNC didn’t change the rules to ensure good, diverse candidates could remain on the debate stage. They shouldn’t change the rules to let a billionaire on. Billionaires shouldn't be allowed to play by different rules — on the debate stage, in our democracy, or in our government," Massachuetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a tweet on Friday.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2020-democrats-slam-party-rule-change-that-could-let-bloomberg-debate

[lapucelle]

4. Yes, I know what Elizabeth said. I don't agree.

[Magoo48]

16. I also agree.

One item not found on our nation’s long list of needs is a billionaire for president.

[still_one]

7. Thanks

[lapucelle]

10. The qualifications have become increasingly more rigorous

since the first debate in June, including the February 17 rules. Biden, Warren, and BS already qualify for the Feb. 17 debate.

Bloomberg does not currently qualify, and there is no guarantee that he will qualify, given the metrics that were announced.

two polls at 12 percent or more in Nevada and/or South Carolina; or
four polls at 10 percent or more in those states or in national surveys.

I think the change is a good thing. There was evidence that the donor system was being gamed. That game is over now.

Let Bloomberg face real questions on a debate stage, if he qualifies.

[still_one]

20. I agree

[demmiblue]

2. ...

[Uncle Joe]

5. + Infinity.

[tiredtoo]

6. Thank you for the honest reply. EOM

[sarisataka]

8. Exactly nt

[Cuthbert Allgood]

13. That and being triggered by Sanders polling.

But mostly that.

[wishstar]

9. DNC has not allowed Bloomberg into Feb 7 debate but it's a subject of discussion

so some candidates and media pundits are talking about whether or not debate standards should be changed in light of his strong polling numbers.

[lapucelle]

12. Bloomberg doesn't qualify for the February 17 debate at this point either. N/T

[judeling]

11. They did not change the rules to help Bloomberg

The Donor requirements where there to limit the Billionaires. It forced Steyer to go out of his way to get $1 donations to even qualify and that was tough for him. They were also there to demonstrate the possibility of gathering enough support to be a viable candidate.

Now that votes are being cast and there are no longer four early states, it makes absolute sense to count actual delegates. And finally someone polling 10% or more in national polls should be on the stage.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

14. So they don't have to do the leg work that others did to get in the race early

and can then just be a billionaire and get the benefit of the later debates with a smaller field without having to actually maintain a campaign like Booker and Harris had to.

Got it.

So just be a billionaire and wait a bit. That's what the donor requirements were for.

ETA: Bloomberg being allowed to do this is going to hurt the centrists a lot more than the progressives on the stage.

[judeling]

17. The Benefit?

At this point the candidates need to get Bloomberg on the Stage with them. They have no way to counter the mountain of money he has. The need to get him into the mix or he just floats above it all.

Or

They have to get really nasty.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

18. If there is no benefit, why does he want in?

It's exposure. Needed exposure.

[UniteFightBack]

19. He's running because he doesn't want Sanders to win and he's the back up to Biden. Since

that won't be necessary Joe will just take over his operation and we'll beat corrupt dump.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

21. Keep telling yourself that.

The polls indicate different trends.

And, as I've said elsewhere, shitting on the progressives in the party and then expecting them to just be in love with those that have been shitting on them isn't a great strategy.

[lapucelle]

15. The "rigged system" narrative is a Trump talking point.

Not sure why it keeps showing up here.

[brooklynite]

22. Simple and non-conspiratorial answer...

They switched from fundraising support to actual votes...

[CTyankee]

23. It might be a good idea for someone to repeat his quotes on women and on rape.

I am so horrified that we have a candidate for office in our party who thinks like that.

https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-bloombergs-comments-about-women-and-rape-will-haunt-him-2019-11