Michael Bloomberg's fast ascent unnerves rivals

[left-of-center2012]

While the other Democratic hopefuls knock one another in the snows of Iowa and New Hampshire, Bloomberg has the rest of America largely to himself. Fueled by a bottomless bank account, an advertising blitz of unprecedented size and scope and armies of organizers in vast regions other candidates don’t have the resources to staff, the Bloomberg presidential campaign is taking off in unlikely places — like west Texas.

Among the dignitaries on hand to greet him was hometown favorite Beto O’Rourke, the former congressman who dropped out of the presidential race weeks before Bloomberg plunged in as a very late entrant. “I like that he is here,” O’Rourke said during a brief interview. “I strongly believe we have a chance to deliver the [state’s] 38 electoral college votes to the Democratic nominee. But it won’t happen of its own accord. It’s going to take a massive level of organizing and a significant investment. The fact that he’s willing to do that … bodes very, very well for the state, and may bode well for his candidacy.”

O’Rourke hasn’t endorsed anybody. But his presence at the event reassured more than a few that Bloomberg is worth their support. “It’s a good sign,” said Alexis Archuletta, a 20-year-old student who had hoped to vote for O’Rourke and is now bullish on Bloomberg. “Bloomberg is like the cream of the crop.” In El Paso on Thursday night, Bloomberg launched the opening of another of what will be 17 Texas offices.

“I struggle with how to answer where this is going,” said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a University of Virginia publication that tracks campaigns. “It is different than anything we have seen before.”

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-01-31/bloombergs-campaign-rapid-ascent

[saidsimplesimon]

1. It's the "bell of freedom"

knock, knocking on our doors.

I support Senator Warren. I am grateful for Mr. Bloomberg's willingness to expose the flaws in our primaries. I'm willing to bet "dollars to donuts" that he will not be our candidate. imo

[hay rick]

2. Bloomberg is on the ground in my part of Florida.

We have a March 17 primary. Not seeing paid staff from the other candidates yet. A lot of people are simply afraid and are moving in his direction because they think he's the safe candidate.

[Buckeyeblue]

3. Would he be a good president?

He might be too centrist. But maybe that's what we need to beat Trump. I'm honestly not sure what is the best approach.

[Politicub]

4. His ads have been in heavy rotation in Atlanta today

And he has a strong, clear message. It is easy to imagine him beating Trump.

I’ve done my research about him and it would be easy for me to support him in the general election. He is putting his fortune to good use by supporting down-ballot races, too.

[ms liberty]

5. He believes medical marijuana is a hoax and is opposed

To it and legalization. That is ignorant and out of touch, and disqualifies him from consideration for me.

[left-of-center2012]

6. Your info is outdated

Michael Bloomberg Backs Decriminalization As Marijuana Views Evolve Amid Presidential Run

Wall Street Journal reporting on Wednesday that a forthcoming criminal justice reform plan will include and endorsement of simple decriminalization and that he backs states’ rights to end prohibition without federal intervention, though details are sparse.

“He believes no one should have their life ruined by getting arrested for possession, and, as a part of his reform efforts that drove incarceration down by 40 percent, he worked to get New York State laws changed to end low-level possession arrests,” a spokesman told the Journal. “He believes in decriminalization and doesn’t believe the federal government should interfere with states that have already legalized.”

[ms liberty]

7. So he's now changed his mind? Good.

I still won't be supporting him as a candidate, but at least he's not that stupid.