Bloomberg is dangerous. PLEASE don't let him win the primary

[Cal Carpenter]

Disclaimer - This is a reply I posted on a different thread. I am posting it as an OP because I have been encouraged to do so by a couple people who, btw, support different candidates than I do. This is not a purity test. This is about the future of our country and the Democratic Party. Sound dramatic? Good.

There is a reason for Charles Blow, Michael Harriot, and other black writers to focus on Bloomberg. He is an opportunist. He took institutional racism to some seriously next-level shit and destroyed thousands and thousands of lives. In the recent past. Not just stop-and-frisk but in housing, wages, and various other ways. Just google what happened in Rikers Island (where many of the victims of stop-and-frisk had to spend time, btw, especially if they couldn't pay bail) under Bloomberg's watch. Use of force against inmates by guards increased by 90% in one year. ONE YEAR.

I could parse about Klobuchar as prosecutor or Buttigieg as mayor, but I won't. They were in roles in which institutional racism was part and parcel. Could they have done better? Sure. But they pretty much chugged along with the status quo, and they seem sincere in their efforts to understand the depth of systemic racism and the importance of doing something about it.

Bloomberg is a whole different animal, with wealth and power and a very dangerous authoritarianism. His so-called 'apologies' about this do not even scratch the surface of how directly responsible he is for the results of his policies, and how extreme (even unconstitutional) those policies were. We've heard recordings from just 5 years ago when he says things that should horrify all Democrats, and certainly make it clear that he cannot represent the Democratic Party!

While Bloomberg is getting meaningful (and for me, unnerving) endorsements from Black Democratic politicians and leaders, I genuinely believe that if he gets the nomination, enthusiasm and turnout will be greatly impacted, particularly among POC and those (generally younger folks) who are encouraging a real reckoning in this country about how embedded racism is in our history and our institutions and the depth of change that we need to make it better.

Bloomberg is NOT a step forward. I've heard some argue that his opportunistic tendencies, intelligence and political savvy could make him even more dangerous than Trump. Based on his track record, those arguments are hard to counter.

If he is sincere in his desire to spend a shit ton of money to get Trump out, he should step aside and spend it on Democratic candidates. Any of them. All of them. Whatever will work. But mostly during the general election when it counts.

[msongs]

1. who is more dangerous bloomie or bernie? nt

[HopeAgain]

4. Bloomie

Without a doubt.

[lagomorph777]

111. +1

Not even close.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

176. +2

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

[xmas74]

187. That's a joke,right? Nt

[at140]

206. +3

[Act_of_Reparation]

6. Bloomberg.

No contest.

[Evergreen Emerald]

11. Bernie

[Amimnoch]

12. Bernie. -nt

[Loki Liesmith]

13. For me, Bernie.

[brush]

59. Right. Bloomberg can beat trump. Sanders' socialist baggage will doom him and the party.

[DemocracyMouse]

76. Socialism is no longer baggage. It's a counter balance to unbridled monopoly capitalism

[brush]

101. I disagreed. It's a matter of how many votes it will peel off if Sanders gets the nod.

Let's not be naive. The word socialism is toxic to quite a few million voters.
Seems there is history you're not aware of.

Two generations (maybe a generation and a half—boomers and many GenXers) where schooled to fear commies/reds/the USSR, Red China, the domino theory, failed communist collectives, socialists, etc. Many still believe that and they make up quite a large swathe of voters.

I know many who are younger say that the stigma against socialism has lessened considerably but that may just be among their cohort. There are still millions, millions of voters who detest socialism and that large swathe of voters is not going to vote for Sanders if he gets the nomination—and among those voters, you can bet, are many Democrats, not to mention independents and never-trump republicans, all of whom we need to defeat trump in November.

Do we really want to take the chance that younger voters, who just don't vote as heavily as older ones, will make up for the millions who detest socialism and things imagined about it in their minds?

That's a bad bet. We have to go with a candidate who can get some of those voters who still hold toxic views of socialism.

[SilasSouleII]

121. Agreed

N/T

[Silver Gaia]

122. +1

Thank you.

[thesquanderer]

129. A different perspective of the impact of the "socialism" label

At least one poll showed that it didn't make much difference in Sanders' ability to beat Trump. Possibly because the people who are turned off by the Socialism label are less likely to be voting for the Democratic candidate in the first place, so we're talking about losing votes we never had to begin with. Alternatively, maybe the votes we lose by identifying with socialism are offset by the votes we gain (again from within the group that isn't going to vote for Trump regardless).

https://www.vox.com/2020/1/31/21113780/bernie-sanders-socialism-electability-primaries

[brush]

144. You want to take that bet that votes will be offset? I don't. I'll go with one without that baggage.

Getting trump out is too important to gamble on a voter age group that hisorically does not vote heavily.

It's all about voter turnout and we know older voters do show up on election day.

We can't just win with Democratic voters. We need some independents and never-trump republicans also to defeat trump in November.

[Rorey]

132. USSR - Union of Soviet SOCIALIST Republics

I think a lot of younger folks aren't even aware of the negative connotation that the mere word "socialist" brings to a lot of those in those generations you mentioned.

[brush]

147. Right, their lack of exposure to what USSR means doesn't erase the history that's still in the...

minds of many.

[MoonlitKnight]

165. Democratic People's Republic of Korea Ain't democratic

Names don’t always mean what they say.

[Rorey]

169. Agreed

The thing is, when you say the word "socialist" to some people in certain age groups, it automatically brings up a bad feeling. It's unlikely that all of those people in that age group who have that bad feeling about the word are going to be re-trained in their way of thinking.

Case in point: My (then) husband said that he liked Sanders at the beginning of the 2016 campaign season, but as soon as he heard that he was a socialist, he was done. You could explain the meaning of the word all day long to him, but to him it was a negative word and he wasn't going to vote for him. There are a lot of people from that generation with that same kind of feeling.

[lagomorph777]

112. We've swung so far toward fascism that it takes a huge counterweight (socialism)

to even begin to swing toward balance.

[brush]

148. Sorry, that's so naive it's laughable. See post #101.

[brooklynite]

193. I was kinda hoping to win in 2020...

[DarleenMB]

123. I'm sorry but it is heavy enough baggage

to hand the election to Trump.

You obviously have missed how the right paints Bernie as a communist. Yes we know there is a difference between socialism and communism but the MAGAts DON'T. Bernie (who is not now, nor has he ever been a Democrat so WTH should the party support him) will lose by a landslide.

[brush]

150. So true, and communism is actually a form of socialism.

[questionseverything]

184. democratic socialism is new...we have a chance to define it

socialism more as a strong safety net for the 99

democratic cause we vote to do stuff, for our reps

[brush]

186. Not really. Historically there's never been a sustained, successful deployment of socialism in any..

country. The social democracies of Europe are actually highly regulated and highly taxed capitalist countries with strong, robust safety nets provided for by the high taxes—single payer healthcare, free college, etc..

Sanders has been calling himself a "socialist" for decades. He regularly appeared on "The Thom Hartman" radio show for years and proudly called himself a "socialist" without the word "democratic" in front of it.

In more recent years he's added the word "democratic" in front of it but the videos and ample other evidence is out there of him touting socialism. He should've said years ago he was a "social democrat" if that is really what he meant but he's stuck with the baggage-laden, self-appellation of "democratic socialist". And as I said earlier, the social democracies of Europe are actually highly regulated and highly taxed capitalist countries, not democratic socialist countries.

[questionseverything]

197. srry you dont get to define it by yourself

[brush]

198. The European countries define themselves though. And they don't call themselves democratic...

socialist societies. Deal with reality not some label mistakenly assumed by Sanders.

[Sloumeau]

21. If by "dangerous" we mean "worse choice as the nominee" then I would say Bernie. nt

[gollygee]

25. As a person, Bloomberg. As a nominee, Bernie

Because if Bernie wins the nomination, Trump wins in 2020. In fact, I wouldn't doubt if Republicans in in 2024 and 2028. It will take a long time to live down the "socialist" label.

[progressoid]

26. Trump says he'd rather run against Bloomberg than Sanders

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/11/trump-bloomberg-sanders-2020-election-114170

[FBaggins]

31. What other Trump pronouncements do you accept as truth?

Just wondering.

[progressoid]

100. I don't accept it as truth.

It's just another bloviation from the orange turd. Unfortunately, he has the ear of the media.

[gollygee]

38. Yes, and of course I believe everything that Trump says. lol nt

[OregonBlue]

72. Oh please don't throw me in that briar patch.

[CrispyQ]

80. LOL

[customerserviceguy]

180. Great response! n/t

[brush]

162. That's called gaslighting. trump and the repugs are licking their lips to run...

against the socialist Sanders who they'll paint red, red, red 24/7 on FOX and hate radio.

Bloomberg was NYC mayor for 12 years and is privy to all of the dirt on trump's dishonest and criminal dealings during that time.

Don't be fooled. They're afraid of Bloomberg.

[Butterflylady]

205. And you know this for sure

Everything that comes out of his mouth is exactly the opposite of what he means.

[at140]

208. Trump is already making jokes about Bloomberg

needing a stool to stand on during debates.

[Squinch]

47. I had not thought about it this way before, but yes. This exactly.

[safeinOhio]

79. I'm sure tRump is way more dangerous.

I'm more afraid of the person that post this. I do not like attacks on anyone that has a chance. I think it is way more important to build up whom ever you like and not attack anyone else that has a chance. This is the Democratic party and I'll go with what ever our party decides. Anything else is helping Russian and tRump.

[gollygee]

93. +1

Priority #1 had to be getting Trump out

[at140]

209. +2

[Dream Girl]

27. Bernie 4 more years of Trump, so yeah, Bernie.

[zentrum]

33. Bloom.

And phony. He should challenge Trump as a Republican. The Repub establishment would help him.

Now all he's doing is dividing Democrats.

[Cheviteau]

127. Seriously?

The Republican establishment would get behind him? Have you been keeping up with what's going on?

[judeling]

35. Bloomberg actuall presents us with an existential Threat

For Democracy.

I like Mike, I think he will be an asset to any administration.

But please, please think long and hard about doing this. A benign dictator is still a dictator. A data guy doesn't really see people.

[Demsrule86]

60. Mike by all reports is a good boss...and a nice guy. However, I doesn't matter he has a chance to

beat Trump, Sanders doesn't...I vote for Sanders in a General if he is the nominee but we lose...Bloomberg is about the same age as Biden...what you think he gets a third term at the age of 100? Let's be real about this. Bloomberg did much to take the midterms in the house...and what has Sanders done to help Democrats? So I will vote for Bloomberg if it comes between him and Sanders. Biden is my first choice. If you don't want a Bloomberg that get behind Biden. He is the only other candidate who will beat Trump. And I will vote for the candidate that can beat Trump.

[judeling]

86. You are think to much about the Person

Not about what it represents.

[Demsrule86]

115. You post makes no sense. Do you speak a different language? I can speak a couple of them...not well

of course. But I would be happy to try otherwise perhaps typos?

[DemocracyMouse]

89. Bloomberg certainly IS a callous data guy. He took a big corporate dev dump* on Brooklyn

*leveraged development dump (in collusion with today's equivalent to the European aristocracy).

And speaking of aristocracy, has the Democratic "Underground" and for that matter regular American citizens FORGOTTEN we HATE aristocracies? You all want to ELECT to become peasants?

Oy vey.

[UniteFightBack]

191. How absurd. nt

[Demsrule86]

36. Bernie because he gives Trump four more years when he loses the General.

[sprinkleeninow]

171. Sanders becoming nominee could be a hazard.

Favoring Biden after Inslee clocked out. However, if Michael Bloomberg's intention is one of validity and pries squalid orangeous from his perch, I say BRING IT!

[Demsrule86]

175. If Biden doesnt make it, I am all in for Bloomberg.

I still think Biden can do it.

[sprinkleeninow]

181. We shall see. If it IS Joe, hope Michael gets behind him full throttle.

[Squinch]

46. Bernie because he means 4 more years of Filthy Donnie, thus the end of our Democracy.

[Zolorp]

84. Sanders, no question about it.

[Mr.Bill]

87. Is he more dangerous than Trump?

Has he ripped babies from their mother's arms and put them in cages?

[robbedvoter]

105. No. But when their endorsed Corbyn lost to Johnson, he took down

the entire labour with him (Putin owned both there too)

Link to tweet

[robbedvoter]

102. Bloomberg helped us in midterms. 100 million worth. Burnie primaried us

and failed to flip a single district. But he went on TV claiming there will be no blue wave. Trump defends Burnie and trumpies are tasked to vote for him. So....

[azureblue]

118. you totally ignore what Mike said about his campaign

He doesn't care if he wins. His goal is to take Trump down. And he will - Mike has the goods on Trump and the money to do it. and Trump can't touch him. Mike has already said he would throw his full weight behind whoever is the nominee. Funny how this isn't mentioned.

So what I say is dangerous is these FUD posts.

[kcr]

137. Bloomberg. No contest. n/t

[amuse bouche]

138. Bernie is more dangerous

[lillypaddle]

146. Vicious Bernie nt

[Cal Carpenter]

188. A new poll shows he wins in values and empathy

USA Today (not exactly known as a leftist rag, lol) has a recent poll indicating that Dem voters consider him to have the most EMPATHY of any of the candidates.

"Asked for their views on the personal characteristics of several Democratic presidential contenders and of President Donald Trump, voters consistently gave Sanders the highest marks for his values and empathy."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/15/bernie-sanders-tops-other-democrats-trump-likability-ipsos-poll/4754500002/

He gets the most in voters who "admire his character" more than any other candidate.

He gets the most in the "shares my values" category.

Doesn't look like your characterization of "vicious" represents very many Dem voter's opinions.

[lillypaddle]

189. Well, it's MY opinion

fuck the polls. I can't stand that man. God forbid if he wins the primary.

[R B Garr]

207. Bernie!

We’ve seen the actual damage already.

[gollygee]

2. Here's my ranking

1. Anybody but Bloomberg or Sanders
2. Bloomberg
3. Sanders

I'm in Michigan so things will be clearer by the time I have a vote.

[tiredtoo]

10. Also from Michigan

1. Anybody except Bloomberg or Gabbard.
2.Bloomberg
3.Gabbard

[gollygee]

14. Hi, neighbor!

[Demsrule86]

37. That is my ranking too.

[robbedvoter]

106. That's smart. Same here, in NY.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

166. We don't have to think about it for a while.

I have my absentee ballot, plan to vote after the Mar 3 results. We have until Mar 10 to decide.

My ballot has only one proposal: a tax to help Detroit Institute of Arts. That's a big Yes from me.

[tiredtoo]

3. K&R

[BeckyDem]

5. Honest powerful OP!!!!!!

Thank you so much for posting it, Cal.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. If he's authoritarian it should be explored and it will emerge

Well written but doesn't really sway me one way or the other at this point. I don't think Bloomberg will emerge with the nomination, and it's great he's an attack dog on Trump for the entire race. I believe we need a left-of-center Democrat who can't be labeled a socialist and has experience. This is not a long list of the remaining candidates. But I could be all wet.

[True Blue American]

18. I like the way

Bloomberg is going after Trump, shoving his own game right back at him.

We need that. I am still undecided.

[stopdiggin]

74. really hope he spends a ton of money ripping Trump

and we get another nominee.
Here's another guy that is NOT a Democrat. Simply DOESN'T represent Democratic values.

[Kurt V.]

8. K&R

[extvbroadcaster]

9. I don't care, anybody but Trump

Whatever flaws Bloomberg or others have, they are not Donald Trump. They might not be good people, but they are not nuts. And make no mistake, Trump is suffering from multiple personality disorders. A college freshman knows that a sign of a personality disorder is the inability to admit fault. Trump has that, and much more. His psychopathic lying is something that people still can't come to grips with. How do you have a President that lies constantly and for no reason? And all that is just fine and dandy until the next 9/11, when America will have a mentally disordered President with his finger on the nuclear button. Give me Bloomberg or the guy in the corner bar, I will take anybody other than Trump.

[WhoaDude]

174. I don't care either

Which ever candidate is at the top after the primary/convention process everyone has to get behind and GOTV. Any of these candidates can can win on merit - no contest. Its the cheating & propaganda that is the fight not other dem candidates.

[Rider3]

15. At the moment...

Trump is the most dangerous contender and incumbent EVER. Removing Trump is the priority. I will vote for whomever the democratic nominee is. I don't care whom it is: Bloomberg, Bernie, Pete. Doesn't matter. We need to bring back checks and balances, and that cannot be done until we get Trump and the GOP majority out.

[no_hypocrisy]

16. Reminder that Bloomberg didn't want to leave after his mandatory two terms.

He made the City Council change the law to allow him to serve four more years.

[Amishman]

30. I had forgotten about that

He really does have a Trump like authoritarian tendencies, doesn't he?

We have so many better options right now

[Doremus]

45. K&R this reply. It behooves us to remember this.

[Demsrule86]

63. He would be 90 years old in 12 years...

[Maggiemayhem]

140. I didn't know this or completely forgot

[uponit7771]

203. FUCKIN WOW !!! The more I find out about Bloomberg the worse !! How are we supposed to

... believe in his policies relative to his actions !?!?

[Amimnoch]

17. Bloomberg's going directly after Trump.

And as this post well illustrated, Bernie, his campaign and his supporters only go after Democratic Party candidates.

I want someone taking the fight to Trump, not to every other Democratic Party member running for office.

Bloomberg 2020

Any Democratic Party candidate BUT Bernie 2020

[True Blue American]

107. Same here

Attack fellow Democrats hurt8ng is.

Attack Trump where it hurts. Bloomberg poured mone into the 2018 election. If that is what it takes to get rid of Trump and Republicans I am all for it!

[abqtommy]

19. I haven't made up my mind about Bloomberg yet, but here's my perspective: Anti-venom, the

cure for the bites of venomous reptiles, is produced using the actual venom. Flu vaccine is produced
using the actual flu virus.

I'm willing to wait this primary process out since I think it'll be worth it.

[keithbvadu2]

154. Good one! Headed out to my email list.

Good one! Headed out to my email list.

[ConorDem]

20. He is moving up in polls. That is scary.

People are so scared of Trump it looks like some people will vote to nominate anyone no matter how bad just because he has money. Bloomberg is dangerous and will harm America. Trump is worse, but Bloomberg is very bad on many things.

[Mz Pip]

32. I don't see it.

How will Bloomberg harm America? If he becomes a President there will be work done on climate change. He won’t be appointing another another Gorsuch to SCOTUS. I think he’ll undo Trump’s idiot EOs.

Right now I just want to stop the bleeding. If Bloomberg can do this I’m all in.

Let the revolution focus on getting rid of Trump first.

[Skya Rhen]

51. He can harm America by exemplifying that purposeful mistreatment of blacks should be rewarded.

[Demsrule86]

67. Skya I don't think that would happen but Trump would do worse. He simply can't win. If and only if

it comes between Sanders and bloomberg, I would vote for Bloomberg to deny Donnie four more years. A 6 - 3 majority in SCOTUS would end civil rights for us all.

[at140]

210. Have you counted how many issues Bloomberg has flipflopped on?

Is he telling the truth now or was he telling the truth before when he said cops can just make Xerox copies of the criminals who are all 18-25 age minorities?

[Demsrule86]

39. I think Sanders is the worst nominee because he will lose a general. Sure he has my vote if he is

the nominee. But I expect to lose ...and the house is endangered too. I am excluding Buttigie, Warren and Klobachar because I think they will be out soon...but if any surprised me, I would add them back. Warren is my second choice...but if it is between Sanders and Bloomberg...Bloomberg has my vote.

[Doremus]

49. So you don't believe the polls that show all of our candidates beating Trump?

I would assume you don't believe any polls on any subject then?

[Demsrule86]

78. No I don't believe the polls for a couple of reasons...one they are national polls which say

nothing about blue wall states, and number two, Sanders has not been vetted but there is by all accounts a ton of oppo on him...which includes his 'socialist past' ...good bye any shot at Florida, he will lose the EC in blue wall states,he has no coattails, his foundation was paying six figure salaries to relatives and then there is Jane and the college...none of this should blow up his nomination but it will. I hear it now but but but Biden..that's.different. It is already out there and hasn't worked. This would be new information and it would define Sanders...we would lose the presidency, any chance of the Senate and probably the House. So yes, I think the polls are wrong at this moment. And by the time they are right...after he (Goddess forbid) he get's the nomination, it would be too late. I vote for Sanders in a general but never in any primary.

[ConorDem]

163. I like what Sanders stands for. Not what Bloomberg stands for.

I like Warren too, she is my second choice. She is a lot like Bernie in what she stands for. Bloomberg is right-wing on a lot of things. I don't think the Democrats should nominate a Republican (still lots of Republican positions even though now he's a Democrat). There are much better choices.

[Demsrule86]

177. The Democrats should nominate s omeone who can win.

The moderate candidates trounced Sanders and Warren... when you add the numbers up. And it is worse for us if we have a left candidate in the general.

[ConorDem]

199. Bernie can win. He is like Obama with young voters and big crowds.

Sanders got the most votes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Also he gets the most votes from independents and we need that to beat Trump. Independents like Bernie because he is independent too most of the time.

[Demsrule86]

200. He won't win...that is my assessment...different election than 08 and Obama had way more than

younger voters...he had a coalition that Sanders will be unable to put back together.

[Laelth]

22. How dangerous could he be? Seriously.

Certainly not more dangerous than this ...



-Laelth

[stopdiggin]

69. fighting authoritarianism .. with another authoritarian?

I don't like the argument.

[Laelth]

95. I hear you. But we're desperate, here.

-Laelth

[stopdiggin]

114. I'll vote for the guy if he's the nominee ...

But I'd much rather vote for a Democrat!
-- --

[Laelth]

172. So would I, no matter how much I love Bernie and his ideals.

We need a "team player" in the White House.

-Laelth

[Old Terp]

23. I think Bloomberg is safer than Bernie

While not my first choice, I could vote for Mike. The thought of Bernie being the candidate gives me a major migraine.

[loyalsister]

24. I'll believe he's sorry

when he sets up a personal injury fund for every single Black or Latino person who had to experience or live in fear of stop and frisk to recover damages.

[Dream Girl]

29. He kinda did. Look at the "Young Men's" initiative, an outgrowth ow what was happening at that time

And which became the model for Obama's "My Brother's keeper", not only begun under his administration but I believe he has provided extensive funding...I don't have links but I'm pretty sure this is on his website.

[loyalsister]

34. Not really

He needs to call it reparations for his own behavior before it is believable. Those programs center blame on the recipients.
An, he is still pleading ignorance in MO.

People who were living in fear have been talking about this for decades while people in charge ignored it to protect their own comfort and superiority. It's white supremacy and pleading ignorant is not taking responsibility for participation.

[BeckyDem]

42. +1

[Demsrule86]

44. Your post would be more convincing if Sanders was good on this issue...but he has his own problems

with AA voters...so you need to understand that it is about winning and losing...denying Trump a second term and Sanders won't do that. Sure he has my vote but we go down in flames we may lose the house too.

[Dream Girl]

149. so does Obama refer to Brothers keeper as reparations?

Reparations? Kinda silly.

[we can do it]

28. Coulda guessed a BS supporter without even looking.

Anyone we nominate who doesn’t annihilate tangeranus is dangerous.

[Aaron Pereira]

40. He won't.

There is no way rank and file Democrats will nominate a candidate with such long track record of racist policy and sexism. It's all going to come out during a general election, it's not acceptable and it's going to turn off millions of general election voters.

If you haven't seen it check out the GQ article detailing his near Trumpian levels of misogyny. Warning, it's pretty gross.

https://www.gq.com/story/bloomberg-sexism

[Demsrule86]

48. Democrats want to win...I disagree with your assessment of Bloomberg.

But I won't vote for Sanders so if Bloomberg is my only choice than he gets my vote as he can win a general which I don't believe Sander will...yes I vote for Sanders only in a General...but I think we lose and maybe the house too...so if you don't want Bloomberg than have Sanders drop out.

[zackymilly]

195. Wow. I'm surprised Bloomberg didn't buy GQ and fire the writer after this. n/t

[LexVegas]

41. ...

[HarlanPepper]

43. Harriot and Blow are Sanders supporters.

So I’m not surprised they have an issue with another candidate in the race.

[Demsrule86]

53. I feel bad about this but having seen the smears the entire campaign I am unmoved by Sanders

supporters breathless warning and reports.

[Skya Rhen]

54. I'm a Biden supporter and on this issue I agree with them. I don't have white privilege.

[HarlanPepper]

68. I'm not surprised there are a variety of opinions.

[Demsrule86]

90. I would vote for Biden...but if he fails Skya...the court will do worse to AA voters than Bloomberg

ever would. We have to get rid of Trump. And Sanders won't do this...I pray that Biden does well in the upcoming elections but should he falter, what choice do we have really? We would be looking at a 6-3 court and likely Trump with all branches of government. Sanders is not going to win a General.

[emmaverybo]

50. A well-expressed and cogent argument that should act as a powerful warning. We should not, dare

not, let a man who has said of his draconian approach to crime and terrorist attack that we must fight for our safety by “changing our laws and our interpretation of the Constitution” (The Atlantic, Nov. 20, 2019).



Bloomberg suspended civil liberties with a wide-spread, race-based approach using draconian, divisive, and ultimately unconstitutional and unsuccessful policing against AA and Latinx youth, and a spy network and surveillance program against Muslims in the wake of 9/11.

In the first case, crime statistics have demonstrated that the very small percentage of weapons
and contraband seized in hundreds and thousands of overly aggressive stops and frisks amounted to what would have been found without amping up SQF, without profiling, without a policy even police eventually pressed to end,

Not one lead was developed from turning Muslims against each other, attempts to trap Muslims into crime, from the large unconstitutional surveillance program the FBI wanted stopped.

We do not need to cede our democratic values and principles, risk any progress we might make in justice reforms and fail to address systemic racism before we have begun in order to beat Trump.

We do not need to betray the higher ground we stand on as a party. We do not need to be branded
hypocrites possibly for generations.

In the end, we will not beat Trump by selling our soul. Running a more intelligent authoritarian
to beat a stupid authoritarian, both engineers of racist policies, both politicians who have literally
purchased their power, will backfire. Truly then, the case can be made that there is no difference between the two parties. Our argument against Trump will be severely undercut in which case with a good enough economy, we lose.

Many of you are impressed with the lengths Bloomberg was willing to go to in order to stop guns. Swing state voters won’t be so impressed. In character, in past actions, by reputation and personality, by the most important question, will our new president uphold the constitution, we lose with Bloomberg.

Selling your soul to the devil always gets you the devil.

[Skya Rhen]

62. I agree - electing Bloomberg would end the Dem Party's claim to decency and justice. I can't believe

how far we have fallen, from just a few weeks ago. What we are prepared to become.

[Turin_C3PO]

152. Agreed completely.

Sanders and Gabbard were my last choices but I’m thinking now it’s Bloomberg. I’ll vote for him in a general election against Trump but I pray it doesn’t come to that.

[zackymilly]

196. It' sad that trump has given us Bloomberg as a candidate. n/t

[secondwind]

52. Have you seen his latest ad, from the Obama years?

[mainstreetonce]

55. If Joe was still on top this would not be a problem.

Get out the Biden vote in Nevada and SC.

[Skya Rhen]

85. Bloomberg entered the race, determined to stop Biden, while Biden was still on top. His Obama ad,

which was a direct slap to Biden's face, was airing while Biden was in the lead according to the pollsters. Bloomberg's real motive was always to push Biden aside and claim the Presidency. All of his "altruistic" talk about just wanting to help the Democratic party is a joke.

Now, Biden did lose the first two states and, expectantly, his numbers fell but his numbers would not have fallen so much if another centrist (Bloomberg) was not there to be the recipient. So, by Bloomberg entering the race, he is the one who created the problem. He is dividing the centrist votes and leaving Bernie to be the frontrunner. This is evident in recent polls (Bernie 29%, Biden 19%, Bloomberg 18%). Numbers don't lie.

That being said, we need to GOTV in these two states. I like how you are trying to find solutions to this problem rather than resorting to jumping ship. Thank you.

[BeckyDem]

56. Some of the responses here seem to overlook your thoughtful

opinion of those candidates you're not supporting. The differences you are contrasting for them with respect to Bloomberg is the entire point. He is uniquely different ( his horrific track record ) and therefore more harmful should be win the nomination.

Thanks again for posting this.

[Runningdawg]

57. IF he wins the nomination

I will dial my fingers off for him.
I will walk until my shoes fall apart knocking on doors.
I will post night and day on social media in support.
I will tell everyone I meet to vote for him.

I can hate the bastard and still love this country enough to want Trump out NO MATTER WHAT.

[honest.abe]

58. He is not dangerous. Good grief.

He is a well respected politician and businessman who also has alot of money and wants Trump out and is willing to spend whatever it takes to do that.

That is not dangerous... that is wonderful!

[onetexan]

64. This Bernie supporter is spreading disinformation, like the rest of BS's camp has taken a page from

the Idiot's playbook. This is a pathetic and dangerous ploy by Bernie's camp AND this supporter. NOW tell me whose dangerous.

[Cal Carpenter]

70. You may note that there are supporters of every other Democratic candidate's campaign

agreeing with my post or recommending it.

This has NOTHING to do with Bernie. While he is currently my preferred candidate, I will gladly vote for any of the others in November.

Tell me ONE thing in my OP that is "disinformation".

[Demsrule86]

98. It has everything to do with Sanders and his inability to win a General...I will vote for anyone to

kick dirty donnie out...he is dangerous.

[Kaleva]

125. As you'll vote for Bloomberg in the general if he's the nominee, he can't be dangerous.

[BeckyDem]

71. Say what?????

Charles M. Blow@CharlesMBlow
·
Feb 12
Read my column, “The Notorious Michael R. Bloomberg,”’and let me know what you think.

Link to tweet

[carlvsam]

155. On the other hand ...

Charles M. Blow?

You mean the same Charles M. Blow that - back in early November - wrote this op-ed piece in the same newspaper, where he "poo-poos" the existence of homophobia in the black community, and calls it nothing but a "racist Trope?:"

[link:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/06/opinion/pete-buttigieg-black-homophobia.html#commentsContainer|

[BeckyDem]

159. Good God, you are serious? ugh

[BlueJac]

97. Bloomberg was a Democrat before he ran for mayor,

Bernie is an Independent running as a Democrat.

[onetexan]

156. exactly. What BS is doing is pot calling kettle black.

[Demsrule86]

104. That is not true...Bloomberg was a Democrat for most of his life...longer than Warren in fact and

Sanders has never been a Democrat ...but the choice for me is kicking dirty donnie out or...not. Bloomberg can beat the orange menace.

[Desert grandma]

170. Perhaps some of us would rather not vote

for a candidate who constantly denigrates other "establishment Democrats." Who in the heck is Bernie talking about when he says things like that? I DO NOT want to vote for someone who fosters division. We are already have enough of that. That being said, I will hold my nose and vote for him if he is the nominee. I agree with others here who believe he would be defeated in a GE. I hope for the sake of our Democracy that Bernie is not the nominee. I agree with others here who feel like Joe Biden has a broad enough appeal to win in those crucial electoral college states. If Joe is not the nominee, then I hope Bloomberg is. He has the money and the strategic smarts to crush the Orange Maggot. There is much to like about the policy proposals of our other candidates, including Bernie. Unfortunately, at this point in our country, getting rid of trump should be our only priority. Policies are secondary to winning the white house and hopefully the senate. I have nothing personal against any of the other candidates. I just do not believe Bernie Sanders or most of our other candidates can do that.

[Cal Carpenter]

65. Tell that to the literally hundreds of thousands of innocent black and brown boys and men

whose civil rights he abused through policies he implemented, and the thousands of them whose lives were permanently damaged by the experience.

Bloomberg's words just 5 years ago: "You can just take the description, Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops. They are male, minorities, 16 to 25. That’s true in New York, it’s true in virtually every city.”

Not dangerous? Maybe not to you personally. But if you don't think his nomination would irreparably damage the integrity of the Democratic Party, I don't know what else to say.

[honest.abe]

83. He has apologized and admits he made mistakes.

Most voters are willing to forgive and forget if it means getting rid of Trump. If Trump wins again we will see racism like we have never seen before in our lifetime.

[BeckyDem]

66. Yea, he is totally awesome?

Why Is Bloomberg's Long History of Egregious Sexism Getting a Pass?

he surging Democratic presidential candidate and Bloomberg LP have fielded nearly 40 sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits over decades.

By Laura Bassett
February 13, 2020
Mike Bloomberg with antiwoman sign collaged on top of his image

In December 2015, employees at Everytown for Gun Safety, the gun control organization funded by Mike Bloomberg, arrived at work to find a holiday gift on their desks from their employer: the former mayor’s 1997 autobiography, Bloomberg by Bloomberg. Flipping through the book, staffers found themselves uncomfortably reading their billionaire founder’s boasts about keeping “a girlfriend in every city” and other womanizing exploits as a Wall Street up-and-comer.

“A few people started immediately going through it and sending the cringe-iest parts around on email chains,” one former Everytown employee told me. “Hardly the most controversial things he’s said, but it’s still a bad look.”

Indeed, Bloomberg’s casual boasts about his sex life in his own autobiography are now some of the least problematic parts of the his candidacy for president. In recent days, the former New York City mayor’s track record on race is undergoing renewed scrutiny: Bloomberg oversaw and expanded the racist and unconstitutional “stop and frisk” program, and a newly unearthed video shows him blaming the end of a racially discriminatory housing practice known as “redlining” for the 2008 economic recession. But it takes a telling amount of gall and cluelessness to gift a book with anecdotes about your own womanizing to employees at your gun safety non-profit in the year 2015, especially for a politician with presidential ambitions who has been vigorously denying allegations of misogyny throughout his entire career—including nearly 40 sex discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuits brought against him and his organizations by 64 women over the past several decades.

https://www.gq.com/story/bloomberg-sexism

[honest.abe]

92. His long history as a public servant clearly reveal problems.

However he appears to have come clean and admits he made many mistakes and said things he should not. Also he is now vowing to use his power and wealth to defeat Trump. I think we may need him considering what we are up against.

[BeckyDem]

96. No, he has not. That is pure public relations. He is not who he says he is.

[honest.abe]

110. Well at this point I trust him.. in fact I trust him more than Sanders.

[BeckyDem]

113. Based on ignoring Bloombergs record. ok

Very sad to hear that.

[honest.abe]

119. I'm not ignoring. I am just willing to give him a pass on past issues..

Based on his current comments and positions and plans to help defeat Trump.

Every politician has negative things in their background especially one who has a long record of public service.

[BeckyDem]

120. NOT every politician running today has his record. HE has his record.

[BeckyDem]

61. The Corporate Media Is Directly Profiting from Mike Bloomberg's Rise as He Spends Fortune on TV Ads

February 14, 2020

Billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is rising in the polls in the wake of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Democracy Now! co-host Juan González speaks with us about Bloomberg’s approach to campaign spending, the administration’s policies during his three terms as mayor of New York City and the scores of lawsuits filed against Bloomberg and his company. “It’s amazing to me that Michael Bloomberg is getting as much attention as he is,” González says.


AMY GOODMAN: Juan, before we begin our first story, the rise of Bloomberg in the polls to be the next president of the United States. You have long covered him, through his three terms, from stop-and-frisk to this issue now of redlining.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: Well, it’s amazing to me that Michael Bloomberg has been getting as much attention as he has by the media. But remember this: The media, the commercial media, directly profit from Bloomberg’s rise, because they’re going to be collecting all of the ad revenues that he is putting out across television nationwide. So there is an actual economic interest in continuing to see Bloomberg’s rise in the poll on the part of many of the commercial media.

https://www.democracynow.org/2020/2/14/michael_bloomberg_tv_ads_corporate_media

[denem]

73. Good OP. Don't agree with "even more dangerous than Trump".

[Pachamama]

75. Bloomberg is NOT dangerous - that is simply a ridiculous statement

Dangerous = Donald J Trump

If Bernie Sanders is the nominee (which I seriously doubt will happen) that is a guaranteed 4 more years of Donald J Trump.

If Biden or Bloomberg are the nominees, along with a woman, preferably black woman, VP running mate (ie, Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Susan Rice, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, etc...) then either one will crush Donald J Trump. This is what we all should want.

To win this election, we need a massive turnout, not just of women, the black and latino vote - but the moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans. Bernie Sanders cannot get all those groups and especially not moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans. Biden and Bloomberg can, especially with the right running mate. And I disagree that Bloomberg can’t get the black vote. I believe he can and will if he is the nominee. I think either Biden or Bloomberg scare the crap out of Donald J Trump. Trump desperately wants to run against Sanders, regardless of what he claims.

[calguy]

77. Bernie Bros are very worried about Mr. Mike

[Turin_C3PO]

153. Not just Bernie people.

I can’t stand Bloomberg.

[Zolorp]

81. I'm going to have to switch to Bloomberg after reading this

You convinced, the best nominee would be Bloomberg!

I LIKE MIKE!!!

[yaesu]

82. I know one thing, if he wins the primary

I will vote for him in the GE, vote blue no matter who.

[BlueJac]

91. Come on!

Trump is begging for Bernie, he is afraid of Bloomberg!

[Chakaconcarne]

94. Who is more dangerous? Bloomberg or Trump?

[Kablooie]

103. Is he more dangerous than Trump?

Because I'm beginning to feel like Bloomberg is the only candidate that has a high likelihood of beating Trump.

Each of the other candidates has something that Trump will delight in exploiting and will push in the face of voters continually.
In a normal election it wouldn't be such an issue but Trump will make it a major factor.

So far he hasn't been able to define anything substantive to attack Bloomberg with.

Bloomberg's wealth and power makes me uneasy too but also it will appeal to the segment of Republicans that are uneasy with Trump.

You're probably right that Bloomberg is not a step forward for Democrats and might be a step back but I'd rather accept that step back rather than 4 more years, (and probably more), of the systematic wholesale destruction of our freedoms and democracy.

In a normal election I don't think Bloomberg would be the favored choice but in this one the only thing that matters is defeating Trump, everything else has to take a back seat, and I see Bloomberg has the best chance to hold up to Trump's attacks.

[40RatRod]

108. Bernie can win the nomination but I don't think he has a real chance against Trump.

Trump and repubs will hang the radical socialist sign on Bernie and the independents and repubs fed up with Trump will just sit the election out and not vote and we need their votes! IMHO.

[PatrickforO]

109. Interesting here because I remember hearing that Bloomberg said that New York

needs more billionaires.

Now, I kind of said WTF at that, thinking what about the working people who serve the burgers, make the factories run, respond first to stuff? Where are they going to live of NYC becomes even more of a haven for billionaires?

That said, it seems to me a kind of fallacy in thought that only a billionaire can beat another billionaire - that somehow we 'little people' need to be saved from the evil billionaire by a good billionaire. That doesn't quite compute.

As to what you've brought forward, hopefully people will think about the foibles of all the candidates before choosing one, because every single one of them has something wrong with them. Some less than others, but still...

[Callado119]

116. The sanders supporters sure are getting scared of Bloomberg..

...but he’s not dangerous because he would beat trump, dangerous is someone who would lose...like sanders

[Dem4Life1102]

117. Great post

Trading one rich racist authoritarian for another is no victory.

[BadGimp]

124. WHOEVER CAN BEAT TRUMP

is ALL I care about... seriously

I do not think ... ahh nevermind

[EveHammond13]

143. WHY IS THIS SO HARD? WHY ARE PEOPLE BEING DUMB??

[Blue Streak Science]

126. You've fallen into the trap

You've fallen into the trap of speaking ill of your fellow Democratic candidates. This is exactly what Trump, the alt-right, and the Russians want you to do.

In the long run this strategy will be turned into a liability for your candidate during the run-up to the general election, if she/he is fortunate enough to get nominated.

By all means, speak positively about your candidate. But don't forget who we are running against. Even least among the Democratic candidates will be a savior for the nation by virtue of them ousting Trump.

We are staring totalitarian fascism in the face. Let us lift one another up in our fight to save our beloved country.

We can do this, but only if we do it together.

I'm ALL IN for the Democratic candidate, no matter who it is.

Are you?

[Cal Carpenter]

133. I'm speaking ill of one man

who is opportunistically running in the Dem primary. My whole point is if there is any integrity to the Democratic Party, Bloomberg cannot be its leader for the very concerns you are expressing - a slide into totalitarian fascism. His record has much more in common with that than it does to the Democratic Party platform.

I'm not speaking ill of any other candidate. Do I prefer some over others? Sure, like anyone else. But don't put words in my mouth or imply that I won't do everything I can to defeat Trump. Don't tell me I've fallen into the trap and I won't tell you that you've fallen into one too.

My whole point is that we need to make sure Bloomberg isn't the Democratic candidate because no one should have to make the choice between him and Trump. Especially people of color, like the hundreds of thousands of innocent young black and brown men who were victims of his racist policies!

And now is the time to do it - before he is on any ballots.

So I won't stop talking about how dangerous he is. And I'm not playing any purity test games.

[brooklynite]

128. I was a New Yorker for all 12 years he served as Mayor...

He was NOT authoritarian. He WAS popular with NYC Democrats.

[UniteFightBack]

192. That's what I remember about his NYC tenure too. nt

[Pepsidog]

130. Heart says Warren- If only people would listen to her. Head says Bloomberg.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

131. Sanders nomination Trump second term

PERIOD

WAKE THE HELL UP DEMOCRATS!

[Aviation Pro]

134. Why does Bloomberg

Scare the piss out of both the Sanders and Obese Shitbag crowd?

By-the-by, if Sanders does win the nomination, I'm pulling the lever for him in spite of any misgivings I may have toward the man. Don't know if there's a reciprocal feeling among his crowd.

[scipan]

135. Good article on Bloomberg:

Everyone thinking about voting for him should read this:

https://www.currentaffairs.org/2020/02/a-republican-plutocrat-tries-to-buy-the-democratic-nomination/
...snip...

Bloomberg’s administration required homeless people to prove to shelters that they had no other options. In fact, he was critical of the very notion of a “right to shelter,” and said that shelters might be clogged with rich people taking advantage of the system: “You can arrive in your private jet at Kennedy Airport, take a private limousine and go straight to the shelter system and walk in the door and we’ve got to give you shelter.” (Because lots of oligarchs in limos are trying to check in to the New York City homeless shelters.) As the Coalition for the Homeless noted, “he sought to repeal longstanding court orders obligating the City to provide emergency shelter for homeless children and adults,”and “urged New Yorkers to overturn these fundamental legal protections for homeless people, saying: ‘New York City taxpayers have just gotta go to call their representatives in Albany and say, ‘We ain’t gonna do this anymore.’’”

Bloomberg “even lobbied against a measure that sought to save city funds and prevent homelessness among disabled New Yorkers living with AIDS.” Bloomberg also:

… chose to cut off homeless families from priority access to public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers – permanent housing resources that had successfully helped move tens of thousands of homeless kids and families from shelters to stable housing under three previous mayoral administrations. They then replaced those programs with short-term subsidies that became a revolving door back to homelessness for thousands of families.

Former City Council chair Christine Quinn was blunt: “In a time of prosperity, he took aggressive steps from a policy perspective to hurt the homeless.” Bloomberg’s idea of a solution to homelessness was giving them one-way bus tickets to get them out of the city.

[Cal Carpenter]

151. Thanks for adding that link - it is very informative article

I hope people take the time to read it.

[GarySeven]

136. Da, Kamrade

Is Great Plan by supreme leader of motherland to divide Democrats.

[johnph]

139. Bloomberg

If people can not learn or change their political points of view, what are we doing? Bloomberg goes after Trump hard. He also can fund his own campaign. I am not convinced that Sanders can win, given his past political history and support of Medicare for all.

[33taw]

141. I will vote for whomever gets the nomination. But I always wondered why Bernie hired Tad

Davine.

[EveHammond13]

142. Bernie is dangerous - he is poison to our party, and he will LOSE.

[Adamsmith8820]

145. Repubs, Russia and the great orange are already winning

They are already winning. I keep seeing more and more negative threads about each Democratic candidate on this site. We have not learned from the past election to weed out Russian robots posting false news about each Democratic candidate. Remember the ultimate goal to remove Trump in 2020 no matter who is The Democratic candidate. Sorry for any grammatical errors I’m using talk to text on my iPhone LOL

[ElementaryPenguin]

157. He is NOT as dangerous as TRUMP!!!!!

Whomever has the best chance of defeating Trump - that is who we should be supporting. (if that can be established).

NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT.

This particular election cannot be about finding the best President...

It must be about saving this democracy from turning into a full blown dictatorship!

[BeckyDem]

161. THIS IS A PRIMARY PICK WISELY.

[DIVINEprividence]

158. Bernie is the bigger risk

What is Trump gonna do with this (see link below). Bernie Sanders rape fantasies? Are you f-ing got kidding me???? I accept his explanation and personally don’t hold it against Sanders, I know he isn’t a misogynist but Trump will sledgehammer him with this and utterly demoralize the Democratic base. It will be devastating. Sanders and the entire party will be destroyed. The Dems would be insane to nominate Sanders with this hanging over his head.

https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/05/29/410606045/the-bernie-sanders-rape-fantasy-essay-explained

[Kaleva]

160. If everyon in this thread will vote for Bloomberg if he's the nominee, then he can't be dangerous.

[MoonlitKnight]

164. If you nominate a Republican for President

Then you will get a Republican President.

I will not vote for Bloomberg in the primary for that reason and many more.

Should he be our nominee, then he would be the better choice. Like eating a turd vs a bowl of diarrhea.

[Cal Carpenter]

167. Gross but true!

LOL

[DIVINEprividence]

173. Bloomberg's policy positions are not republican

I have a word for you. Triangulation. Look it up. I can assure you the GOP are scared of Bloomberg. All this right wing Sanders fluff that Trump would rather run against Sanders than Bloomberg speaks volumes.

[Kaleva]

178. I think Warren and Bloomberg were Repubs for about the same amount of time.

" According to Warren, she left the Republican Party because it is no longer "principled in its conservative approach to economics and to markets" and is instead tilting the playing field in favor of large financial institutions and against middle-class American families."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Warren#Political_affiliation

[MoonlitKnight]

183. Where is that lie lie lie video

Because that is a big fat one.

It’s one thing to be registered. Quite another to run and be elected as one.

[Kaleva]

185. It's on Warren's Wiki page.

Here's an opinion piece that suggests Warren could benefit by talking about her transition from a Republican to a Democrat.

"Elizabeth Warren was once a Republican. She shouldn’t hide it."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/04/16/elizabeth-warren-was-once-republican-she-shouldnt-hide-it/

[loyalsister]

194. Saw it first hand in MO in 2016

Our gubernatorial nominee had served as a Republican senator and a Democratic AG. He thought he was going to easily follow the previous Dem Gov who had also been AG.

[DIVINEprividence]

168. Yup Bloomberg is so dangerous

He has offered to spend a fortune advancing whoever the Democratic nominee including Sanders. Compare that with Sanders ego driven behavior after he lost the nomination.

[customerserviceguy]

179. Well stated

If we give Bloomie the nomination, we have sold our souls, and we will deserve it when Trump wins.

[Zolorp]

182. The more you attack, the more I Like Mike.

[UniteFightBack]

190. Bernie way worse....there is a WAY OUT OF THIS VOTE FOR JOE!!! nt

[Amimnoch]

201. Sorry. I'd rather not support the Republicans choice for our Nominee.

https://www.wyff4.com/article/upstate-conservative-campaign-encourages-republicans-to-vote-for-bernie-sanders-in-sc-presidential-primary/30780304#

"This is an opportunity for us to support President Trump. We can't vote for him in primary this year so we can help him by participating in the Democrat Primary and voting for the candidate we feel is least electable and is also creating a lot of dissension between The Democratic Party and the Democrat voters,” said Shea.

https://thehill.com/homenews/481489-republicans-urging-gop-voters-to-vote-for-sanders-in-south-carolina-primary-report

Leupp said that he believes that the state's large Republican voter base could make the difference in the primary. To his point, in 2016 roughly 740,000 people voted in the state's GOP presidential primary, while only 370,000 voted in the Democratic version.
“I think we can easily affect the outcome,” Leupp told the paper. “This is going to catch on like wildfire.”

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/07/bernie-sanders-republican-senate-1307296

Republicans like their chances of keeping the Senate in 2020. But there’s one thing they think would all but seal the deal: Bernie Sanders as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Some GOP incumbents are practically cheering him on, confident there’s no way a self-described democratic socialist could win a general election against President Donald Trump and that he’d drag other Democrats on the ballot with him.

“It would be good for us to have a nominee like that,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who is up for reelection next year and sounded downright giddy about the prospect of Sanders representing Democrats at the top of the ticket.

[LongtimeAZDem]

202. Bernie is dangerous. PLEASE don't let him win the primary

[centrarchus]

204. Bloomberg can beat Trump.

I agree with most of Sander's and Warren's "radical" proposals. They could be accomplished, in part, with a steady hand at the presidency, some time passing to "get over" Trump, AND dems control both houses. Without the Senate and House the left's plans are just goals, not achievable at the moment.

We first need to beat Trump. Sander's is divisive and far left. He will be buried with the communist/socialist label and many who might vote dem and help us win the presidency will either not vote or vote Trump. So Sanders is dangerous, Bloomberg not so much if you want to beat Trump not withstanding the solid 25% or so of Dems who think he can enact his programs in the current environment.