Should all candidates focus on Bernie in the next debate?

[Moderateguy]

I think that all of the candidates needs to focus on Bernie and his policies in the next debate. Go after him relentlessly to explain just how he plans on implementing even a fraction of what he is proposing to do. Enough is Enough. He and his "supporters" are going to cost us a heck of a lot in November if he is not properly vetted, and soon. Bernie needs to either reasonably explain how he plans on accomplishing what he says he wants (with a 30+ year record in Congress of accomplishing nothing) or fold and go home.

[LakeArenal]

1. No. Focus on trump.

[Moderateguy]

2. We have enough time to focus on Trump..

We can no longer afford to let Bernie make these pie-in-the-sky promises that he knows he can NEVER deliver on

[Red Oak]

6. Bloomberg is dangerous. He is not progressive. He is not a Democrat.

Want an authoritarian government?

One recipe might be to have the "party of the people" go choose a man with $54B to his name to "save the party". "Only he can do it".

Bloomberg is a special interest of one. Himself. He changes parties as to suit his interests, he is beholden to no man and acts like it.

We have plenty of great candidates on the stage discussing issues and I will gladly vote for any one of them.

Bloomberg and his Republican/Independent/Dem-when-it-makes-money $billions can go pound sand.

[Demsrule86]

8. When Sanders loses...we will get fascist Trump...so if it comes between Sanders

and Bloomberg, I will vote for Bloomberg who is not a fascist and has helped the party a great deal.

[Red Oak]

22. Helped the party like when he ran as a Republican?

to be mayor of NYC or like when he changed to an Independent when Obama was President? Like when he supported the SuperPAC for Susan Collins of Maine (a Republican), etc. etc. vomit, etc.

Or maybe you refer to his giving money to the Democrats? How about the money he gave to the Republicans?

People better wake up and before being "saved" by Bloomberg and see him for what he is.

A good quote that applies here. You don't make $54B in wealth, you take it. Bloomie is no savior in sheep's clothing. He is a ruthless capitalist. Survival of the fittest. Period. A lion of Wall Street.

Bloomie isn't running to be the the savior of the US, he's running because he can get a large amount of power for a rather paltry some of money. If he spends a 1000 million dollars (as in only $1B of his $54B+), that is less than 2% of his wealth. He can make the money up in a year, so it isn't a bad return on investment.

Couple Bloomberg's money and brains with the now-enshrined executive privilege of the US Presidency and you better be damn sure when you vote Bloomie that you are not voting in a authoritarian.

Heard of stop and frisk? Like it on a US-wide scale? Vote Bloomberg, because he doesn't give a damn what you or I think.

How about a nice mid-East war? Iran perhaps? Bloomie say "he doesn't regret backing the Iraq war." Maybe an Iran war will go better for him.

[LeftTurn3623]

31. very good post

I do not understand how people on the DU who being on here should be pretty educated with politics would support Bloomberg in anyway.

I admit I liked his ads when I saw them and became intrigued with him. But then I started researching and seeing all the stuff he has said and done. Plus helping get Pat Toomey get reelected.

As far as Im concerned we need to stop Bloomberg than Trump.

[Red Oak]

29. Here is some more "Bloomie saving the Dems" fodder. Bloomberg is dangerous.

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/26/bloomberg-republican-endorsement-2020-073807

'The hubris is unbelievable': Dems seethe over Bloomberg GOP donations

"The billionaire businessman, who has switched parties several times throughout his political career, endorsed George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign, contributed to John McCain and even held a fundraiser for a House GOP member as recently as last year.

And that’s not all. Beneficiaries of his largess include former Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a vigorous Trump defender, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama, who once chaired the Senate Banking Committee...."

Bloomberg is no Democrat.

Wake up. He is a power hungry capitalist, seizing an opportunity.

[totodeinhere]

38. That's a Hobson's choice. We have plenty of great candidates to choose from, including

Joe Biden. Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Pete, Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar. The last thing we need is a wolf in sheep's clothing such as Bloomberg. Yes he hates Trump but he is hardly better than Trump. Lets keep the billionaires out of the White House.

[MineralMan]

35. He has been a Democrat far longer than Bernie Sanders.

The candidate at the bottom of your post was also a Repubican.

Careful...

[Red Oak]

41. I am careful.

Elizabeth was a republican, saw what they really represented and made a hard change. I respect that. She sees the risks of an unregulated capitalism, but thinks capitalism is good. It just needs heavy regulation.

Bernie uses the Democratic party to advance very progressive ideas. I get that. I like most of his ideas and would gladly support him. Some of his ideas may be too far left, but overall , in my opinion, he represents the whole of what the Democratic party claims to be. For the little guy, for he working class, against the top 1% owning everything and the power to go with it.

I also like Mayor Pete and VP Biden and would gladly pull the lever to vote for them. Bloomberg? Not so much.

Bloomberg uses party affiliation to make money and gather power. That is a whole different kettle of fish.

It is easy to look back on history and see how an authoritarian came to power and say "gee, I wonder how they ever let that happen?"

I'm saying to all those that think Bloomberg is a savior, you better think about the risks.

He has been a Republican, solicited power for Republicans, changed to Independent during Obama rather than be a Democrat.

Bloomberg has shown that he is a ruthless capitalist with authoritarian tendencies. Stop and frisk? Check. Rampant misogyny? Check. Bad judgement and even lack of saying he made a mistake in supporting good "little" mid-East wars like Iraq. Check.

Bloomberg has the brains, skill, current political power and money to be a savior for the US, or to be one of those figures our great grandchildren read about in school and ask "why did they not see the risk? Why did they vote for him?" Bloomberg is authoritarian enough to tell his news organization they can't cover his campaign or investigate him? Check.

We would be much, much better served, with much less risk, to nominate one of our current nominees, rather than think we need Bloomberg as a savior for either our party or of the United States.

Lastly, if the Democratic party, the "party of the working class" needs a $54B Lion of Wall Street to save it, then we have become little better that the Repubs needing Trump. There is a better way and we should take it.

[CentralMass]

3. Bernie has been vetted for the last 5 years , and has been asked these questions in just about every

debate in this campaign. Debates thst your candidate felt he could skip.
His campaign website has details on his policies

I would like to no more about the 62 billion dollar man and his opinions past and present. Let him explain why we can't afford the things that Sanders champions and why maintaining the status quo is a better.

[Moderateguy]

5. Please point out where on his website he has plans to pay for the $60 TRILLION Dollars he needs

[CentralMass]

7. Did you try looking ?

https://berniesanders.com/issues/medicare-for-all/

[Moderateguy]

11. I do not see anywhere on there how he plans on paying for it

[JudyM]

36. .

[George II]

44. It's not there - we have platitudes and vagueries, but no specifics on how his plans will be paid.

[CentralMass]

10. An external article.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-02-14/medicare-for-all-cost

[George II]

45. That's an opinion piece that exaggerates and glosses over. Americans want to see it....

....from the CANDIDATE.

[Red Oak]

12. Your post is wrong, misguided and has no back up.

Bernie's plans actually save money on healthcare. Lots of money. His plans also improve health. Here is a link to a recent Lancet article.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)33019-3/fulltext

"Although health care expenditure per capita is higher in the USA than in any other country, more than 37 million Americans do not have health insurance, and 41 million more have inadequate access to care. Efforts are ongoing to repeal the Affordable Care Act which would exacerbate health-care inequities. By contrast, a universal system, such as that proposed in the Medicare for All Act, has the potential to transform the availability and efficiency of American health-care services. Taking into account both the costs of coverage expansion and the savings that would be achieved through the Medicare for All Act, we calculate that a single-payer, universal health-care system is likely to lead to a 13% savings in national health-care expenditure, equivalent to more than US$450 billion annually (based on the value of the US$ in 2017).

In case you missed it, it says universal health care via Medicare for all would save about $450B annually (that means every year). That would add up to saving $4.5 Trillion over ten years.

Where is your peer reviewed article on your $60 TRILLION!!!! scaremongering about Bernie's plans??

[totodeinhere]

39. We spend more for health care on a per capita basis than any other developed country

yet we are the only ones who do not provide universal health care. If the others can provide universal health care for less than we spend on our regressive health care system then so should we be able to. The money is already there to pay for it. We just need to take it away from those who profit from our present system at the expense of the American people.

[George II]

23. No he hasn't and no he didn't.

[krissey]

27. I have heard nothing about Castro, Russia, dead beat dad, living off welfare, stealing electricity

from landlord, not working until mayor at 40, Sandinista, written and published rape fantasies, Burlington University, or medical records he promised to release. That is just some that is out there. I think there is still a whole lot of vetting to get out there for people to know before making their vote, because it is all sitting there ready for the GE. There will be a lot of people that cast a vote for Sanders that will be surprised what is found in his history, that will then be blasted across the nation.

[Garrett78]

50. I've heard nothing about [insert list of things I've heard about].

[msongs]

4. focus on their own proposals nt

[MoonlitKnight]

9. No

I want to see every candidate when baited to attack others to instead pivot to their most passionate issue.

Joe Biden, for example should do the following when asked to trash MFA or Bernie:

“Look, I am here to beat Donald Trump. But I also am passionate about fixing our infrastructure and specifically our public transportation. Here is my plan....”

[Mike 03]

14. Yes, I'd love to see every one of them do something like this.

Refuse the bait, talk up their plans, politely point out differences and remind viewers who we are really fighting against.

[Moderateguy]

15. That would work

Except we have a candidate that talks about pie-in-the-sky giveaways without properly explaining how he plans on paying for them. If not stopped, he'll start promising free homes, cars and clothes next. Giving away freebies is a popular strategy that all politicians engage in-Sanders has just taken the cake in this regard.

The majority of the electorate is not politically active and hears of Sanders promised giveaways and rushes to support him. This is not only disastrous from us in November but in the long run as well. If they do not get their freebies, these voters will sour on active participation in the future and become non-voters. Can we afford that?

[Voltaire2]

13. Ok. Sanders is great at talking about his policies.

He’s been talking that talk for thirty years or more.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

16. "how do you pay for it"

From every other candidate, also how he plans on working with Congress to pass anything. O and explain that 30 something trillion dollar hole in his health care for all plan.

[floppyboo]

20. He did recently pass that anti-Yemen war bill. Trump vettoed.

Blame Mitch for all the other bi-partisan bills not passed.
I really despise Gaetz, but feel for the dude at the moment. a little.

[floppyboo]

17. Wow! Quite a splash 1st OP! Welcome???

Maybe its your 1st introduction to Sanders' campaign too? A little research first is good.
btw - we've all already seen the pic of Bernie drinking beer in his undies/bathing suit in Moscow.

[Moderateguy]

18. I don't care what he did 30+ years ago

I want to know how he plans on paying for his proposals TODAY

[floppyboo]

24. that would depend on which 'experts' you want to listen to.

The swing in estimates is crazy!
And the benefits, as far as new jobs, given the global economy, is highly unknown. Any one who says they know is a charlatan. And fear-mongering propaganda just doesn't work like it used to.

[Red Oak]

42. I think his general plan is to tax those with $54B in wealth

OK by me.

[Moderateguy]

47. That's great and easy

since he has $54 billion sitting in his checking account in a US institution, waiting to be taxed like all the other billionaires

[Red Oak]

49. Maybe he can cash some stock or sell a mansion or two.

He's a Democrat and all for helping the little guy, right?

Hahaha, who am I kidding.

Bloomberg's a laser focused capitalist looking for power and knows a good deal when he sees it.
Spend a $Billion buying an election and being a great "Democrat", the defender of the working man! All for the low price of a Billion or two.

What a deal. Who knew the Presidency was that cheap?

[aikoaiko]

19. I would prefer them to focus on Bloomberg.

[Moderateguy]

21. I don't think that would be fair

Unless Bloomberg is there to respond

[aikoaiko]

26. Bloomberg not being there is his choice given the rules.

[Moderateguy]

28. I think he needs to be there

Just because I support him doesn’t mean I want him to get a free pass anymore that I want Sanders to get a free pass

[floppyboo]

33. Do you think he should have agreed to take part in the CNN Town Halls this week?

Do you agree with your chosen candidate hiding from public scrutiny?

[floppyboo]

30. Morning Consult national poll is released Mon. or Tues.

or has been for the last many months. Guess we'll see if he decides to join in. My money says he suppresses the poll, or it it is released, has a prior engagement conflict.

[Moderateguy]

32. I will be the first to say it...

If he ducks the debate, I want every candidate to call him out for it

[LeftTurn3623]

25. No they should all focus on Bloomberg if he gets in the debate

[Prue]

34. Focus on Policies

The debate hosts should have had enough time to compare policy differences between the candidates. I think there should be taped segments with each candidate on their policies and major platform issues. Doing these rapid fire round robins on the debate stage does not allow viewers real insight on how the policies will be implemented or paid for.

The debates are formatted to promote ratings by pitting one candidate against the other rather than for voters to become better informed.

[Joinfortmill]

37. No, I think not.

They should focus on issues and Trump.

[Turin_C3PO]

40. No.

He could be our nominee and we don’t need to do the Republican’s work for them. Focus on Trump.

[unitedwethrive]

43. Yes. He really has never been vetted and needs to answer for this policies,

which at best seem gimmicky.

[TheFarseer]

46. Maybe

Focusing on the front runner makes some sense

[jmg257]

48. Naa - they'll be all over Bloomberg. He's the threat du-jour

[IrishEyes]

51. No.