So yesterday democrats got just what they needed in this struggle for the soul of America and the future of the separation of powers in Washington. Michael Bloomberg has decided to run for the party's nomination, thus doubling the number of white billionaires on the list of hopefuls.
First there was Tom Steyer and now the former republican mayor of New York City. Hey, there are a couple of guys the working masses can identify with. Not that it matters any more. Donald John Trump claims he is a billionaire, although he's also been known to lie sometimes, and he got elected didn't he.
Of course the truth is Trump is a carny midway barker on steroids who speaks the language of white blue collar xenophobes, Army of Northern Virginia wannabes, and those who believe if they can't own and carry any gun they want wherever they want their ability to achieve erections will cease to exist. Steyer and now, especially, Bloomberg will not have those dubious advantages.
We mustn't count Mike Bloomberg out though. The man can not only make money, but he can spend it too. During his first run for the Mayor's job in New York City he avoided the inconveniences of campaign donation laws by not accepting any. At one time early in the last presidential election cycle Trump offered up he might self finance his presidential campaign. It was, in the end, just another cheap jack lie. Bloomberg, on the other hand, spent $74 million of his own cash during his first run for mayor.
To secure a second term he personally spent $85 million. To win a threepeat he had to do a couple things. First he had to convince the city elders to let him run for a third time, since the law, at that point, mandated a two term limit for mayors. He got it done thanks to what more than a few believed was nefarious wheeling and dealing. Second, he wrote $102 million worth of checks to apparently everyone in the five boroughs.
Ah yes, the perfect democratic candidate. A guy with an ego so huge he wheedled his way into a third term while blowing $261 million of his own money over a 12 year span. All that in order to work at a job which paid him $225,000 a year.
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders were incensed at Bloomberg's announcement. There is a reason for them to react that way. Almost every poll over the last few months indicate a good number of democrats are either suspicious, skeptical, or dissatisfied with their health care for all plans. Most, in fact, prefer Obama's Affordable Care Act to be expanded and improved upon. A barely left of center candidate with more gold than King Midas, despite his late arrival, could out Biden, Biden, not to mention out spend him.
Ouch.
According to the media, within 24 hours of Bloomberg's announcement he dedicated nearly $40 million to TV ads which began running almost immediately on places like CNN and MSNBC. Speculation is he is willing to spend any where from $1 to $5 billion of his own on a 2020 presidential campaign.
In addition he has access to the email lists built by the, "non partisan," Every Town for Gun Safety," which he founded and "Moms Demand Action," which was organized after the Sandy Hook Elementary School nightmare. "Moms Demand Action," fell under the Every Town umbrella a few years ago. They alone have 350,000 donors, six million followers, and chapters in 50 states. It is a natural, in place, grass roots base for the former mayor.
No, it isn't shaking hands in Iowa, or New Hampshire, but that's a lot of people you can get in touch with whenever you want. And, you don't even have to make crass pleas for their hard earned money, because you already have all you need.
On the flip side it is hard to imagine true progressives having any sort of reaction to Bloomberg other than loathing. He is after all, the exact type of person they and their candidates are running against, no matter how well intentioned his gun restriction initiatives are. He could end up being the wedge between the democratic left and center the Trump people have be praying for.
Mike Bloomberg was a democrat until 2001. He reregistered as a republican that year and remained with the GOP until 2007. Then, he became an independent. Last year he switched back to the democratic party. Yes, he is quite the chameleon depending on how he reads the political landscape at any given time--a genuine mercenary. Indeed, someone who is totally committed to his political success rather than a genuine doctrine.
Well, maybe none of that makes any difference these days. If we've learned anything in 21st century American politics it is all the old 20th century norms are out the window. The current President proved that with the, "Access Hollywood," tape.
Donald Trump is the greatest threat to the republic ever seen. Now with Michael Bloomberg entering the race, the only thing which comes to mind at the moment is the thought, God save us from these supposedly benevolent billionaires. We have one now in the White House and he is little more than an aged, bloated, Caligula. There is nothing which proves to me Mike Bloomberg would be any different.
sic vita est
11-25-19
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