So we'll get on a national level what he gave us on the municipal level: stop-and-frisk and other infringements of human rights, severe deterioration of facilities meant to serve low-income people like NYC public housing, deterioration of transportation infrastructure, shoveling money to big developers for luxury housing, and general ignorance of many resident cultures.
He closed fire companies at a time of rising population and loss of low-cost housing. He squandered tax-payers money on overpayments for rehabbing Coney Island amusement park. Etc., etc., etc.
In his corporation, discrimination against pregnant women is (and was for a long time) an open secret.
Do we really want a national version of this government for the rich and by the rich?
17
Please stay home, Mr. Bloomberg. Thanks. Jenn.
17
Glad that he is running, but I wish he had ran in 2016, and as a Republican. Things probably would've been different if he were the president. I still wish he runs as a Republican for 2020. There are a few qualified Dems running, but need someone qualified on the Republican side so that the country can choose a qualified leader from a pool of resources, who can lead the country holistically instead of being the leader of his base, and the 1% who is getting benefited from the corrupt economic opportunities he is creating that an economist will not stand by.
if Bloomberg runs, he will most likely have my vote regardless which party he runs from. That's the kind of leader we need - him and dear old John McCaine (RIP).
5
Warren and Sanders healthcare policies are bold, expensive investments and the very reason these wealthy, out-of-touch candidates are throwing their hats in the ring. Healthcare costs in our country are shamefully representative of capitalist, for-profit models that the GOP and "centrist" would like applied to every service.
America is literally dying in bankruptcy while waiting and waiting for our representatives to advocate for the health and dignity of the people.
10
Bernie will make corned-beef hash of the $52 billion man.
15
What a wonderful piece of news to hear before going to bed last night! For those who are thinking he is really a republican: he switched form democrat to get on the NYC ballot because established democratic party machine in NYC wouldn't have him. I had my doubts at first because of his flip and because it was so soon after Rudy rallied everyone post-9/11 (and we see how well he is turning out now) but came to admire and respect Mike during his tenure. He is committed to the issues that matter to all Americans: climate, and guns as well as others.
What I really admired him for was his willingness, when he couldn't get the city to do something like computers for schools, keeping the lights on in a library, museum or he cracked open his own check book.
He was never beholden to special interest groups and has little patience for stupid questions during press conferences. And I have NEVER seen him complain about how he is treated in the media, never whined about a negative headline.
Being NYC mayor is supposed to be harder than being president. Mike succeeded for 12 year and I believe he is the person who will bring us back to being a highly respected country and undo the damage our national reputation has been dealt by the current incumbent at 1600.
12
Comments here are indicative of why Democrats hurt themselves. Rather than look at the big picture, at the forest, Democrats look at the trees. There is this or that they don't like about Bloomberg, something he did or didn't do. Because of that, it's certain he'd be a terrible president. Could it be that their favorite candidate also fails on the scoreboard of having done a few things incorrectly at one point in their lifetime? The big picture is winning the election with a candidate who can do so, despite shortcomings.
9
The misperceptions of non-New Yorkers posting here would be laughable if they did not demonstrate how this newspaper's questionable coverage can bias opinion. Mayor Bloomberg did not win his third term in a landslide -- he barely squeaked by 50.7% of a vote. Compare that with Mayor de Blasio, who won re-election in a REAL landslide, with 66.5% of the vote, and how this newspaper made his campaign a laughingstock.
And to those who repeat the right wing propaganda that de Blasio only won because of "low turnout":
Mayor Bloomberg received a total of 585,466 votes in 2009.
Mayor de Blasio received a total of 726,361 votes in 2017.
Bloomberg's money bought him fawning coverage in this newspaper. But his governing for the rich did not make him a popular Mayor. And while de Blasio is hated by white affluent NYTimes editors and readers, he has been far more popular among those who were ignored by Bloomberg -- the majority of NYC residents.
de Blasio did more for them his first term than Bloomberg did during 12 years. Just ask the parents of the 70,000 four year olds in universal pre-k every single year -- hundreds of thousands of kids who already benefitted.
10
The Establishment and Wall Street are absolutely determined we will have a "centrist" and like it because they are scared stiff of any ambitious approach to the festering systemic problems of wealth inequality and healthcare in this country, and Trump is the bogeyman they use to scare us back to comfy middle-of-the-roadism and business as usual. Shut up and eat your spinach.
9
Bloomberg was great! Remember when he started universal pre-k and hundreds of thousands of kids already benefitted?
Oh yes, that was de Blasio -- Mayor Bloomberg said poor and middle class families should figure out their own pre-k just like his wealthy friends like Cathy Black did.
11
Oh please! Donate your $$ Mr Bloomberg - that would serve the country much better.
11
Another Big Ego from NYC who thinks he knows it all. Let's see.... Hillary Clinton, Trump, Giuliani, de Blasio, Bloomberg, .... it's as bad as big egos from Texas.
No more!
8
I really liked Bloomberg as Mayor. He was a good manager and responsible for many inclusive initiatives. Highly competent.
However, he was also so pro-business that I don’t think he’d do much if anything to end business’ outsized political influence or income nequality.
Of course he also changed election law so he could have a third term. Like the current WH occupant, who constantly drops hints at being a perpetual president - except he succeeded in New York.
Chew on that.
6
Billionaires are not the solution, they're the problem.
12
He’s only running because Warren is doing so well he’s afraid he’ll have to pay his fair share of taxes if she wins.
10
Great, the battle of the billionaires... What happened to a farm boy like Eisenhower or a peanut farmer like Carter working their way up to serve their country? Normal people who know the life of the people they govern.
11
Ah, just what America needs; another self absorbed New York billionaire for president.
No thanks, I'll stick with the one we already have.
10
Thank goodness somebody with financial clout and previous elected office as mayor, who favors gun control and efforts to minimize climate change, wants to run. I'm a Republican but our party is trash and I would vote across the lines. Please also examine whether Trump and Putin made a deal to not help the Ukraine. This would explain why Trump didn't want to send money or arms to the Ukraine who are in a shooting war against Russia right now.
5
I try to evaluate every candidate in terms of how they'll do here in Wisconsin, the most telling of battle ground states according to Nate Cohn. I just can't see Bloomberg winning here. I think Biden is running a shaky campaign, but the answer isn't another 70-something candidate. Moderates would be better off taking a closer look at Buttigieg.
8
Oh hooray. Another anti-poor anti-middle-class billionaire real estate developer from New York. These Wall St beholden megalomaniacs from New York are out of control. Hasn’t America had enough? I for one say yes it has. Permanently.
7
Another case of ego ahead of common sense. Bloomberg is not getting the nomination. In a way, he is like trump. His politics are whatever seems to appeal to the voters today. Tomorrow is anouther and different story.
6
As an Alabamian my vote in Presidential elections is a nullify due to the electoral college, but it is pleasant to think my vote in the primary might help nominate an electable candidate. Although I will vote against President Trump regardless of the Democratic candidate, I fear Biden is tainted by his son leveraging political connections into personal profit in Ukraine. Bernie is sincere, but i doubt he can prevail in swing states. And I absolutely doubt Warren’s electability. So, if Michelle Obama refuses to ride in to rescue the day, Mayor Bloomberg looks like a truly viable solution to denying Trump a second term.
5
Why doesn't Bloomberg run as a Republican? And I think he's underestimating the electorate's feelings about a billionaire president.
4
No. No to the billionaire class. Tax their wealth at 95% so they cannot play kingmaker.
9
Where does he stand in climate change? In making healthcare workable and affordable? In relations with NATO and our allies? On social programs for the poor and the old? On taxing his kind, the Private and corporate wealthy?
2
He has to be hoping, or encouraging Biden to drop out. Mehinks thats a distinct possibility, with public impeachment hearings coming up, where Republicans will most definitely center their focus on his sons pay for play dealings with Burisma, and Joes subsequent quid pro quo for getting that prosecutor fired to protect his son. I mean seriously, were supposed to believe holding back that 1 billion wasnt protecting his son, a position where Hunter was totally unqualified for, making 83k per month, and never stepped foot in Ukraine?
Because if Biden doesnt drop out, Bloomberg will just split the moderate vote and hand the nomination to Warren.
That means landslide for Trump.
Ouch.
It's pretty sketchy that Bloomberg is entering the race, soon after Warren and Sanders proposed taxing the very rich at higher margins, and late to the debates so he doesn't expose his weaknesses to be examined by us – we, the plebes he condescends to "serve".
4
As a person of color who survived three terms of the nanny mayor, I could never vote for a person who I feel marginalized people of color during his administration. I don’t know if I could survive a National Stop and Frisk program. I don’t want a president who would tell me what to eat or drink(campaign slogan of: I know what’s good for you, you don’t). I would not look forward to minorities being passed over for relevant positions in government like they were during his time here. He left me feeling that he would expand his talent search throughout the galaxy rather than hire a qualified minority(see Cathy Black), and when he did, it was the lightest skinned black he could find(no insults meant to Mr Walcott, who should have been tapped sooner). He was so out of touch with many constituencies in this city that I feel he is uniquely unqualified to be president, just like what we have now. A week ago I felt that ANYONE would be better than what we have in the White House . For different reasons Bloomberg makes that a two person list.
44
Mr. Bloomberg is 77 years old, way too old. Would rather see him spending his money supporting the next generation of leaders. The current system for the Democrats is way too rigged. When I watched the early debates most of the questions went to Biden, Warren, and Sanders, instead of some of the younger, but lesser known and more center candidates. A Bullock or Bennet or a Klobuchar would easily beat Trump, which is the most important thing, but they will never get a chance in the process the Democrats have put together
5
Judging by reactions here, I think people forget that we get to vote candidates in or out. For those who have issues with him running, don't vote for him. But for me, as a former NYCer now Ohioan, I love Bloomberg and he's got my vote if he decides to run.
8
I hope Michael Bloomberg is able to stand on the debate stage with the rest of the Democratic presidential candidates. It will be interesting to see how the other candidates treat him during the questioning. It will even be more interesting if he is given the opportunity to debate President Trump. I think President Trump will out debate him as he has done with the rest of his competitors. It will certainly make for entertainment. The ratings should be big.
1
@KMW Bloomberg would make Trump look like the clown he is in any debate. Also, Bloomberg has always been much more consistent and transparent about who he is and how he built his fortune, where he stands on issues, how he's moved through life, compared to Ol' Grift who can't go a day without lying. No way Trump comes out a winner in this match-up.
10
If he had real courage and a real message, he would run as a Republican.
15
Oh boy! I get to vote for a billionaire republican in the democratic primary.
17
@tc Why are people so concerned that some of us might actually want Bloomberg to run? If you dont like him, you can simply vote for the candidate of your choice instead of trying to limit the choices of other voters. Or is it that people are worried Bloomberg might pose a threat to the candidate of their choice? That's how the process works. Go, Mike, go!
5
My god, this outlines the very real schism within the party. Being more left-leaning, I conceptualize this news as a bit of theater, a spoiler. I view the elections of Obama and Trump as the general public clamoring for moves away from neoliberalism. I try to be very open-minded to as many ideas as possible, so am neither shocked nor defensive about the excitement over Bloomberg’s potential run. Rather, I’m in awe of the team sport mentality being evoked. Using that analogy, I wonder what Mr. Bloomberg brings to the game of this political moment, outside of being a neutral figure for centrist-leaning Democrats to project their fantasies on. What is his actual vision and why does he think his vision makes sense in this anti-establishment political moment?
36
@GM
Bloomberg is a Republican. You didn't hear Democrats who wanted him.
This shows that the Republicans are so far right that a typical Republican like Michael Bloomberg is too cowardly to run as a Republican and hopes he can buy the Democratic nomination. He is wrong.
15
I am picturing the debates with Mr. Bloomberg and trump.
Bloomberg could out debate trump and make sense of the whole mess we are in.
I am also quite sure he could make his case to middle America that he is a serious, organized leader that has the best interests of the nation and the world as his motivation and is more than just “an east coast mayor”.
He is a POSITIVE FORCE” for progress and I hope he gets the nomination. Gets my vote!
6
I have been secretly waiting for such good news. Bloomberg would be an ideal candidate becasue he has learned form 8 plus years as Mayor, has the right ideas on climate change, environment, and also on presidential behavior. I welcome his candidacy.
8
Bloomberg can whine about trump all he wants, why did he give him 10 billion dollars worth of subsidies to build a golf course in the bronx? just like trump he touts his business savvy but recall how he negotiated the disaster of Tishman Speyer buying Stuy town? Bloomberg is no different than trump just a little less crass in public.
12
Bloomberg can win. What else really matters?
10
We really need to get money out of politics.
12
Dark clouds on the horizon for the Dems. Bloomberg siphons off centrist Biden votes yet won't get unions or African-Americans giving the left-wing of the democratic party the primary and Trump, consistent with the polls, defeats the left in the six relatively conservative contested states then appoints two more ideologically extreme justices to the Supreme Court, ignores congress, rules by fiat and God knows what next. Lovely.
7
NO THANKS! a billionaire is the last person i want representing me, a person of the working class.
12
Not at all interested, no thanks. Here in the Midwest we have our own moderate candidates.
10
Bloomberg is not the answer to the question "how do we get rid of Donald Trump?"
Getting the vote out is. Actually getting the youth vote out (in particular) is.
If we can get millennials and Gen Z (those 18 and over) to register and vote, Trump is toast.
9
To Ms. Warren: Let's judge Bloomberg by his policies, not by his wealth. I'm disappointed that you would punch below the belt. And, if you don't modify your health care plan to eliminate all private insurers you will lose the election. The private insurers will fall by the wayside and die a natural death after universal health care is installed. Successful European national health care systems allow for private insurance, and in the U.K. private pay exists alongside NHC.
7
Nothing gets under Trump’s skin more than a much richer, much smarter, much more successful white guy running against him. It threatens his fragile ego and makes him feel like a loser. It would be entertaining to watch them debate as they compare the size of everything.
6
Why isn't Mr Bloomberg running as a Republican? Go be a Republican spoiler Mr Bloomberg - the Dems are doing just fine.
15
Keep telling yourself that...
1
Please hurry before the Democratic Party leaves me no choice but to vote third party!
4
You mean Koch, Walton, Scaife, Gates or Bezos aren't available?
5
Bloomberg created the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center in 2017. The non-partisan State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU supports state attorneys general in defending and promoting clean energy, climate and environmental laws and policies.
3
Thank God!
Now I may not have to choose between a mad king or the next Lenin.
6
I'm thrilled that Mr. Bloomberg is seriously contemplating a run for the Presidency. I am a centrist. Don't like to far Left, nor do I like too far right! I would definitely vote for him if he throws his hat in the ring!! #VoteBlue
6
Too good to be true!
4
Loomberg spearheded Everytown Gun Safety. This fact alone will polarize the electorate. Guns. They want their guns and they don’t care how many kids and schools are bullet ridden. It is apparently, all worth it.
4
Ugh, another billionaire for and of the billionaire class. Seeing the transformation wrought on NYC by the predatory capitalism, ie rampant luxury condo building and real estate development that has drastically transformed the skyline, emptied out once diverse neighborhoods, gutted the public school system, and wiped out the mom and pop businesses that made walking down the street an adventure, the idea of the party jumping mayor who brought about the final suburbanization of a city that now only caters to the 1% running for president is repugnant.
10
wish I had enough money to buy my way into the election as well
7
Mr. Bloomberg,
Please run. The country needs you.
5
Bloomberg has credibility from his success in business and experience running a large complex city. He has the smarts and resources to craft and deliver a message with strategic effectiveness. He has the gravitas to be respected domestically and internationally. He can appeal to the suburban moderate partisans or independent voters that will determine the outcome in key states.
However, the question I have is whether he will clearly endorse practical proposals to make progress on the dominant concerns that mobilize so many younger progressives.
What I worry about its whether he can clearly separate himself from the priorities/preferences of the Baby Boomer oligarchs and industry magnates who have accumulated so much wealth and influence.
Bloomberg could do a lot to allay those concerns if,
He supports some wealth tax that will draw resources from the Uber-rich of Baby Boomer generation of which he is one. Warren's revenues for a lot of needed initiatives -- education, infrastructure, etc. -- come from this source. A wealth tax substantially avoids effects on current economic activity and provides resources for priorities that have been neglected.
Such a commitment by Bloomberg would align him with Warren in how necessary investments are paid for in a way that is fair generationally.
Absent clarity on this, I am concerned that a richer pragmatic moderate leaves yearnings of much of the democratic base and younger voters unfulfilled.
2
We need to stay focused on beating Trump.
I'm one of those 'persuadables' from a battleground state.
I used to think that Biden was the only one who could beat Trump.
Before that, I thought Hillary was the only one who could beat Trump..
Now, I'm convinced that Bloomberg is the only one who can beat Trump.
Wait,..... Oprah's considering getting into the race?
5
no, just NO. Yet another egotistic billionaire MAN who won't scare Wall Street. Biden, but richer (an a tiny bit younger). Nothing to see here folks, keep moving along....
10
Another old white man (my contemporaries, actually) Let me know when he makes his first trip to Schuylkill County, Pa. where I grew up.
5
What a great way to split the democratic vote and keep trump in power.
7
Good grief. He enters the race. There still are primaries and one individual will get the nomination.
Talking heads (and commenters) are- already huffing and puffing and rubbing their magic lamps predicting how Bloomberg will siphon votes from....
The more crowded the field the better. Never again should there be a Crowning of one...besides, Republicans had 17 contenders in 2016 and one got the nomination: That is how things work for Democrats- too.
2
Unfortunately it seems to be too late in the game to be jumping in to the race. He’d be a formidable foe for Trump though. He is smarter than the Donald and doesn’t need to curry favor with any special interests as does Trump. If he can make it to the starting gate he’d get my vote even though I don’t agree with some of his positions.
2
If it’s Bloomberg I’m not voting. The DNC and its superdelegates want to force their agenda again.
Maybe four more years of Trump is what is needed for people to get their priorities right.
10
Yup
1
Great News!
Bloomberg would greatly increase the chances of getting Trump out of office versus the extreme Warren/Sanders approach. Bloomberg is a principled and smart leader who did a great job a mayor of NYC and no one should hold his business success against him because he earned it, not inherited it.
I don’t want to hold my nose while I vote Democrat like last election and I want competency in the White House again.
2
Isn’t it interesting that the two surging democratic centrist candidates are mayors? Mayor Pete and now Mayor Mike...
This shows how the center of the party is in touch with the practical needs of governing...
4
Everyone keeps saying we shouldn’t elect another billionaire. Regardless of one’s views on Bloomberg, I’d just like to point out that we have no proof of Trump’s billionaire status. He has zero transparency around his financial shenanigans, likely for good reason. I imagine Trump is worth much, much less than people imagine. But Michael Bloomberg...he’s the real deal, a self-made billionaire with no need to hide the truth and a clean record. There’s no comparison between these two.
7
As a New Yorker, I like Bloomberg. But I do not think he will play well in Peoria, as they say, because he will be taken as yet another member of the coastal elite. It also strikes me that his late-entry is opportunistic, having watched the other candidates sweat it out raising money and campaigning.
He is also too rich and too old, and I say this as someone who is also of retirement age. We need someone with youthful energy and ambition.
Although I would vote for just about anyone other than Donald Trump, what I really want is a Buttigieg | Abrams ticket. That would be the game-changer we need in the world.
5
Won't this just ensure that Warren gets the nomination?
6
This is a disaster. The middle of this country, with more electoral votes than people, will NEVER vote for a NY Billionaire- self made or not. I don't like Biden but I love this country. So if I have to give up my desire for a woman in the White House to lose this battle but win the war I will.
3
This Democrat would never vote for him, no matter who he was up against. If he’s so alarmed by Trump he should run against him in the GOP primary. No more billionaires buying our elections.
9
Please, no. A billionaire media mogul who bought himself an extra term? No thanks.
13
Well Warren and Sanders are not the answr and neither will win or defeat bone spurs.
4
Bloomberg doesn't want his cronies, or himself, to pay their fair share of taxes. They don't really want peace. They don't want equal, quality education or health care for all. They don't really want a rising tide to lift all boats. They don't want to pay for any of it. It's all dishonest rhetoric--LIES! You can't get this rich without hurting a lot of people, and breaking a lot of rules. My answer is a resounding NO!!! Go back to your many mansions, and refigure your total, incredible, heart-stopping wealth, then get ready to give some of it to the people who actually need it.
This is your civic responsibility. No more same, old same old. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way--makes no difference to us. You don't get to run this country anymore. (Use some of the $millions you're about to waste on a presidential campaign, to actually HELP people. That money means nothing to YOU.)
7
@ChesBay -- I'm sure the sloppy tears of Leon Cooperman had a big effect on Mr. Bloomberg, who claims to care about the "little people," well at least about the amount of soda they are drinking, but not their unequal, segregated schools. I'm surprised I haven't see Michael snuffle on TV, yet. Go AWAY, and let young, creative minds take over. I promise, you'll still be filthy rich!
4
You can be sure Bloomberg has done his homework, knows the facts and is ready to do the right thing for
USA - that is all of us!
5
My .... oh my! I see the minions of the radical, far left wing of my party is out in full force today, shrieking their displeasure at this news and touting their undying support for Warren/Sanders. This is music to my ears. Go Mayor Mike!
9
Count me in, didn’t always agree with him as Mayor but he’d make a good showing as POTUS.
4
@Michelle radical far left? How about just regular working class people who were harmed by bloombergs policies that care about the rich only. Bloomberg is just a polite trump, Clearly you are motivated by wanting to "own the left" just like trump supporters.
7
@Michelle
So you think that progressive voters are displeased that the centrist vote will now be split four ways? That lane is getting very crowded.
Bloomberg only takes primary votes away from Biden, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar.
Sanders will not lose one primary voter.
Neither will Warren.
8
Too little too late. Missed the debates, being challenged to see where he stands compared to other candidates, etc. outside of New York, nobody knows you. I barely recognize your name and I read the news every day. Midwest swing voters have never heard of you.
4
Unbelievable. I smell a DNC back door stunt here.
A Bloomberg nomination would lose half the Bernie Bros and half the Warren sisters. The result is :
Trump serves two terms
The fact that over 1000 comments on here love this move shows how incredibly messed up the Democratic Party truly is.
12
If Bloomberg somehow becomes the candidate in the 2020 election, it will be the first time I will vote for a Democrat in a presidential election. I would vote for Trump ahead of Warren or Sanders, but will vote for Bloomberg if given the chance.
2
I think Bloomberg should run as a Republican.
13
He’d be doing the country a service if he ran as a Republican.
Otherwise, nope. What does he think he has over the existing candidate field? These rich people and their egos.
11
Everyone who says, “if my candidate isn’t nominated, I’m not voting” is guaranteeing another four years of trumpian destruction. Hold your nose and vote for the imperfect Democratic nominee. If you sit out 2020 waiting for a candidate who doesn’t exist, don’t bother complaining about the outcome because it will be your fault. Trump voters know he’s a venal, criminal, evil man and they don’t care. We need to give the democratic nominee the same consideration. We need to vote for her (or him).
9
Held my nose last time and voted for Hillary. I suggest the Democrats come up with a candidate that does not stink.
4
The obvious but unstated here: the current field of Dems is unelectable.
5
@RP not at all Bernie Sanders or Elisabeth Warren are more than competent and ready to serve.
6
Hurray! Now we have an election!
4
He is so out of touch with the 'People'!
We don't need another millionaire! We don't need the Democrats to be taken over by a Republican!
13
Because of his age, Bloomberg would be a one-term POTUS.
4
Well, now that I’m looking for a dentist that puts gold and the implant put in, I can finally vote for Bloomberg!
1
To all the commenters who find Bloomberg to be flawed: Cuff yourselves on the back of the head and recall what Priority 1 in this upcoming election is.
Yes, saving America (and the world).
1
@PHS that's nice, blame us the people who have been harmed by billionaire turned politicians for not choosing one billionaire over another, to me bloomberg is exactly the same as trump, worse.
8
Another billionaire New Yorker. Just what we need.
11
Bloomberg would be Simba to Trump's Scar. It would be cinematic. A perfect hometown match up. I'm still a Bernie bro but Bloomberg vs. Trump is irresistible.
1
Bloomberg, I hope, will publish his tax returns online. He’s actually a billionaire, actually self made, and actually runs a charity. Et tu, Mr. Trump?
4
Michael Bloomberg was a great mayor and he would likely make a great president. Was he perfect, no, but who is?
For those who don't remember, I think a reminder of the Bloomberg years is warranted. Mr. Bloomberg's mayoralty was bookmarked by two seismic events: 9/11 and the 2008 financial collapse. It was Mr. Bloomberg who shepherded NY through the aftermath of 9/11 and of the 2008 financial collapse. I can't imagine Bill De Blasio having been able to do either of those things.
Mr. Bloomberg is a very rich man, but that shouldn't be held against him. He uses his money for good by not only philosophically supporting gun control, healthcare, and environmental issues, but by backing up his ideas with significant capital contributions of his own money. It is noteworthy that he actually took the subway while mayor of NYC unlike the populist Mr. De Blasio.
His tenure wasn't perfect; stop and frisk and growing income inequality are just two examples. He didn't ignore these issues either. There were attempts to create more affordable housing; parks were created and supported in undeserved neighborhoods; he wrested control of schools from the state, etc.
Although he initially changed party affiliation to run as a republican, he was never really a republican. I, a life long democrat, always thought of him as a sheep in wolves clothing. That's why I, and a whole lot of other folks in very liberal New York, voted for him all three times he ran for mayor.
6
@Celena I laughed out loud at your comment, homelessness skyrocketed under the nanny state but the press loved bloomberg and never blamed him the way they do deBlasio, if you remember when asked why the shelters were so full he said that "People were having a more pleasureable experience than ever before. He undid the priority for public housing for homeless people his advantage program was a disaster that he slickly blamed on the state withdrawing their funding, if he is the candidate I will not vote for him at all. He is just a polite trump in my view and there are many like me who would rather just let the fire rage on than switch from on billionaire to another.
4
When Bloomberg started as Mayor in 2001 he was worth $5 billion (Forbes). When he left in 2013 he was worth $33 billion (NY Times). And this through the greatest economic disaster since the depression. The scab has to be ripped off how Bloomberg did it.
10
No mystery. Even though it is not a public company, Bloomberg LP is where his wealth is and operates in a heavily regulated and transparent industry (unlike real estate). No monkey business in his wealth creation but a lot of smarts.
Thumbs up, Mayor Bloomberg. We know where you stand on Climate Change and the environment. You could replace Governor Islee's spot in the line-up. You are surely better than Biden or Buttigieg.
3
If Mr. Bloomberg does decide to run, this will benefit the liberal wing of the party, not the moderate wing. He won’t take any votes away from Warren or Sanders, because no one who would otherwise support either of them would ever vote for Bloomberg, a poster child for income inequality. But while he wouldn’t have enough support from minority voters to win (given his stance on stop-and-frisk), he would nonetheless take votes away from Biden and/or other moderates in the field. So, as a supporter of Senator Warren’s candidacy (and as someone who also views Senator Sanders’ candidacy favorably), I hope Bloomberg does run. On the other hand, if I were involved with Biden’s campaign, I’d be quite concerned and fighting like heck to make sure he doesn’t run. Maybe that will end up persuading him to stay out; his candidacy would split the moderate vote and make the nomination of Warren or Sanders next year more likely, not less.
5
One perspective on Bloomberg's reconsideration of a presidential run as a Democrat is that there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding what the overall economy will do over the very short term. Bloomberg's excellent data sources must be signaling that the probability of a contraction in the economy has increased significantly in the short run. This increased probability of a contraction reduces the riskiness of his ROIs from a campaign; after he invests big money and time in this effort. And, to market himself as a financial and economic expert who can actually turn the slumping economy around, as opposed to Trump's flailing efforts, may gain increasing resonance with the electorate.
[11/08/2019 Fri. 9:32 am Greenville NC]
2
Those of us originating from anywhere in the Tri-state area, know Bloomberg and know what he is all about (love him or hate him), but we don't decide elections, the South and Mid-west do.
Look at Bloomberg, self-made billionaire, Jewish, New Yorker. Will he resonate with the average American voter in the South, Deep South, Mid-West--any where in between California and NYC?
The answer is no.
He will take away some votes from Biden, but he will not resonate with Warren or Bernie supporters who want change and want to rebuild the middle class.
We are one year away. Democrats don't even have it down to the top 3 or 4 candidates. Candidates, who have zero change of becoming the nominee, are staying in the race out of ego.
The primary will be complicated with votes dispersed every where and the convention a nightmare.
Bloomberg isn't going to help solidify different ideologies. This election isn't just about getting Trump out of office, it is a battle of ideologies: status quo vs. rebuilding the middle class.
As usual, the Democrats are not listening to their party, or what millions of Americans are saying (including Independents like my family) we want change and re-build the middle class.
FDR, with the help of Francis Perkins' policies, rebuilt the middle class. It worked then, it will work now.
6
This late in the game, is a Bloomberg entry into the pack really a good idea? We are having issues deciding now. Why further complicate the selection?
If he had joined in at the start I wold have welcomed him and the comments are generally favorable. His possible addition adds more confusion than serious choice.
4
I've been hoping Bloomberg would get in the race. I think he's absolutely the right person to be in the race. I have no idea what the Dems are thinking with their approach to the race so far - debating over super progressive policy ideas is lovely but won't win the election.
I'd also like someone who has run something and is doing something right now on a variety of issues to be President rather than someone who's attended a lot of committee meetings in Congress for years. We need someone who will pull independents and republicans and that's not going to be any of the current field. Do it Bloomberg, we need you.
4
I thought the goal was generational change? Enough of the timid centrist nonsense.
2
Generational change? Appears to be a good idea in theory! And I support that. Unfortunately, at present there appears to be no one who has the intelligence AND the experience AND the qualifications to fill that spot! It’s time to look at other options.
1
He would get my vote.
3
Go away, Bloomberg! If you want to muddy the waters, go do it on the Republican side, and take votes away from the "president". He is trying to be the centrist candidate, which IS exactly what this country needs, but the Democrats already have one.....one that is FAR more qualified than he is. His name is Joe Biden.
4
@Carl Center Jr
I have to wonder if Biden and Bloomberg have cooked up a deal where Biden (citing health, family, anything but his falling poll and war chest numbers, and certainly avoiding saying anything about Ukraine) regretfully drops out while Bloomberg more or less simultaneously 'declares'.
2
Once again the Democratic "leaders" do not want to let the Democratic voters have their man or woman. 75% of the Democratic electorate is satisfied with their current choices yet the "leadership" thinks it knows better. Dem voters need to rise up to voice that they do not want the superdelegates to steal their vote again.
6
Let's see it was a terrible precedent for us New Yorkers and for democracy for someone to be able to become Mayor by having a lot of money and now he would like to see if you can become President if you have a lot of money .
Well since ghastly negatives , immorality , and hate spewing did not stop Trump from winning and staying in Office it's reasonable for anyone no matter how bad , or how out of touch with most Americans to think they can win too .
So, why not ? Trump and the acceptance of all of the bad he signals has made the Presidency a real possibility for an out of touch billionaire who won two terms while ignoring almost half of New Yorkers with the help of the powerful Jewish base that has controlled NY Politics for the longest and being able to spend unlimited money compared to his opponents . A terrible precedent that elicited not one peep out of the Media he controls .
Looking back at the end of Bloomberg's rein the people got together and refused to allow him to anoint his crony Quinn the former Speaker who overturned the vote of the people in a dirty back room deal as the next Mayor . One might have thought that would have sent a strong signal to Bloomberg that he was not popular outside of his base , but guess that no longer matters now that Trump has eliminated the need to be good for all and a servant of the public .
1
Bloomberg has the potential to not only kill off Biden but Mayor Pete as well. I also think he would be the best thing to happen for Warren and for Trump.
2
He seems like a decent candidate but it's a little late to get into the race.
Please enter the Republican primary instead, Mr. Bloomberg. Show citizens and officials there are choices.
8
Give me a break. Mike is a Republican at root. The true test of his supposed desire to serve and lead would be to run as a Republican in the primaries.
8
I will not vote for Bloomberg or Biden. I’m about ready to give up on the Democratic Party. Just grateful my grandchildren have dual citizenship and will never have to worry about the cost of health care or university education
1
We do not need another NY billionaire, though opposite of trump, not desirable at this time.
3
Yes please! A centrist with a strong track record of economic strength and liberal social policies. Anything to keep us away from the loony far left.
3
Abuse of stop and frisk. A nanny mayor. Sugary drinks court battle. Downtown Brooklyn went post 9/11 to look like lower Manhattan with skyscrapers and rents in the stratosphere. Homelessness went through the roof because the city became unaffordable for working people. It's ironic but in the old days of high crime this was an affordable city to live in. Nelson Rockefeller was one of the richest men in New York yet couldn't win the presidency. Trump owes a lot of money borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. If Trump had Bloomberg's money he won't need to brag as much. He won because he's a conman and a showman. And his supporters know he's not as rich as he fools people to be. Bloomberg, on the other hand, is really rich. And that's why it would be hard for a genuine rich man from New York City to become president.
4
What happened to government by the people and for the people?
4
No, Mayor Bloomberg. I really like you,
but please, no. Your time, like VP Biden's, was four years ago or more. This is too much, too late, and will only upset the nomination process, not clarify it. One more older white guy in the race is not the "dark horse" that could propel us toward a stronger chance at trouncing Trump.
As essentially an independent, you have no coattails. Your age is a factor as is your history of switching parties. What I suggest is that you support a younger candidate close to, if not in full agreement with, your views. May I suggest Buttigieg, Klobuchar or Booker - or perhaps hold back till the general election, where Democrats will need all the help we can get to overcome the torrent of lies guaranteed to come from the Trumpublicans.
3
NO NO and NO! Bloomberg offers nothing, is another New Yorker, and is er, hmmm, less than electric. Can’t see him firing up the rust belt/swing states.
6
Bloomberg may get Trump re-elected simply because all gun owners recall his stance on guns. There are a lot of gun owners and if you want a real civil war, start threatening their 2nd Amendment rights. Even those who hate Trump will vote for him against Bloomberg.
4
It appears that the perfect will be the enemy of the good in 2020. If four years of a neoliberal billionaire--who at leasts has some bold ideas on the climate crisis (the most pressing issues of our time) and gun control--means that we won't have to suffer four more years of an incompetent and hateful Trump administration, then sign me up. As of November 2019 the polls show that Warren can not win the Obama to Trump voters in the swing states who decided the 2016 election and will likely decide 2020. Bloomberg will take the neoliberal donor class (never-trumpers), independents, and moderate democrats (not all of us are the 1%). That will leave Trump with his base and the purist progressives that decide to stay home because their unelectable candidate didn't win the nomination.
So you won't get a progressive president with Bloomberg. But you're not going to get that with a Warren nomination either. You'll get four more years of Trump.
2
Holder, Biden, Bloomberg, Sanders, Warren, At seventy Plus isn't it time to be a mentor? I think that leaving the race to a younger person with brains untainted by the fifties and sixties is a much better way to help. As an ex-Republican and recent retiree I want someone with less baggage in tow. Boomers please spend what is left of your energy on get younger smarter people involved. Please get behind and push don't stand in the way.
A government of the billionaires, for the billionaires, by the billionaires . . . .
10
I think it would be great if Bloomberg ran on the Republican ticket. Then we'd have a real discussion, and choice.
3
A far left Republican joins the Democrats as a middle of the road Democrat because the far left Dem presidential favorites are too far left for the Dem voters. Who says the crazy Dems don’t have drama?
6
Overall I like Bloomberg, he is smart, soft spoken and cares about climate change.
But another billionaire?
Another old man?
Can’t America do better?
Does he agree at least to tax the ultra wealthy?
3
And let’s not forget that Bloomberg is the mayor who violently swept away the Occupy Wall Street protestors. He is NOT what America needs right now. The DNC is desperately afraid of its base, clearly.
8
I disagree with Bloomberg on a lot but I admit he seems to be a competent, good manager. I don’t buy the claim he’s authoritarian. I would like to see him run as a Republican. He would do that party a lot of good. It would be much better for us all if our politics weren’t a contest between the Rational vs the Ridiculous.
He suffers from the arrogance that often comes with a big pocketbook and I’m not really interested in perpetuating the myth that our country’s billionaires are its most special class. He won’t be my first or second choice but, if president, I’d take refuge in knowing we have a competent manager running the country. My 2 cents.
Thanks goodness! Someone who will finally look out for the long suffering billionaire class and their long neglected interests. Finally, someone to defend the rich against the depredations of the poor - a totally unheard of phenomenon in this country. Fellow democrats - our saviour has truly arrived!
4
Elizabeth Warren is beginning to seem very much the demigod. She has all the answers and the audacity to tell her minions Bloomberg's potential candidacy is “another example of the wealthy wanting our government and economy to only work for themselves.” She is increasingly demonstrating she is intolerant and lacks respect to any who don't agree with her.
2
I thought he was a great mayor. He might have been a serious contender but his moment has passed and his entry now would do more harm than good for his cause. He would split the centrist vote further and aid Warren who is a loser. Being a billionaire may allow him to get his message out but billionaires are anathema to all wings of the Democratic party. This appears to me to be a reflection of his ambition rather than anything else. And he can't win. It's sort of interesting how greed and ambition can blind even the brightest to reality. Harry Reid is no oracle.
3
Bloomberg is a centrist and realist who cares about the environment and climate change.
Sounds like my kind of candidate.
125
@Mmm
Sorry for you. I don't want another 1 percenter in charge. The economy isn't the only thing of value that needs management. Having ultra-wealthy at the top only compounds issues like inequality. The wealthy truly have blindsides. Bloomberg might have a great track record, and he is a decent human being. However, his perspective, as well as his contacts and relationships, will not be good for the country. He is a member of the 'elitist' class.
19
@Mmm Bloomberg won't be in the race for the environment and climate change. He would be the replacement for the floundering Biden to thwart Warren and Sanders and their dangerous talk of Medicare for all, Social Security expansion, wealth taxes and other policies popular with the general population.
22
@Mmm Bloomberg talks the talk but he doesn't deliver anything but chaos. Just look how he almost destroyed the New Your School system.
6
Bloomberg is running to protect his money. He doesn’t want Warren’s necessary financial reforms. “Electability” is the false argument that
They will use to scare voters. The rich want things to stay just as they are.
7
Best news I have heard all year. He's by far the most qualified candidate and a moderate. Thank you! You have my vote!
1
Bloomberg will not be nominated, he will provide balance to Senator Warren's sky's the limit spending proposals. Also, a possible VP to reassure Wall Street investors in a Warren election. Good move Mayor!
I can't prove this but I just know it's true, Bloomberg is worried about Warren's wealth tax. He, like other billionaires, cannot conceive of paying more in taxes. I have listen to Bloomberg on two occasions and, at that time, was reasonably impressed. Not now. His views on and support of gun reform and climate change are more than admirable but several of his policies in his too-many terms as mayor bothered me. Now he thinks he can forego the hard work other Democratic candidates have already put in on their campaigns and step in with his billions to buy the nomination. I can't prove this but I just know it's true, Bloomberg is considering running in an attempt to put a stop to Ms. Warren's wealth tax.
10
Go and good luck, Mr. Bloomberg!
He is one candidate who would really know how to handle trump. Mr. Bloomberg would be a good president and there would be a return to honesty and decency.
It might not be too late for America to once again be looked upon as a decent country.
2
he is the only caring, competent, clear thinking, kind and civil candidate.
We need competency, but also greatly need a return to civil dialogue.
5
Sen. Warren is a very strong on smarts, policy, ethics and vision. Bloomberg would make a good candidate for the GOP nomination.
1
Okay, split the moderate vote in the primary. I'm good with that. Sanders or Warren will be president in 2020.
3
This is very good news! It's become clear to me that the Democratic party currently has no leadership. There are a large number of potential candidates with little experience in national politics. The candidates have a complete lack of understanding that they need to appeal to the majority of people in order to win a national election. And to hear them sniping at one another does not inspire confidence in their ability to lead our Nation and re-instate ourselves as a Global leader
After months of listening and watching the current field of candidates, I've come to the conclusion the Democrats are a party in chaos. That Mr. Bloomberg is thinking of entering the race is the best news to date. I hope he does because we cannot afford another 4 years of Trump. The Democrats aren't going to beat Trump with the current field of candidates.
4
Michael Bloomberg just happens to be a unique individual, Ironically, both he an Trump have transcended such partisan values, to create their bigger than life personas. That's were the commonality between the two end.
Mike Bloomberg happens also to fit the bill of a strongman, but is the antithesis of the incumbent. He also was divorced from his first wife, the mother of their two girls and yet they are still friends.
He has been living with a woman for a couple decades now, without any pretense or known reputation of philandering. While Donald Trump made his fortune by building on the success of his real estate mogul father, his other ventures were often accompanied by the ruthlessness that he internalized.
The real difference between the two is that Bloomberg used his intellect and humanity to legitimately not only invest well, but to create a computerized service that was valuable to its thousands of users. Bloomberg while of Jewish heritage is a secular humanist, where the desire to have wealth is not to dominate those who are weaker, but to be a model for the possibilities that our free market society allows.
Only Michael Bloomberg could demolish Trump without the need for any further partisan ugliness or even animosity, as the lives these two have lived, tells it all.
3
He's got my vote. I've been underwhelmed by Biden and the other moderates in the race and I do not believe Warren or Sanders can win the general election. They will be vilified in the suburbs as tax and spend liberals.
Bloomberg was a very successful mayor of a city that if it was a state would be larger than 40 other US states, including most of the states of the Democratic candidates. He has shown he can govern effectively and would restore US credibility around the world.
The only argument against him is that he is a billionaire. Really? He is the living embodiment of the American dream, building a hugely successful business from modest beginnings and now using the money he made to further important causes like fighting climate change and advancing gun control.
If - and it's a big if - he can win the primaries, he would hammer Trump in the general election and take the US off its current disastrous course.
5
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m actually excited for the first time about a candidate in this race. I didn’t like most of Bloomberg’s policies as mayor but I liked him as an executive who was good at running the city. He would make a great president.
If we have to have a NY billionaire businessman for our president I’d take Mike over the Donald any day.
5
Since its late to enter the Democratic primaries, Mr Bloomberg should run as a 3rd party candidate . It’s critical that Americans have to option of voting for him in 2020.
1
I've listened to Bloomberg speak and immediately decided he was doomed. He seems to think that moderates are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. He has that absolutely backwards. Moderates are fiscally liberal and socially conservative. Many moderates are so extremely socially conservative that they vote against their own economic interests. That is the biggest challenge for the Democratic Party, and Bloomberg contributes nothing to it.
3
Happy to see you enter the race Mr. Mayor, you are a ray of hope. Wishing you the best, I am praying for your success,
2
I suspect that many posting strongly negative reactions in this space to Bloomberg's possible entry are strong supporters of another likely candidate such as Sanders, especially, or perhaps Trump but are not sharing that.
1
I find it amusing that of the 3 billionaires wanting to be president, Steyer, Bloomberg, and Trump, only 1, Trump has not spent over a hundred million on campaign donations. What happened to the assault on Citizens United Democrat’s hate so much? Trumps combined political donation’ to other politicians, or political causes are a decimal point compared to the others. Where is the outrage?
@Jay Trump isn't a billionaire. The outrage is for the Kochs, Mercers, Murdochs, etc.
4
@Troy Only outrage for donors that disagree with Democrats causes, is that what you are saying?
1
Too many here are more concerned with beating Trump than actually picking someone based on their values. I’d vote for Bloomberg, someone whom I can trust to make the decisions that need to be made, not just whatever is politically correct. His more centrist views and distrust of internet fear-mongering by both parties are what draw me in. He has my vote if he runs.
2
Bloomberg, while we might have supported you long ago, swooping in like this isn’t right. My support is going to remain with the candidates I like that have been out there putting out policies and traveling to meet the people all over the country, facing the country on stage at the debates. We don’t need a billionaire who couldn’t be bothered to get down and dirty with the people and instead thinks he can jump in at the last minute and win. Nope. The young people of America will never accept you. Your wealth doesn’t buy voters and you haven’t done a thing to gain cred with them.
8
For Bloomberg to be relevant nationally, it will all come down to the debates between Bloomberg and Trump. That is where the rubber will hit the road. Should be excellent TV.
If the Democratic Party's link to the Tech / Wall Street plutocratic class is reconstituted for 2020 I'll not vote. It's that simple. The thought of leading Democratic Party politicians again skimming cash from Wall Street firms/banks (Bill / Hillary's "speaking" fees, Schumer's Senate fundraising or those famous West Coast swings thru Silicon Valley) that's it. On that diet this generation of Democratic leaders staked out positions directly opposed to the needs of the working, middle class constituency that is the bread and the butter of the Party --- many bolted for Trump. Recall under Bloomberg (12 years) NYC became unaffordable for working class people. That was not a by-product of Bloomberg's policies. That was the goal. It's not an accident that the two industries closely associated with Democrat Party elites are those industries (Tech and Finance) most cited for increased concentration/monopoly abuses that stifle innovation (and are threats to democratic accountability) Those industries invest in those politicians for exactly that end. There is not even a pretense of social democracy in this wing of the party.
3
I don’t think the vast majority of Americans are familiar w Bloomberg like the media is. Media assumes he’s an A level star but the actual introduction from scratch for people outside the NY/BOS/WAS orbit may be more challenging than they realize.
4
It's about time that someone who's normal, who can win, entered this race. Age, however, is an issue. Almost 79 by inauguration day.
1
Every imaginable argument will be made against Mike B if he jumps in to the fray.
Whatever his pros and cons (the factual ones, not the hair-on-fire ones), it can't be denied that he's an extremely intelligent, thoughtful, and fundamentally decent man who knows how to build a powerful and successful organization without incitements of hatred, multiple bankruptcies, etc.
Contrast to current POTUS.
Go for it, Mike! If nothing else, we can all enjoy the NY Post headlines about the "battle of the billionaires."
2
Bloomberg is just about the only elected official that took on real issues in the United States and did something about them in the 21st Century.
Bloomberg took on the tobacco and gun industries when everyone else was cowed by them.
Bloomberg can't be bought, bribed, intimidated, coerced or blackmailed. Bloomberg simply considers an issues, makes a decision and then does what he thinks is the right thing to do. Imagine if every elected official did this? We can't get this basic notion out of any other elected official - they are too concerned about the next election.
Bloomberg 2020
4
Great, cant wait to see how Bloomberg Perots this whole thing up.
So tired of billionaires declaring themselves the saviors of our democracy. Having money doesn't mean you're smarter, wiser, more diplomatic, more politically savvy, or any other adverb or adjective to break through partisan intransigence and magically arrive at some centrist utopia where everyone all of a sudden agrees that common sense middle ground policies should be enacted. That's the same hope and change Obama ran on, and ran right into the brick wall of republican obstruction. Bloomberg was mayor in a very democratic city with mostly democratic views, hes not going have any more success reaching across the aisle than Obama did. To believe otherwise is simply believing that someones personal net worth is an indicator of their competence and capability, despite 3 years of "presidential" evidence to the contrary.
Bloomberg needs to get over his ego and put his money where it can actually do some good. But I dont expect him to, so I'd be happy just to see him fade back into retirement where he, and all the other ancient moneyed men, belong.
8
Bloomerberg would be terrific! He is good for the environment; he promoted the NYC Noise Pollution Law, converted street lights to lower glare LED, converted furnaces from oil to lower soot natural gas, promoted bicycle lanes,banned cigarette smoking in parks, supported congestion charging and an auto-free Central Park. While mayor, NYC parks vastly improved even in the counties other than New York, crime fell, and the subway and buses improved. He lives in New York (Trump left). He is richer than Trump so he can trump Trump. As a multibillionaire, he does not need to rely on donations so he is not accountable to the political process. He is against guns, he is not agressive-militaristic and is his not a religious fanatic. Because he is pro-environment, he will probably support Amtrak and clean water and air rather than auto-addiction. Bloomberg would be great.
3
There is a theory that in all thing a worthwhile opponent forces you to raise the level of your game. i welcome Mr. Bloomberg into the race, his intelligence might be contagious.
3
Wealthy individuals are supposed to stop working (presumably why they wanted to bloat like ticks hoarding our nation's currency out of the hands of the rest of us who need it in the first place) get out of the public eye, not run for office, return to their estates, and let the working people be in charge of the politics that affect the working people.
4
Big mistake. This will only serve to strengthen Warren's following, as it speaks directly to her argument, as the article states. At 77, he should set aside his ego and put his money and considerable resources behind Buttigieg or Klobuchar.
2
Yes! Most exciting news I have read in recent months.
Right now, wild dreams aside, Democrats have to BEAT Trump. The key right now above everything else...get the current occupant OUT of the White House!
Once we do that, THEN we can start worrying about guns, climate change, etc.
First we have to WIN!
President Bloomberg already has a fine choice of men and women to fill his administration...from the ranks of the current presidential candidates.
First we have to WIN!!!
3
No. We're already concerned about Trump's dictatorial tendencies. Why on Earth would we replace him with a man who refused to accept term limits and overruled the will of the voters? If Bloomberg wants to help defeat Trump he'll donate heavily and stay out of the race.
2
A billionaire running for office. Where do I seen that before?
2
Fine, as long as he doesn't run as an independent. Jump in, great.
While Mr. Bloomberg may not be someone who can institute major changes needed in the United States , it would behoove us all to consider this seriously.
We're in a very serious crisis, where the current President has done everything in his power to roll back programs. These were designed to protect our environment, our institutions and our country. Additionally he is spreading hate, abusing his office, and denigrating Congress and the Judiciary.
Bloomberg may be the only Democrat who could pose a serious threat to another four years of Trump. He is someone who commands, and gives respect. He is not someone who will compromise integrity. Pair him with another candidate - with vision and courage- and I will gladly vote for them.
121
@NY- er No President would be able to institute major changes in the current United States unless bolstered by significant favorable majorities in the House and Senate, and those bolstered by a significant majority of the population. Except maybe a white "Obama" - that is, an Obama not saddled by the evidently still significant remnants of racism existing in this country.
Certainly Bloomberg is more like what people who dreamed of a businessman in the White House were thinking of; i.e. a REAL businessman and not a con artist who couldn't even be as successfully crooked as his father without running into multiple bankruptcies or needing to be bailed out of them multiple times. I don't think he is "the only Democrat who could pose a serious threat to another four years of Trump", but I do see him as a viable choice to play in the Democrat pack among the top five, and probably at least polling head-to-head versus Trump better than Warren at some point.
Note: definitely New York was way better off under Bloomberg than under Giuliani - another plus, given Giuliani's support of Trump. Birds of a feather...
10
@NY- er Bloomberg as a Democrat just shows how far the Democratic party has gone astray. Could it be the current "reasonable" or "centrist" Democrats are about preserving what they can for the rich by doing as little as possible for the rest of us?
10
@NY- er
Please, Mr. Bloomberg, don't run. You can't understand the plight of living paycheck to paycheck. You simply can't. If you had a history of owning socially and environmentally conscious companies, where the least paid can raise a family on one salary, then I'd be jumping to vote for you.
You will hurt the country if you use your power, money, and political leverage to run.
I would have expected you to run as a Republican. Then I'd be scared that you'd win. This is not a dare. Please, please self reflect on what you would do for the pain that the middle class, working class, and poor are feeling.
7
I am a moderate Democrat. No question now whom I would vote for in a primary or for President. The most important issue in 2020 is getting Trump evicted from the White House. Bloomberg is the pragmatist and centrist needed to win the swing, moderate, and independent votes -- not to mention the disillusioned 2016 Trump voters who won't be able to bring themselves to go for Bernie or Warren.
5
Progressive Democrats view Bloomberg as a spoiler. But it seems clear that he will appeal to voters - Republican and Democrats - in those states where progressives are not the main voting bloc, states the Democrats need to take to win the election in 2020. If that happens, the potency of the progressive narrative will be lost, which no doubt is a frightening prospect for the intransigent left.
2
If he makes it through the primaries, he wins. We need a sensible centrist with proven leadership to bring the country back together. Entrepreneurial capitalism is what built this country and gives us the wealth we have today. Four of the five most valuable companies in the world were created in the last 50 years in the US...that benefits us all. Our system may need reform, but let’s not burn it down as Warren or Bernie would do. He stands the best chance of enacting reforms that improve fairness and sustainability, while not destroying the foundations of our prosperity...and he’s electable.
4
Finally, a Democrat this Republican can vote for.
In 2016 I was in the Never-Trump tent. In 2020, I'll be in the Never-Sanders and Never-Warren and Never-Pete tents.
I was wondering where, in this great land, all the rational Democrats were. Hope to see Mr Bloomberg become a candidate. I think he'll appeal to a lot of us.
3
There are too many old people running for President in my estimation. The alleged wisdom and life experience of the aged are indeed worthy traits. However the handicaps of old age suggest (to me at least) that we old codgers (I am 84 years old) are best sought as consultants not as active office holders in the political process.
6
As the three term Mayor of NYC during Trump's formative years of grifting, I believe that Trump will resign if Bloomberg wins the nomination. Imagine the dirt Mayor Bloomberg knows about Trump?
13
@Scott Kurant
Trump’s formative grifting was the Koch years. Trump was an veteran grifter by Bloomberg.
1
Beating Trump is at the top of my concern list, healthcare reform is second, dealing with climate change is third. I was previously supporting Warren because I felt that if she moderated her message a little, she could have a good chance of beating Trump while tackling the important issues I care about.
However, if Bloomberg jumps in, I may consider throwing my support to him. While I do not know his stance on healthcare reform, I do know his history of support for generally liberal positions, especially environmentally friendly ones. And I feel that he'd be an instant draw for people on the fence about Trump, and many Democrats who aren't sure about the current field.
I'd still need to see what he says on the issues, but he'd certainly be a strong contender for my support.
16
Bloomberg is worried that Sanders or Warren might *win* - that’s why he’s running: to ensure an outcome (even another Trump term) that protects his money.
20
@Philippe Egalité , anybody who understand economic history should be considered that a candidate like Bernie or Warren may win; it is very much like electing Hugo Chavez and his disastrous policies. Google his policies, and also google Bernie's outspoken support for Hugo Chavez. Scary.
20 years from prosperity to starvation in Venezuela.
2
I'm angry that Bloomberg thinks he's going to swoop in and save the world. What an ego! He thought enough of himself that he changed the rules so he could run for a 3rd term as NYC mayor.
The only person not running that I'd like to jump in is Sherrod Brown. In many ways he would have been the ideal Democrat candidate.
I support Elizabeth Warren but am becoming increasingly concerned she can't beat Trump. That leaves Mayor Pete. He's young but very capable.
Bloomberg running may actually help Warren, as he would probably take votes from Biden. How ironic he would inadvertently help her!
10
May I suggest that the best thing ex-Mayor Bloomberg could to for his country would be to support whoever becomes the next Democratic candidate for President to the best of his ability. We need fewer Democrats runnning for President not more.
13
You don’t seem to see the forest for the trees. There is at this moment a severe crisis of governance. We no must Think out of the box, ok?
Bloomberg's entry into the race brings out the lack of a strong candidate to beat Trump.
It pains me to say it but what we need as a candidate is a white, christian, straight male, moderate.
So far the only one who fits that bill is Biden, who, at this point, is showing weakness.
I, personally, would vote for a penguin if it could beat that horrible man now in the White House.
7
Two old rich white guys. One a true Dem running as a Republican, the other a true Republican running as a Democrat. Enough. Warren 2020.
8
A spoiler who doesn’t play by the rules. Just another arrogant billionaire.
18
Its about time!!! Now we have a chance.....
8
An old rich white guy. Just what America needs. I’m insulted Bloomberg thinks he can waltz in and that Warren and Pete aren’t viable. Shame.
18
Dear NYT, I love you, but I'm disappointed that with this article's title and first sentence, you have joined the recent trend in both journalism and verbal communication of using the word "actively" in a meaningless way. Please join the noble fight to restore dignity to this poor, abused word. It would actively make me happy.
7
Hooray! He is someone who can put down the Trump madness which is destroying our beloved country. Comrade Bernie has no support and Shrieking Liz is a no hoper. Joe could possibly win but he is smelling increasingly fishy. Yea Michael!!! A strong leader who could put the Trump craziness and corruption behind us.
6
Inner city votes are won with walking around money.
Bloomberg will cash in.
If you think it is wonderful to have a multibillion dollar boondongle of a subway station at Wall Street, Michael Bloomberg is your man.
But if you are like the rest of us "outer borough" types contending with sardine packed, perpetually late trains and buses that are nowhere to be found we can do a lot better than supporting billionaire elitists like Bloomberg who think the "little people" are not important enough.
13
@Timothy M, He is a proven problem solver.
Someone that cuts through the nonsense and gets the job done. NYC is proof. De Blasio is still bemoaning Bloomberg’s success and sadly, NYC it’s starting to revert back to the squeegee man days thanks to an clueless mayor and a ultra liberal city council.
7
I read this late last night and this morning, I made another contribution to Warren.
12
If this isn't the move of a spoiler, I don't know what the word means.
1
Dear God, no. Please, just, no. Do we WANT Trump to be re-elected?
7
@J. P. Johnson Do we want Trump to be re-elected? I don't know, are we going to nominate Warren? Because that's what will happen if we do.
@J. P. Johnson
Trump was NEVER elected President - it was the Electoral College that put him in the White House. Perhaps we should think about ridding ourselves of this absurd 18th century monstrosity before electing anybody else to the Presidency.
1
He should run as an independent. Let Warren win the democratic nomination. Then he could sit pretty in the middle as the other two try and impress themselves by shouting and “fighting.”
Btw, in the long run, fighting doesn’t work with our government. When are politicians going to learn.
Yet another reason I look forward to voting for Sen. Warren.
10
It seems to me no one is better prepared to expose the President for what he is in debates than Bloomberg.
That might move persuadeables, even slightly erode Trump's base.
Among those who hold their nose while supporting Trump for what they consider important corrections, the Bloomberg prospect might be welcome.
It's been said it doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, can it catch mice? If so, it could win the confidence test.
2
I hope he runs. He was a great Mayor of N.Y. and very fair.
I think he would make a great President.
8
The very leadership traits which make Bloomberg likely to be a very good, perhaps great, president make him unlikely to be elected or even nominated. The Democrat Party nominates candidates who: (1) Make the various folks in the base feel better about their particular identities than they would otherwise and (2) make the leaders in the various identity groupings feel safe in their status as important members of the party establishment. Bloomberg just isn't the guy for that. For example, try to imagine him trying to pander to the corn (ethanol) producers of IA or the black preachers of S.C. and their flocks.
4
We have much better options for the presidency.
Bloomberg, like a lot of the extremely wealthy, sees his calling from a gilded tower. The current Gilded Age, wealth concentrations and government corruption are the sources of our global decay and environmental destruction.
Bloomberg tries to stoke fear by using the word "socialism". He knows it's not. We need a president who will bring fairness to the table for everyone.
9
Everyone who is aghast at Donald Trump’s continual hinting at defying the Constitution by going for a third term should remember that Bloomberg succeeded in getting a third term as mayor despite a law against it. Enough of egotistical billionaires who honk they’re the savior of the country.
13
May this represent the end of the ridiculous identity politics and the “progressive” joke, make the anti business pie in the sky plans candidates like Bernie, Warren and their troupes. As a New Yorker I saw the mess our “progressive” mayor turned our city into after inheriting a great city. I want the center. I want the crazy trumpets to go away with the same fervor that I want the socialists to go away.
9
@CNE
100% correct!
2
In essence this is quite interesting. But who would Mr Bloomberg hire as Chief Satirical Strategist? John Lithgow?
What is it with people's obsession with neoliberal billionaire autocrats? Even so called Democrats.
15
The Democratic Party is centered around a cult - a small group of party-subordinate partisan voters selecting widely unpopular nominees based on name-recognition, political status and the approval of political and media elites. They are holding the rest of the country hostage, demanding loyalty to their chosen candidate, and refusing to recognize their candidates' lack of appeal outside their small cult of partisans. This was clearly evident in 2016, with Hillary Clinton, and may well be about to occur in 2020, with Joe Biden and with Michael Bloomberg
12
If the Democrats want to lose against Trump again then by all means have Bloomberg enter the race. The Democrats seem to have a serious identity problem. They don’t know what they want to be when they grow up.
13
Lol we are in a state similar to a tragic comedy. Bloomberg is worth 55 billion and yet he left NYC with record homelessness. Some schools in NYC have 25% of their students that are homeless. Yet somehow he feels he can make the country better.
Under Bloomberg unions lost power, and only overpriced Condos were built. Raise taxes on the wealthy immediately. He must be bored.
20
Nothing terrifies the billionaire class more than the thought of a Warren or Sanders presidency. With Biden in decline, Klobuchar and Bennet failing to take off and Mayor Pete as their only option, Bloomberg and maybe Holder figure they'd better jump in to save the America they have built for their own enrichment, already under threat from Trump's mad incompetence, from the proles.
Let's see how much they are willing to pay to buy the nomination. And what they will do when a dispirited Democratic base fails to come out for them.
17
Bloomberg's 77 years old for heaven's sake. We need another old white man in this race who is also a billionaire like we need a hole in our Democratic head. Forget Bloomberg. OK, if we want a white, male, octogenarian president, who has a proven record and will appeal across the ideological spectrum, let's at least nominate one who actually (1) is a Democrat, and (2) has successfully run the world's fifth largest economy, former California governor Jerry Brown. Brown governed progressively while imposing sufficient fiscal discipline to leave his state with a strong budget surplus. Brown would blow Trump away in debate and would win walking away. But I think its time to turn a page (Warren if you want a smart progressive or a woman, and Buttigieg if you want liberal pragmatist closer to the center with youth, smarts, poise and appeal.) Wake me up when this fever has broken.
8
If Brown’s running of California is a success as you imply we are in serious trouble. I’d like to keep the ability to turn my lights on and we don’t need CA’s homeless problem spreading across the US.
6
@Jim You need to look at the bigger picture. California is prosperous and has a homeless problem not because the state government was wanting but because of two significant problems brought on by the people themselves: (1) the 1978 ballot initiative known as Proposition 13 which severely limits property tax increases has resulted over time in a disincentive to sell and results in higher property values exacerbating the homeless situation; and (2) the NIMBY attitude that has resulted in urban sprawl as people go further and further out from employment centers to find affordable housing and just less construction of affordable housing. But on the fundamentals of the government in terms of balancing the budget and running a surplus, and in progressive environmental and government policies, Brown did a great job. I'm not suggesting Brown, who is 81 now, run. I am merely saying Bloomberg shouldn't.
2
Note to Democratic progressives: Get behind a centrist candidate who won't blow up the markets. Yes, markets are important even if they strike you as a Republican stronghold. They aren't, if you're lucky, you have savings that are dependent on a healthy stock market. With Mayor Pete, I like to call him "Bud", as his running mate, Democrats could win back the electorate for generations to come. So progressives listen up...stop whining, stop being woke and stop backing people with plans to break everything and start over.
12
No! No! No! Too many in NYC were harmed by his policies and practices. I would submit the only difference between Trump and Bloomberg is that Bloomberg has enough sense to keep his mouth shut while pursuing egregious policies and programs and ideologies that negatively impact poor, middle class communities and communities of color.
They are both arrogant and walk in places of entitlement reserved only for them. The oligarch as benevolent or maleovent, is still a tyrant.
11
I like Mr. Bloomberg. I think he’d make a great President. Should he really enter the 2020 race He risks further fracturing left vs. centrist Democrats. and we know where that got them in 2016. He might be wise to back Biden with his money, hope that Biden chooses him as a running mate giving him a better shot at the Presidency in 2024. Mr. Bloomberg could also fund a Really big communications campaign that hits hard on reasons to not vote for trump. Simple slogans like “Your Choice Democracy vs. Dictatorship”. Or a blue hat “Chose Democracy” or succinct facts easy to grasp on to like “NATO matters”; ”Immigrants built this country”. Mr. Bloomberg can afford all of this and more. Remember when trumpies cannot attack the facts or truths they attack the messengers. They cannot attack the fact that our Democracy always has been great for over 200 years. Or that Since WWII, NATO has prevented another WW. or the Marshall plan rebuilt Europe. Or America led the formation of the United Nations. Mr. Bloomberg has the money to remind Americans‘ this nation is great, always has been great, can be even greater. Many who voted for trump voted to clean up the swamp??? There is a great campaign message there.
3
@Bob Are you serious about Bloomberg taking the VP slot with Biden and running for President in 2024 when on inauguration day in January 2025 Bloomberg will be a couple of weeks shy of 83 years old? Bloomberg is too old to run in 2020 much less 2024.
7
The country's best opportunity to Dump Trump. Republicans who are repelled by Trump would votes for him in droves.
8
If he does not advocate Medicare for All, I will not vote for this billionaire Republican running as a Democrat. Why doesn't he try running as a Republican?
7
I think this actually sheds a lot of light on the elites of the Democratic party. They are afraid of Warren and Sanders because they fear loosing a small portion of their obscene wealth and/or political influence, and their reactions are very telling. All these arguments about electability strike me as the Democratic elites letting everyone know that they will not vote for the Democratic candidate unless the candidate is a moderate who will not trouble them with any additional taxes or loss to their influence, to the point they celebrate the late entry of yet another billionaire former Republican to the extremely crowded field. The same people who blame Mr. Sanders for Ms. Clinton's loss now cheer an oligarch trying to do the same thing in 2020.
16
I would vote for Michael Bloomberg without question for any race he choose to enter. He brought about lots of change in NYC and all of the economic prosperity and green spaces that DeBlasio tries to take credit for. He’s articulate, intelligent and seeks advice from experts and wants to collaborate with everyone. Some people may paint him as another billionaire trying to with the White House, but he’s no Donald Trump. Onward and upward Mr. Bloomberg, you have my vote!
10
Do something useful.....run in the GOP primary
21
Nope.
Run indie flower power.
Up the middle.
Each down for four quarters.
Honestly, do we need another “billionaire“ in the White House?
Especially with American capitalism run amuck with the scourge of billionaires and profound income inequality.
22
Wouldn’t Bloomberg be the first billionaire to be U.S. president?
3
The hate for those who are successful continues. No one ever looks at the downstream wealth created by these hated billionaires and thinks that jobs grow on trees that can be picked by the government when needed.
5
@Jim
When the “success“ is examined it’s often profound greed and crushing others.
[A simple example is Bill Gates crushing Netscape.]
When is enough enough—never.
2
I liked the way he ran NYC. He’s everything Trump is not: he’s smart, hard working , ultra competent. Obviously a great manager. Practical problem solver. In addition I like that he has little charisma - we’ve had enough of dreamers taking us off a cliff. (Think Iraq) He “plays well with others” meaning he’ll heal wounds with allies and work with them. And just maybe he can attack the really intractable problems of drugs with its awful toll of crime and death. That’s a maybe hope.
9
No no no. But his role as a liaison between wealthy caring economic minded individuals should have a cabinet position that will link the US economy to actively creating the green new deal. And only if he agrees to work within the green new deal parameters would I accept this man as a cabinet member. But not as president. Enough of wealth representing us. The wealthy have failed miserably and left the poor behind time and time again. His administration in New York did no different although cosmetically it looks wonderful. It’s not social justice just lipstick on a pig.
8
Stop and frisk. Keeping people from sitting on steps / hanging out . New York City is for the rich now. I grew up in a very different New York City. I’m not sure what I think of Bloomberg. He is smart and competent, I’ll give him that. In terms of shaking up the unfair system, he is not going to be that person.
7
When I read the headline, I assumed he would run a third party campaign. He had already decided--months past--that the Democratic primary gauntlet was too stiff a hill to climb. What is different now? Biden's circumstance one supposes. But all the challenges to winning the nomination as a Democrat remain.
It will be interesting to see if Trump takes the bait and tweets 24-7 regarding Bloombergs flaws. And it certainly will jack the news cycles.
Giuliani/Ukraine, Trump's taxes, trade deal... Oh man, hang on to your hat. I predict that Trump will suffer a terrible amnesia regarding the name Giuliani, his tax returns will reveal that Trump Inc. was nearly bankrupt prior to 2016, and there will be a trade deal...of sorts. But I don't see Bloomberg as savior.
But, his campaign should be a professional well thought out organized offering. I just hope he can sling mud, because this will be a last warrior standing situation.
1
Thrilled, best political news in years. Someone normal,center and practical. Best mayor NY had since La Guardia.
9
To say I'm disgusted and outraged is an understatement. This is a blatant end run around the process that's been ongoing (seemingly forever) and is deeply unfair to the candidates and the voters. The DNC is behind this. Let's not talk only about the risk to democracy represented by the Trump administration and his GOP enablers. The DNC and it's entrenched elites are a risk to democracy in their own special way.
19
And the super-delegates who had already chosen Hillary before the primaries was not an end run by the party in 2016?
3
@Jim Of course it was. Keeping to the topic at hand is generally considered to be a good thing.
4
Wouldn't that make for an interesting presidential race, two billionaire New Yorker Republicans. If the choice really is just Trump or not Trump, does it really even matter who the Democrats nominate?
5
Michael Bloomberg’s throwing his hat in the ring has certainly provoked a strong reaction in this comments section. As far as whether he should or shouldn’t run: I think he should and the upcoming primaries will help indicate if he is a winnable candidate. I’m not sure I would use the reasoning that he is hurting the chances of others. The present group of Democratic hopefuls seem to be doing that to themselves and to each other. We still have a year until the election, so better a serious re-evaluation of the direction of the Democratic Party now than later.
10
Simply: why?
11
A billionaire is a thief committing the most absurd fraud upon the rest of us. An Equities Trading gorged guy first with the always inevitable info-era ticker-tape deserves enough to buy the Presidency? A polity so run is not a Republic. It's an Oligarchy.
13
Except Bloomberg is a Republican. Go figure.
8
How awful. A corporatist Republican in Democrat clothing.
Another supposed genius business person to implement lower taxes, a business friendly open attitude to subsidizing corporate malfeasance.
Don’t kid yourselves, this is about saving the rich from paying their FAIR share. This is about employers controlling your life through employer based Health Care.
Note the ‘cover my rear’ Editorial about Gates the Magnificent.
Nothing good here. Just the same.
13
Bloomberg will go nowhere in the primary. As Warren said, he is one more billonaire seeking power for his ego and economic privileges.
10
Warren and Sanders are millionaires... politics are the fast tract way to become rich. Bloomberg is a moderate that will actually win the general election.
10
Argh! Not another old billionaire!! Please, no!
10
Geez, this many Yankees and Mets fans cannot even see how far back the Red Sox pendulum has been pulled?
1
This is not a good day for Biden, Warren, or Sanders.
Ukraine is now off the hook, the impeachment inquiry is moot (as there is no value in the Ukrainians looking into the Biden's "issues").
I wonder how quickly Trump can set up a call with ... let's see, who hasn't he alienated yet? Maybe the Dhivehins (people from the Muldives) can be motivated? We'll deliver them more dirt to raise their islands if they find dirt on Mike? Surely Trump can find something of value so they will look into the fake off-shore accounts Breitbart will now claim he has.
2
He is unknown in upstate NY. Extrapolate
Last I heard his tribe ain't gonna get tickets on the fifty yard line for the rapture. Extrapolate
Lets get real.
I was in a government office in NYC. The line was out the door and down the hall. Every single New Yorker saw the line and went right to the front. Or so they thought.
1
Praying that Bloomberg does enter - then Trump is doomed. :o) Bloomberg - Warren ticket or Bloomberg Klobucher or Bloomberg - anyone but Bernie or Biden can and will likely win.
2
Bloomberg is a Republican/Democrat hybrid. There is already at least one of those in the race for President; Joe Biden.
5
Your thinking is what got this country into political deadlock.believe it or not it is possible to not hold the party line and still be a democrat or republican. Government is in deadlock because if this.
2
A pollster asked "what do you think about Mike Bloomberg?" The answer is, "who is that?"
5
I was born and raised in New York City, and I've closely followed everything here for the past 40 years. I have friends who dealt directly with Trump 20 years ago. As the latest 'Anonymous' publication clearly points out, Trump is a loudmouth egotistical simpleton who simply surrounded himself with people who knew how to get things done. Sorely misunderstood by the minions who still support him, ironically, Trump's power has been fueled by 'the swamp' he so loudly decried in 2016, and it's the very fuel driving this mess right now. Why did not one single Republican vote to move forward with impeachment? Citizens United actually allows Trump et al to financially and selectively fund their re-election! This is far beyond pathetic ... it's the very definition of corruption. We sincerely love Warren's fervor and character, and I supported Bernie since the beginning, but big government has been a wasteful endeavor. We need to decentralize so much, especially healthcare, energy and education. Mike Bloomberg, should he decide to enter the race, will win the election hands down, simply based on logic, common sense, his stellar character and his ability to influence world leaders in business and government. As a strong and active $$ supporter of environmental causes, his accomplishments in public education here in NYC, and his focus on the middle class, Mike's election would likely influence the entire planet in very positive ways at this critical point in human history.
14
Right guy. Wrong party. Why? Betcha know who's happy on Pennsylvania Ave. Once again, Democratic cannibalization snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Pride goes before the fall.
5
Mike, why not start a new party?
Self-made or (proven?) hostile takeover pro?
1
I'm a life long New York City Liberal--approaching 89 years old very fast-- but I would vote for Mr. Bloomberg in a heart beat. That is if it is still beating on election day 2020
Let's go mayor you have trump's number and the heft to unseat this abomination.
14
We have plenty of old rich white males running for President. We don't need another. Perhaps supporting some Senate candidates would be helpful?
4
Today is the anniversary of the black night of Nov 8, 2016.
One of the world's greatest poets wrote "Hope is the thing with feathers". For the first time in 3 years I have some.
7
I am a die hard Democrat . I do not like ultra left candidates . Biden is my choice but now he is wounded by his son and brother. So I welcome Bloomberg and he was an excellent mayor.
6
Ask not what the president can do for your portfolio, but what can you do to save the planet from corporate greed.
I’m voting for Warren.
6
One hundred percent guaranteed my vote.
7
I don't see Bloomberg as very different than Trump and I hate that people from other cities are commenting how wonderful he was as mayor. He wasn't. The papers loved him. Why wouldn't they; he's a newspaperman. He appointed socialite cronies to his cabinet, wasted billions on education reform that has left the DOE an empty caricature of education, and commandeered a third term in contradiction to the term limits New Yorkers voted for on a referendum. Those who didn't agree with him in the administration were removed. He is authoritarian, petty, and vindictive. Remember: His handling of the RNC protests; Cathy Black; Dismantling the recycling program when he first entered office; Favoritism towards developers; and His uneven treatment of the Boroughs for services such as snow removal. We don't need another king and we don't need people from Dallas telling us how great he was based upon what they read in the papers.
175
@Lawrence Zajac: Despite controversies and mistakes (Cathy Black admittedly was a mistake) in his long mayoral career, Bloomberg had consistently high ratings as mayor, otherwise he wouldn't have been voted in for a third term. He is a progressive on climate change, gun safety, immigration, health care and right to choose. He has implemented anti-poverty programs in NYC. His employees like and respect him. He cannot be bought. He's a strong leader who doesn't suffer fools easily, but that doesn't make him "authoritarian, petty, and vindictive". Those labels describe Trump to a "t" though.
52
@Lawrence Zajac
Bloomberg was without question the best Mayor NYC has had for generations. Contrast him with the present incumbent. The fact you think he is no different than Trump says it all.
43
@Lawrence Zajac, The fact that Bloomberg is spending millions on support of gun control alone makes him nothing like Trump.
43
Excellent.I hope Bloomberg does actually run. He could easily spend 2 billion bucks attacking the corruption and lies of the Republican Party in all 50 states. Of course the Democratic left will never realize what he is doing, instead falling for their destructive hyper partisan zeal for their candidate at the expense of actually winning. I’m waiting for Warren supporters to add #elitistcollegegraduate to their social media handles. They desperately need Bloomberg to at least calm everyone down, and to stop attacking each other! Every dollar Bloomberg spends is just clearing the field, similar to what the dark money pacs of the GOP. You’d think all these self professed educated voters would be a little more savvy. The latest poll of Independents gave Democrats the roadmap for any POTUS candidate to win. Drop the traumatic M4A talk and improve Obamacare, stop extreme financial stress by dramatically changing the tax structure, create a path towards citizenship not open borders, and real job creation.stop trying to take back anyone’s guns, but prevent them from buying automatic war weapons in the future. And, some people like to hunt and fish. I get the trauma that many people are feeling. But extreme spectrum politics are just not popular amongst the people that really want to vote for them. Get woke for real! Talk to your neighbors and political opposites. If they are rude, tell them. But listen to them respectfully. They despise what the GOP has done, as well.
7
The savior complex in full bloomberg. CEOs and democracy just don't mix.
Howard Schultz would have a better shot.
Bloomberg in the very unlikely event, he gets the nomination, will be shredded in the election.
He's a terrible speaker, low E as in empathy and imperious. Louis XIV would be looking for pointers on this last attribute.
He won't even carry Massachusetts.
7
My immediate reaction was he going to do so as a Republican. It doesn't make any sense as Democrat. He's on record saying only a handful of NYC rich are carrying the city when they pay it's high taxes and he was tired of it. Has he ever been to Chattanooga TN? A really nice town. This might be an attempt to keep his Federal taxes between zero and nonexistent. He's probably thinks he's on the way to the poor house.
If I was a billionaire I'd vote for him.
92
@JoeG A very excellent proposal. If Mike Bloomberg ran as a Republican in the upcoming primaries he might even win the Republican nomination.
12
@JoeG What do you mean about Chattanooga, TN?
@KDigg
It's a beautiful town in a beautiful state with beautiful weather and I would love to move there when my wife retires. Taxes are low too. If Bloomberg moved to Chattanooga he wouldn't have to worry about the tax burden and carrying it as he does NYC.
2
Absurd cheers from the Democratic Right, cannot provide the support any Democrat needs from Blacks, Hispanics, women, and unions. Mike has a history that makes him a non-starter. Democrats don’t need a Republican to beat Trump. Democrats must go to their roots in the New Deal. Work on gun control Mike instead Mike. Spend what you would have spent on a presidential campaign on gun control and you will succeed. Run for president and Mike Bloomberg becomes a third party that will shed minorities, environmentalists, and healthcare enthusiasts.
7
He was a great mayor, he would be a great President. He is the opposite of Donald Trump in every way. Honest, intelligent, forward thinking. A brilliant man.
8
Yes that’s how I exactly feel too! I miss him as NYC mayor :(
3
The rest of the country looks at Bloomberg and Trump and sees two rich New Yorkers. If he wants to knock Biden or Mayor Pete out of the money race on the Democratic right he can do that, but he’s not going to be president.
2
I would be happy to see the democrats select a candidate that we could all rally around and that might be Biden and it might be Bloomberg but I doubt it would be Warren or Sanders or Butiege.
2
Oprah Winfrey, she’d be a great president.
@Hmmm
Oprah for President! Like chicken soup for a cold, if she doesn't help at least she doesn't hurt. Anyone who can beat Trump is my choice.
A Democratic spoiler shades of Ross Perot.
It puts Trump one step closer to the Oval Office for a second term!
6
All citizens of the world should have the right to vote in the US election. This is, of course, a joke, but it makes sense when every decision made by the US president, be it about climate change, trade war etc.affects everybody else outside USA. Please, make the right choice!
1
NO. We have many excellent moderate candidates already: Biden, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, others. We don’t need Bloomberg.
2
A genuinely self-made billionaire experienced in managing large-scale public and private operations. One of the few people from either party able to govern successfully and from the center.
The other candidates could form a dream team cabinet which we need given the immense rebuilding work that lies ahead.
6
He's joining because he doesn't want Warren to be the nominee. Ironically, here's how this will play out.
- Bloomberg enters the race.
- With name recognition, appeal to older Democrats, and as more of a centrist, he sources some votes away from Biden.
- This enables Warren to take the lead.
Not a very smart move. The only way he wins is if Biden drops out before the primaries.
Warren won’t win no matter what happens. She has talked her way out of winning with her insane goals to tax the the ultra rich out of the country and give all of their money away. Regular working class people understand there is no such thing as free and that if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
2
It has often been said that Democrats are not members of an organized political party. But, for Heaven sake, we don't need a Republican running on our behalf. And, we don't need a spoiler entering the race.
Mr. Bloomberg, if you want to take out Trump, enter the Republican primaries in battle ground states, and spend a few hundred million dollars hammering Trump on all of his policy failures and corruption.
4
You had an article a few days ago that the Wall Street moguls were nervous about the Democratic candidates. I am wondering if they didn’t conjure this candidacy in their backrooms. If they did, I am very pleased because he is moderate, professional, articulate and honest. I read his wikipedia bio and am very impressed. If he wins, Michael Bloomberg will be the first Jewish President, and that’s exciting for me. I do hope his religion doesn’t scare off some of the more conservative folks in our nation, if it does, they’re Trump voters anyway. Selecting the VP will be key to bringing in more voters, African-American, women, progressive wings of party. I suggest Stacy Abrams for VP. As to his age, Trump is in his seventies, we remain vital as we age! Great news this morning.
1
I don’t know how minorities and poor people feel about him in nyc . He supported stop and frisk. He also made it a ticketable offense to sit on a stoop or loiter in nyc.
I currently live in Alabama and used to work in New York City whille Michael Bloomberg was mayor. I have been saying for years that he is the person we need to lead this country. He is practical and diplomatic and has truly made a difference politically, professionally and philanthropically. He is the leader we need today. Do I wish he had gotten involved in the election earlier or even in 2016?Absolutely. Do I think it's too late? Absolutely not. Run Mike run. And let me know when you're ready for some on the ground support in the deep South.
8
Bloomberg can energize and beat Trump in the suburbs. Warren and Sanders can’t. They’ll destroy the economy and are unfit as commanders in chief. The suburbs know this and won’t turn out in the numbers needed to win. That leaves the Trump electoral coalition on the winning side. Plus a strong economic manager can cut into Trump’s base. We desperately need Bloomberg.
6
Doubtful the flower mountain can flank left on enough policies that fast.
He should be authentic and go indie.
If the market crashes he would have little hope or effect.
1
Best news I’ve heard all day! I wanted him to run in 2016.
Probably the best mayor this city has ever had. He is hands down the best choice for the Democrats.
Unfortunately he is terrible on the campaign trail. If it was anybody other than Mark Green running against him in his first race for mayor, he might have lost. Extremely competent, but not very exciting.
5
he would make a good Republican candidate. but no Democrat will vote for him. Trump would win easily against him and all the write-ins. he must stop right now before the mess is doing is irreparable.
3
No other political leader better suited for the job! Hope he runs!
4
Consider that his candidacy may split both Dem’s and Rep’s up, ending up with 3 distinct parties, left, center, and right. This could be the end of our polarized binary elections which distorted all real debate on real issues. Go Mike! Do it!
3
Stop and Frisk is going to be his downfall. In our search for someone to beat Trump we are missing the details. Bloomberg was a proponent of Stop and Frisk so before we crown him our savior we should all take a deep breath. Biden is slowly imploding not only for his gaffes but because his campaign lacks energy.Will people who disdain Trump be excited to vote for a major proponent of Stop and Frisk? All of Bloomberg's money will not remove the stench he carries for some of his policies while he was mayor of New York City. Bloomberg also made New York unaffordable for many people because of love of developers.
5
I generally vote as a Republican, but in Michigan you can vote in either Primary, you don't need to declare in advance. I would vote on the Democratic Primary for Bloomberg.
Bloomberg vs Trump - I will vote for Bloomberg.
Warren vs Trump - I don't know - I might have to leave the ballot blank for President.
Intellectually I like Warren, and I look forward to electing a woman president, but socialism makes us all equally poor.
2
I am reminded of how I felt when Bobby Kennedy announced and Eugene McCarthy's run was doomed. In the end Bobby would have been a better president. Not the case with Bernie and Bloomberg.
However, if we need 'center' to win the electoral college I am not sure Bloomberg even remotely qualifies. Known well to all NYT readers is he known widely across the country ?
The young and new left will be after him with fury - remember 'Occupy' and how he handled it ?
Yes Trump is destroying our country but the plutocrats and the 'classic' Republican Bushes and St Ronnie set him up. These are people more like Bloomberg than our rank and file Democratic voter and certainly our young hope.
I think we really do need to take significant new reform ideas to the country and finally find out who we really are. If we cannot beat Trump with ideas of equity for all then there possibly is no hope and the dream is over. But if we can beat Trump with ideas and policies based on equity for all and push back the military/industrial/pharma/insurance/oil and gas industry cabal backed by Wall Street and the .001% then we have hope.
2
At last someone who moderate republicans and independents can cast a vote for.
3
The Democratic Party doesn't need Bloomberg, nor will the former *Republican* mayor of NYC win the Democratic nomination. It would have been much better for America had he run as a Republican opposing Trump, offering traditional Republicans the chance to win back control of their party from the right-wingers who have taken it to an extremist position. At least it would have shown courage on Bloomberg's part to challenge Trump; instead, he opts for expediency.
8
Best political news in a long time. Unlike Trump and Warren and the rest of the mediocre Democratic pack he is a successful entrepreneur, businessman and very successful mayor of New York. He is moderate to liberal in his ideology and can take on views of all sides of an argument. He is hugely respected around the world and has domestic and international credibility that few can even come come close to - not Trump, not Warren, not Biden etc. He has a proven track record of getting things done. If you can do all that in a city as diverse and complex as NYC he is the person best qualified to right the ship of state in Washington and get the nation moving forward together. Wonderful news!
6
The classic technocrats (and billionaire) who is going to solve everything.
Just like he did in NYC (for himself) by overturning term limits like a tin pot dictator so he could remain as mayor.
Yes, he cares about the people. Of course.
Don't be fooled.
His only concern is that the wind is shifting and people are becoming very attuned to the idea that those with billions of dollars should pay more, a lot more, in taxes.
That is his main and only concern.
That type of sentiment among the people must be curtailed right now before things get really out of hand. Like, for example, making even corporations pay more in taxes. After all, they're people too.
10
Back in 2016, Bloomberg decried the future of our country under Trump. But nearly everything he said proved to be wrong including jobs would be lost and the stock market would crash.
1
I guess the wealthy are scared. The thought that a billionaire is going to save the country is incredible. It is not credible, that the very people who have created the division between rich and poor thinks he can convince us that he is the adult in the room. If the wealthy investors did not pressure CEO to keep wages low we would not be in this position. It is the lack of foresight by the elite that low wages would create such havoc. Think about this. We pay taxes to educate our kids to work in they're factories. We pay taxes to build and maintain our infrastructure that factories use to transport they're goods. In other words we pay for it all. So now we here about how much monet they pay. Some have given us numbers in the billions that they have paid, that is a lot of money yes but what is the "PERCENTAGE" of they're wealth. That is what matters not the amount. When you do business with a bank our broker or anyone who earns there money by percentages, what you will here is " its not how much you are paying it is the percentage " You get a construction loan and up front you pay two points on the loan, you pay that fee wether you actually end up using all the money. So again it is not the amount of money you pay it is the percentage. If I earn $130 grand I will pay as much in FICA taxes as Warren Buffet or any one else who earns more than $130 grand because of the cut-off. So you have all the wealthy crying foul because it is not a fair. Tell me what is fair about a cut-off!
5
He should have run in 2016. Extremely talented leader, global thinker, that is a moderate and can do something about climate change without wrecking the economy. Add Pete as his VP and we could hold the WH for 16 years. If the Republicans hold the senate, you actually have someone that could get stuff done across the aisle.
105
@Timothy M
Do you really think Mayor Pete's lifestyle is going to fly with certain communities? please look at the polls in the states we need to send Trump packing.
5
@Timothy M whose “we”? He’s not a Democrat. He belongs to the Bloomberg Party. We already have one of those in the White House.
12
@Timothy M, Ha! With Mitch McConnell as Speaker, if the Republicans hold the Senate you can bet your life absolutely nothing good will ever happen if Any Democrat becomes president.
7
I liked his attempts to put constraints on the gun industry and the sugar industry. They were real and almost succeeded. It is what is needed. He has a social consciousness. No other candidate has said we should try to reign in obesity and diabetes by curtailing encouragements to gorge on empty calories at movie theatres, for example. He wears his heart for the next generation on his sleeve and isn't afraid to do so. Really all the rest seem just so many pawns to low level pleasure as dictated by corporations, parents, society.
He is the one of the very few adults in the room.
4
Quick recap on some of the less attractive aspects of the former mayor’s tenure in NYC:
People of color were targeted by the police under stop-and-frisk policies the mayor supported; homelessness surged to record highs; teachers were devalued and disparaged (“I’d get rid of half of them”) and went without a contract for a long period; an era of charter schools was ushered in, further crippling already poor performing public schools and giving control of education to a new class of CEOs; a living wage bill was vetoed; countless residents were pushed out of Manhattan because it became unaffordable with skyrocketing housing costs; mayoral term limits were expanded from two to three terms.
To be fair, Bloomberg is not the worst billionaire out there by any means. I respect his stances on gun control and the environment. He is not, however, a true man of the people. He is out of touch with many and will not bring anything to the table in terms of the systematic change that is needed so badly in this country.
So many people out there with no real vision.
8
@Le Prof
Where is all of this love for Bloomberg coming for. You will not need to suppress the vote if he runs for Trump to win. He owns Stop and Frisk.
1
A lot of comments here condemning Bloomberg because of his wealth. But that's the nature of democracy -- every citizen, from the poorest to the wealthiest, is entitled to run for President. People shouldn't condemn the man for his success. It's about what he can achieve as President and his track record would indicate that he can do plenty. Other than that it's his character and passion for making people's lives better that counts more than anything.
9
If Bloomberg decides to run in 2020, Democrats need to rethink their strategy.
His entry into the crowded Democratic field would have a disrupting influence on the campaigns of the remaining moderate candidates and could pose a huge threat to the centrist frontrunner, Joe Biden.
This isn't the first time that he has eyed a run at the presidency, only to decide against. In the past he thought Americans wouldn’t vote for a New Yorker billionaire and businessman until 2016.
Today factors like Trump’s presidency, Biden’s fading campaign as well as the rise of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren seem motivate him to give himself a try.
Despite Bloomberg's fame, wealth and political experiences, it is far from clear whether his candidacy would be welcomed by the Democratic party establishment.
Unlike Biden, he will hardly appeal to the working class. Grassroots support could be hard to build outside of the urban better-off and white suburbs. His mayoral record will provide enough political fodder for both Trump and other Democratic candidates.
In 2016 nobody thought Trump would win. Who knows what else is going to happen ahead of November 2020.
4
Seems some are forgetting Bloomberg served 3 successful terms as Mayor of New York. This is not just some rich political novice throwing money around, but a highly successful politician whose already handled one of the most difficult political offices in the nation, if not the world.
Bloomberg is a progressive, who is smart and articulate. He's experienced and knows the issues. His wealth should not be disqualifying - would we not nominate FDR if we could?
I strongly support Warren, but can a woman win in this environment? I greatly admire Bernie, but can a "socialist !" win up against Fox News? Is Joe Biden really up for this - I'd like to think so, but we've certainly seen some cracks so far.
Is America really ready for Mayor Pete? We have some other potentially strong candidates but they are consistently mired in 1-2%.
Bloomberg is already a known commodity, and has not taken the very harmful positions some of the others have taken on Medicare For All and immigration.
I hope he runs - he can win.
5
@Frank Roseavelt Good points. It is absolutely essential to be practical and clear-headed for this one. There is too much at stake to gamble on a long shot!
2
Here’s what dooms Democrats: 17% of voters describe themselves as very liberal.
The 25% of the country that are registered Democrats who vote in the primaries determine their nominee. If 2/3 of them are “very liberal” and Warren or Sanders gets the nomination, the majority of the country in the general election will vote overwhelmingly against them (see 1972 George McGovern vs Richard Nixon).
Bloomberg entering the race would change the dynamic in the general election. But with a growing progressiveness of the Party, will the self destructing Democrats allow a moderate Democratic candidate get the nomination?
3
We have all of Mike's choices in the race already including a billionaire believer in fighting climate change (Steyer), a centrist who believes in practical solutions (Biden, Klobuchar, Buttigieg), a fighter for racial equity (Harris, Booker) and out of the box thinkers (Yang, Williamson).
The Dems have had these choices and have been clear that they want Medicare for All and a new tax policy that is truly progressive. When the eventual winner of Warren and Sanders emerges, it will be political whiplash, but no different than going from Carter to Reagan, Bush to Obama and you know what? This Nation will survive and be a better country than where we are now.
8
Big picture: there is no better person to lead the world (not just the US) out of the climate crisis.
15
Still pushing the plus 5 margin of error “polls” under which we are instructed that swing state democrats prefer a “moderate” nominee and want a candidate who can work with Russian Republicans. Laughter. Cause working with Russian Republicans is a thing. More Laughter.
If you add up the progressive candidates’ respective shares of any poll, they far outpace the Republican-lite candidates. What gives?
4
Well, well, well. All I can say is....what took him so long?
To me it comes to this. Bloomberg is a proven quality in the business world. No doubt about this. Unlike the current POTUS.
Bloomberg is a proven quality in the political world. You may not have liked all that he did but as mayor of New York City you'd have to say, or at least I do, that he did pretty well. He's proven himself capable of leadership. All of it stands in direct contrast to anything shown by the POTUS.
Over all of them being proffered, either Democrat or Republican, his "street cred" gives him the heft and substance to be a truly interesting President. Something nobody else evinces.
I'd vote for him.
And, should it come to this, if he were to ask Warren to be VP....well....stand back America....there's a new game come to town...one hands down better than the one we've been enduring these past few years.
But these are just some personal thoughts. Let's see what everyone else thinks.
John~
American Net'Zen
4
I truly respect Michael Bloomberg for all he has done for our country, and agree with his thoughts about the current occupant of the White House and how unfit he is for the office he holds.
I hope he supports Amy or Pete rather than split the moderate Democratic vote since - as much as I admire Bernie and Elizabeth - they will definitely lose to Trump in the general election.
A moderate Democrat is the only way America wins. Anyone else insures another four years of Trump the Tyrant and the end of our Democracy - just as Putin has hoped.
5
None of the democratic candidates have really united the party, but Warren seems the closest to being able to do so. I don't know anyone in their late 70's who spends more time looking forward than backwards. Not saying Bloomberg couldn't be a good President, but maybe not isn't a great time for what he offers. Stable and steady typically doesn't produce big change, and almost everyone agrees that big change is what's needed. That's what Obama sold, and it worked. He didn't really change much, but that's another topic. But his message of change resonated well with many groups of frustrated people and he brought many infrequent and younger voters to the polls. Warren can pitch that, and maybe Sanders, but I am not sure about Bloomberg and definitely not Biden. I think ignoring that messaging risks the election.
5
Another old guy. Don't get me wrong; I think Michael Bloomberg's a good, intelligent man, just as I think Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are good and smart men, and Elizabeth Warren is a good and smart woman. What I have against these people is that they are ALL old, really old. I'm not being ageist; I'm no spring chicken myself, and I've always had a lot of energy but, as I age, there's a diminishing of that energy. It takes a lot to run a country, especially a big and complex country like ours. I'd like to see Kamala Harris or Amy Klobuchar as my candidate; both are younger and both are really smart, and they're good people. They'll have the energy to fix all the evil that Trump has caused.
2
@Bertha Rogers Trump is over 70, he seems to have plenty. Clint Eastwood is 91 and still directing movies. Warren Buffett is 89 and works every day, managing the world's most successful investment company. Age is just a number.
8
"I'm a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one!"
Remember that Bloomberg is an actual billionaire who built his fortune selling real products.
9
Today I feel hopeful for a brighter future after reading this. The task at hand is clear, protect the nation from "an unprecedented threat". This says it all: “We now need to finish the job and ensure that Trump is defeated — but Mike is increasingly concerned that the current field of candidates is not well positioned to do that”. Exactly. I really like a lot of the candidates, but I am not sure they can defeat him.
4 more years of Trump will hurt this great nation to a point of no return. I believe Mr Bloomberg can get the job done!
I'm a US citizen living abroad but hope to come back to the US in the future. That will depend a lot on what happens in this next election
150
Biden can get it done, with our support. Vast experience. Bloomberg would be a great VP.
5
@Clara
We live in the US, but have friends and family who live abroad- with the same point of view as you.
Mr. Bloomberg is a moderate politician, self-made, with the statesmanship/leadership/education which the world previously thought were among this country's great assets.
4
@Timit I like Biden, he was a great VP and does have vast experience. But I am not sure he can defeat him, unfortunately... We know from the past that experience is not necessarily a plus.
An exercise in rich-guy vanity.
13
Mike is bored with his helicopter, his business and mostly he is dead tired of his vast wealth. He would rather be at the water cooler chatting with workers than in a stale board meeting. He realizes that his empire no longer needs tending as he hires only very sharp people and money flows over into his accounts in floods. The idea of legacy haunts him at 77 and his political instincts are usually sharp and accurate. He cannot figure out why the Government in Washington is busted and he believes that pragmatic skills should always apply and win. He considers Trump a crook and general democratic party talent milk toast and ineffective. Maybe his party people sees something in the electorate data using artificial intelligence and New York City machismo in a soothsaying algorithm too insightful to ignore. But, my Artificial Intelligence machinery tells me that his vast wealth has overtaken the "luster of his legacy" and his ego needs spit and polish. I'd advise him to learn the art of raising pigeons for secret communications and for the sharing information and pictures transporting thumb-drives to dumb computers that are never connected to the internet as a product line extension for Bloomberg Inc. Poor Mike is bored out-of-his-mind because his enterprise machinery works flawlessly and effortlessly.
3
Just what our once great country needs, another billionaire New Yorker for president, heaven help us!
13
There is a big country east of La Brea and west of the Hudson. He doesn't stand a chance with white working-class voters. Not to mention black voters and unions.
9
Sure. People said Trump had no chance. We don’t know and neither do you.
5
Bloomberg is the ultra-rich who has had all his life stellar private health insurance. This move all but guarantees the death of the public option or universal healthcare. He is a Republican, in fact.
13
If he runs, he should be forced to run as a third-party candidate - or better yet, the Republican he is.
5
Mike Bloomberg would immediately be my #1 choice to become the Democratic Candidate, no question!
Mike did an excellent job as Mayor of NYC. The NYC budget is bigger than all but two state budgets and under Bloomberg’s leadership transformed NYC back into the capital of the world and rebuilt a strong vibrant long lasting economy.
Bloomberg’s management style is modern, efficient yet compassionate and the bottom line, Mike gets results.
Mike Bloomberg is that candidate that embodies the drive, skills, abilities needed to be a national leader and is progressive. Mike is the total package...and Mike can take on Trump and defeat Trump in the 2020 election!
7
Under Bloomberg, NYC was very well run. BUT-it became a city for the very rich, highly unaffordable for anyone else.
12
@Alexgri Please note, this is the case for most big cities around the world.
6
History and the present tells us where this nation has always been, where all successful nations have. Moderate.
Democrats saw the extremes divide and take over the party in 1968 then lost power until the moderate Clinton won in 1992, (except for a short but failed, left leaning, Carter term).
Democrats are the ones who get to choose what direction they want to go in. They get to invite who they want under their "big tent". They get to decide who represents them for elections. Then the whole nation votes.
All I know for sure is that choices have consequences and extremes do not represent the nation, be they left or right.
3
I started out as a Warren supporter, but have come more and more to believe that she can't win a general election against Trump. Bloomberg is much more conservative than I am when it comes to fiscal matters, but he has shown real leadership on the most important issue of our time: climate change. His partnership with the Sierra Club on the Beyond Coal campaign and now on the Beyond Carbon campaign has helped close numerous coal plants. He has my vote.
13
It would be refreshing to have a Democrat candidate with proven achievements, a stable personality, a can-do attitude, and bereft of the juvenile tantrums and diarrhea of 'plans' that seem to define the current crop of guaranteed failures.
11
All I can say is this. Vote blue no matter who.
22
Frankly, this just confuses the heck out of me. Where do we stand? Does anybody know? Honestly? Will impeachment hurt or help Trump? Who knows? (Yes, the rubber duckies gave America no choice. What were we supposed to do? Let them blackmail other countries into sabotaging out elections, on Russia's behalf?) Will the Republican dust bunnies ever refresh their recollections, or rediscover their backbones and principles? We don't know whether the path to victory leads through a Biden or a Warren, or, on the same ticket, a Biden and a Warren. We don't know whether Warren's upward trend has officially hit the misogyny ceiling. (NPR reports yes.) Now this. Though Bloomberg is registering in the states that have deadlines coming up, we don't actually know whether he will run. Is Bloomberg entering now because Biden and the rest of em all still look too weak in 2020? (Biden's numbers are the same as the day he entered the race.) Will this uncertainty help only the chaos candidate, the incumbent? Good grief.
2
I'm less worried about Michael Bloomberg's money than I am that the Democratic nominee will be chosen by a small number of voters in Iowa, New Hampshire & North Carolina. States that don't represent the concerns of millions of Americans in large urban centers & their suburbs & states that aren't agricultural or in the Bible belt. Hundreds of millions of voters live in places that are nothing like those 3 states.
Deep problems with how the Democratic nominee is chosen were exposed in 2016 & we could see them became a noose around our necks when a relatively small group of voters in early states led w/ the agenda "it's her turn" & "the nominee must be a woman." This narrative of a small number of people saddled us w/ an unelectable nominee.
Biden's a bad candidate, a tired throwback to 'how things used to be' when the country wasn't working for a millions. Plus Hunter Biden is a problem. Warren won't be a strong candidate in 35+ states & may lose in a landslide. I love Mayor Pete but apparently black voters won't support him. & Bernie won't be the nominee.
Bloomberg is smart, tough, experienced, well-known, well-intentioned & he'll have $$$. If people can get past his fortune & listen to him, he might be the way past what looks like 4 unelectable frontrunners.
Don't bust on Bloomberg just yet.
A Hail Mary candidacy but maybe we need one.
Warren, Sanders, Biden & Buttigieg - all are problematic.
Do you want to beat Trump or not?
Do you want to beat Trump or not?
8
What's Mike Bloomberg's platform going to be? Is it that he plans to ban those 7-11 Big Gulp sodas and monitor salt consumption all over America?. In New York City Mayor Bloomberg's nick name was Nanny Bloomberg. Is America ready for Nanny Bloomberg to baby the rest of the country?
1
@sharon5101 Yes, heaven forbid that people should lead healthier lives. Why is it that you think healthcare is the number one issue for most people? America is the fattest country in the world!
5
I prefer Bloomberg 100 times over Biden and Mayor Pete, but not over Bernie.
6
Two words from history Mr. Bloomberg: Al Smith. You will not be liked in flyover country.
5
Great. The man that rezoned vast areas of NYC specifically to pave the way for luxury development- and has turned New York City into the money laundering capital of the US.
This guy is the one.
Benevolent Oligarch’s. If American’s buy into this they may as well admit their idea of democracy is a rough sketch.
As an anecdote - He also called for a no fly zone for journalists in lower Manhattan when the police brutally removed occupy Wall Street activists at zucotti Park on the final day.
And his girlfriend who serves on the board at Sotheby’s Auction House is extremely anti-union. She threatened to quit the board if the heads of Sotheby’s gave in on contract negotiations. They gave in and she didn’t leave the board.
The Moral of the story is - don’t let the wealthy take from you.
13
Bloomberg IS the best person to beat Trump- no doubt about it! How about something like Bloomberg/ Duckworth as a ticket?
Trump certainly can’t call Bloomberg a Commie and I’d like to see him go after Duckworth. Would Trump even be foolish enough to attack her patriotism?
4
And Mike Bloomberg is a real businessman. Trump has nothing on him. But really for Bloomberg to be willing to step up is quite remarkable. He need not do it and will be bashed by the republicans. He is a true patriot.
3
Mike,
Please don't do this - the Dems need consolidation, not diffusion.
Getting rid of the trump cancer is the only goal. Eye on the prize, sir. Eye on the prize.
8
I am actively preparing to vote for him.
5
I think I will, I think I will, nope I won’t. Michael, just decide and do it or don’t.
I’d love to see Mr Bloomberg run.
3
Not surprising....the oligarchs and billionaires are truly terrified by the progressive ideas and platforms of Bernie and Liz...these people won’t easily cede the power they have bought and wield over the 99 percent...
9
This election is about beating DT. Mike is strong on climate, gun reform. Being progressive is about getting things done - making actual progress. Mike will get it done.
1
This man IS the American Dream.
4
Only New Yorkers or rich people think this is a good idea. Mike in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Iowa? Don’t think so. He’s just scared Warren will take away some of his billions. Even at his age! Geez these rich men are hard to understand.
12
@Susan So true, billionaires protect their own. Why don't people consider it wrong to have that much money in the first place when more that 10 percent of Americans live under the poverty line? Their billions don't trickle down to the rest of society. Sanders and Warren must be making the billionaires club nervous.
1
Income and wealth inequality is a massive issue, and not just in terms of social justice. Inequality has become an issue of political stability, economic growth, and national security.
I respect Mayor Bloomberg, but he is on the wrong side of this and other key issues. He is the wrong person for this job at this time. He would obviously be far superior to Trump, but so would almost any of the Democratic candidates.
Someone is giving Mayor Bloomberg bad advice. He should sit this one out.
13
Looks like Elizabeth Warren is about to get the Bernie Sanders treatment ca. 2016: progressive catches fire, shakes up the race, then is crushed by the establishment (including the DNC, who must be ecstatic that Bloomberg is going to run). Pocketbook loyalties beat political loyalties every time, so if the choice is a Warren who will raise taxes, or four more years of Trump, establishment Dems will take the latter every time (and focus on Pete for 2024). In case anyone is wondering why Bloomberg is doing this: it's not because he thinks he can win, it's because he knows he can be a spoiler, splitting the Dem vote and discouraging progressive turnout, so Trump glides to a second term. Did you think Bloomberg got that rich by sitting and doing nothing when someone was threatening to confiscate 2% of his wealth year after year?
5
In 2018, Bloomberg donated $1.8 billion in scholarship money to Johns Hopkins University.
In the last decade, he's donated over $8 billion to liberal causes.
His very generous donations to Democratic candidates in Virginia this year is a major reason we were able to take back the Virginia state senate and house.
I'm grateful to Mike Bloomberg.
His heart is in the right place.
8
I believe it's a great thing that Bloomberg join the Democratic candidates running for President. None of candidates speak for me and my views. Those who work for a living, paid taxes for decades, have a legal right to live in this country, and have paid into the Social Security system for decades have no representation, thus far.
2
Mr. Bloomberg: "Beware that Your Wish may Come True"!
(Although me, for one, would like it to become true)
2
the 2020 election claims the reputation of yet another former NYC mayor.
4
The only person who can save us from this madness.
7
If Bloomberg runs and wins the Democratic nomination, I will strongly support him in a race against Trump. If he loses the Democratic nomination and runs as an independent, I will strongly oppose him.
He will also not get my support in the Democratic primaries, primarily because of his history with protestors and his record as mayor of suppressing the freedoms of speech and assembly.
https://www.citylab.com/equity/2011/11/bloombergs-long-war-against-protests/508/
6
A lifetime Republican Multi Billionaire, who recently, conveniently, joined the Democratic Party. Trust rating =0.
9
@Reba Don't be conned! He will protect his own .
Regarding the negative comments about a Bloomberg presidential run.....we are in a desperate situation in America as the country devolves and slides downward into political oblivion.
We are in no position to turn away any reasonable sane candidate that is in a position to beat Trump!
14
Great..this will knock down Bernie and warren who have absolutely no chance of beating trump. We need a moderate to beat trump
8
@David by “moderate“ you mean Republican-lite...how is being against the ideas presented by Bernie and Liz seen as “moderate” when they actually truly represent what most Americans are concerned about and have the courage to try and fight for the working class and against this growing inequality that has destroyed our country...
3
@Sumana Yes, you are correct. Wish we had Warren and Sanders in Australia. You guys are lucky to have people willing to fight for you. Billionaires ultimately protect their own, look at Bill Yates' recent comment.
1
UGH!
I'm a democrat!
If Bloomberg becomes the nominee for the Democratic party I'm sitting this one out. I am not going to participate in an election between 2 rich republicans.
7
@Brian Hughes Do you believe in climate change? Bloomberg does, and has been spending millions to fight it with good results, see "Beyond Coal" and now "Beyond Carbon."
2
Bloomberg should run as a Republican because he ran New York as one. Reminds me that life long Democrat Trump hood winked an entire party, the Republicans,and ran as a Republican. Bloomberg made entire sections of New York unaffordable for a great many New Yorkers. His Stop and Frisk policy got us our current loser of a mayor. Communities of color across the nation are going to be excited about a former mayor of New York who embraced Stop and Frisk?If Bloomberg wins will he be flying home to Bermuda like he did every weekend while he was mayor? I guess him and Trump do have a lot in common.
5
Bloomberg running as a third candidate will guarantee that Trump wins again in 2020. Bloomberg can't be so delusional as to imagine any other outcome, like him winning?
5
Just another 'soft money' candidate.
Has our country fallen so that billionaires are the citizens' only choice for president?
5
He'd be 78 at inauguration. That's just too old for what should be a very difficult job (if unlike Trump, you actually do the job properly).
Ask any 78 year old.
Bill Gates is spending his fortune to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. Likewise, Michael Bloomberg is addressing critical issues like climate change globally and gun control domestically.
Elizabeth Warren and progressive democrats call out billionaires who are inclined to support the Democratic Party while leaving the long list of sleazebag billionaires who are supporting Donald Trump nameless.
There are many of us in the middle who were willing to vote for any warm body running against Donald Trump. However, Elizabeth Warren is showing signs that she'll run a scorched earth campaign.
If she manages to win the nomination, she'll likely lose to Trump in the electoral college. If she manages to squeak out a victory in what should be an easy democratic party win, she'll not help any down-ballot Democratic senators, and her policy initiatives will be dead on arrival.
She's losing my support by the minute.
6
@Mark You are full of it. Warren and Sanders want to fairly tax all billionaires. Wasn't Singapore where the GFC started with the Lehman Brothers? Bill Gates crying me a river over the wealth tax....he will still have an obscene amount of money.
1
@Zeldatea,
The point is to win the election. Its easier to change the world once you're in the office and have real power.
1
I hope Michael Bloomberg runs as he would have my vote.
I am a Republican who also votes Democratic (I voted for Obama and Hillary Clinton in the last 2 elections).
When it comes to Trump, I hate how the deficit has massively increased despite a good economy. I hate how he abandoned the Kurds. One of the few Trump policies I support is his China policy. Trump is the first president to push back against China's blatant stealing.
When it comes to the current Democratic candidates, I hate all of this talk of "free everything." There is no free lunch. When it comes to Medicare for all, there has to be a co-pay. There has to be skin in the game to prevent a lot of unnecessary visits to the doctor that would skyrocket costs and wait times with negligible benefit.
Warren in particular would bankrupt the country with all her freebies. She is going to disincentivize entrepreneurship which will shrink the economy. After Warren runs out of the billionaire's money, she will come after the millionaires, then thousandaires, then everyone's 401Ks and IRAs. If Warren were to win the Democratic nomination, I would either abstain from voting or vote for Trump (while holding my nose).
If Michael Bloomberg runs, he would govern the country pragmatically from the center with no drama. Please Mr. Bloomberg, run for President and save the country!
5
@KW Warren is not giving 'freebies away.' Citizens deserve these rights . These billionaires have benefitted from a corrupt tax system, very low wages and the American obsession with extreme wealth equaling good. If you would vote for Trump, your credibility is totally shot as you criticised him in your first paragraph. Also, i'm sick of reading the threats....if this person is nominated I will ...
1
At first I rolled my eyes. Reading the pro Bloomberg comments has made me reconsider. Anyone but Trump. That now includes Mr. Bloomberg.
5
He is sane and as centrist as it gets. I’d say a shoo If the DNC had their way! Does he have a policy message that will resonate though ?
1
The bottom line is to get rid of Trump. It is not to try to elect the member of some specific demographic group. If it takes Bloomberg to get rid of Trump, then so be it.
4
The reason I like Bloomberg: he believes climate change is real and happening now.
The reason I do not like Bloomberg: he's a billionaire who is totally out of touch with regular working people. And no, those people on Wall Street - and its ilk - do not count!
It's a tough call.
4
@Flower But how do you know he's out of touch with regular working people? Given that he has created employment for quite a few!
4
@Mark Crozier This employment for other people fills his coffers. He is not a billionaire for nothing, visited NY a few years ago, brilliant city but its for the very wealthy. Remember Trump comes from NY.
One irrefutable thing about Michael Bloomberg is he began his tenure as mayor of the city at it's absolute lowest point, four months after 9/11. The remains of the towers were still being examined and removed, fires still burnt underground, everyone here went around justifiably terrified and devastated and the city could have gone in a direction of disaster, or of survival, and ultimately, for better and, too, for worse, the city has flourished. This was under Bloomberg's tenure.
4
@Maury Feinsilber Most of NY is for the very wealthy. Who flourished?
1
He’s totally what the dems need as the current front runners have way too extremist platforms which will alienate many. Might be the answer to another four years of Trump unless something happens in the interim.. Just saying?
Bloomberg might be the only way forward. His credentials are impecable. And he is a likeable person. The genius would be that he actually is what he says he is a billionaire businessman - if Trumps voters relates to the businessman credential they can have it and them some with Mike Bloomberg. However witth Mike Bloomberg you get someone with decades of achievement, integrity and a genuine wish to serve. And he is progressive - just take a look at the work he has done on climate, guns, education. Good luck to him and to America. There isnt time for four more years of DT.
9
I’m amazed that there are so many apparently well-educated people who believe that an a-charismatic billionaire candidate who will entirely turn off the progressive wing of the party; who won’t generate a large African American turnout, key to any Democrat who wants to win the election; and who won’t excite working class Democrats in the Rust Belt will beat Trump.
8
@Expunged They believe the myth that billionaires have all the answers.
2
Interesting to see people's priorities. Mine is climate change. I would vote for an old sock if it supported action on climate. Bloomberg does, so he'd have my vote. I see many progressives vowing to only vote for someone who would make a dramatic push for social equality. What good is more egalitarian wealth distribution on a uninhabitable planet?
5
@Monica Both progressives will push for climate action more than a moderate.
1
@Zeldatea maybe. I think a president battling for a single payer plan won't be able to have much focus elsewhere. I also think that climate action can only really get support under a strong economy, because when people are hurting economically they could care less about the environment. So a president who makes the markets shakey will have a hard time with climate action. Also, many commenters say they would never vote for Bloomberg because he is too conservative. That to me is crazy for the reason above.
In what the author calls a restrained comment, Elizabeth Warren says this of Michael Bloomberg’s possible candidacy:
“It’s not enough just to have somebody come in, anybody, and say they’re going to buy this election.”
I for one find that kind of rhetoric extremely off-putting. Making it “and try to buy this election” would still be an insult to our intelligence. One can object to a billionaire’s bid for the Democratic nomination without descending to unhinged flourishes.
If Warren wants to be taken seriously as a mature, responsible replacement for the wild word-slinger we have now, she ought to take her listeners seriously.
4
Trump won because he convinced people that he would work for the interests of ordinary people. He lied, of course. But to those who say that Warren can't win because she is too far from the mainstream, I say, it worked for Trump. Offering ordinary people a more equitable system does not make a person unelectable.
1
@farhorizons They are only saying unelectable because she is not their choice. They think that trope is an argument, she is not electable unlike their choice OR i used to be a Sanders or Warren supporter but now.....subtext you were never following them.
Very bad timing. He will split the moderate vote in the Democrat party thus giving victory to the progressives and as result hand the 2020 victory to Trump. He should have entered long time ago and now his time is past.
106
@Qcell Qcell may be right, but I sense Bloomberg will be a welcome voice borne on fresh air, then tower over the present candidates, none of whom inspire much confidence that they will do well in the states that really count in the coming election.
5
@Qcell nah. He will sow up the independent voters like myself. It will be a Democratic victory and Bloomberg will end the reign of a very incompetent Trump.
5
@Qcell Why don't you get behind the progressives then? That way, you will have a president who fights for Americans and Trump will lose. As an outsider, I'm starting to think that there is not much difference between a 'moderate Democrat' and a 'Republican Lite'. No wonder the gap between the very wealthy and the rest of society grows each year.
18
I can understand people asking not to vote for someone, for whatever reason. What I do not understand is people asking and chastising someone not to run, no matter for what reason.
1
I have been a solid Bloomberg supporter, especially when it came to the possibility that he could actually outspend and easily outclass Trump as a true business mind. But he twice moved aside, not having the stomach for the merciless scrutiny one must go through while also claiming it was to allow others he knew, the respect they deserve when vying for the Democratic nod . But now on the horizon there appears to be another centrist who is rising to the occasion. And with exception of not being an extravagantly wealthy business mind, he like Bloomberg, is a mayor of significance. And when people actually take the time to study the interviews and not just look for gotcha soundbites, they will find that the upstart is actually a bright and articulate wiz that could easily outclass Trump as well. When he is asked a one on one question he does not repeat the prewritten cliche', but commands the descriptive verbiage from deep inside the thoughts of the subject at hand. It is nothing less than refreshing. He now comes out of the closet for the second major time in his life. He deserves our attention from the left and for Bloomberg to now try to jump back in, shows a tremendous disrespect to the young bright star of Pete Buttigeig. Don't do it it Mike. Help Pete to triumph when he even outclasses everyone else in the Democratic Party. With your help, Pete will soundly defeat the current evil occupation force at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.. He will transcend all prejudices enroute!
2
@Ben Kreinen Hope Billionaire and best friend of billionaires cannibalise their support and progressives like Warren or Sanders win.
Make it stop! It is too painful. How many billionaires do we need running? They should be following, not leading.
3
Although I loved his term as mayor, I haven't forgotten his push to selectively extend term limits for himself. That's something usually done by leaders trying to transition their governments to open dictatorship. It's a flaw too big for Republicans to not capitalize on and they would be completely justified. It would sink him, while draining votes from less compromised candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. I really hope that he let's this go before he damages Democrat's shot at the White House.
2
Why did Mr. Bloomberg not come forward earlier? Perhaps, he saw Mr. Biden is struggling with his campaign financing. That still does not make Mr. Biden unsuitable to be in the race. And, at this late stage, and with the Democratic campaign in progress, it may be unwise for Mr. Bloomberg to step in. For all the reasons he has to enter the race, why does he not support a Candidate, he feels is most suitable?
69
@citizen If I had to pick between two almost 80-year old leaders Mike Bloomberg is hands-down the smarter, more efficient, more centrist, more sane, innovative leader! RUN MIKE RUN!
8
@citizen
He doesn't think any of them can beat Trump. Otherwise he wouldn't bother.
6
@Les
I have always been a Biden fan, but when I read Mike might run, my response was "YES!" - For ALL of the reasons you listed.
5
Just what we needed, another candidate! We have been so deprived of choice with a mere twenty or thirty candidates, it is a terrific relief that Mr. Bloomberg has come to finally provide some depth to the field!
But seriously, folks. . .
2
Bloomberg will be my choice if he decides to enter the race; he is by far much better qualified to do the job of defeating Trump and - more importantly - to run the country. Mr Bloomberg you have my vote!
2
I think that Mr. Bloomberg's entry into the race reflects the fear of the very wealthy, and of Wall Street in particular, that Elizabeth Warren might win the presidency. Maybe she will, maybe she won't. But the nation's choice will not be affected one whit by another rich also-ran coming forward.
3
the oligarchy strikes back....bring it on, baby
2
Elizabeth Warren for President 2020, Michael Bloomberg as VP running mate - home free!
1
@vishmael Or perhaps the other way round?
2
@Mark Crozier Why should a woman have to be the VP?
Bloomberg running against Trump would be a risky move. It's one thing to have success in an educated, wealthy and cosmopolitan place like New York City, but things could go very different nationally. I think Trump would be good at building distrust, especially in the key swing states, towards Bloomberg.
Bloomberg has been on the right side of the most critical issue we face -- climate change -- for a lot longer than most of the Dem candidates. That said I don't know how people in the mid-west would view him, being a) from New York and b) a billionaire. Of course, they voted for Trump and he's basically that too, although Bloomberg is far more succesful a businessman than Trump could ever be.
5
They’ll vote for a moderate who is competent and sane.
2
@Mark Crozier So have the progressives and they are on the right side with dealing with economic inequality?
There is no more competent political executive in the country today than Mike Bloomberg. On a slow day, NYC is tougher to run than most countries, and he managed to do it so well that we gave him a third term.
Rudy takes credit for showing up at Ground Zero with a dust mask, but it was Bloomberg who came in and piloted NYC through the clean-up and the recovery. I shudder to think what might have happened if De Blasio had been at the helm during the crash in 2008.
I’m a lifelong Democrat; voting for Bloomberg is the only time I’ve put a notch by an R. If Democrats make this primary about plans and ideas divorced from functional politics, the morning of November 4, 2020 is going to be the start of a very bad day.
20
Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg News. Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Markets, Bloomberg Government, Bloomberg Opinion, Bloomberg New Economy Forum...the list goes on and on. President Bloomberg too?
It’s like a trick. We wanted to get money and corporations out of politics. We didn't want conflicts of interest. We didn't want State TV.
Mr. Bloomberg is a somewhat benevolent oligarch who managed to extend NYC term limits so he could have a 3rd term as mayor. He presents himself better than Trump, he's very smart, and his philanthropy is important. He may seem like a safer choice. But in the end if it’s between Trump and Bloomberg, democracy loses. We will have to pick between a Mafia State and an Oligarchy.
We have a number of excellent candidates already, Mr. Bloomberg should not run.
34
I would like to be put into a trance and woken up the day before the Iowa caucus, see which candidates are still standing and then figure out where I'll throw my support. Bloomberg is doubtful in any case.
2
Go for it! I worked for his company as a reporter and it was the best-run organization I’ve ever known. Mike Bloomberg has degrees in engineering and business and has a laser-like focus on global markets and simply doing the right thing. When he decides to do something, it gets done. He’s got what it takes to beat Donald Trump.
22
Bloomberg News, Bloomberg market, illegal third term. How much should one person control?
2
@Phil G Society is not a business!!
OMG, do we have yet another businessman who is going to try to show us that if we only run the government like a business all will be well?
And Bloomberg has already failed at such an endeavor when he tried to run the New York City Public Schools as if they were businesses and at which he failed miserably.
And he is not the first. There is one big difference that they all miss. Businesses' missions are to serve the owners/stockholders. The mission of government is to help the people. It sounds easy until one tries to do it.
Remember Perot? In order to learn to run government well, study successful governments. To learn to run businesses well, study successful businesses.
Please, no businessmen Presidents!
14
Mayor Bloomberg, please don’t do this. Instead, use your billions to support a viable Democratic presidential candidate, along with other Democrats running for Senate, the House and local elections. I have great respect for your many accomplishments, but it is time to pass the baton to a younger generation.
11
Absolutely relieved! Please run Mike!
I am a due-hard Democrat -blue to the bone- and have been worried sick about Trump Term 2 because of our choices. Biden is great, but his best days have passed and he will falter ... Warren & Sanders reflect liberal ideals (which I support) but neither is electable -a Warren candidacy in fact will likely lose New York.
Bloomberg is fiscally conservative and socially liberal ...abortion rights, climate control, gay rights, gender equality, and he totally stands on principle...most important, he’s also very appealing to centrists who need to be won.
Unless Michelle jumps in, he is only option we have to win. I will campaign door-to-door for Bloomberg.
23
The gaslighting continues. We’ve been so beat down by megalomaniacal oligarchs in America that we don’t trust anyone who wants to actually stand up and advocate on our behalf.
We’re so enamored with super hero movies that we seek a savior rather than rolling up our sleeves to make real change.
I read the first few most popular comments and began to feel ill..
26
What did Bloomberg do for the working class and poor of New York City when he was mayor. We don't need a billionaire whose main impetus is to protect the very wealthy.
15
@john Pathetic response. Platitudes are not arguments. NYC is for the very wealthy, it sounds like police were given too much power. I bet the cops protected the wealthy whites but targeted 'minorities.' We have police strip searching 12 year olds here, you have police killing innocent black men, a police state supports the elite.
1
I would vote for Michael Bloomberg because he might change seriously needed gun legislation and a civilized medical care system. I was a Poll Worker in his District only a few years ago. He was the first Voter who arrived at 6:00am. Dressed in suit and tie. I admire him.
9
@Serena Because he wears a suit and tie ?
Old enough to be making a decision to enter an assisted living environment.
2
Mr. Bloomberg:
Please stay out of the race but do what you committed to, which was to spend up to a $100 million on anyone but Trump. The field is already crowded and the voters confused.
8
Michael Bloomberg can save the day and save the country at the same time from enduring another four years of Trump.
At a healthy and energetic 77 years of age, Bloomberg is well positioned to knock Trump back on his heels and all the way back to Mar a Lago.
Bloomberg’s self made billionaire status will insulate him from any financial pressure for special interests and give him political independence.
His twelve years of experience as the mayor of the toughest city in the country is more than enough political experience to give him a running start in the White House.
Run Bloomberg Run!
14
Hi Folks,
Remember how Mike not only lost the transit strike but also was a nasty negotiator. Remember how he put our children's education under the aegis of Cathie Black, whose only qualifications were that she was rich and a friend of his. Remember how he decimated building codes to allow developers to destroy neighborhoods. Remember how under his watch income inequality in NYC reached epic proportions. Remember how he went against the voters' will and railroaded through a third term for himself. Remember how when seeking re-election after his first term he spent untold millions on needless ads, just to show his wealth. Remember the blizzard of 12/10, when he and his entire administration were away on vacation. Do you really want this guy running the country? I don't. If the choice comes down to him or more Trump, I'll vote for Bloomberg. But, I hope it doesn't come to that.
18
@A Thinker They don't care, he is a billionaire , wears a suit . Sad He will support his financial interests and his billionaire club.
Bloomberg turned NYC's $6 billion deficit into a $3 billion surplus. This is exactly what we need for our country.
12
@Michael Yes an economy not a society or a community.
I don't think that Bloombeg can wage a successful campaign based on his tenure as NYC Mayor. There's a good deal of "baggage" there, as they say, including his foolhardy idea to construct a football stadium in Manhattan, and his attempts' to run the NYC Dept. of Education like a business, including his unfortunate choice of Kathleen Black, former Hearst Magazine chairperson, as NYC Schools Chancellor, whose tenure lasted 95 days. Why is "Mayor Mike" considered a more plausible candidate than DeBlasio, who is overall a more progressive mayor..
8
If Bloomberg's the nominee, I'll be glad for once that my CA vote won't matter. Because there's no way I'll help inflate his out-of-control ego with my vote.
10
If Bloomberg ends up as the Democratic nominee Trump will drop out with the cop out that he accomplished all that he wanted to do, rather than face him in a debate that would end up making him look like his character in a Saturday Night Live skit, for real. The question for Democrats is going to be do they want to express their moral outrage and nominate one of the current front runners or do they want to win. The current darlings won't draw enough independents, Republicans. or Democratic centralists in purple states and unreliable new voters won't make that deficit up. For everything except public order (and his version is a lot better than the Bill de Blasio Medellin version of NYC), Bloomberg is likely to the left of even Obama, so he isn't that far off a lot of the issues progressives want to see done.
7
@Kevin
Except the most important one.
A rich man against a rich man : establishment win .
8
@Mauro Rossetti American voters only seem to trust establishment....i think that is sad.
I remember some years ago reading the only biography of M. Bloomberg I could find, and I remember wishing fervently that he would at some point run for president. My sense is that he is a brilliant, pragmatic humanist, and I wonder if this country even deserves him. His money did not come from Daddy. He is self-made. He is so intelligent, yet can convey complexities effectively to us plebeians. And my perception too, is that he is wondrously not hate-filled! Imagine! Think, just for one picosecond, what the outcome of a Bloomberg-Trump debate would be!? I don’t care how many billions he has banked, if he runs I will work on his campaign for zero dollars in a heartbeat. I can only hope I will have the chance... (No, sorry. No relation. Independent.)
11
@DoPDJ Thanks for proving my point, a large part of the electorate have an inferiority complex. You call yourself a 'plebeian' unlike the Big Daddy who can save us. The plebeians in Ancient Rome fought for their rights originally and against the Patricians who didn't want to give them any rights. Political positions on the Cursus Honorum became available to them but eventually they would be bought off with bread and circuses. Sounds familiar, after Reagan , most voters seem to have given up . Channel FDR and the New Deal don't accept the status quo...it stinks.
Could everyone on the Democratic stage over 60 years old please drop out? I’m 60 myself and our generation dropped the ball. This has had me reading up on Buttigieg for the last 2 hours, and I’m all in now.
4
@Tom -- Buttigieg is great, but our generation hardly dropped the ball. We were the ones who sounded the alarm about climate change, who brought the second wave of the fight for women's rights, and who led the way on gay rights, losing millions of our generation to a disease whose treatment was developed only by our own persistence in the fate of an indifferent government. Don't internalize the ageism the millennials are throwing at us. We didnt start the fire -- the Republicans burned down the house. It takes until you're 60 or more to really learn the intricacies of governing. Buttigieg or Yang would make a fine vp should Bloomberg get the nomination.
@Tom Buttigieg is a corporate puppet in his 30s whilst Sanders and Warren may be in their 70s but they have vision. It's sad that the progressives are in their 70s while the 'younger candidates' stand for the status quo and big business. Go with the rebels , no matter what their age.
America. Please you need someone with a single goal and chance: to depose Trump or post impeachment Pence. Bloomberg can do that when Biden, Warren and Sanders cannot. It's been shown middle America loves rich old guys. Go with the trend, get power back from GOP and then worry about progressive policy once the Dems are in government.
9
@Mike You represent what is wrong with Australian politics. Fear of change, we have a useless muppet as our leader. You have no idea if Sanders or Warren can win? I hope Americans vote for change, we need Bernie or Elizabeth here. Our government is in climate denial whilst our country towns are running out of water and we have 96 bushfires in NSW alone at the moment.
Mr. Bloomberg, do not run- as a Democrat.
In your heart you are a traditional Republican. That is not my choice of politics, but would be welcome in this time when the Republican Party is in the grip of extremists like #MoscowMitch and grifters like Donald Trump.
A healthy Republican Party would be a good thing for America, but the last thing Democrats need is another Republican running as a Democrat. Go home and fix your party.
Many of the "centrists" who seem alarmed at the possibility that Bernie or Ms. Warren might be the nominee are actually Republicans who need to go home. It is not wrong or crazy for a Democrat to advocate for universal health insurance, a living wage, affordable higher education or an end to our never-ending wars.
The worst thing that happened to the party of Lincon is when "centrists" like Bill and Hillary Clinton moved the party away from traditional Democratic values to become more "business-friendly" as it allowed the GOP to move way over to the extreme right end of the political rainbow. A more conservative Democratic party allowed Republicans to go off the rails.
You are not going to win the White House, but you can leave a great legacy by restoring the party of Eisenhower, Baker, Ford, Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln to reasonable conservatism.
7
Wow, well said!!!
1
@David Gregory You give me hope.
1
This is the best news I’ve heard in months. Please, Mr. Bloomberg, do it. We need an adult in the White House, an open-minded realist. You led NYC by implementing practical initiatives we needed for the long run, from forming a climate change commission to banning trans fats from restaurants. We’re depending on you to lead the way!
8
Seems that every four years Bloomberg diddles around with the idea of running for prez. Sends out feelers. Tests the water. Oooo, too cold. Just what the Dems need now to challenge a stellar roster of candidates, Mike The Indecisive.
2
YES!!!! Glad to see the reader support. He's gotta do it. He stands the best chance of defeating Trump and would absolutely deserve his win.
6
Noooooo!
An old white guy billionaire is going to save the Democratic Party's establishment from feeling out of the loop? Reform, anyone? Engaging millions of new, young voters who want economic equality and change to corporate greed and dominance over our political machines and environment?
Billionaires don't change the systems that they used so well to capture their wealth, unless they're someone like FDR. Bloomberg ain't no FDR.
He should remain a Republican, and run against Trump from the center. Maybe there's a soul and conscience left in the Repubs, and Bloomberg should help them find it.
/s/ from an old, white guy NYer. Not a billionaire.
12
Important parts of ourselves could be found in history. During the 1800's a standard European way at looking at the past was to consider it as primitive & to feel proud how much progress has been made to get to the modern age. Every era should be looked at as a depository of certain kinds of wisdom. This means we need to go back in time to rescue things which have gone missing. For example, we might need to mine the history of ancient Greece to fully grasp the idea what community can be - we can learn from Epicurean philosophy in order to promote happiness in democratic societies despite communism being a corrupt unsuccessful attempt at Epicureanism. The middle ages can teach us about the role of honor, despite this period appalling attitudes towards children or the rights of women. We have to rescue from the past ideas to compensate for the blind spots of the present since progress is never linear. Let's, learn from ideas we dislike. We should listen carefully to our intellectual enemies since bits of the truth are al- ways getting scattered to unappealing & peculiar places & we must put in the work to make sense of them. For example, nationalism has had many terrible manifestations. Why do you think that is? Could it be the need for people to feel proud from where they come from & anchor their identity beyond the ego? Progress is messy. We make progress by going from one extreme to another as we seek to compensate for previous mistakes. #Bloomberg2020
1
@José Franco This is a paradox! I thought your reasoning was leading to progressives not a billionaire. There was little honour in the Middle Ages, look what the knight did to Constantinople.
The only vote he'll get from the under-35 crowd is "no confidence".
7
Bloomberg changes parties as often as most people change their shoes. If he had any real guts, he'd run as the Republican he is.
10
At every turn, Democrats are tipping off their hand that they are no longer a workers party but one identical with the Republicans save different positions on guns, abortions, and free speech.
9
@Alexgri Don't forget climate change! So what, these are not small issues.
@Alexgri
Because of the donors and super rich that bribe our politicians. They choose weak democrats and love strong republicans.
@Alexgri Unfortunately our Labor party is trying to copy the conservatives. It never works...sad.
"Mr. Bloomberg, 77, initially bowed out of the 2020 race because of Mr. Biden’s apparent strength, but he has since grown skeptical that Mr. Biden is on track to win the Democratic nomination ..."
And so, the torch gets passed to the next generation of 77 year olds.
4
If Bloomberg runs, he’ll have my vote.
7
This paragraph seems to contradict itself, by "blistering" and "restrained." Sure, it's EW's contradiction, but in reporting on it the Times should have made some effort to elucidate which version readers should give more weight to, even if the judgment was necessarily subjective.
"Ms. Warren, who has sparred from afar with Mr. Bloomberg over her proposals to tax the extremely rich, issued a blistering fund-raising message calling his potential candidacy “another example of the wealthy wanting our government and economy to only work for themselves.” Campaigning in North Carolina on Thursday evening, Ms. Warren offered a restrained comment on Mr. Bloomberg and cast her candidacy as a “grass roots movement.”
1
Mr Bloomberg once again comes to the rescue of Democrats by giving them a Republican to vote for.
5
No! You were a good mayor, maybe a great one, but your time has passed. The country does not want another billionaire NYer--although you would be infinitely better than Trump. Put your money and your energy into flipping the Senate.
2
I’ll vote for him in a heartbeat. He’s got the chops.
7
I don't know how I feel about this guy, really.
But I know I hate that he's doing this, in this way, at this time.
I believe it evidences cluelessness, massive egotry, and an utter lack of care for the condition of the country.
Don't do it Mike. Stay home, or get out there and help somebody beat Trump.
Just. Don't. Do. This.
Now, if you want to run from the Right, where you belong, go for it. Please.
3
@oogada
He is being pushed to run by the wealthy to protect them from the fallout of 40 years of failed policy.
Socially liberal and economically conservative means upward wealthy redistribution to protect and bail them and survival of the fittest for all of us.
1
@Mathias
Then he's a fool, and a tool of his woebegone class, to say yes.
He's the ten year super all-star athlete who destroys his legacy in the last two games because he he can't just accept where he is.
If this goes as badly as it appears it may, Bloomberg will live in infamy for generations for foisting another Trump term on the nation.
"Michael Bloomberg Actively Prepares to Enter 2020 Presidential Race"
Ralph Nader and Jill Stein 2.0? No thanks.
1
@Eric -- no, no, only if he runs a third-party candidacy, and he's not so stupid or so ideologically rigid to do that. He knows it would throw the election to Trump, whom he has long denounced. He's thinking of running for the Democratic nomination because he's afraid that none of the current candidates is competitive.
1
An autocratic, anti-Demos, billionaire, ya, just what the country needs.
He was a technocratic arrogant mayor whose staff were unhappy. He attacked the school system with entrepreneurs with no experience, and blithely decided that he could buy his way into an illegal third term. A democrat, who turned independent who turned republican who turned... what is he now? Nope. I know who 45 was and I know Mike both men are power hungry.
5
Narcissist billionaire vs narcissist billionaire. Incumbent wins.
5
I am a 74 year old retiree and a working class Democrat all my life. Trump will get reelected with the current bunch of Dems. I was impressed at first with Biden but he's not just sharp enough have what it takes to beat someone who's such a low life as Trump. Trump will eat up Warren. Bernie appeals only to young college kids who would vote for anyone who pays for their tuition. Harris is a bright and articulate but plays the race card and isn't African American no matter how much she pretends to be one and desperate Black Folks support her. America just isn't ready to elect a gay president no matter how they pretend to be open minded. Booker is goofy and Trump will make Booker look more foolish than he already does to himself.
I think Bloomberg just might have a chance vs sleazy Trump.
Any of you have any idea what American Democracy and Trump's "Jerry Springer Presidency" will look like after four more years of Trump.
9
@Gert My friends and I, mostly in our sixties and seventies, vigorously support Bernie Sanders. We do so because his policies will make life materially better for the entire population, old and young—with the possible exception of billionaires like Bloomberg, who, poor things, might have to pay additional taxes.
1
@kathynj
That's fine but who's going to pay for all these freebies that guys like Bernie offers? Do you really think he has a chance vs some low life like Trump and all his goons at those rallies who value entertainment of making fun of people rather than offering rational, constructive proposals to address the problems in America such as inequality of wealth (I agree with you there) or infrastructure ?
He has my vote.
6
Oh, pllllease. Another wealthy, white, male, older, political has-been, who just cannot tell when it is time to bough out and allow a new generation, a new gender, perhaps, just maybe, a different race, take the stage....and just call it a DAY!
3
Run my twin run
#runMikerun
3
We don’t need another New York MBA, egomaniacal billionaire. Seriously people, that’s not what we need.
5
The New Yorker that should have run in the first place!
4
He is going to be 78 in 3 months.
78 is the new 68.
No, just please, no.
1
My comment was going to be, No, just … eww, no. So the sentiment is pretty much the same.
1
All of these pro-Bloomberg comments are obviously privileged white men and they make me sick. It's completely horrifying. Like, you think we need some rich white daddy to come save us? Please! Wait, Trump is the rich white daddy to some Americans. Sorry, but, come on, DUH! Your minds have been programmed.
5
No. Just no.
3
Run, Michael, run!!!!!
1
Spoiler. Another republican dirty trick.
2
No.
1
Michael Bloomberg?
Yeah sure.
We haven't got enough anti-Semitism in this country already?
Now we want to dial it up to eleven?
1
Run Mike Run!!! Begging!!
4
Yes!
3
For the love of god MB if you want to help - enter as a Republican
5
Please don’t!
2
Can't wait for him to release his tax returns so we can see what percent of his yearly income he pays to the city, state and federal government. And will he be exempted from the Democratic debates?
2
Michael, row your boat ashore.
8
Democrats, wake up and draft Michelle Obama.
7
@Bill
OMG. This is a worse idea than Bloomberg is.
5
Because the current level of inequality isn’t quite destructive enough yet...?
1
The anti business anti success attitude of the far left bleeding heart socialists is surprising. Where do they all the tax money that they love to spend comes from?
6
All wealth is created by labor. That’s where it comes from. We use a wage system and finance to separate the worker from the value of what the labor produces.
Taxing the rich is one way to return to the workers some benefit of the wealth they have produced.
28
Well, if you’re a Trump, it comes from your daddy.
4
@Boethius
The socialists want to tax workers to reward the non workers.
1
Run, Mike, run!
13
I'm in.
14
Go Mike!
12
The sad truth is he is so electable he's a virtual shoe-in. He's like a male super-rich Hillary Clinton with integrity, or a super-rich New York Bill Clinton who keeps his pants on.
Someone like that: smart, capable, disciplined with a track record of big career achievements; how could they not beat the current oaf-in-chief.
He would shove Trump right out of office.
But the issue of wealth inequality would be pushed back for a generation, and we'd sink deeper into oligarchy because Mr. Bloomberg would make oligarchy more palatable. And because he's "self-made," from humble origins, he'd be a walking rebuttal to the system's unfairness, an ultimate emblem of "meritocracy gone right." The problem with that: Read Daniel Markovits ("The Meritocracy Trap").
We need to move way beyond a Darwinian society. A nice Darwinian is not the guy to get you there.
15
Sorry for implying Bill Clinton has integrity.
1
No thank you!
12
No thank you!
10
Noooooooo! Mike, no!
10
Yay!
9
yay!
8
Vanity, thy name is rich white male.
Sad.
10
Bloomberg is neither corrupt nor crazy. He is well aware of climate change. He favors sensible control of firearms. The only way I could consider voting for Trump is if his opponent were Hitler or Stalin. I would have no qualms voting for Bloomberg. I think he is a viable candidate.
26
I think it's strange that some people think that Bloomberg is unknown outside NY or NYC.
a. Anyone who even pays a tiny bit of attention to business knows about Bloomberg through his media company. Out here on the west coast, that's how I first heard of the name. And that's from merely paying attention to the radio.
b. He's worked on gun violence nationally with local mayors and legislators for years. Anyone who cares about not getting shot has likely heard of Bloomberg.
c. Finally, climate changes is a top issue for young people. His work on this issue will draw them.
17
Great news. I hope my endorsement on here with others will convince him to run!
12
Most candidate’s life story aren’t part of the national narrative made up of new and old stories. This subjective phenomenon exists only in the imagination of each individual. It can change as that single individual changes. Thus, a person thinking she should be President or a Democratic supporter’s disapproval of a candidate disappears when they cease to believe in it. This phenomenon exists within the communication networks that link the subjective consciousness of many individuals within a community. The inter-subjective is made up of the things in which many individuals, within the larger community (Democrats, Republicans, Independent), believe. Thus if an individual changes his or her beliefs it makes little to no difference to the beliefs of the community as a whole. Likened to the ‘Allegory Of The Cave’ a theory put forward by Plato, concerning human perception.
I would like him to run. He's a brilliant, civic-minded leader, though these days it seems difficult to get people to care much about that. The strongest candidates running for the Democratic nomination right now are way out on the fringe. They seem more concerned with promoting pet ideas for revolutionizing everything under the sun than about appealing to a broad base of voters. This is what we need to do: We have to beat Trump. That is it. Someone has to do it. If Biden isn't up to it, then Americans need some other strong choice apart from socialism or a $30 trillion tax increase.
13
Bloomberg? Michelle Obama would beat Trump - Bloomberg is wasting his time!
The absence of sensible political representation has clouded the American dream by Democrat extremists. As a result, we now have Donald Trump in the White House. Ideally, the President of the United States is cast in the role of subordinate agent, seeking in “good faith” to carry out the instructions of the lawmakers for the people, who is understood to be the principal. Instead, Trump's rhetoric harshly and repeatedly reminds us we’re not all equal (most opportunities are subsidized by access to wealth) It also doesn't help that unequal results of human achievement conjure up simplistic notions of injustice. The role of the President is to encourage a society in which the dignity of each person - not one’s station, or employment, or the accumulation of goods - is the prime consideration, enabling equality of opportunity to exist. Unfortunately, most individuals often learn harsh economic truths through self discovery in the pursuit of financial sustainability. Regrettably, prior to self discovery, human impulse is generally towards generosity. Ideally, all capable people should look for reasons to start/continue the work of self improvement. Unfortunately, equality is as undesirable as it is unrealizable. Nobody is equal to anybody. Even the same person is not equal to him/herself on different days. Myself, Trump and Bloomberg are all flawed men. Of the three, I'm the most virtuous, followed by Bloomberg.
I assume he wants to run as a moderate option. If so, he'll just pull voters away from Biden and Buttigieg, helping Warren and Sanders. Seems counterproductive.
1
He would tip the average age of candidates in Democratic debates even closer to the age of members of Soviet Politbureau. Bernie and Elizabeth should celebrate. The more billionaires enter the race the less likely any of them will win.
1
@ivo skoric
Maybe we can elect 3 of them. Then, they could take turns. Two days on, 4 days off to rest up.
The billionaire classes are running scared that real change in this country may come via a Warren or Sanders presidency. This has nothing to do with the concern that they won’t beat Trump but the opposite... once the country hears what Warren has to say they will listen and vote for her and the likes of Bloomberg and Gates will have to pay their fair share.
It would be nice if someone like a Warren Buffet could endorse an Elizabeth Warren.
Shame on the Democrats if they vote for another New York billionaire.
Hasn’t this nation suffered enough under the current one?
12
What have centrists got us over the last 40 years?
• Dramatically higher income for the top 1%
• Stagnant wages for the bottom 80%.
• Ludicrously expensive health care and college education
• Total erosion of our manufacturing base
Save your money, Mike. Real Democrats want New Deal Democrats in the mold of FDR that actually care about the average Joe.
18
Thank you, yes.
3
God help us if he buys his way to the candidacy. I wish I believed it were just a vanity project that won't get far. He's just another very rich guy who thinks he knows best how run things.
He may be a generous philanthropist, but he's really out to protect his wealth so that HE can choose the deserving causes. There's a place and a need for philanthropy but relying on it excessively takes the government off the hook and leaves huge gaps in how our society takes care of its own. Bloomberg is not the kind of Democratic candidate I want. For all his philanthropy and good works, he is the last person capable of competing with trump's attraction, fraudulent as it is. for the votes of working people.
23:30 EST, 11/07
6
Yes, Bloomberg's funded gun control advocates but let's not recall that back when he was the Republican mayor of our fair city he funded Republican candidates at local, state, and federal levels who opposed both gun control and reproductive rights.
And let's also not forget that when he ran the third time for mayor he funded under the table at the tune of $2 million people to challenge voters in black and Latino precincts (his opponent was a black man).
Under the very unlikely circumstance that he's the nominee, it is very likely that there will be a progressive candidate, perhaps Sanders, running on a third party who many Dems will vote for. So good Mike will no doubt get want he prefers, Trump instead of a progressive Democrat who might want to take away some of his money to make the country that allowed him to make his wealth a better place to live.
5
Please, stay home Bloomberg. We have the right candidates already. I'm for Warren or Sanders, hopefully, the pair of them together. We need the change they are championing for.
8
I am so happy to hear this. Bloomberg is a highly effective nonpartisan patriot and is likely entering this race because he is concerned about the future of our country. I support you Mr Bloomberg. Let the rest of us concerned Americans know how we can help your campaign!!!!
7
I’m a hardline centrist. Mayor Bloomberg is appealing but he’s also another old white guy so I have reservations about him. He is a moderate in the mold of VP Biden but thus far I’ve not been impressed with VP Biden’s political or cognitive agility. Mr Sanders and Ms Warren are too far left for my liking.
Age does take a toll on executive functioning. I’d want to hear Mr Bloomberg speak and answer questions in a public situation to see how much he has on the ball.
I’ll vote for Pres Trump’s challenger no matter what, but I don’t want another 2016 where I go into the voting booth holding my nose.
5
Instead complaining about the current political situation, let's take action instead of feeling somber. Envision yourself pioneering folkways sharing an ideology that combines the approach and lessons of Marcus Aurelius & Ludwig Von Mises to enable individuals a better understanding of their role in economics. Folkways are simple habits of action that are common to the members of the group; they are the ways of the folks that are somewhat standardized & have some degree of traditional sanction for their persistence. These are the customary, normal & habitual ways of the group to meet certain needs or solving day-to-day problems. Marcus Aurelius, called the Philosopher, was Roman emperor from 161 to 180. He was the last of the rulers from that period traditionally known as the Five Good Emperors. Marcus Aurelius approach teaches us that greatness is the perception that virtue is enough. Unfortunately, the common person often lacks virtue, instead we avoid looking within ourselves & making improvements. Ludwig Von Mises was an Austrian-American theoretical Austrian School economist. Mises wrote and lectured extensively on behalf of classical liberalism. He is best known for his work on praxeology, a study of human choice and action. How many people today, can envision a Michael Bloomberg Presidential election victory in 2020? This is possible if Bloomberg's 2020 message addresses all economic questions while simultaneously appealing to the decency of the common person.
A candidate, finally, for the realists. We may yet have a chance.
11
Because we love when the ‘centrists’ create even more inequality, obscenely wealthy and despair in hundreds of millions of Americans...?
2
Argh!
I'll support anyone over Trump, but why do we need Bloomberg? And why are New Yorkers anointing him? We have excellent moderate options already.
Why does everyone go ga ga over a Bloomberg candidacy when there is a wonderful, articulate, popular moderate senator running. His name is Michael Bennet. Too bad he gets ignored by our soundbite culture.
Or Amy Klobuchar? Or Pete? I also find it depressing the excellent and supremely qualified Jay Inslee dropped out.
Perhaps it is because the press does not want to write about folks who are not billionaires? Or perhaps it is because they are not native New Yorkers or Californians?
And to all you Republicans disenchanted with Trump. Get out and vote in your primaries! William Weld is in fact running, and he would make an excellent president.
5
What is Bloomberg’s appeal to white working class voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin? All we have heard, over and over, is how Democrats have to reach out to that demographic in those three states to win. I’m having a hard time seeing Joe the Plumber pulling the lever for Mayor Mike.
11
@kls Why not, they voted for Trump.
Bloomberg will be great; too bad he waited so long to throw in his hat. He's totally right to recognize Biden's weaknesses, especially given the whole Ukraine ordeal. Bloomberg is also totally right to provide a smart response to Warren's looney Medicare-for-All message. We don't need more chaos (Trump), or a socialist (Sanders) or a revolutionist (Warren): we need a level-headed, politician representing and uniting all Americans.
2
@Jonathon McCleren
Uniting the rich you mean and protecting them.
By all means the water is warm. Come on in.
@Mathias,
Just because Bloomberg's wealthy doesn't mean he's a bad person. In fact, he's done more good things with his wealth than most wealthy people.
How has Trump improved the lives of any one other than another family member? He campaigned on "cleaning up the swamp", but instead he hired all of his swamp buddies when he got the power and most have had to leave their posts due to continuing criminal investigations. You couldn't find any of that criminality from Bloomberg's time as NYC mayor.
So nice to see everyone NOT from New York agrees he was such a wonderful mayor.
7
If Bloomberg runs, my husband and I will probably switch from supporting Biden to Bloomberg.
6
I am against this unless he enters as a Republican, We need someone to split Trump supporters. Period, full stop.
3
Best news I have heard in long time. Let's do this!
7
I’m in. He would get my vote in a minute.
7
The problem isn’t that Bloomberg is a billionaire, the problem is that he sees his neighborhood as a place for billionaires. Although an exceptional administrator, unfortunately, he would do for America what he did for Manhattan.
Mayor Bloomberg’s policies remade the city, this once vastly-diverse place open to all on the talent and financial spectrum into a gated community for the ultra wealthy. If you are middle class, fire or police, a public school teacher, an office worker or middle management, an artist or musician, or have a family – there’s simply no way that you can live there.
That didn’t happen by accident. To keep NYC’s lead in world finance, most everything had to be refaced for big money. Everyone else simply had to get out of the way.
Not long ago, NYC was affordable for the average person. Now, if you don't make at least $160k/year you can't even apply to rent a 1-bedroom apartment. Greenwich Village, once a cauldron for social and artistic change has been bought by hedge fund pirates with townhouses at $25-$50 million. The skyline is overrun with tax-abated penthouses for foreign investors who only live there 2 weeks a year. Hudson Yards, is an obscenity of privilege worthy of Babylon, and soon, “congestive pricing” will remake public streets into pay-for-play boulevards.
As president, Bloomberg might accomplish much of what this nation needs, but he will only accelerate and set in stone the American ideals-killing rule by the oligarchy. Beware!
5
@Dan Fannon
You mean he can pass liberal policy magically through the senate unlike Warren or Sanders? Funny. Or are we taking republicans policy?
These are 5 beliefs Michael Bloomberg will have as a servant leader if elected President OF The United States,
1. Citizens and government want the same things.
2. Technique counts less than intent.
3. Solutions don’t have inherent value (one size doesn't fit all)
4. We all Should Promote Methodology
5. World - class inquiry precedes world - class advocacy
You know alot of Republicans want out of private health insurance too, right?
2
Judging from the plurality of top reader picks in these comments, I think we have definitive evidence that New York Times readers are not particularly representative of most Americans...who will greet this entry with far more annoyance than joy. This is not the moment for another billionaire man throwing his weight around in the Democratic political arena. Honestly, I'd rather have Biden, and I am not at all excited about Biden.
5
Like Dancing with the Stars, elect a partnership of Elizabeth Warren President of freestyle Skunk Projects and Michael Bloomberg as Vice President of stable frameworks. Trump & Pence could not respond to this.
Yuck, another rich corporate person telling us that he knows better. Guess what mike, I don’t think compounding interest makes you any better than anyone else. I hope Warren gets elected and bursts your well furnished balloon.
10
To those arguing here over whether Bloomberg is a Democrat or a Republican - who cares!? He can run as a Wiccan for all I care! Let’s just dump trump! Warren or Bernie will not work out for that!
6
You know what? Maybe it's time to see what an egomaniacal billionaire from New York City can do in the White House.
4
Billionaire, shmillionaire! That's all we need...another "businessman." Career politicians never looked so good. Wait—did I just type that?
1
Plato claimed that knowledge gained through the senses is no more than opinion and that, in order to have real knowledge, we must gain it through philosophical reasoning.
The inter-subjective has no actual existence within the natural world in the same way that radioactivity does. It is made up of the socially constructed ideas that exist in our collective imagination. Nevertheless the impact of the inter-subjective on the world is enormous: law, money, gods, nations, the notion of human rights and justice are all examples of inter-subjective phenomenon. I think it is preferable for society to support human rights and justice rather than lawlessness. The constant battles between groups promoting their own socially constructed narratives (Democrats, Republicans, religion) accompanied with a naively altruistic belief the majority of people of their respective generation will choose to be wiser through self discovery.
@José Franco
Plato also didn’t have to live through a Donald Trump presidency. If he had, I think he would have found knowledge - gained through his senses - that Trump is an epic disaster of a President.
Good for him and good for us. Few swing voters in the swing states care about anything other than the economy. Putting up candidates who focus on promises of massive progressive change will scare off those who will determine this election. Putting up reasonable candidates who will not turn the system upside down and who can outwit Trump on the economy is the only way he can be defeated.
5
It wouldn't be a presidential election without Michael Bloomberg being a possible candidate. The question is how long will he last as a candidate this time. The US has a two party system but Bloomberg doesn't seem to have a party. He shuffles between Democrat, Republican, and independent. That is not exactly the type of resume you want for the Democratic primary.
6
If we're looking for a moderate who has experience and isn't too old, why is Bennet being overlooked? The press is herding us into a focus on a subset of the field - Biden, Warren, Sanders and maybe Buttegieg - but let's take a closer look at other moderates before turning to Bloomberg, who carries plenty of his own baggage.
6
He is going to pull votes from Joe Biden and Trump will be in for another for years. Rich people don’t know how to be honest and are morally bankrupt. I won’t vote for him or Warren. I will write Mr. Bidens name on the ballot if i can.
1
@D.j.j.k.
Biden's done. He'll drop out by xmas.
2
That’s a vote for Trump. But hey..... at least you stuck it to those morally bankrupt rich folks.....
4
He was a great mayor and would be an honest, focused and pragmatic President. As to the prospects of beating Trump in the general election, he is to my mind much stronger than any of the other Democratic candidates, who are either hopelessly impractical idealists (e.g. Warren, Sanders) or otherwise seriously flawed. As a moderate he would draw independent and even Republican votes.
11
Well, by now it should be clear that, putting it mildly, Mike Bloomberg has a lot of ambivalence about being a candidate. There is no indication that he enjoys campaigning-- let alone the circus that one must entail as a Presidential candidate. Parachuting into the race right before the first contests is a strategy, but I doubt that it is one that will gain him much traction.
If he really wants to help defeat Trump, he ought to join forces with Tom Steyer and George Soros to tank the Economy (errrr.....help induce a long overdue Market Correction by counteracting the irrational exuberance which seems to be ginned up.
3
I've had enough of businessmen who think they know how government should be run. I'll take my chances with someone else thank you.
18
@adrianne
Guess you like goverment being insolvent?
Go Mr. Mayor. From the deep South, someone we can finally get excited about. We are centrist Republicans, the ones who used to consider honesty and integrity as the hallmarks of our party, who are left without a home. We would vote for Biden, who we have supported in the past, but we are very concerned that Trump would mob the floor with Joe re the appearance they both created in Ukraine and China. We are 100% for you and look forward to joining and supporting your campaign. We simply cannot take another four years of the most corrupt president in American history. And we have plenty of friends and family who feel as we do and have been hoping you would enter. The current Democratic field simply cannot beat Trump.
16
I see a lot of complaints in the comments that he is an old, white, rich guy, and belongs in the Republican primaries. Consider these facts:
- He is in his 70s, just like the three top candidates.
- He is white, just like the three top candidates.
- He is in the top 1%, just like the three top candidates.
- He is a registered Democrat, unlike Sanders.
If his characteristics should disqualify him, then Biden, Warren, and Sanders should be disqualified as well.
17
Bloomberg's major accomplishment as Mayor was extending tax break after tax break to chain stores, high end boutiques, overpriced restaurants, and housing for the upper 1%, while forcing low income people and local small businesses out of New York. Along with Koch and Giuliani, he stripped the heart and soul out of the city and made it into a theme park for the rich.
Bottom line: One Tom Steyer is enough. If Bloomberg wants to help the Democrats, he'd voluntarily give 2% of his wealth to Democratic candidates all over the country, instead of wasting his time and money playing Don Quixote in a journey that will make his legacy into little more than a punch line on Saturday Night Live.
16
There isn't a single discussion of how his policies are different than other democratic candidates in this article. This is horse race coverage at best, and at worse is peddling the idea that wealth is in and of itself a barrier to being a good leader.
Unlike Donald Trump, Bloomberg is actually a self-made millionaire. He cashed in on technology when it was seen as beneath finance. I like the idea of a country that aspires for a better life for all, and maybe that means electing someone who has achieved it.
4
I'm from Ohio, Bloomberg would be my first choice if he ran. He would trample Trump.
9
“More billionaires seeking more political power surely isn’t the change America needs,” Mr. Shakir said in an email. This is the real news here. That and the fact that Bloomberg is presuming to enter the democratic primary when he is a Republican is the other news. I am a lifelong New Yorker who saw the rise of Bloomberg, whose administration only served to enrich the upper class and their interests, to the detriment of our middle, working and poorest residents. This is the same man who because of his privilege and ego, decided he needed to become the mayor of a city he was not from and changed the city charter to run for a third term, because he could. The democratic party and its constituency need to reject this carpetbagger once and for all. We do not need more wealthy, white men to tell us what is wrong and how they can make it right. Reject Bloomberg or accept the lunacy of trump.
7
Well kids, the rich are getting scared and desperate that Warren may win. Bet you if she wins the primaries the rich will vote for trump just to stop anyone making them pay a fair tax rate that us lowly people do, like 7 % and they pay3% or something like that, and gee whiz, that is not counting the bribes to politicians to plug the trickle down theory or vote for lowering taxes on the robber barons. So who better than Bloomberg who understands the how the billionaires would suffer terribly under fair taxation. One literally cried on TV about how terrible and unfair it would be if Warren made him pay his fair share like the rest of us do. Boo hoo, poor little tender billionaires. And even Gates could not bring himself to say he would vote for Warren if she is the candidate.
8
Run as a Republican Mayor Bloomberg. I'm not voting for you as a Democrat. But you might be able to persuade some Republicans.
10
Oh yes, by all means, give us another "market friendly" neoliberal 1 percenter to drive our planet to its grave as quickly as possible.
Sure, beating Trump is critical, but if folks haven't figured out by now that growth-based hyper capitalism is entirely at odds with justice, our environment, and our children's future - we are well beyond hope. Come on people, the hour is late.
12
Mike - if you had jumped into the race eight months ago, then I would consider supporting you. Right now, there seems to be lots of hand wringing within the DNC after recent polling / FEC donation reports - now is not the time to get in the race.
If you want to help now, finance “get out the vote” efforts.
5
He must have calculated how much a Warren presidency would cost him.
17
The arrogance of this billionaire is breathtaking!
Use your money to campaign for gun control . The Democratic Party has a major challenge : to narrow the obscene gap between the very rich and everyone else. We do not trust you to do this!
13
Left wing politics is cent centred around labor standardsand working class politics.
Unless Bloomberg can makes moves in those areas, he is just a man who should be a Republican.
Go back to the right wing.
4
@Elisa
Agreed. It’s obvious he is joining to represent the rich and protect them.
But hey. Come on in.
President Bloomberg.
Has a nice ring to it.
He will save us from a choice of incompetency or botched socialism.
I.Like.Mike!
8
I see many people applauding the possible entry of Mr. Bloomberg into the presidential race. They must be white. Mr. Bloomberg was a mayor for the 1%. His policies did little to help most New Yorkers.If he wants i do something constructive other than stroking his ego he should buy Fox News.
15
Not another bloody New Yorker! Where's a Californian when we need one. OK just kidding. He's a centralist and has the best chance of beating Trump. In 2028 we'll be ready for a more progressive agenda hopefully. This is a big ship to turn.
2
My initial response is "Thank God." This is problematic for Mr. Biden, and in fact Mr. Biden may be ideal for the position. Bloomberg again is a bit too old and too wealthy to represent common folks. But he is smart and competent, and will wipe the floor with Mr. Trump. It might be worth selecting him just to watch him do justl that.
5
Please, please run. We need you now!
5
Please, just go away. We do not need another “billionaire businessman “ in the White House.
Lest anyone forget (even though there are a fair number of sycophants of Mr. Bloomberg’s who will state he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread) that he wants to run a nanny state- no sodas over 12oz (even though at his own company people have unlimited sodas available to them... in 12 oz cups), he is as anti-gun as you’ll ever get, and as long as it is other people’s money, he’s always willing to spend more than necessary (which is odd considering the way he runs his own firm, where MVP rules the day) - the building of the oculus incurred incredible cost overruns because he wanted the facade competed in order to “cut the ribbon” while he was mayor (that decision forced the remaining work to be done through the doors, rather than open area, doubling the cost of I’m not mistaken to somewhere around 4bn if I recall correctly - however some of those details may need adjustment, the effect was not “minor”
Lastly, we should no longer be placing people who have no “need” to answer to us in positions of such power. Trumpsterfire Donald should have made this painfully clear by now.
No, no, no. You are not some savior, please just spend your immense wealth quietly ... try making your company be what you claim it should be... read your own motivational messages, as it certainly is not a meritocracy and does not “do right “ by the customer... too much of your own cool-aid.
5
"Bloomberg...Prepares to Enter 2020...Race"
Oh, thank God. I was afraid there wouldn't be a clueless billionaire available of whom it could be said that Only He Can Save Us!!
Now Bloomberg can join Biden & Steyer in making sure neither Warren nor Sanders can oust Rumpole.
2
@Johann Smythe
One does not amass a multi billion dollar fortune by being clueless.
1
But can he Tweet?
2
@BW asking the real questions!
No need for fancy political analysis here. The reason Bloomberg is running, is that his ego is as big as Trump's.
But that's where the comparison ends. Bloomberg isn't a fool, and he is really rich. On the other hand, his list of political liabilities is long:
1. He is short.
2. He is a New Yorker (Trump was also, but normal rules don't apply to Trump).
3. He isn't married.
4. He is a Jew.
5. He wants to rip a gun, out of the hands of every American.
6. He is a leading abortion advocate.
4
@Peter Zenger
And represents rich people while isn’t Bernie most of that plus representing working class. Bernie is leading New Hampshire and Nevada.
But by all means feel free to have another rich oligarch enter.
Another candidate with a savior complex.
6
If he ran as a Republican, that would be a wise choice. I am dumbfounded that he is thinking of running as a Democrat. If he wanted to he should have started six months ago.
If he ran as a Republican and was nominated (not that far-fetched, given what's going on) then we would have a decent choice and if he won most Democrats would be able to live with that and work with him.
If he does get in the race as a Democrat, the unhappiness Clinton generated when Bernis was shafted by the Dems will seem like a tempest in a teapot.
2
Bloomberg is our only chance
3
Our only chance for even .more. oligarchy...?
Good grief.
1
I do not think any of the candidates in the Democratic poll can beat Trump, and removing Trump is the priority people who care for this country values and character should care for. So I do want Michael Bloomberg to run for the presidency because otherwise Trump will win again in the Electoral College.
3
I’m a classic Independent. I’ve voted for Republicans, I’ve voted for Democrats. I would never vote for Donald Trump. If it were Trump vs. Warren (or Bernie), I’d likely go Libertarian. Biden, though I like the guy, gives me pause with regard to capability.
With this news, I breathe a sigh of relief. There’s now a candidate I would clearly vote for. If he runs, it will feel like a weight has been lifted, knowing there is a viable candidate who will restore sanity to this process and, ultimately, the office.
(Spoiler Alert: he can ACTUALLY win.)
15
@Marty
Nope. He is the one candidate progressives will totally denounce. Good luck
Has anyone accused him of any scandal? In business or government? Nope.
And perhaps it’s not really so easy to switch from being a businessman to a political leader? Many have failed. That he succeeded shows a flexibility & curiosity that’s rare in a successful, wealthy person.
And what about his teams? In government and business, has he ever hired any ineffective creeps? Maybe he could hire a great team in Washington? Maybe smart, innovative folks would want to work for him? Who among the candidates could attract a better team?
And perhaps he “waited” because he hoped Biden would make it. Not because he wants to “cut the line”.
And maybe he hoped for Joe because he knows that Biden would make an excellent President?
Enough hating on “billionaires”. It’s an insanely important election. Don’t we want the best for our kids and our country? Let’s focus on that and see what he has to say before judging him.
38
I believe Bloomberg is the best bet to beat Trump in a general election. To my thinking, we would be extremely fortunate to have him in the race -- leftist voters would vote for him because he is not Trump, and centrist voters would vote for him because he is a centrist. Plus he can actually do stuff -- like build and manage a huge business and successfully rescue and run NYC. Those are real jobs, not pipsqueak political posts that demand relatively little in the way of management and leadership skills. But are Democratic primary voters smart and pragmatic enough to make Bloomberg their candidate?
I hope we at least get the chance to find out.
34
The problem with defeating Trump is the poor list of candidates lined up in the Democrats stable. Warren is very sketchy and Joe is too frail, with Bernie being just off in LaLa land. I just wish Bloomberg was 15 years younger, however he is what the Democrats need.
17
I’d vote for Bloomberg. I’ll vote for whomever the nominee is. I support what Warren and Bernie propose, but how likely are they to be implemented? We need someone to steady the ship, not list it to the left, which would mean we’d continue to be mired in partisan fights. Bloomberg has many virtues, and he supports action on climate change, the most important issue of our time. We must stem the environmental bleeding from Trump’s disasterous policies.
12
Mike Bloomberg would be a superior candidate. Most of the Democratic field forget that the middle-class taxpayer pays most of the budget. Biden has looked good in the past but expect candidate Trump-if he is still in office to hang Hunter Biden out to dry. To me there is still a slight socialistic bent to those currently in the lead. Bloomberg was a good NYC Mayor oriented toward the public's health. He made a multi-million dollar contribution to Johns Hopkins University for tuition for those who can not afford to pay. And he has been very public very early on the necessity to address global warming.
16
@Douglas Lloyd MD -- "Most of the Democratic field forget that the middle-class taxpayer pays most of the budget." No. Where did you get this idea? People with Adjusted Gross Incomes (AGI) over $100,000 paid 78% of the total tax revenue of the United States:
https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy/2017/january/federal-income-taxes-bracket
And the highest earners should pay even more. 20% of children are growing up in poverty. The super-rich need to pay more in taxes.
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@Kip Leitner
No high earners should not pay more we pay too much as it is. 20% of kids are growing up in poverty? No suprise. For decades the Dems have rewarded poor women for having babies.
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Hooray! I would be happy to vote for Mr. Bloomberg.
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Why doesn't Michael Bloomberg run as the Republican he is?
Because just like in NYC, when Michael Bloomberg ran as a Republican after many years as a registered Democrat, it demonstrates he is a political opportunist who thinks his big bank accounts can buy elections. And unfortunately, he was, and may still be, right.
If his efforts gain traction, that is not a better outcome for democracy, in fact it's quite a bit worse. The moneyed crowd will continue to rule our world, and all of us worker bees will be punished for striving for an equitable America. It won't be a change from the Trump doctrine, but rather a continuation of the worst parts.
If he succeeds in his primary elections efforts, Michael Bloomberg will not have challenged Mr. Trump on his Republican political turf. Instead he will have undermined the Democratic Party to disastrous results. I will work day and night to prevent that outcome.
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