I found this to be by far the most engaging debate to date. The whole range of philosophies of the party were on display. It may not have been pretty but this messy melange is what Democracy is all about.
Bloomberg took some hits as we knew he would. I thought he survived and that was the main objective. Criticism about his tax returns was petty. He released them while Mayor. Does anyone think he won't? Missed the whole opportunity to contrast that fact with Mr. Piggy in DC. Warren did a disservice to the party with her performance. Understand she is desperate but that revealed a lot to me.
7
Bloomberg has more managerial experience than everyone else on the stage combined.
I'm voting for him.
17
We must have watched two different debates. I saw the vicious jealousy of Sanders, Warren and Buttigieg. Of course Buttigieg is always ready with a pompous, self serving speech. It’s so automatic it’s like winding up a talking doll. This time it was Klobuchar, but she wasn’t having it. The former mayor of a little midwestern city who managed to alienate its black population fairly quickly,who has never held county wide, statewide or national office, dares to go after one of America’s most politically accomplished women. Please.
Clearly, Warren and Sanders are totally scared of Bloomberg, and they should be. They look like two whiny wannabes next to Bloomberg. At least Biden mostly remained focused on policy.
6
You choose for President:
Warren: The friend you take to your favorite restaurant and she tells you what's wrong with everything on the menu.
Sanders: The old end-of-the-world-is-nye guy yelling at the street corner saying "I am your only path to salvation."
Buttigieg: The new college guy that your boss hired and is going to listen to rather than you who have worked at the plant for 20 years.
Klobuchar: The woman who has kept the books, paid the bill, made the payroll, and cleaned the mess left by the men at the plant for the last 20 years.
Bloomberg: The banker who has loaned money to everyone, and now has everyone indebted to him.
Biden: The old family doctor who has given his best to aid and comfort everyone in town.
Trump: The owner of the casino at the edge of town who sponsors the local high school football team, invites the rich to come and place their bets, and promises those who are scraping by that their luck will soon change.
12
Definitely a circular firing squad. Makes you wonder what planet Bloomberg lives on that he actually tried to get on that debate stage, which only ended up proving that he's wasted about $400 million that could have done a lot of good if otherwise directed. Wonder if he's still enthusiastic about keeping his promise to put a bunch of his millions behind whoever the eventual Democratic nominee is.
As for the lack of enthusiasm for ragging on Sanders--could it be that the Bernie bros are good enough at bullying and trolling that the other Democratic candidates are as afraid of Bernie as the GOP senators are of Trump?
3
The NPR debate was the best one. This one was so bad that I'm writing it off. I want a real president, not reality TV. Putin and his puppet won that one.
6
Didn't like the way smug Elizabeth went after him. When you live 78 years you've probably said things in your life you regret - who hasn't? Its not that he claimed to be of Cherokee descent in order to game the system for personal advantage.
8
Warren was a one woman ' attack dog" sinking her teeth into Bloomberg's juguleer and held fast. I have already voted absentee for Bloomberg in the Michigan primary mainly because felt he had the best, chance to beat Trump ,in spite of his indiscretions. Had I heard Warrren's accusations to which Bloomberg pooly responded, Hmm second thoughts. However, I didn't like her viciousness that gave Trump more "fodder" ....Well, regardless VOTE, ANYBODY BUT TRUMP!
7
I'm sorry, Mr. Bruni but you CAN buy a good debate performance, however, Bloomberg never bothered to do that!
I am not a professional debate coach but I would have improved Bloomberg's performance by 1,000%!
I just would have went over the four most expected (in other guaranteed) questions the others were going to hit him with and we would have crafted good answers to all.
Non-disclosure agreements. Having earned several billions of dollars, never having been vetted (that's a lie) and Stop and Frisk!
He was unprepared and I went and touted his expected great performance in the weeks preceding his appearance.
What the heck, Michael? You didn't have a couple of days to get ready? I still registered as a democrat so that I can vote for you in the Florida primary.
Please don't let me down again!
And, DO NOT ROLL YOUR EYES EVER AGAIN ON TV!
11
Before you do this debate thing again, spend some of your gazillions to buy a personality or pay somebody who has one to stand in for you.
7
Bloomberg is a Republican based on his misogyny, his racism, his opposition to securing social security and Medicare, his belief in the thoroughly false and disproven “trickle down” theory, his dishonesty, not producing his tax returns, etc. He has far more in common with Trump than any Democrat. I’m disgusted by his attempts to buy out the Democratic Party. He was a Republican his entire life until he decided to run for President as a faux Democrat. Destroying our democracy a million dollars every day. He completely failed at the debates and demonstrated that he is NOT qualified to be President. It’s disgusting that the NYT and the mainstream media love him.
5
Frank: with respect, a country that demands telegeneity in its president deserves what it gets.
6
It's not likely that the American people will know the difference between a fool and a friend. They never have. They want to hate the poor.
Punch down America, it's what your good at.
2
Get over it Frank : As former-governor Christie of New Jersey always excuses the actions of trump on Sunday-talk shows :
"That is WHO HE IS." (!!)
At this point in the Democratic process....Mayor Bloomberg stands a better chance of nomination than most all of the
"goof-balls" who stumbled thru Wednesday's debate.
(I am, proudly, a Democrat...beginning with FDR)
5
The other candidates attacked Bloomberg with spin, half truths and outright lies, rather than attacking his proposed policies, which he didn't get much chance to speak to. Some of his responses though were designed to reflect his moderateness, and - who knows? Could win him support of a silent majority of moderates on both sides.
7
Bloomberg does better in the comments section because this paper is from the city he mayor-ed, and many lived well during that tenure. Myself and the travelers I meet from many other countries are hopeful for a change in the 'States' leadership. I support the 'vote blue, no matter who' slogan in November. That says something, doesn't it?
4
This comments from 1875 posters so far shows their impressions and preferred candidates are all over the radar screen. There is ZERO consensus. Brokered convention is virtually guaranteed.
The Trump Campaign thanks you sincerely.
Game over.
2
To all you pro-Bloomberg folks:
If you think Bloomberg is the electable one, think again. Trump would slaughter Bloomberg in debates, on Twitter, in ads, and in every possible forum. Bloomberg showed, with essentially sparring partners, that he can't even stand up to them, let alone try going up against the heavyweight champion of personality destruction himself, Mr. Trump.
If it's Trump vs. Bloomberg, the Democrats will not be fired up in November, and after Trump gets through with Bloomberg, their base will be fired up to elect Trump and we will lose.
If Bernie or Liz are up there fighting Trump, they won't back down, and they have a great arsenal to battle Trump in the trenches, and the Dems will be fired up and we will win.
14
Frank, I agree Bloomberg took hits but in this Trumpian age it will roll off his back without leaving a mark. Sadly.
I don't know what it is that makes some Americans positively weep with joy when Bloomberg joined the race. Is it the possibility they want to be "cared for" by a benign plutocrat?
If yes, its a misplaced trust. If he wins the Democratic Party will move a bit more to the conservative side on most issues that matter.
7
Given the behavior of the other candidates now, I am leaning towards Bloomberg. His history as mayor, noted in these pages today, are good. He is a competent man, obviously.
I would trust him as POTUS.
22
(corrected:) As acrimnonious as you make it seem, suggesting the candidates did Trump's work for him by attacking each other, I think they did the best job possible of trying to defeat each other without helping Trump in that way. Warren's performance during the last several weeks is kind of emblematic: damage your rivals no more and no less than necessary to prevail. But in such a contest, you have to fight hard.
This played out interestingly in making Bloomberg the big pinata everybody could swing at, scoring points for themselves without aggressing too strongly amongst themselves. Each blow dealt had a chessic logic to it.
I must say I am heartened. Like many who supported Sanders in 2016, I feared his moment had passed, especially as others grabbed his fiery inequality message. He threatened to become a relic overshadowed by successors riding his coattails. But instead, he is proving himself seasoned and toughened from these contests, a warhorse who can go the distance.
Increasingly, this election is shaping up to be a true do-over on 2016, a test of what probably would have happened had the Democratic party eschewed the illusory safer path of centrist Hillary and embraced it social justice soul.
This election is shaping up to be a referendum on the soul of the Democratic party and that of the country, how we really feel about the roles of fairness, justice, decency, and money & privilege in our way of life. Bernie represents a recalibration many are pining for.
3
It was not an enjoyable debate, it was very fractious and some of them up there seemed petty and annoying. But for me, Elizabeth seemed strong and in fighting trim. She did what she set out to do and got back into the race.
I wish we didn't have this years long slog. It would be more rational to have the primary last three months, have candidates visit wherever they wanted to and debate ideas on tv, and then have every voter vote at the same time in a primary for either their choice of the Democrats or Republicans. It would be less like a teen drama and more statesmanlike, I think. If the primary had a shorter window there would be less money spent and a more equal playing field. It would be best if they all had the same amount of money to spend! We could see how they used it, and that's a clue.
3
Growing up and living on the near east side of Detroit provided an invaluable insight into upward mobility and why things are like they are in many urban areas.
My high school was about 55% African-American. After serving a tour in Vietnam with the Army I utilized the GI Bill to pay for my undergrad at a public university in Detroit during the 1970s.There were many African-American and Latinos that I had the privilege of serving with who also qualified for the same benefits.
Unfortunately by the 1980s our neighborhood had turned into essentially a war zone. This was due to the actions of a portion of its residents. We finally moved out on the late 1980s. The last of the driving forces was having our phone lines cut one evening. I had to chase away the would be perps, fortunately I possessed a firearm.
As we moved out, one could almost hear liberals, from safe environs, shouting "Look! White flight. That's the cause of problems,"
My ill-gotten privileged inter-generational real estate inheritance consists of an empty lot assessed at $102.
My family has moved from the bottom 20% of the economic ladder to the top 10%.
Living in that neighborhood certainly woke my family, friends and neighbors. When I read OP-Ed pieces by Kristoff all I can do is shake my head.
And on and on it goes, the liberal perpetual motion guilt machine.
And there's no dog whistle to it.
10
As acrimnonious as you make it seem, suggesting the candidates did Trump's work for him by attacking each other, I think they did the best job possible of trying to defeat each other without helping Trump in that way. Warren's performance during the last several weeks is kind of emblematic: damage your rivals no more and n less than nevessary to prevail. But in duch a contest, you have to fight hard.
This played out interestingly in making Bloomberg the big pinata everybody could swing at, scoring points for themselves without aggressing to strongly amongst themselves. Each blow dealt had a chessic logic to it.
I must say I am heartened. Like many who supported Sanders in 2016, I feared his moment had passed, especially as others grabbed his fiery inequality message. He threatened to become a relic overshadowed by successors riding his coattails. But instead, he is proving himself seasoned and toughened from these contests, a warhorse who can go the distance.
Increasingly, this election is shaping up to be a true do-over on 2016, a test of what probably would have happened had the Democratic party eschewed the illusory safer path of centrist Hillary and embraced it social justice soul.
This election is shaping up to be a referendum on the soul of the Democratic party and that of the country, how we really feel about the roles of fairness, justice, decency, and money & privilege in our way of life. Bernie represents a recalibration many are pining for.
At least Bloomberg didn't shred other candidates
on the stage--his rival is Trump. And we need someone
who remembers that, All The Time. Everything else is dross.
Climate Catastrophe, Data gathering and nuclear war are
THE issues--and Climate comes first. I've always voted
Democrate and I know there are many many issues facing
people all over the country (and world) but without a world
to function in, and with authorities watching/directing our
every move, and nuclear wars here and there, what's the
point? Trump and 99% of Republicans have to go. Vote smart.
5
Did Bloomberg pay the people here who are commenting in support of him to be the democratic presidential candidate? Why doesn't he run in the republican primary where he belongs? I imagine millions of women and men were rooting Warren on during her debate performance last night. I was. She has the smarts, compassion, wit, energy, courage and persistence to be an excellent president who will fight for all working people. Warren 2020!
7
Let's not confuse performance at a Democratic party circular firing squad with ability to lead and govern. I do not write off Mr. Bloomberg quite yet. Of more concern is would be nominee Sanders' unwillingness to produce his medical records (79 year old with redent cardiac event) and an unfortunate tendency toward dogmatism and rigidity. His refusal to entertain Rep. Ocasio-Cortez' suggestion that Sanders consider tempering his Medicare For All stance is not a positive sign. Sanders impresses as a divisive figure; not so with Bloomberg.
8
Where's the candidate who can deftly turn a moderator question or opponent attack into a broad discussion of his/her vision for America versus Trump and his lies. I will vote for that candidate and back them wholeheartedly. Instead I heard the same tired anecdotes and platitudes of the recent debates. You can't defeat a tyrant by attacking the peers you need to back you to the hilt in the general. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't tell me any jokes, especially dirty ones.
1
Have you listened to Pete Buttigieg?
2
Mike "One and Done" Bloomberg's political career's epitaph—"Consensual NDAs"
3
Alligators eat their young and last night's debate saw at least more than one reptile devour the new guy. The democrats did less to put people in an anti-Trump mindset than they did in embarrassing themselves. Ms. Warren, now claiming to be the "underdog," took the opportunity to debase herself by going for Mr. Bloomberg's jugular and refused to let go. How she thinks this endeared her to anyone on the fence about her is a mystery. I would not want another out-of-touch misogynist to take the white house again but these candidates are derailing their party by putting on a spectacle of this sort. The mean-spirited tone on that stage (from Buttigieg and Sanders as well as Warren) was depressing as there was far too much grotesque name-calling and abject arrogance to serve any of these candidates well. Get it together DNC or you'll be handing the white house to the current POTUS for four more miserable years.
5
I agree with all of Frank's points except the last one--that trump was a winner of the debate. There's nothing wrong with Dem's fighting and toughening up on this debate stage. They will all be ready for the complacent cow when he comes on stage, just as they were ready for bloomberg.
I see bernie, elizabeth, pete, and amy all fine and able candidates and it seems the media wants to knock them down more than the citizens. I mean, the race is divided not because there is no strong front runner, but because there are four great potential front runners.
1
Nathan I agree with your points with one exception. It is not good to insult cows when they have more equal representation than people ;).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/16/are-cows-better-represented-senate-than-people/?arc404=true
If we just convince some of them to vote blue no matter moo then we will take over a number of red states and win the election...
Give Bloomberg a chance. He's new to presidential debate, but he's determined, and he learns fast.
7
Decided to sit down and listen to the Dems. debate hoping for enough from them to confirm my choice for my vote. That lasted 20 minutes. The enemy was trump, instead they formed a circular firing squad and tore each other apart. Winner trump. For now anyway. Still have faith in the voter to defeat trump at the polls, but these candidates running still look at each other as the enemy.
3
Why is it that whenever Democratic candidates criticize one another in a debate, some have to bemoan that "Trump won"? IT'S A DEBATE. They're supposed to and should distinguish themselves from one another, which involves criticizing the other candidates. Such criticism now helps the eventual nominee, not hurts her or him. Better to air weaknesses now than leave it to Trump to lay them bare.
6
Totally agree with your Op-Ed. The Democrats are such idiots to not realize that attacking each other, rather then Trump, hands the White House and Senate back to the Republicans. Bloomberg might yet prevail and I hope so. We don't need anymore nasty politicians, and everyone else on the stage, minus Bloomberg and Biden, came across as very nasty. Warren didn't win the debate, she lost it, because voters are turned off by the nasty comments. We get enough misery from Trump. I would say the Bloomberg will prevail because he was least nasty.
7
I weep for my party...when I have no good choice other than a former Republican to vote for.... how did we get to here from there?
Mike needs to save this country from it's citizens for it's future citizens. Nothing more to say......
3
He was terrible during the Debate. He failed on his responses to Women and Minorities. I was going to Vote for him....not now.
6
@Philip W
Bloomberg couldn't conceal his strongly held belief that he expects all that approach him bow.
7
Do not underestimate Donald. Donald is vicious. Democratic Party debate was all but glib. Panacea for the Democrats. Sugar high. Mike is the Achilles heel against Donald.
1
I think he had 1 of the best lines of the night when he pointed out that Sanders is a millionaire with 3 houses. Sanders immediately got defensive. I wonder why? Made me wonder what percent of his $ he donates to democratic socialist causes. Maybe Sanders is just a socialist with other people's money.
3
How in the world can any dem candidate be tarnished in comparison to trump? The dem nominee has a plethora of trumps wrong doings do throw at trump.What's Mikes' scandals compared to trump raping a 13 year old girl or his incestuous actions towards Ivanka? What's Bidens' son actions in comnparison to trumps' children selling visas or cheating St. Judes Hospital out of funds? What's Bernies' lake house in comparison to trump having to pay back 25 of the 46 million he stole with his fake university ?The list goes on but if the dems can't use all of trumps' multiple evils against him then they don't deserve to win.
1
I've seen Bloomberg's ads and none of them attack any of the Democrat candidates for President nor do they really focus on him. What they do is level the playing field for any Democrat who wins the nomination. His ads attack Trump and if you don't think that's an incredible gift, you must live on another planet.
19
Trump 2020
The Silent Majority rules!
1
Mike was all cattle, no hat...
9
If Bloomberg has any substantial support within the Democratic Party, that would certify that the current Democratic Party is anti-worker, anti-women, anti-minority, pro-rich white guys. Why would the Democratic Party be foolish enough to want that? The only possible answer is that at its core the party is pro-rich white guy, hardly distinguishable from the Republicans.
Bernie Sanders is offering the Democrats the chance to again become the party of the poor and the working class, to become again the party of FDR's New Deal and LBJ's Great Society. If the Democratic establishment blocks that path, blocks Sanders, then the poor and the working class know that the Democratic Party has nothing to offer them, and the Democratic Party will become even more irrelevant than it currently is. The Republicans will win.
6
Macron for president
2
Mike was the only adult and statesman on the stage. Just a few words about how you run a government. The only one on the stage having business experience and running the government of the largest city in the US. I was surprised over how little time he was allowed compared to the other participants attacking each other and especially Mike. Mike is the only one of last night’s screaming crowd fit for the job of POTUS!
13
Ah, “Mike and Mike alone” can fix it? Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that what you’re saying?
8
Finally we're cutting out the middlemen in this Oligarchy.
This is the Age of Battling Billionaires.
The Republican Bombastic Billionaire Don the Trump vs.the Democratic Benevolent Billionaire Mike the Bloom.
The real power is their wealth! Everyone is kowtowing to the dollar that they're hoping to get a piece of.
This is the culmination of Citizens United.
Don't be fooled again!
Capitalism vs. Democratic Socialism?
Oligarchy forever!
7
Healthy debate. There are huge differences between the candidates so quite normal that there was tension and energy out there. This is not a tea party. What is at stake is the future of this nation. A quasi-fascist oligarchy, a spineless oligarchy-painted-as-liberal-democracy or a social democratic civil society taking guidance from John Rawls and not Karl Marx.
Bernie with Warren as his VP will be unbeatable. It was clear to me last night that it is the elegant solution to the mess.
9
Is anybody paying attention to just had badly the DNC is managing this entire repulsive display of disunity among some of their best and brightest. Is it time for Perez to move along? Seems so.
8
After last night's debate, I honestly don't want to vote for any of these characters. I will but it doesn't matter who it is as long as it's a Democrat Democrat.
3
For all the talk about Sanders having a lead in "national polling," I have yet to see whether he has a lead that can defeat the current president in the electoral college.
Running up the vote count in California and New York is meaningless. Keeping Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin in play is what matters. How does he run there?
5
From the time Bloomberg announced his candidacy, I felt this was fundamentally wrong to try to buy the presidency. I wish him well in his business endeavors, but he should stay behind the scenes and support the Democratic party, rather run for President. I hope he has the good sense to quit before he makes a bigger fool of himself.
4
Cue the storylines about how Bloomberg can’t buy his way out of a debate. It’s the debates that are a joke. Who wants to vote for a slick talker? Who values a good debate “performance”? Bloomberg’s record as a mayor, a self-made (and real) billionaire and an extremely generous philanthropist speaks for itself. D
10
Not a Bloomberg fan.
But pointing out the hypocrisy of a millionaire socialist with 3 homes is not hypocritical for an avowed capitalist. It's been rightly pointed out that Bernie no longer rails against "millionaires and billionaires" since becoming a millionaire.
3
That debate was like watching the Democratic Party commit suicide on national TV. And Chick Todd’s last question of the night was just lighting the fuse on the bomb that’s going to blow this party to smithereens. Brace yourself for another four years of Trump. Ridiculous that we can’t muster an acceptable alternative to one of the worst people to ever sit in the Oval Office.
7
Are we voting for the candidate with the “best” debate skills or are we voting for the candidate with the best experience, plans and goals for America and for the candidate who we feel can best execute the office of president? Everyone is human and can stumble in sort of debate venue. Public debate skills are only so important on the “resume” of a presidential candidate.
8
Trump won last night. Most of them looked unpresidential most of the time. It was beyond ugly. How many thousands of voters were converted to cynics last night alone, who won't vote for any of this bunch? Nobody talked about Senate coattails. The socialist as nominee would be on every line of every ballot in November. Good grief. At this point, whether or not he is the nominee, he will be on every line of every ballot. The frontrunner was not properly held to account for hiding his medical records a la Trump, or for the appallingly vicious and misogynistic behavior of his supporters this week. The winner of the debate is really the loser because she is still painting herself as the frontrunner's minion. The rest of them made the same kind of thinking mistake when whey decimated one another but refused to confront the frontrunner's conspicuous shortcomings. This was the worst debate of all of them. It was reality TV not a proper presidential debate. I don't want another reality TV, 140-character, my way or the highway, loud and bullying president. I'm writing the whole thing off.
4
This year is the 60th anniversary of the first TV presidential debate, which was Kennedy vs. Nixon in 1960. And over all these years a science has developed for how as a candidate you prepare for these events. You set up a replica of the debate stage and lock yourself in that room for a day. You have the right people act as stand-ins for the other candidates and questioners. You anticipate every possible question and develop carefully-crafted answers. Then you run though the drill, letting your stand-ins hit you with questions and abuse as you perfect your responses. By the time of the actual debate you should be ready for a flawless performance.
I'm a big fan of Mayor Bloomberg. And, I view him as our salvation from the Trump evil and as the person who can get our once-great country back on track. Which made me all the more disappointed at his poor performance Wednesday night—it seemed as though he had not prepared at all. I think most of us could have strolled onto that stage in his place and done no worse. What the heck is up?
They say we’re never too old to learn, and I'm hoping he learned from this experience. He's still my guy, but geez Mike, you're the only one who can save us, and you have to do better than this. I've always felt in a Trump vs. Bloomberg debate Mike would eat Trump alive, and I'm still holding out hope that he gets his karma together and fulfills that vision for me.
5
@Jerry Schulz His job was to not get sucked into mud slinging and petty squabbling. He did it.
1
Is Bernie Sanders George McGovern II? Sanders supporters should reflect on that electoral debacle.
3
@M Volpe
I suspect most of Sanders' supporters were not born when Nixon v. McGovern occurred, so they won't know who was McGovern.
4
Sanders has a big coalition. He's the real thing, in terms of Democratic values, and though I agree with Warren and Steyer a bit more than I do with Sanders when I tally up all the issues, Sanders has had a consistent and principled vision for the country for many years.
We could use some socialism in this country. No, Sanders isn't a socialist. He is, in this country, just a liberal Democrat. But he advocates for what we need: more job opportunities, more economic security, universal and affordable access to health care, the best climate change policy proposal on the table, doing something about massive income inequality, and making college far more accessible to Americans.
11
@CastleMan He is a good advocate. A doer is needed to implement.
1
I don’t understand the claim that Trump is afraid of Bloomberg. Trump was afraid of Biden when he announced and we got the Ukraine debacle and total acquittal to boot. Look at Biden’s chances now.
If Trump is truly (no pun intended) afraid of Bloomberg it’s a sure bet his gang of henchmen are out there scouring through Bloomberg’s bloomies. once again Giuliani will hold a prominent role since he was mayor prior to Bloomberg and knows where the nuclear skeletons are hiding.
Just wait until the supersize soda ban gets resurrected. They’ll spin it as a violation of the 2nd amendment.
Does Bloomberg have what it takes to deal with this? Last night wasn’t convincing enough.
2
@Agent 99 People pay Bloomberg 8.5 billion a year for Information. Trump is at war with the FBI and CIA. Who wind the info-war?
1
NYT broke a record. Five consecutive days of anti-Bloomberg Opinions. OK, OK. We know you wanted Warren or Klobuchar.
Not so sure Bloomberg did as bad as this opinion thinks. All the candidates went after Bloomberg because they clearly see him as the front runner. If you put Warren or Sanders in the Barrel and the remaining candidates peppered them with specifics on how they really intend to pay for all their plans it would have been worse.
6
He did that bad, he’s ads were starting to work on me but not now. Bad.
5
Even Obama had one bad debate, his first with Romney, that almost sunk his chances -- and that was _after_ Obama had out-campaigned Hillary and McCain and had been president for four years. Obama bounced back, and Bloomberg still might -- but only if, like Obama did, he takes this setback seriously and spares no effort to correct it.
6
Bloomberg might have said the most important thing of the evening. Voters need to take the performance of incumbents into account before they vote for them a second (or tenth) time. Even if they seem to be nice people get them out of office if their government isn't performing well.
4
Last night had to be the most humbling experience of Michael Bloomberg's life. Better late than never.
6
Money doesn't prove one thing about any person's ability to lead people. We know this first hand from our experience of the past three years, having a dotard fool in the White House.
Money is not the end all of one's value to humanity.
Value to humanity and conviction to equal opportunity and to the truth....what America sorely needs!
2
@ultimateliberal
Doubt that trump has anywhere near the amount of money he claims. He is a failed businessman.He was, is and always will be a conman.
1
What we have with MB is a failure to inspire and communicate.
4
Bloomberg looked surprisingly presidential. Others looked snappish and petty. I think I will switch to Bloomberg. He can not only beat Trump, but he can reverse a lot of the damage done over the past four years.
13
Totally agree. I am ready to vote for Mike. This barrage of pettiness and negativity REALLY turned me off.
7
@Mark in Louisiana
Flat affect is not presidential.
12
Wait a minute?! This isn't a dramedy show? Kind of like West Wing with a touch of Survivor and a skosh of Veep?
This was just a test session for the poor little rich guy. He will have his consultants reformulate his stage presence and retrain him and maybe add an ear mic for his stealth prompter.
We just love our benevolent billionaires akin to the way we revere Our Father Who Art in Heaven.
Did we not learn anything from our Billionaire in Chief?
Oligarchy is the penultimate fruit of rampant capitalism.
I mean, Bill Gares??!! The height of goodness and benevolence. Thus further proof of survival of the fittest and winner take all and Texas Holdem all in poker?
They worked hard and earned their wealth and now largesse. Did you ever work hard like them? We want the conceit that the magic ring is still waiting for us all. It's a lottery ticket mindset. Is that why we complacently put up with this con game?
3
I have a serious question for Maureen Dowd:
Do you have a problem with female candidates, madam?
You "loved" Trump almost as much as Hillary Clinton.
Amy Klobuchar and Liz Warren do get your worst scores.
Of course, it may happen that ladies actually happen to be the worst candidates and the rest of us don't see it ...
Sure.
5
@polonski
This is Frank Bruni's column.
5
@Pia
I couldn't find where to put it.Sorry.
Fact is, Russian help aside, I'm still sore about Ms. Dowd articles about HIllary Clinton back in 2016, and Mr. Sanders not quitting earlier.
It often happens that stupidity leads to tragedy.
2
"There was another winner: Trump. The candidates flexed so much disdain for one another that they had a limited reserve for him, and I can imagine Trump and his advisers scouring the night’s transcripts for tips on how to take down whoever the eventual Democratic nominee is."
Debate (noun): A formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting, in which opposing arguments are put forward.
In reading through some of the comments I'm left wondering what people were expecting from last night. That they were going to join hands and sing Kumbaya? People talking about circular firing squads and such. Seriously, folks, it was a debate!
Yes, it got spirited, but these issues are important. These are serious times, and serious matters. I for one was glad that all of the candidates, with the exception of Bloomberg apparently, took them seriously and came prepared to fight for their position.
Did it get a bit nasty? Well, yes, granted it did. As these things are wont to do. We go through this every four years when there's a contested election. Just calm down. It's all going to work out.
4
The mess of the Democratic primary is democracy working. Ain't it great? It may be the last time we see it; So, really love and appreciate every chaotic step of it my friends.
If you want to live in a real democracy; you'd better have the stomach for rough and tumble politics. Politeness and comity come with unchallenged power.
4
Headline: 'Democrat Debate Winner, Trump!' Democrats love suicide; on Election night 2020, remember this night. Who and what wake up call can save us.
4
Bloomberg is a non starter with his plans to cut Social Security in his policies.
3
@Jacquie. If this were 1933, Bloomberg would be calling FDR's retirement insurance for all (commonly referred to as Social Security) as "communism."
6
Frank Bruno is right: Trump was watching last night. He can’t help himself. It’s reality TV.
And if Trump saw that debate, I’m predicting Trump will walk off the stage if he debates any of these Democrats.
They won’t let that slippery weasel escape, and he knows it. Trump will be left trying to use canned lines, stupid name-calling, and that array of adjectives he uses to praise his own mediocrity and mendacity. He’ll look like a fool.
I hope Trump saw last night’s debate, and if he did, I bet he’s quivering in his loafers . . .
3
@WestHartfordguy
You must have been watching a different debate since none of the candidates came across as strong performers. Besides, the only real possibilities are Sanders and now Bloomberg since the others are either fading away or never had a real chance to begin with.
Could this be Bloomberg's idea of an expensive joke?
3
I was open to the idea of Bloomberg before this debate.
Now, you can count me as a never Bloomberger. Make that a double never Bloomberger with cheese.
7
@Jim Anderson
And a 50 ounce coke with ice!
3
Yeah, he busted. But he's still the only candidate that can beat Trump. Trump is afraid of him. Democrats are stupid, they should have been slamming Trump last night instead of each other. I don't care that Bloomberg has made mistakes in his past, everyone has. What I care about is that he's smart, honest, came from a poor family, has executive experience, and knows Trump inside and out. The fact that he's a billionaire is just icing on the cake. He's not trying to 'buy the election' as if anyone could actually do that, he just wants to get his message out. If any of the others had a great message, they'd be swimming in dough too. But they don't, they're all the same, just screaming platitudes.
8
Anyone who truly plans to "vote blue no matter who" would be best served by checking out now and voting for Bernie.
Why? Because his supporters won't do it. They prioritize their bank accounts over getting rid of Trump. And their bank accounts won't be hurt that badly by Trump vs. having some other moderate in office.
Especially with him spending a significant amount of time as front runner, they will not back down. Maybe for Warren - I hoped she would see a resurgence after last night - but it seems she's still declared dead in the water. If Bloomberg somehow wins the nomination, I would frankly expect a third party run by Sanders.
So let's just get on with it.
3
I'll always vote for Bernie, he is the future of political thought.
However, Bloomberg has the values for 2020, and he is strong enough to help us recover from T's damage. Mike performed well last night by not lowering himself to the cat-fight of the others; he looked very Presidential.
7
@Stark,
I don't understand how some people can honestly say they could go for Sanders *or* Bloomberg. They represent vastly different viewpoints on most matters. Unless your only concern is getting Trump out of office which is fine, but it's hard to uphold any kind of principles if that's the case.
3
@Locke_ Yes these candidates have little in common.
1
I think the pundits are completely wrong about Bloomberg. I think he won the debate because he was attacked by establishment Democratic candidates so vigorously. They handed it to him by focusing so much attention on him. I think that's how voters will see it. (BTW, Sanders qualifies as an establishment Democratic candidate, even if he's to the left of most establishment Dems. He caucuses with Senate Dems. I'm to the left of Sanders, but I vote for Dems, too.) Bloomberg might not have responded in the same vociferous and strident way that the others did, but he'll be coached. I'm with Sanders, but I think Bloomberg is going to continue to rise in the polls.
8
Here we go again, the circular firing squad. The Democrats will never learn, people don't care about your petty squabbles. All the candidates diminished themselves. They were bloodthirsty and showed a side of them that was not admirable. They brought themselves down to the level of Trump, not an easy task.
The skills to win a debate such as we witnessed tonight are not the skills needed to be a good president. This was more like a hockey match than a debate. Let's see who can get in the best zinger. We know how bad Trump is, but we now know that the Democrats are not much better when it comes to being the adult in the room. Trump was, far and away, the winner tonight.
If Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren win the nomination, we'll have four more years of Trump. Many Democratic moderates, Independents and Republican moderates will either stay home or vote for Trump on Nov.3. Is this the best the Democrats could come up with, children arguing over a toy? Trump will be laughing all the way to his next SRO event.
6
I am having a sampler made with this line: "I’ve seen chum treated with more delicacy by great white sharks."
4
Evidently, he is not used to have to fight to get something.
The guy thinks that he can just buy whatever he wants, including the presidency.
9
I was disgusted by Warrens cheap attack antics, as well as those others disgraceful dirty bullying behavior. They all had countless skeletons Bloomberg could have dragged out of their closets, but he was the only one respectful of other candidates. Some like Sanders looked positively wacky. Warren knows NDAs are legal agreements negotiated between parties and their lawyers, and to press him to void them was just shabby. Only Bloomberg showed grace under pressure, and the only one that seemed presidential.
18
@Patrick McGowan
Please, watch it again.
6
@Patrick McGowan
If the NDAs were just about dirty jokes that fell flat, there should be no issue for him to release them.
NDAs are not written in stone. As we saw from Stormy Daniels, you can break and NDA and still fall flat when you have nothing scandalous to conceal.
The candidates went for Bloomberg because that's the tone he set with his social media memes.
When you promote ridiculous "Bernie bro" memes that aren't even fact checked, and post a photoshopped picture of Bernie aiming a handgun at you, are you there to play nice and attack Trump? No.
You're there gunning for Sanders because he the temerity to have 1.5 million donors and the largest approval rating out of all candidates (and Senators).
3
Thank you Frank Bruni for calling out the nastiness of the debate last night. Most of the pundits called it a big win for Elizabeth Warren. I went in liking Bloomberg, and found her attacks on him distasteful, and worse, dishonest. She took things from his past and painted them in the worst possible light. She turned litigation against his company to litigation against HIM for sexual harassment. She turned his comment about the relaxation of criteria for mortgages in previously redlined neighborhoods as being the beginning of the great recession into his "supporting redlining." Where are the fact-checkers? I don't think Warren helped herself in the long run. She merely showed herself as desperate enough to compromise the chances every candidate, including the one who will get the nomination, of ever reaching the White House.
12
"It was as if the candidates had made a private pact to eviscerate Bloomberg."
Would this somehow be wrong? We should tolerate yet another ultra wealthy old business tycoon with a penchant for abusing women and minorities?
We need a true contrast to Trump who has some possibility of understanding the challenges most of us lead.
Warren vs. Trump is the debate worth holding. Everything else is too easily imaginable, laughable, or pathetic.
6
If you think the Democratic debates “uncomely,” what word would come to mind to describe the repugnant trump rants we are subjected to daily, not to mention his past debate performances? Seriously, Frank, get real.
7
Obama is right: this whole mess is turning into a circular firing squad. It almost wants me to urge the DNC to go back in time and dispense with debates and caucuses and primaries entirely and go straight to a contested, brokered convention. Let the political pros hammer it out and come out with a winner they know the country could accept. I don't trust the candidates nor the people who vote for them to do this with any thought to party unity and the grave issue of defeating Trump.
5
@Rick Morris
"The political pros hammer it out" ??? Seriously, you mean the pros who desperately protect the status quo, the pros who gave us Hiliary, the pros who spend their time on the coasts raising millions and ignoring the entire working class, the pros who told us that a public option could never be in the US, the pros who allowed email hacking, Wall St speaking fees and attempted to squash Bernie in 2016. Hmmm, think I'll stick to basic democracy.
4
@RSR
Hey, I like democracy as much as you do. So why not just let the Democrats tear themselves apart and hope (pray) that the loser's supporters rally around the winner - just like Bernie's supporters didn't do with Hillary back in 2016.
1
What a spectacle! I’ve never witnessed a more unappealing line-up of Democratic Party presidential candidates in my 45 years of voting.
I would even go so far as to suggest that the SNL ‘candidates’ have more going for them.
8
@Susanna Perhaps you missed the 2016 Republican debates.
3
Despite all the fist fight and bloody noses, glad Warren is back.
Don't agree the debate helped in any way trump. It showed that Warren, Klobuchar and Buttigieg can take him on quite easily, if he find the courage to debate any of them, which he will not.
Bloomberg, Sanders and Biden are old, tired men despite putting their best foot and botoxed face (Biden) forward.
Still, will vote for whoever is the nominee and will vote blue and work into getting as many people as I can to register to vote and vote blue.
This corrupt Administration and Senate has to go.
3
I tried to give Bloomberg a contribution, but he would not take it.
3
@Mitch
He needs to hire a debate coach.
2
@Mitch
Maybe you can donate some debate advice instead.
1
The horror of Bloomberg! Just because he was mayor of a conservative bastion like NYC doesn't mean his policies, like stop and frisk would fly in other cities. Oh wait, NYC was always against stop and frisk. No?
You need to get honest about race and I'm not talking about the Republicans.
5
It's pitiful that they wasted there time in a mud-slinging contest instead of seriously discussing and expounding ideas and saying how they would try to solve the grave problems affecting the country.
3
Reuters reports Bloomie spent more on media ads so far than the rest of the candidates put together.
According to Wikipedia, many countries don't allow paid campaign ads on their media. This is to prevent special interests from taking over their political discourse. So their citizens wouldn't be subjected to the ad onslaught a la Bloomberg. Bu they would find out just what he proposes and stands for.
Many countries don't allow pharma ads on TV. They don't think medicine should be markented like any consumer product.
Those are 2 huge differences from US. We are swamped by both.
The ripple effects? How much profit does our news media get from this? Then how does it affect their coverage of issues affecting our lives---what issues they pick, and how they present them? What are the limits that are media stays within when discussing issues affecting our lives ---despite it's pride in being a 'free press', with 1st Amendment protection from explicit govt censorship?
In most countries health care for all has been a right for decades. but here we just don't know when we'll ever be able to get same. The ways of financing HC already operating in dozens of countries aren't discussed on our media.
But we're inundated with commercials for insurance and pharma. And politicians.
4
@Meredith the US is still the first and only society founded on free speech
I am disgusted by Warren’ s nasty and mean spirit, Sanders’ yelling and Biden’s pathetic struggle. Also surprised on how unprepared Bloomberg is. I mean these are the questions and attacks one should easily easily anticipated, what his high-paying team has done to prepare him? Shouldn’t he have the answers ready to go? If not prepared why does he agree to come to the stage? Disappointed. He should fire his advisors and restarted.
7
@May he had answers.
1
Yup, Trump won that debate. The 5 angry career politicians made sure of it. God forbid someone who's given away a greater percentage of his wealth than any of them challenge their self appointed roles as guardians of the Presidency/Republic? Such arrogance and purity might work in a college setting, but it's no metric for the task ahead.
6
The fake democrat got slapped good and hard. Anyone yearning for his candidacy has no love of democracy. He's Bezos and Zuck with a better marketing agency. He'll be a 2nd Donald Trump without being as much of a jerk about it. Not my idea of moving forward.
And what's with these 90 year old men and women? Geriatric retreads are the best we have to build our future on? I'll take my chances with one of the younger candidates. And if it has to be a geriatric, let it be Bernie. He promises true disruption which is just fine with me. The two party system has destroyed this country and is an incredible disservice to constituents. As is the electoral college. Having to campaign in 2-4 swing states isn't anything to write home about. One person, one vote. Get rid of the electoral college.
If I didn't despise Trump so much, I would probably not vote at all for the first time in 45 years. That's how disgusted and disappointed I am in our nominating and election process.
3
@Rich Sanders is the fake Democrat. Bloomberg, except for a stint as a Republican during his time as Mayor, was and is, actually, a member of the Democratic Party. Unlike Sanders, who never was and still is not a member of the Party...just a user.
7
@Mack
Do members of the Democratic party attack Obamacare and endorse Republicans running for office?
3
@Rich Bloomberg is more disruptive. Check out this thread
I am amazed at how many seem to be giving in to the fear stoked by "moderates" trying to hold the Democratic party hostage if their chosen candidate is "too far to the left."
Capitulating to the so-called centrists and moderates got us Trump in the first place. It's time these people wake up and stop pretending to be Democrats because they are not.
Replacing Trump with a billionaire businessman will be the final nail in the coffin for this country. If you don't understand that then you aren't paying attention. Dark money from the bottomless pockets of the elite is the cancer in our system and the odds of full recovery are bleak. Stop allowing the wealthy to exploit our government and us, its citizens, for their benefit.
7
@OneAnon
The disruptive change you so desire will never happen with a Republican Senate.
Trump is a junkyard dog in those debates. The only candidate who could equal or best him is Bloomberg.
Trump would eat the rest for lunch and pick his teeth with their bones.
7
@JohnNy
MB sure was a gladiator last night!
I can't stop laughing.
9
Bloomberg is the only one who can save this country now. The Dems are pathetic.
6
I’d love to read an analysis of the structure of these debates and the nature of the questions asked. The moderators - ha! Moderators not! - asked questions meant to start a street fight. They behave like they are there to promote ratings, not uncover the true nature and philosophies of the candidates. These debates are useless to this voter.
8
Bloomberg got one thing right last night: the only winner was Donald Trump. This is such a huge election, one that will determine whether this country remains a democracy. All these tiny little minds could come up with last night was ways to pick at each other's scabs. As a Democrat, I was crushed by the sorry display from one end of the podium to the other.
4
He is like Trump. He's so arrogant and disconnected that he thought he didn't even have to prepare for the debate, that voters would go for him, just the way he is.
He has no clue how repugnant he is to many voters.
He and Trump both have Napoleon complexes.
People bash Sanders for not being in the Democratic party. What party does Bloomie belong to again? He's been a big funder of GOP, and of some politicians allied with McConnell.
Napoleon Bloomberg is not trying to actually save the country---he just saw the criminal presidency of Trump as an opportunity to step in and to take advantage of the bad situation.
5
“Much of his 12-year record as a three-term mayor of America’s most populous city is commendable.”
Like what?
Refusing raises for teachers?
Stop and Frisk?
Muslim surveillance?
Letting public housing decay?
Increasing the homeless population and destroying programs that reduced homelessness?
Not restoring the 500 million dollars per year that Giuliani cut from NYTransit (the subways and buses) in 1994?
A legally dubious 3rd term?
The giant mall that is Hudson Yard?
Super tall towers that are the 5th “homes” of billionaires?
All the construction crane collapses on his watch?
14
Bloomberg is definitely not Spartacus.
4
Bloomberg's skipping the first few primaries was reasonable and an efficient use of his time and resources, considering the few delegates at stake in Iowa and New Hampshire.
As long as he avoided public appearances, he could remain the larger-than-life figure portrayed in his ads, a bit mysterious for those of who aren't familiar with him as mayor of New York. He should have stayed out of the debate. He did himself no good and he obviously did not want to be there.
If he's going to buy his way in, he doesn't need the debates. Neither do any of the rest of us. Last night's was embarrassing and repulsive. I came away grim in the conviction that none of the democrats will beat trump.
3
I turned on the debate half way into it and I could immediately see that Bloomberg was a fish out of water. He needs to go back to running his TV network and leave the politics to the professional sharks while deciding if he really wants to pay for any of their campaign ads during the general election. After last night I would advise Bloomberg to donate that money to better causes.
2
So to me the real question is which of two strategies to adopt to defeat Trump in the few states that will be decisive: 1. “Rally the base” or 2. “Win over the swing voters.” We have all seen the latter strategy work, eg Carter in 1976, Clinton in 1992, Obama in 2008. What would be an example of a successful deployment of the former strategy for electing a new president?
If the best answer is Trump in 2016, I’m unconvinced that is the way to go in 2020.
@Kinsale 1
The democraticbase does not live in the electoral states that matter.
@dba That’s how I see it. So winning over the moderate swing voter is the only path forward.
Moderate Republican here, discouraged by the lack of counterbalance needed by the presence of a solid Democratic Party to correct the excesses of the right.
Where is the leadership in the party? Perhaps Obama should come forth. I recall his fantastic speech “A More Perfect Union” before the election. He needs to give another one.
2
The Dems need to stop attacking each other and, in the cases of Biden and Klobuchar, stop reiterating past accomplishments. Nobody cares to hear about previous participation in negotiations (Biden) or legislation sponsored (Klobuchar). Rather the candidates need to present a vision of a better America. They also have to stop assuming that ours is a society consisting only of the very rich and the poor. Even if the middle class is diminishing, it is the determining force in the electorate. 60 percent of US households are homeowners, most with reasonably decent lives. They want more fairness and opportunity (not a revolution qua Bernie). Probably most want to get rid of Trump but not at the cost of upending their current way of life.
5
@Susan
Unfortunately, people want entertainment and sound bites rather than to be educated.
When Warren educates, people ignore her. When she stands up for what's right in a more confrontational way, people begin to listen a little bit - except Bernie bros who are committed to the sound of their own voices and aware only of their own battles.
3
What an unbearable spectacle to watch! There is no more urgent need to have Donald Trump not be re-elected. We watched what turned out to be "a food fight", with people eviscerating each other with raised voices , anger and hostility. Interrupting one another and not listening to the other, demonstrating thin skinned sensitivity at being insulted . I refer to Amy Klobuchar, whose juvenile upbeat jolliness came crashing down when she was called about not remembering the name of the President of Mexico.
Of course Donald Trump was the winner, his advisers might use segments of that debate for their ads to his advantage.
Has the standard of civil discourse descended so low?'Did those candidates want to demonstrate that they can be as loud and mean and insulting, humiliating and bullying as the present Commander in Chief?
It feels like open season for people to take any liberty they choose to demonize and denigrate and dehumanize their opponents for personal gain. It is a high price to pay to attempt to become the leader of the first world.
A dismaying display of Juvenile behaviour in need of attention.
5
@Lolita
They're competing against each other in an arena where the best "fighter" wins.
Yes, that is stupid but it is the current reality.
Recall how Trump beat his opponents for the nomination? Vile names and lies mostly - a strategy which he relies on to this day and clearly always will.
At least the Dems are in fact staying civil and discussing things that really happened and should weigh in so that we can avoid another Trump in Dem form.
2
@m.r.f.
I see your point. I worry about the example it sets for the young for people who are going to vote for the first time, setting an example of hostility and a confrontational manner of debating . It appears that they wanted to demonstrate and flex their muscles for the debates against DT.
They all have something worthwhile to contribute, I feel there needs to be a more civil way of getting your point of view across.
While Mayor Bloomberg has done some very admirable things related to public service, the timing of his entry into this race leads me to believe that his true intentions for running for the Democratic nomination are not entirely noble.
Any voter somewhat tempted by Bloomberg's candidacy should ask themselves question: in a hypothetical match up between Sanders (or Warren) and Donald Trump, what keeps Michael Bloomberg up at night? The thought of Sanders losing that match up, or the thought of Sanders winning?
7
@Hoops n Politics Trump horrifies Bloomberg
The debate made it clear that even the democratic leadership all hate one another and think the others are lame. Perhaps voters will agree in November.
3
His taxes aren't ready yet. How about last year's?
7
On the issue of climate change, Buttigieg should have been skewered by all present for his claim that his agenda will have the USA carbon neutral by 2050.
Excuse me, last I read, scientists are looking at a 12 yr. window to turn the collapse of the climate around.
It seems Bernie Sanders is the only candidate to understand radical changes are necessary.
Bloomberg, Biden, Klobuchar or Buttigieg, as the moderate hope, are not what's presently needed to save the planet.
3
@GP Bloomberg is the climate radical
I am continually amazed at how often wealth and talent/intelligence/character are mistakenly conflated in this country. Bloomberg was an embarassment---completely unprepared and unable to defend or explain the indefensible--racist and misogynist behavior, worship of wealth and his Republican bona fides all done with a glib and arrogant manner. The comment section here continues to show that too many approach this election like a gambler--trying to predict what others will do rather than voting their hopes and vision for what this country could be. Bernie Sanders articulates a vision of social justice, inclusiveness, innovation and a government grounded in morality. The fear of Sanders is not one of "socialism" but rather of the threat to the status quo.
4
Okay Frank. I was with you until the old... in the end Trump won... not at all! What we are seeing is who is ready to debate Trump. This comes from the fallacy that swing voters will swing. There is not such thing anymore. Its all about getting Dems to vote and getting a candidate that excites them. This was an exciting debate and If candidates have trouble with facts... imagine debating the "hold no bars fake news nickname giving" Prez. I did not see a victory for Trump. What I saw were some candidates ready to take him down (and others not so much).
6
@Kevin
I agree with your assessment of swing voters. I'm tired of hearing undecided voters say; "I'm not sure who I will vote for as I approach the voting booth".
Such a voter is obviously a low information voter.
How do you appeal to low-info voters? Of which is the general MAGA supporter?
I have to guess it's about media exposure.
In this case , Trump's free tweets vs. Bloomberg's paid ads.
In the end, new voter registrants and securing voter rolls, as Stacey Abrams is fighting for, will be the ultimate way to defeat Trump
3
I find myself agreeing with the NYTimes editorial board that it is Klobuchar or Warren. I think Klobuchar can win the six states that matter to the electoral college, I am not yet convinced that Warren can. Klobuchar or Buttigieg could win the six states but to me, Klobuchar has the better experience in office and once we all see her standing next to Trump, the prospect of the first woman president with such a contrast to Trump will become intoxicating for us all.
I know I cannot vote for a billionaire whose wealth comes from financial instruments. Nor can I vote for Sanders who will divide this country further and won’t be able to pass a single piece of legislation, and his health is not good.
I think my heart is with Pete because in addition to the importance he places on reforming the electoral college, he rates higher than Klobuchar on climate change positions. I like his healthcare stances. Warren is good on policy but she cannot win against Trump the way Klobuchar could, because of Harvard and her intransigence, and similarly will create a right wing backlash. I’m voting Klobuchar. (Or Pete if he can find a way). The prospect of the first woman president will start to gain momentum soon.
3
@A Pa here. Need ground game. Obama had it. HRC did not.
"He repeatedly — and laughably — suggested that he wouldn’t tear up nondisclosure agreements with women who have sued him or his company because they wanted the silence as much as he did. Elizabeth Warren hammered and hammered him on this point, but he wouldn’t budge, and that left the impression that he couldn’t budge. The truth would be too ugly."
Frank, why the purity test? How many purity tests from how many candidates do we need?
Journalists have trashed Warren, Biden, Harris and Sanders. Where has it gotten us?
This happened thirty years ago. Bloomberg has moved on and his company champions women's rights.
So let's move on as well. Give the guy a break.
3
Unfortunately, it seems that the measure of whether someone will be a good president or not depends on their debating skills. All except Bloomberg are survivors of a hunger game that requires one to be a good debate warrior, and a willingness to use cheap shots, of which there were many. It does not say much about one's ability find and keep good team members, respect, work effectively, with other branches of government, and get things done, or manage time to focus on the biggest challenges. Bloomberg is not a natural politician nor communicator, and probably has little chance despite the money, but let's see if he has a learning curve. But he deserves more consideration. He needs to convey a vision and priorities (which his foundation giving profile makes fairly clear) and to show that he understands the presidency is not just about managing (which he does well), but also inspiring.
7
@MEC
Ted Cruise was a collegiate debate champion.
Apparently, that skill keeps him in office, despite flip-flopping on issues that needed true guidance.
Bloomberg is new to the mainstream, and his skills at creating a support team should be acknowledged.
In fact, his ability to assemble a team to support his vision is paramount.
1
Bloomberg wasn’t competing with any of them. He was far above the fray and indifferent to their desperate attacks. The most telling thing he said was that only Trump would benefit from their “conversation.” He proved that only he could take on Trump because he refuses to play Trump’s game. His stony demeanor only emphasized his point. So you can throw away all the debate rules and all the phony posturing for the cameras because substance and sobriety will be the only things that count in the end. The Democrats are lucky to get him. I think the country is just tired of Trump and all the drama.
6
It ain’t over til it’s over. Bloomberg/Klobuchar 2020🥂🎉
7
Even better, klobuchar/Bloomberg!
A question to people from New York City. Do people actually like this guy? If so, why?
3
@Curry
I remember when Bloomberg was the Mayor. He inherited a financial mess from Giuliani. Bloomberg had to make some tough decisions to balance the budget. Many were unhappy for not getting raises and for service cuts. I wasn't happy with some of the service cuts, but I realized it had to be done to save the sinking ship.
Bloomberg was the Mayor when NYC had to be rebuilt after the 9-11-2001 attacks. He was elected to three terms as Mayor in a city predominantly Democrats.
When there were police shootings, Bloomberg showed up to talk to community leaders to lower the temperature instead of inflaming the situation like his predecessor. I felt safer when Bloomberg was the Mayor.
Bloomberg is a uniter not a divider. The federal judge who presided over the stop and frisk case in NYC recently wrote an article about Bloomberg. It is on the NY Times site. She talks about how Bloomberg used his money to help causes and people.
No candidate is perfect. I like Bloomberg. He is a self-made Billionaire, and he has given away a lot of his money without fanfare. He is not extreme like Sanders and Warren. Bloomberg can take on Trump and win if given the chance.
1
It's somewhat unsurprising that so many Times readers have apparently been hoodwinked by Bloomberg's campaign -- after all, he duped, bullied, and bought the people of New York for three terms as Mayor.
The fact that he has the audacity to ask Klobuchar, Buttigieg, and Biden to drop out and "make way for him" despite the fact that he has so far not won a single delegate (or even a single vote) tells me all I need to know about his arrogance and entitlement.
8
At some point, the moderate three will need to make a deal such as Joe/Amy and Pete for State. Plus Booker or Harris for Senate Chair. Bloomberg helps the middle because he makes them the logical compromise for progressives - well, at least Joe,Amy, Pete aren't Bloomberg.
I didn’t like this debate at all. it seemed that the fine candidates tried to display how mean they could be in response to Bloomberg’s claim that he is the one who knows how to push Trump around and be a bigly bully to beat him.
The ironic thing is Bloomberg didn’t show any talent that could be used to vanquish Trump. He seemed to be astonished by the “meanies” on the podium with him. He didn’t display any quick thinking like the others did. He didn’t deftly divert the accusations either.
Anyway, in terms of his appeal to Trumplandia he has stop and frisk going for him. If trump wants to make it an issue he will come up with some more awful portrayal of it than calling it racist. Doesn’t matter that trump’s pal Giuliani started it.
Trump probably will leave the harassment stuff alone but his kompromat crowd will dig so deep into bloomberg’s Bloomies that Trump’s escapades will seem benign compared to fake findings.
Just wait until Trump brings up the soda ban. Trump will turn that into a violation of the second amendment. We know how that will turn out. BAD.
I think Bloomberg should spend his hard earned billions by supporting the candidates like President Obama is doing. But instead of words spend spend spend.
I like Pete and hope he is on the ticket. If not as President then as veep because if one of the septuagenarian or octogenarians is elected an intelligent and good person needs to be waiting in the West Wing.
I like Mike. As a long-time Project Director in IT - you gather requirements, you formulate plans, you figure out priorities, you pull together resources... Especially after Trump and all the ideology & politics (even on display last night), it would be so nice to have someone who knows how to simply Manage.
4
I cannot recall feeling so disappointed with NYT columnists as with their evaluations of last night’s Democratic debate and in particular with Michael Bloomberg’s performance. Still holding a lot of grudges from his time as mayor, it seems. Let’s move on.
4
Such an embarrassing and frankly, pathetic sight. A posse of candidates desperately trying to outdo each other and score points with such limp savagery. They're playing right into the hands of Trump.
Dumb as rocks.
2
Thanks for this Frank. What happened last night in the Democratic Debate to Mike is what the Republicans should have done to Donald in 2016. Instead they stood by and let him take their legs right out from under them one at a time. I guess each of them reveled in it as he attacked the other thinking they would be standing at the end of it all. I turned last nights debate off early . It was too vicious for me.
1
The NYT cannot stop singing praises to Warren today. Then again you have been shilling for her for a long while.
She looked like a desperate candidate fighting for the gotcha moment.
It's ok, not like she will win anyway.
Sorry but your girl won no converts today. She needed to come out of this the undisputed champ. she came out looking like a creature coming to the surface one last time before sinking to the dark deep.
4
I watched the debate and thought Biden won. Curious that the times is so biased it can’t see that
1
I miss Obama.
4
Wondering of the DNC quietly called Hillary this morning..
2
Seriously? Single comments posted at 1-2 min intervals, and then over 100 in 3 huge batches over 3 min?
@Talbot
They hold the comments until the person who reviews them comes to the office. So, for me, if I post anything after 5 PM in the PST or even earlier, it won't register until the next day and state a different time.
Remember, therea are people reading the NYTIMEs across the world.
Bloomberg was a great mayor if you were white and rich.
But then the Times loved Rudy too.
7
"I don’t know how Democrats escape the uncomely chaos of their contest. "
Easy. (I've got a plan for that.) Nominate Elizabeth Warren.
2
The rich's brain is at their bank.
2
As a winnowing process this debate served its purpose. If Bloomberg couldn't talk his way out of a brown bag, imagine how "Little Mike" will fare against Trump on the debate stage. Trump will eviscerate him and make him disappear. Bloomberg will lose worse than Mondale did in '84.
4
In September 2018 you said “Maybe one superrich old white guy from New York can save us from another superrich old white guy from New York.”
1
It's plain that the Dems want Sanders, but does he want the presidency enough to start edging a little toward center? We shall see.
I'm guessing many people don't bother to watch the debates. Debating is a skill separate from being a competent president. The real question is whether the Democrats will field a candidate that can beat Trump, and it's likely they will not, unfortunately. It's time to start looking for another country to reside in.
The long term candidates for the Democratic nomination were like a pack of hyenas attacking a carcass. Bloomberg did not lose his cool. He initially seemed surprised at the ferocity of Warren's attack, and he recovered later, responding in a mature manner to continued attacks. He made points re: the importance of ending the Trump presidency and addressing climate change consequences and generally refrained from the nastiness shown by the others.
3
I never thought I would say this, but if the Dem nominee is Sanders, or Warren, I’ll vote Trump.
4
@Mark: The Democratic Party is practically flat-lined. It hardly even exists.
1
It's going to get ugly if the Bernie Sanders campaign arrives at the Democratic National Convention with a substantial plurality of votes, but leaves the convention without the nomination after the "superdelegates" weigh-in.
"Let the process play out" simply won't cut it with the "Bernie Bros" if and when that happens. Heaven only knows how Sanders' die-hard supporters will respond.
Whoever's in charge of security should be planning for the worst.
3
@Raconteur: Sanders may just drown the remains of the party in misery. The party doesn't even control its own brand.
3
What no one mentions is that Bloomberg has steered away from attacking the other candidates and focused on attacking TRUMP. Like all should be doing. I did not feel like he was comfortable doing much attacking because that's not his mission here. It was by all others a circular firing squad and I hated it.
5
@Jesse : I wish I could coach Bloomberg. He ought to treat the federal government as the corporation it is, stick to policy, and let the juveniles play spitball among themselves.
1
@Steve Bolger I really thought that's what he was doing. Given the format of this MSNBC failed debate, moderators who were asking lame questions designed to put all on the attack of each other and virtually no questions of substance or any control exercised, I think he did well. I think he came to talk about trump, not take everyone else down.
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@Steve Bolger
You mention a prime example of modern America being a one trick pony, lacking broad base skills by only knowing how to run any and everything “like a business”.
I agree. When you get your way in life, there is little opportunity to practice your debate skills. Trump had Putin helping him out, otherwise the same thing would have happened to him.
3
I'm exhausted by all of this. What a nonsubstantive 2 hours of noise. Bernie shouts. Elizabeth was a shredder in a desperate kind of way. Amy, Mike flustered. Joe was Joe. Pete enigmatic. What did the voter get? Very little information and quite possibly another 4 years of Trump. I will add depressed to my exhaustion.
1
@Jamie You got the signal so it wasn't all noise.
Each of these candidates better gear up for nastiness. There's going to be a lot more of it ahead once the Democratic Party nominates one of them to go head to head with Trump, who knows no other way of speaking in public.
3
Well, I know newspapers need to sell and writers need to write, but the last bit about the candidates not having time to attack Trump and providing attack fodder to the Trump campaign is silly.
Republicans savaged Trump plenty in the last election, and none of it made any difference in the end. The problem is less about attack fodder and more about the fact that Dem voters seem to be more sensitive about that kind of information. "Ooohhh! She said x about y? Well that's it! No way I'm voting for her!"
Try not to lose the forest for the trees this time around, people.
1
After this performance all I could think of was Seinfeld’s comment to George lying on the floor, And you want to be my latex salesman? If this is the best the Democrats can offer we are in trouble.
4
I think he was caught off guard that MSNBC took his box away at the last minute after rehearsals. Cheap shot by the MSM. HAHAHAHA
3
enjoy your Schadenfreude while it lasts.
So let’s see where we are at ....Trump..self absorbed ego maniac who wants things his way..Bernie and Warren...not so ostentatious in self absorption but it’s gotta be their way..Biden...really a puppet for the creatures of the swamp..Mayor Pete, nice guy..very intelligent and not really self absorbed, young...do we have time for his growth curb..don’t think he can be conned into programs that reek of pork..Amy...kinda gets it but is unelectable....Bloomberg..trained at the second worst job in US, mayor of NYC...He is running not because he has a single minded picture of how he thinks country should be but realistic idea of a myriad of programs to better life in US...attacking people’s past is not a forward looking approach....people who don’t adapt and learn from their mistakes are not evolving in a positive direction...this what this country can use right right now..he has spun more forward looking programs than the Uber left 1 trick ponies..Even if Bernie can get elected..doubt he will be able to get very much of any programs in acted and lead to a 2022 swing to the right..a hard right hand turn and the possibility of a large “correction” in stock markets..
.
2
"...bloodthirsty rivals..."?? Really Frank?
Unless I'm mistaken Tulsi Gabbard wasn't on stage last night.
/s
@Mikeweb She would have been more interesting than most of those who were.
Attention plutocrats - you can purchase media outlets to try and influence opinion, but we're not THIS dumb.
4
Isn't it ironic that the DNC bent their debate rules to help Bloomberg, and, in doing so they simply handed him the rope to hang himself?
7
Oh my! The "perfect candidate to beat Trump" was exposed as simply as a slightly nicer and more polished version, but for all that less "embraceable" than Trump. He's never going to peel back those who left the Demcratic Party to vote for Trump, nor any of the potential disaffected Republican working class in the key electoral states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, etc. Furthermore, it's going to be hard for women to vote for him given his recorf there. But, he sure does have the wall St. vote locked up!
5
I'd be curious to know how many of the enthusiastically pro-Bloomberg comments on this article are written by people paid by his campaign. Bloomberg is paying people to promote him on social media, so it wouldn't surprise me if that was creeping into other areas of online discourse.
5
Bloomberg should release his tax returns before Super Tuesday. No lame excuses. Bloomberg says it takes time for him to put it together. When was the last time Bloomberg hesitated to spend what it takes to push his campaign? He could hire more staff to get the job done pronto if he wanted to.
IMO, Bloomberg wants to delay any tax info until after Super Tuesday. He wants a payoff for the almost half billion dollars he's spent on favorable advertising for himself. Only the info he wants people to know.
People will have to vote without getting the facts about his financial holdings: especially any finances that might raise questions about him.
We've seen this before in 2016 when another billionaire wouldn't release his tax returns and was astonished he got away with it. So far Bloomberg is playing the same game as Trump and that should be a red flag to all of us.
1
Warren's takedown of Bloomberg reminded me of Harris' takedown of Biden in the first debate. Hopefully, Warren will meet the same fate as Harris.
Many comments are praising Warren for her takedown as proof that she will eviscerate Trump in the debate, as was similarly claimed Harris would do. In both cases, that may be true. However, both performances will not wear well in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, the states we need at a minimum to get 270 electoral votes. Like Harris, Warren's shrill finger wagging and sanctimonious scolding will turn off moderates and independents. We can't win without these voters. If she's the nominee, I'll hold my nose and vote for her but her performance turned me, a woman, off too.
Also, I'm so tired of the democrats' purity tests for who said what that is "offensive" and other racial and gender grievances. This will not win the Midwest. Talk about Trump's horrible policies and stop wasting time arguing about the minute details of health care plans that will never see the light of day. Talk about what you can actually get accomplished because it is highly likely that the Senate will remain republican. So all this nonsense about structural change is wasted breath and a gift for the republicans.
5
debate on tv is still tv and bloomberg can dominate and get his message through other means on tv and all manner of social media. the broad middle dont want the other candidates and will not likely be dissuaded by bloomberg's lack of style in a debate... that might have been important if we had some candidate whose style was like jfk's against nixon showing a sweat but we dont
1
The real issue here is that Bloomberg ran at all.
Rather than spending his money on his own primary candidacy - an arrogant NY billionaire trying to defeat another arrogant NY billionaire - he could have poured his millions into advertising for the eventual nominee in the general, or focused on get-out-the-vote efforts. You know, to actually do the country some good. Instead, he decided to spend that capital on a vanity project, and may wind up handing the nomination to a candidate who embodies everything he dislikes.
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@Elle
The ego of a billionaire. Since they're good at one or two things (mainly becoming wealthy) they have the fallacious belief that they're good at everything.
13
There's only one billionaire in the race,. How is Bloomberg trying to defeat an arrogant billionaire? He's trying to defeat a dangerous demagogue, and for that I thank him
35
@Elle Perhaps if you listen to the other dem candidates, you can see why he thinks he'd be much better than they are, both for the job and for beating Trump.
25
I was thoroughly entertained by this debate. Holy cow, Elizabeth Warren! I came away thinking about how I'd really love to see a Sanders-Trump debate. Bernie gets all red in the face, but he always brings things back to focus and doesn't get caught in the traps people try to set for him.
3
@Amy: I found it thoroughly depressing. Sanders the blustering buffoon and Warren the scolding schoolmarm turn me off cold.
2
I live in the Bible Belt. I can tell you that I like Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar. Both are intelligent women with the strength needed to be President. Neither stands a shot at winning this election cycle. I have many friends that are Republicans and to a number, they have told me they will not vote for a woman for the highest office in the land.
One has told me he doesn't like trump and may vote for the democratic nominee. But, if it is a woman that is a deal breaker. These guys just don't want a woman in the Presidency. I don't agree with them, but IF we want to win this election and bring swing votes over from the Republican base (at least in the Deep South), I don't think it can be done with a woman on the top of the ticket. Also, Elizabeth Warren just comes across angry and shrill.
Mike Bloomberg is the best shot we have as Democrats to win this election. Amy Klobuchar would make a great Vice President.
5
It astounds me that none of these candidates even describe the Federal Government as a corporation.
@Steve Bolger
answering to corporations doesn't make it a corporation.
and "Corporations are people too my friend."
1
Once again, Mayor Pete came across as the Adult in the Room. He still has my vote.
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@tony83703
Mayor Pete is polished but look what people in Indiana think about him. Not so great. Anyone can parrot talking points.
2
@Steve
please enlighten us about what you think "...people in Indiana think about him."
He is the mayor of South Bend in the northeast corner and an hours drive from Chicago.
Trump didn't win last night, but Warren did. She demonstrated that she could take on the rich and powerful whether it is Bloomberg or Trump.
6
Only Biden and Bloomberg are actually running for President. The rest are running mid-term style congressional campaigns. Time is up for debating issues - leave that for the congressional candidates in 2022. Right now there is only ONE issue on the 2020 ballot: Authoritarianism or Democracy. It seems like just about everyone is saying the same thing right now: "I just want to vote for the person who can beat Trump." That means the "issues" have been momentarily side-lined as people are becoming more aware of the danger of losing our democracy. If these candidates don't change their tune to salvaging and reinforcing Democracy, they can all just go home.
5
I love the reader comments on this article. Many of them accurately reflect my assessment:
Bloomberg may have lost and Warren been the most aggressive, but that has nothing to do with why people will support them in either the primaries or the general.
Warren is a bet that sound policy triumphs over obstacles and organized opposition.
Sanders is the bet that commitment to persuasive leadership in service to moral rights can drive fundamental change, as has been witnessed in the past.
Biden, though I love him, is a kind of nostalgia — that character overcomes charisma, age, and the pace of modern events.
Mayor Pete isn’t JFK, and Amy might be Mondale. (But, I have tremendous respect for them both.)
Bloomberg did argue that this is a management problem, and at least on that I can agree there is a basis for moving a logically-sound, progressive agenda forward in the US, even winning support among the middle. Show them a path forward, and they will walk it for a long time...probably much longer than they intend, just due to momentum. This puts us rightly on back on the path.... “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”, and might I add toward progressivism and true equality.
3
Beyond the cat fighting last night, one thing that really struck me last night was the inability of any of the candidates to concisely articulate their plans to fight global warming. Candidates, if you are reading this, please take a page out of Marianne Williamson's book: When a candidate says making the transition will create millions of jobs, what fossil fuel industry workers hear is that they are going to be losing their jobs. DO NOT cast fossil fuel companies and by extension their workers as villains! Instead, as Williamson explained, these companies need to be made partners in the rapid transition to renewable energy. Who better than these large companies, with enormous pools of resources and talented worker to make the industrial level changes that are needed to our energy sector? When framed that way, workers can visualize an exciting new future that they play an important role in rather than an uncertain future that leaves them feeling insecure.
2
@MRod Bloomberg started but 1 minute is not enough
Two thoughts: it takes more than money to win the nomination and billionaires live in a bubble where no one disagrees with them. Bloomberg wasn't ready for the real world.
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@Chris
I'd say Bloomberg is the most successful of the group in the "real world."
1
@Chris
You just described our "president". (Although he lied about being a billionaire).
1
I was kind of horrified as I watched the debate. I don’t think the extreme anger shown by some ( mostly Warren, Sanders and Biden) serve the Dems well. Others were petty (Buttigieg, Klobuchar, whom I’ve liked a lot), not advancing themselves. I agree with what Frank says here about Bloomberg. I don’t think there was nearly enough criticism of Trump and there’s so very much to work with.
6
I'm trying to imagine a November ballet which offers the voters three choices for President. Trump, Sanders, and Bloomberg. Might this be the first time a third party candidate wins?
Absolutely not in the race you describe!
Good. The NYT needs to stop pushing this oligarch for President.
9
I will vote for a dishrag if I am told ;to get our criminal enterprise out of the White House.
Putin’s name is written all over trumps behavior.
The man is the lowest denominator of human.
And the senate must be won and congress too or trump is in office until his rubes decide to kick him to the curb for his sons and daughters.
We are not America currently. We are on life support.
The debate was appalling.
Bloomberg has no business running for President. Just dole out your patronage.
Bernie is going to cause the re-election of trump.
Only a woman will save us ,you voting dummies!!!!!!
That would be a solution that works.
If it wasn’t for women we would not exist. Most of us depended on a mother for survival. Why fear women ? Men?????!
Why are you afraid of females?
Is it because you realize how akin to a slave class most women are globally. Is it because men know we are so angry in this moment our rage is being loosed in the privacy of our home life. Are we still cooking and cleaning and running your households while working full time ourselves while you golf on weekends????
Yes women rage now collectively because years of abuse.
My goodness Italian women couldn’t vote till the 1970’s.
We got the vote in the 1920’s.
Look at the poor Saud women.
And look at the Hispanic refugee moms separated from their kids in cages in our border areas and in facilities hidden from view.
Men and their female enablers are keeping us away from our rightful position as president.
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@nurseJacki
Sorry Jacki but I'm sure the country would have no problem electing a female if they agreed with her political views. Perhaps you are in the wrong party?
Doesn't anybody remember Trump's laughingly awful debate performances? He was stupid, incoherent, and ill informed. His voters didn't care!
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@cgg
He pushed his way to the front, literally, he pushed the other Republicans aside, he directed the cameras at him alone. He stalked Hillary Clinton on stage as if he were going to assault her.
1
Hunger Games
2
Two points:
1. Bloomberg's candidacy is premised on the unspoken premise that when he and his fellow plutocrats give billions to the causes they support, they do a much better job than a government would do with the money; and therefore taxing them is not wise.
Sanders, on the other hand, points out that the happiest, most progressive nations, are those in which governments take care of the people.
Bloomberg could have run as a socially left-of-center Chamber of Commerce Republican. In fact, had Trump not had a death grip on Republicans, Bloomberg might have done just that. Only because he sensed Biden's weakness did he run as a Democrat.
Bottom line: Biden is responsible for "I-don't-care-which-party" Bloomberg's presence on the stage.
2. In a one-on-one debate, Sanders would demolish Trump. He doesn't take prisoners, and with his patented blend of facts and emotional gravitas, destroys both opponents and interlcoutors.
Sanders could beat Trump in the election. Only a few states are in play, and Sanders could win them by a combined 100,00 votes––more or less what cost Clinton the election because she lost focus. Sanders won MI in 2016; he can win it again. His speeches are as populist as Trump's, and more genuine.
Finally, as per Sanders, I was struck by the statements––threats?––from the candidates that they might deny Sanders a victory at the Dem convention. In that event, all hell would break loose, and Trump would retain the presidency.
4
@Taz
"Sanders, on the other hand, points out that the happiest, most progressive nations, are those in which governments take care of the people."
There is a big problems with this statement. Governments, especially the American government, don't exist in vacuum. It's supposed to be of the people, for the people and by the people. That's what Sanders and Warren mean without saying.
Trump and Republicans say Government is the problem. In saying so they are fundamentally discrediting our form of government - representative republic. American democracy is based on electing representatives of the people. When Republicans say our elected officials don't represent the voters and therefore, the government is the problem (illegitimate) they are taking matters into their own hands - much like Trump calls himself the top cop. That's a silent coup. It's up to voters to decide that the representatives they elected are not doing their job and fire them through the ballot.
"dorm room hotplate" ya got me Frank...I LOLed.
4
I know, I know, the debate looked like a WWF cage fight---but, it was good to see the gloves come off--which, whatever candidate is picked--will need that energy to willingness to get into the gutter with him--I kept imagining how Senator Warren would respond to Trump walking behind her (like he did with Hillary)---leering at her---I can't wait for that moment--
4
The other democratic candidates leveled the guns of political correctness on Bloomberg and unleashed hell! Here was a example for the ages of how to take a few incidences from a person’s life and turn them into a verdict of racism and misogyny. Elizabeth Warren’s attack on Bloomberg’s ‘not disclosure agreements’, which were agreed to by women in his organization that filed complaints, was like a massive artillery cannon pounding Bloomberg and demanding him to release these women from their obligations to keep silent. The rest of the field weighed in with ‘stop-and-frisk’ and carpet bombed Bloomberg’s explanations and apologies for allowing the practice when he was Mayor of New York. Bloomberg was definitely ‘shell shocked’ by the end of the night! And so were the rest of us! Bloomberg isn’t a misogynist or racist. Nothing these candidates said proved anything except that we’re living in a time of hyper intolerance of political incorrectness. The Democrats look more like a mob of holier-than-thou hypocrites seeking to make an example of a billionaire who dare to enter the hollowed grounds of democratic socialism; Bloomberg personifies for them the evils of capitalism that drives their mythology of wealth inequality and abusive power of the white male hegemony. What was Bloomberg thinking when he decided to become a Democrat? What we all saw last night was the hatred that millionaire Democrats have for billionaires capitalists and the disarray of the Democratic Party.
5
The column is merely a TV review. The Times should stop pretending these are debates. They are simply the Democrats version of "The Apprentice", with the punditocracy, commentariat, and twitterati getting to feel good saying, "You're fired!" and "You're hired!"
The "moderators" are picadors. [bullfighters on horseback who prick the bull with a lance to weaken it and goad it.] TV likes advertisers, advertisers like ratings, and ratings like blood, not intelligent, substantive discussion.
Meanwhile, Pete has a future in the future. Klobuchar has a future, preferably as Vice Presidential candidate this year and then as the Presidential candidate in 2024. Bernie would be the perfect person to hold the non-existent position of The Conscience Of The Democratic Party. Biden, sadly, has let Iowa, New Hampshire, and the polls divert him from his winning strategy of positivity. Warren appears to be auditioning for a senior role in the Trump reelection campaign. Bloomberg is the only one who demonstrates that defeating Trump is what the election is about, that if you don't win, you lose, that if you do not defeat Trump and deal with the reality of Congress in 2021, you will get nowhere, not even one step on the road to all the noble, aspirational fantasies coming from other candidates.
As to being a billionaire: it takes billions to run for President. I rather have a President whose source of money is 100% transparent than one with a lot of dark money from unknown sources.
12
When all is said and done, Mike Bloomberg is the most likely candidate to win the Presidency. This is the new political reality. The toxic toddler in the White House will jump for joy if Sanders is the nominee. He and his lackeys WANT to run against Sanders. What does that tell you? Forget about Bloomberg's money. I hope he DOES buy the election and dethrones the Idiot Boy King. Whatever it takes to remove him. And by the way, this isn't the first time someone's bought an election...see Papa Joe and JFK.
10
When will Sanders and Warren learn to lie like the other candidates and drop healthcare for all?
Don't campaign on it then ram it down our throats once you are in office.
For God's sake, if you are going to be a politician, show some sense and play the game strategically so you can win.
I wish I could have 15 minutes in a room with these knuckleheads and give them some street advice on how to win.
Democrats make the same mistakes over and over.
Pretend you're a Republican and lie your butt off. Get in office and then do the right thing. Good grief, it's not rocket science!
Don't get so snarky about Bloomberg. No one could tell anything from the poorly-moderated food fight that doesn't deserve to be called a debate. The few minutes I watched before I gave up in disgust confirmed for me that the Democratic party is beholden to its LGBT wing and not much else matters. It would be refreshing to hear the individual candidates in this this bunch talk strictly about their agendas. A good moderator would shut down the knife fights between candidates which are more suitable for People Magazine or the National Enquirer than for a presidential debate. Lester Holt failed us all. The candidates failed us by not showing the least bit of intra-party cohesion and concern about issues instead of imagined scandals.
3
After last nights debate I needed a stiff drink....but I gave up drinking 15 years ago. What to do? Just sit and steam and fret. I am an independent who can't ever see voting for a Republican again (that means you Sen. Tillis). But this bunch! I partly blame the moderators of this so called debate. Poor questions that led to yet another prolonged screaming match about healthcare. I already know everyone's opinion on healthcare. How about treading into new waters. Was it really necessary to query Amy K about forgetting the president of Mexico's name? That's important? What about everyone's opinion on immigration reform. That's a question that needs answering. Good grief it was just awful! I vote on Super Tuesday and don't know who to vote for. Great way to start the process of defeating Trump. Surprised he hasn't tweeted about how much he enjoyed the slug fest...after all he was involved in promoting wrestling.
6
Bloomberg looked presidential and professional among a gaggle of squawking career politicians! Intelligent people will see that no one but Bloomberg on that stage can beat trump!!
9
But Sanders doesn't argue that "capitalism is the root of all evil" nor does he "want to burn the party down." Both are glib cheap shots, obviously scripted in advance. His attempt at taking down Klobuchar was schoolyard stuff, and she did parry it well, her noting that she wasn't as "perfect" as he.
None of those cracks, however, matched Bloomberg's red-baiting, calling Sanders essentially calling Sanders a "communist." Does Bloomberg know the differences between communism, socialism, and social democracy? Maybe he's not been to Europe or other countries where social democracy is a political option, or if he has, he didn't notice much from the penthouse suite. But that comment alone should tell those wondering about Bloomberg what he is and will be.
8
@Harvey Green Somehow I didn't delete the first two words of line 2. Sorry about that.
This was an opinion piece, nothing more nothing less, and my opinion being equally valid draws a differing opinion. Bloomberg was superior to the other brawling participants, and in particular the overheated Warren who made a spectacle of herself. Bloomberg was calm, professional, and poised as one could be under fire. Almost all of the others were like carnival barkers and lowlife politicians scrapping with one another. Disgusting. Sounds like pundits were just waiting in the wings to pounce on Bloomberg. This opinion piece got right in line. Unlike many, I had no preconceived opinion of Bloomberg, but after the 'debate,' I think much more highly of him. So don't be so quick to trash him and count him out.
7
This is inaccurate. As Bloomberg said, the NDAs are between OTHER co-workers, not between him and the female co-workers. Those in the NDAs asked for it to be that way. He legally can't disclose that information. I thought it extremely irritating that in their thirst for blood, the other candidates twisted everything.
7
@Spring Sure. And Pete's NDA was also between "other people." Except his former employer released him from the non-disclosure. Why couldn't Bloomberg, the head of his company, say something like, "I will look into it. Transparency is important to my campaign and if it can be done legally, I will do my best."
He didn't. He waffled and basically refused. He knows what is in them and how damaging it would be to his candidacy.
9
Lest we forget Frank Bruni, rents in NYC rose 600% during Bloomberg's 3 terms. He essentially segregated the city and forced much of the middle and working class out. I would never vote for him.
9
Bloomberg did provide a useful moment directing the word "communism" at Sanders.
At this very moment you can be certain Putin has his minions scouring the KGB's records of Sanders visit to the USSR for material that would be useful to Trump—not finding any fabrications will serve just fine.
Never doubt for a moment the power of the word "communist" to invoke knee jerk hostility permeating our body politic.
Reasoned, rational argument will be powerless to counter it.
1
Who is Trump and the RNC most afraid of running against? I bet it's Mayor Bloomberg.
Who is Trump and the RNC most frothing at the mouth to run against? Bernie Sanders.
My heart has always been with Bernie and am curious to see the Primary play out until NY gets to vote.
But, I'm willing to put the 'Revolution' on hold for now and get behind Mayor Bloomberg who's looking like a real threat to DJT his his down ballot goons.
7
@Beattie
Bernie is more of threat to capitalism than Trump is. Watch your wallet if Bernie gets in.
I am voting for Bloomberg.
I volunteered for his campaign.
9
"Sanders was the big winner of the night." Also Sprach Bruni. Sanders is also a luftmensch, a left-handed pied piper who leads his young bunch of acolytes and may also lead their supposedly savvier parents off the political cliff. Bloomberg speaks softly and carries a fat wallet. And he doesn't become apoplectic when trying to make a point. Bloomberg may not have charisma but he's put his money in most of the causes Democrats applaud. And he doesn't bloviate. Sander and Trump yelling at each other is something to devoutly not to be wished for.
3
It got ugly. But like many others, I will take anyone on that stage in place of the incumbent. Heck, I’ll take anyone with a pulse (or possibly without one) in place of the incumbent.
3
Mike Bloomberg has been supporting causes for years which I believe in. Women’s Rights, Stopping Climate Change by his huge support of The Sierra Club and others, common sense gun laws, and much more. He was the only candidate on stage who was focusing his efforts on the disaster in the Whitehouse. And I believe the only Dem ticket that can win in Nov. is Bloomberg/Klobuchar.
11
Perhaps he was ready for questions on policies of substance.
5
As always, Mr. Bruni, you got it right re last night's 'debate.' Thank you.
1
So Roger Stone just got a slap on the wrist, 40 months instead of 7 to 9 years, for his efforts at undermining the 2016 election. Any takers on Trump also giving him a pardon?
Anyone who actually cares about democracy will register to vote and make sure they get to the polls in November to vote against our creeping dictatorship by an incompetent but vindictive narcissist backed by a sycophantic Party and almost the entire corporate business world.
Any one of last night’s candidates is a better bet simply on the basis of overall morality, understanding of the law and government and a vision of the Presidency serving all of the people and not just the super rich and the business class.
If you choose to stay home, you are actually voting against your own rights by empowering the lawless and the super rich. Stay home: you are supporting lip service towards white people and open hostility towards women and minorities and outright hatred towards immigrants, science, the rest of the civilized world and the planet itself.
Stay home and ultimately that “non vote” is for the death of civilization and the planet.
2
He didn't want to be there. It would have been easy to deflect a lot of the criticisms on stage; case in point:
Warren: "you called women horse faces ......."
Bloomberg: "in the span of a life-time sometimes you say things you regret. I'm sure you Elizabeth have said things or made claims you wish you hadn't."
missed opportunity.
2
'Despite his billions, Bloomberg bust'.
Very catchy but no more than that.
Bloomberg is probably the only serious candidate out there. Warren and Saunders can whine and attack others as much as they want but everybody knows their main policy points and everybody knows that there is no money to implement such policies. If they were Republicans, NYT would call them liars. But as they are Democrats, let's just call them 'professional politicians'. The problem is the majority of people in this country are sick and tired of professional politicians. Bloomberg has a chance because he is not a polished politician yet. And he is rich enough not to care to learn how to lie.
5
Can’t wait till Senator Warren can not so quietly illuminate Trump’s nefariousness.
6
Someone commented that you don’t get to be a mayor of NYC three times just for being a good debater......
I agree!
3
Realistically, which demographics truly watched last night's debate, if you are under 45years of age, occupied by the duties of having a career(job), family, household duties, Millenials, and if you are a Criminal Minds fan you were more interested in the two-part series finale, therefore, these groups will most likely look towards the internet whatever capacity and judge from there, if you are an older category then you watched and being familiar with debates and the challenges,yes, Mike Bloomberg did not do well, the other candidates managed to deflect many topics for which many misleading comments were made, the views discussed last night aside from the attacks on Bloomberg were "the same old stale policies" it's like the Democrats are not listening to the people after the debates for their views and going back and tweaking their policies in order to reflect the will of the people, to be a good candidate is to listen and to evolve, people want to know their voice matters, Sanders needs to provide his Health Records, Bloomberg needs to absolve people of their non-disclosures, however, I did not hear anyone confront Bernie regarding the disturbing essay written by him in 1972 where a female being intimate with her partner was fantasizing about a simultaneous assault by 3 men, in my book you call that gang-rape. it is disturbing that you would think of such depravity, so who is worse Bloomberg, Sanders or have they both evolved, quit making
empty, undeliverable promises
Your opinion is weak and unfounded.
Bloomberg will continue to rise and give Bernie a run for this money.
Voters in the middle (think Swing States) are looking for a moderate alternative to Bernie.
The big bust is the NY Times (which backed Hlllary in 2016) is showing how out of touch with the average American they truly are...
4
Mike "one and done" Bloomberg.
His political career's epitaph "Consensual NDAs"
1
We are headed down the yellow brick road to Gilead.
It was not mentioned last night that Mike Bloomberg told a pregnant female employee to kill her baby when she told him she was pregnant. What a horrendous thing to say to someone. She was visibly upset and sued and it was settled out of court. This is the worst kind of sexism and only one of many he has been charged with. Women will never vote for this man. Or at least they shouldn’t. This man does not have one shred of decency.
3
@KMW: Bloomberg has strongly denied he ever said such a thing.
2
Sen. Warren: “I’d like to talk about who we’re running against: A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg!”
Bloomberg’s defiant & self-righteous rebuttal asserts: “None of them accuse me of doing anything; other than maybe they didn’t like a joke I told!”
3
@I Gadfly : you live 78 years and you make unguarded statements - who hasn't? You'd think he made a claim of being of Cherokee descent in order to game the system for personal advantage.
I'm still voting for him!
Hang in there Mike!
5
Amy is being rude. I'm not a Pete supporter, but the way Amy has interacted with him reveals her bias: seems she wants to 'feminize' the mayor. Get over it Amy, he's got a husband already. It's not about experience, it's about leadership, vision and passing the torch to a new generation.
Maybe Barack Obama should have let Hillary take her turn in 2008. Then he could be swooping to the rescue now.
My favorite Bloombergism is that the non-disclosure agreements were 'consensually reached." Well... all agreements, by definition, require the "agreement" of both parties. Otherwise they'd be "disagreements."
I guess if you're rich enough, you get used to everyone around you pretending to be stupid.
5
Somewhere, perhaps on 1600 Pennslyvania Avenue, there is an unbalanced narcissist, phone in hand, laughing his head off.
1
2 thoughts - First, the winner of the debate was Trump. Second, Bloomberg gave a poor showing, but in a general election, it could actually help. Likable? No. But he doesn’t evidence any of the traits that make moderates and men uncomfortable with the other candidates. Overly earnest like Klobuchar? Doddering like Biden? Callow arrogant youth of Buttigieg? Socialist like Bernie? Shrill scold like Warren? No no no. Calling him a racist for stop and frisk, or a sexist for telling bawdy jokes, may actually make some folks who wouldn’t vote for a democrat think twice. He’s no snowflake. Let’s see if the polls post-debate match the punditry in this morning’s NYT.
1
What a mistaken assessment!!
1
The circular firing squad of yore gave way last night to a circular public stoning.
Bloomberg's refusal to join in preserved his dignity.
5
Don't forget that Trump started the same way and your paper wrote him off! I thought you learned some lessons after your publisher apologized.
1
Oh, Frank, you are such a good writer. Imagine a very accurate Wolf-range-versus-college-dorm-hot-plate reference in a political opinion column! Whoda thunk? You make this I-wannabe-a-writer-one-day heart swoon for joy.
1
This is hilarious
I read Bloomberg used the terms “horsey-faced lesbian” and “fat broad” to refer to two women in the royal family. So I forgive him.
1
"[Bloomberg] made light of past harassment-related complaints from female employees: “'None of them accuse me of doing anything other than maybe they didn’t like a joke I told.'"
Here here! If a few sourpuss purist extremist women don't see the humor in Bloomberg's mirthful jokes about "fat broads" and "horse-faced lesbians," who needs their votes anyway?
4
I'm no big fan of Bloomberg and still undecided about how to cast my single primary ballot. But this multiple tag team onslaught of vicious attacks on Bloomie was, in a word, disgusting. Bloomberg was the only person on that stage who has actually had to run a major government, and say what you will, he did a better job of running America's biggest city than most, if not all, of his contemporary predecessors. And certainly better than his more "progressive" successor. Everyone else on that stage can claim to be better only at endless political malarkey, as Joe might say. Special opprobrium is due the consensus "winner" of the debate, Elizabeth Warren, who spent the last two weeks posturing as a "unity" candidate for Democrats, but switched to frantically throwing every divisive bomb she could think of for two hours. The only real winner of this horror show is Donald Trump.
7
My hope is that the fierce criticisms will set off alarm bells and refocus the candidates' minds on a cohesive, all-inclusive message that will excite voters and ensure a huge turnout. From. is on they should dancenthentwo-step:
1. Describe all Trump's failures and broken promises (too many to list here, but let's start with "raining fire and fury on North Korea," ... "forcing Iran to the negotiating table," ... "bringing peace between Israel and Palestine,"
... "draining the swamp." ... "eliminating the budget deficit in his first term," ... "wiping out the trade deficit,"... "releasing his tax returns immediately after his election," etc.,.
2. Provide details of how each candidate proposes to actually remedy Trump's failures.
This is my redundant comment:
The debate last night was the one with the most ideas, facts with those ideas, some facts stated were disputed, and finally, I feel, as if I now know where the candidates stand on "HOW" they are going to implement, initiate their plans.
The debate's argument on fracking for natural gas and as Mike Bloomberg correctly corrected, fracking for fuel oil, was good. Personally, I know of the geophysical processes to extract oil from the ground, and it sloppy, errant, irregular, unmaintained, cutting corner types of engineering which lead to the release of methane gas but you cannot get around the other toxins released into water.
Natural Gas is a transitional fuel to complete independence from coal and other combustible fuels like natural oil.
How and why there should be, if there should be a medicare for all was another good argument? Bernie had the guts to admit that the 1.8 million people working in the billing/administration and management of health insurance is a huge concern.
The Demos who had legacy on the stage as debaters were rude to Mike Bloomberg. They acted like kids in a school yard fight, surrounding him and taunting him.
The one thing that was missing were the truths about Trump, facts about Trump. There is such a pile of them but each candidate should have addressed how they intend to reverse the damages done by Trump. Biden stated he would reinstate the EPA - but where and how.
There were more facts.
1
I am a long-time New Yorker and a fan of Mayor Bloomberg. It's my opinion that his strengths far outweigh his weaknesses.
I don't want him to apologize again for Stop-and-Frisk or for the sexism in his company. What I want to know is how those experiences changed him as a leader. What did he learn? How will those experiences change his decisions moving forward? Because I'm 100% sure they have.
Perhaps candidates for President can't speak on those terms. Mayor Mike is a white man of privilege of a certain age who brings his generational biases with him. But those biases are not indicative of the legacy he's leaving.
9
Mr Bruni I disagree with your analysis. Ms Warren really lost her temper last night and has very possibly endangered her re-election in her home state. She is not going to the White House after that performance. When a person gets so worked up, she/he should be careful whom she insults in public. Senator Klobachar was angry at one point too but did not go off the map over it. Nor did Mayor Bloomberg. He got what he expected and the likes of Ms. Warren are not going to ruffle him.
3
@Julie Cook Warren kept her cool throughout even coming to the defense of Amy at one point.
2
Mayor Pete must have gotten an A in public speaking because he does it very well - clear and succinct. No prizes for the rest of them in that category.
Not sure about Bernie’s grandpa appeal with millennials, except for the fact that he uses the word revolution a lot. To me, he’s a scowling curmudgeon who is not going to play well with others.
Elizabeth Warren is smart, knows her stuff but is starting to come across more desperate. If her attacks on Bloomberg were her way of showing us she can fight, I believe her, but to many she’ll come across as whining.
Amy Klobuchar is nice. She uses “I’m the only one ....” a lot.
Joe Biden’s heart doesn’t seem to be in it. I like him and I’d like as President, but I’m not sure it’s what he really wants.
Michael Bloomberg’s refined and unruffled approach was all CEO. His billions and his success in earning them are the one thing bigger than Trump in this election. Trump doesn’t like anything bigger than him. Opinions aside, I could live with any of these people leading our country, I’m beginning to think we need to follow the money.
5
@Clyde
What Amy K doesnt say is "I am the only one under 70 and over 40 and the only one from an even somewhat contested state."
2
I think I'm a typical moderate-left democrat and I don't think these debates, or shouting matches, have much impact one way or the other on the election, except, perhaps, on big donors. Which brings me to my point. Performance may matter to the candidates who need donations, but not to Bloomberg. For this election, I doubt that NDAs or even "stop and frisk." which Bloomberg has apologized for, will matter enough to voters to stop Bloomberg from winning.
3
For the next debate, Bloomberg better get some personality and be prepared for the onslaught. Bloomberg has a great resume and should be the candidate. I still don't know what big thing Bernie Sander has done in his thirty plus year political career. Sanders is a professional politician. He sure does talk a lot. But where's the beef?
9
It's hard to know what readers really thought about the debate because Bloomberg is paying people to say positive things about him on social media. It's possible that paid commenters are on this very forum and, with Bloomberg, you need to realize you may be dealing with an employee and not just another NYT reader.
When I read people saying that Bloomberg did well I think they were either watching another debate or giving voice to an opinion that is not their own.
5
Bloomberg's final statement, when he said the presidency was a management problem, said it all. It was as if he'd missed the entire impeachment trial or maybe the entire Trump presidency. Yes, Trump's an incompetent manager, but more important, he's amoral and sociopathically lacking in empathy. Bloomberg did good and bad things as mayor. But his biggest failing was his lack of empathy and unwillingness to see beyond his reduction of policy to a management issue. This explains his stubbornly continuing to defend stop-and-frisk for so long, his obtuse response last night to the challenge to open the NDAs, and refusal to recognize that his staggering wealth doesn't make him an attractive presidential candidate at a time when we're desperate for moral leadership.
6
I lost a lot of respect for Sanders, Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Warren because they were so relentless attacking and weakening their fellow Democrats while completely ignoring the incumbent and his terrible record. By engaging in a circular firing squad, it seems that they allowed their personal ambition to take priority over the need for a Democrat to win in November.
I will vote for the person who most demonstrates the wisdom and character to keep their eye on the ball. From what I saw last night that's either Biden or Bloomberg.
6
The debate is talk. The only person of substance on stage who actually built a business from scratch that created jobs and who managed effectively a huge complex entity in an executive function was Bloomberg (which you may have noticed when they were talking about an important issue such as climate change and not identity politics). Hopefully it is not the fate of our country to suffer through another aggressive, loud mouth with no substance just coming from the left this time. The candidates talk about buying an election. What are Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren doing with their multi-trillion $ proposals? At least Blooberg is using his money not the American people's.
6
If Bernie got off easy because the other candidates aimed their darts at Bloomberg, I'd say Bernie was the beneficiary, not the winner, of last night's debate.
To me, the bombshell was Warren; she was spectacular. I'm so proud of her. I've long thought she needed to be more assertive in the debates and boy did she ever come through last night. And she did it without yelling and other behaviors that would have branded her as a "nasty" woman. I don't think her approach was contrived; I think she is, in fact, a very kind and friendly woman who just happens to be a whiz at law, economics, legislating and debating. She has shown us how to take on arrogant men with the strength of softly spoken words.
However, Warren's great appeal to me is her ideas for a government that works for all of us. How I long for that and how remarkable that I have not heard any presidential candidate come out with any plans for how to get there from here. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the next debate had each candidate take just five minutes to present their most important goals and how they plan to put them into effect. I'd like to vote on the basis of ideas and not what we are thinking other voters want.
5
Warren is a hypocrite. She says Bloomberg should get out of the race and use his money to help elect whoever gets the nomination. So if its her, she condemns him for using his money to get himself elected, but has no problem with him using his billions to help get her elected. Hypocrite!
3
@RKEsq
NYT reported that Bloomberg donated $10 B over several years, with his largest chunk of donations at $3.3 B just last year. Those donations got him good will, endorsements and political allies. So were they donations or purchases?
He is betting heavily on Super Tuesday states, of which California is one. The mayor of my town (SF) and Stockton were on the news as beneficiaries and endorsers of Bloomberg. I'm not happy about Bloomberg's money in my town, trivializing my vote and my periodic donations of $10 to Warren.
As for largess, Warren just took out a full page ad in a Nevada paper. She said, under her wealth tax, Sheldon Adelson would pay $2.3 B in taxes, which is 5.9% of his wealth of $39.6 B. (Would that my tax rate were so low!) And that tax money comes to the government without strings attached, to be spent on raising the living standards of the low and middle classes, repairing our infrastructure, creating good jobs for housing and the environment. And taxess are due each year. So which would you rather: philanthropy of a few billionaires for their purposes or taxing the few thousand billionaires in the country to fund what this very rich country deserves.
And do you really think Bloomberg would ever contribute to Warren when he gets so much more giving to down ballot candidates he can manipulate?
It's not Warren that's fooling you; it's Bloomberg's money that's blinding you.
2
I can't believe that despite Bloomberg's obvious subpar performance (he couldn't even stay on a single train of thought for some of his responses) people still think that he is our "only" chance of declaring victory against Trump. There is a strong delusion in believing that money will help us win this election. Yes, this debate was a hot mess. However, this debate showcased Bloomberg's lack of presidential character, poor articulation of topics of great significance, and constancy of the same mindset that got him in trouble with "stop and frisk" and harassment against women. The fact that he comfortably said "..None of them accuse me of doing anything other than maybe they didn’t like a joke I told,” in response to harassment accusations and non-disclosure agreements he paid women to sign, perfectly denotes how he still doesn't get what he apologized for.
5
Warren or Sanders are poor choices for the Democrats and America. Moderates are always better choices than Left or Right for any party. If Moderates bore you , tough. They are more reliable and consider both sides of the street more evenly in order to make their best decision.
3
Feel like I watched a different debate. Warren was on point and didn't back down. Why is that savage? She was dropped by press coverage when she insisted Bernie had told her a woman couldn't win this election. Now she may get some coverage again. But I found her a strong and smart debater with deep knowledge on all topics.
6
It's so sad the people now expect presidential candidates and presidents to entertain them now. Personally, I've had enough "entertainment" from the current president. I would love a Mike Bloomberg who does not wear his emotions on his sleeve but is able to get down to the business of running an executive office. It's Fox News' job to criticize entertainment value of candidates and office holders. NYTimes should not be doing this.
8
True that Bloomberg isn't a TV persona. We shouldn't be soo shallow though. Look at his accomplishments, I loved him as mayor. He just needs a coach and offline debate practice. Calling all speaking coaches!
6
The first part of this column is absolutely right. However, I'm disappointed that Mr. Bruni is another of the (male) observers who seem to see Senator Warren's strong performance only as her being a sort of water carrier for Bernie Sanders and not as improving her own position. As to the candidates giving pointers to Donald Trump on how to attack them, Donald Trump is his own egotistical self. He'll attack them in his own way, derived from his "gut". His advisors may suggest repeating attacks from the debates, but Donald Trump will only use those attacks if they fit closely to what he wanted to say anyhow.
Nastiness is correct. And a poor quality in a President.
Bloomberg did not descend to that. What someone chooses not to say is missed by gossip hungry commentators, but shows character very clearly. Those on the stage who were kept to the facts and did not stoop to easy attacks were Sanders, Bloomberg and Buttigieg.
Non disclosure agreement are just that. how does this writer know that one side of them would be happy to make the contents public? They may be fine with the agreement. That's what agreement implies.
Warren shows real pettiness, especially when accusing people of character flaws.
Isn't she the one who claimed to be American Indian (some miniscule percentage) to get a scholarship?
4
You New Yorkers. You are so ensconced inside the glass tower that is New York, you have no idea how things play outside New York.
Bloomberg didn't do well in the debate, tis true. But he didn't do badly. I came out not thinking to terribly of him. I came out thinking, "hmmm, maybe he COULD beat Trump." I bet other Super Tuesday voters did too.
Everyone else did worse. They savaged each other as well as him. The overall winner of the night was Donald Trump.
1
The debate was terrible. Not really a debate. The fewer Americans who watched it, the better. The Democrats appear to be handing Republicans an easy re-election victory by creating a circular firing line. It was sad to see. Bloomberg was disappointing. I will vote blue regardless but am eagerly waiting for the Democrats to unite and aim their fire at the real Target--Trump.
2
What should be dignified debate has turned into a realty show serial; snarling candidates, personal assaults, competition for the best well-rehearsed one-liners. The winner here is the incumbant president.
2
Last night's debate was full of red meat being tossed around, with Mike Bloomberg often appearing frozen in the headlights.
He was interviewing for the "the Big Job" and the viewing audience was the hiring manager. He came through as thoughtful, but only semi-prepared , and worse, non-transparent.
As he acknowledged, his awkward jokes fell flat and his attempts to disparage Bernie were easily batted away.
That he would stoop so low as to invoke "Communism" to describe the fallacies of Democratic Socialism is right out of the GOP right wing play book. Really shameful IMO.
If Bernie is to win the nomination, Bloomberg's misleading association to communism will only give credence to GOP misinformation about the term.
But Bernie's heard it all before and his retort about years of USA gov't socialism for the wealthy, (e.g. bank bailouts, corporate tax breaks) was a slam dunk.
In addition, disparaging Bernie's estimated $2.5M wealth as socialistic hypocrisy fell flat. If anything, it exposes Bernie has a capitalistic side.
To be fair, Mr. Bloomberg often had lucid and relevant answers, but as is common to human psychology, negatives are remembered better.
Explaining the delay for his tax returns sure sounded Trumpian (It's complicated, thousands of pages).
Weakly defending his multiple NDAs also pointed out a worrisome facet. There's a can of worms there, it seems.
After 3 years of subterfuge and lies from Trump, offering another form of non-transparency is troublesome .
3
I keep thinking that it’s time for an old fashioned smoke filled room where the candidates get together, agree on who would best do Job #1 - dethrone Trump - and put that person out there as the nominee NOW and bypass the endless debates, primaries, purity tests, conventions, etc.
Trump is doing that already.
Of course, that’s a pipe dream. Bloomberg’s approach - make ads that pretend that he already is the nominee - may be what eventually makes him the nominee. He’s already on TV every day pounding away at Trump and making the voters on the fence feel as though there is an alternative to the orange nightmare. The infighting between everyone else seems to be a major waste of time.
3
Overall poor. It is a shame the media forces the candidates to such mudslinging. This circus has little to do with policy or what touches normal people in their lives and it will help to get Trump re-elected. This is not the Democrats' fault. Corporate media has got to go. After Trump is out, serious examination of the media's role in this will have to be assessed.
1
The myth created by Bloomberg in his ads met up with reality last night. He needed to be taken to task for his abysmal record of stop and frisk and NDA's for scores of female employees at Bloomberg LP. His performance was clearly the worst onstage, not surprising given his Republican stances of (very) recent past and present. Elizabeth Warren was right, we shouldn't “substitute one arrogant billionaire for another,” nor should we reward a Republican with the Democratic nomination. Money can buy you attention, but it can't buy you love.
2
The 2016 debates did not predict the outcome of the actual election. Trump was awful and still won (for a host of reasons). At the end of the day, the Democrat who would stand a chance against Trump and his crazy base has to have enough money to fight against the muddled messages (read: lies) being put out there to confuse voters. And, that Democrat has to be a street fighter willing and able to fight bare knuckles. I don't think any of them have that killer instinct (or enough money), besides Bloomberg. He may not be perfect (no purity tests, please, this isn't the time) but I think Bloomberg can put up the best fight.
2
With fair media coverage, Warren would be at the top of the ticket.
No worries; it’ll be a Sanders/Warren ticket, and Warren will be President in 2024 if she doesn’t make it in 2020.
The Democratic Cabinet will be interesting; let’s hope they don’t waste too much bandwidth on summarily rounding up all the Republican traitors and dealing with them appropriately.
Klobuchar and Harris will do a good job leading that charge.
What we’ve seen throughout the Democratic primary is that there is ample talent and vision available to deal with the mess the Three Stooges GOP has made.
They’ll be dealt with the first 100 days, and then we’ll move on to focus on climate change, and the depredations the fossil fuel industry has made these past 100 years.
Clown show will be over soon!
4
Bloomberg is a Republican oligarch, with a horrible policy history, is paternalistic, bigoted, sexist, and bitterly condescending. He does not, in any way shape or form, deserve to be the nominee of the Democratic party. Senator Warren was absolutely right in everything she said about him last night.
I'm honestly amazed at the pearl clutching I've been reading in various comments across this site today. Who do you think we're facing in November? Are we supposed to engage in a genteel game of cribbage over life and death issues that are at crisis levels? Personally, I'm sick to death of the old Democratic party that's so afraid of its own shadow that it stalls itself out over hyper-cautious sound bites, confuses moral victory with actual victory, and puts forward policy proposals that are so glacially paced that they're standing still. We need fire, passion, and people who are willing to fight! That's what I saw last night, and that's what we desperately need.
4
In any other election, in any other year, I would not be a fan of Bloomberg. But he’s the only one on that stage last night that can beat Trump so I’m voting for him. I’m tired of Sanders and Warren screaming and wagging their finger at me.
5
My hope is that both Bloomberg and Steyer start putting their resources toward flipping the Senate.
2
What I got from Mayor Michael is a confidence that
could run the country effectively.
I shall miss Bernie after the DNC denies him the
nomination.
I thought Mayor Pete was rude to Amy,
and condescending, he has a way of smirking
at his rivals, she should have slapped him.
Perhaps her performance last night will help Warren.
5
Bloomberg came to attack Trump. The other candidates came to attack Bloomberg. They played right into trumps hands.
6
The most important thing is getting rid of the intemperate and unfit Trump. The democratic candidate that faces Trump has to be aggressive, quick, and, yes, brutal. The attacks on his character ( i.e., caging kids, lying, nepotism, meddling in the DOJ, hiding financial data, favoritism, misogyny, boorishness, ignorance, rascism,) have to sustained and fact based. Debating him on policy (healthcare, national security, immigration, tax cuts, etc.,) will not change anyone's mind, and is a waste of time. Policy issues can be used to drill down to his character. For example, " immigration reform is important, but we don't do it by cruelly separating kids from their parents for years, and locking them up in cages...that was your policy and still is." So, Bloomberg serves a useful purpose as an interim punching bag if nothing else. The other candidates can warm to the challenge of going after Trump without mercy. And, that's what we saw at the debate. Anyone who get's queasy should leave right now.
Bloomberg can still help by funneling his billions to help elect a democrat and asks nothing in return. If he does that he will be redeemed.
1
The debate was a farce — with tragic consequences. A great part of the fault lies with the moderators; they threw red meat into a ring of gladiators, and seemed to not even try to maintain or retain any semblance of control. Who was the moderator who decided to debate Amy Klobuchar about the importance of momentarily forgetting the name of the president of Mexico? Was Mayor Pete again trying to show how young and nimble his mind is, this time in comparison to the senator’s? Has anyone tried to show that some of the quotes attributed to Mayor Mike by Senator Warren we’re simply wrong (I’ve read some fact checks since, so I know they were wrong)? And given all that our president has done in the time between debates, couldn’t some of the candidates or moderators have made more than modest mention of that? More time was spent painting Mayor Bloomberg aa clone of Mr. Trump than tearing the latter apart. A fiasco, a circus, a shameful display of pettiness and meanness!
2
@David B apparently you didn't understand the fact checks
1
I think it is time for pundits to sit down and shut up.
Let the voters decide this one at the ballot boxes... as we are fast approaching the bulk of the primaries with Super Tuesday approaching.
3
The Priceless moment was when Millionaire Bernie was going off on Taxes...and Bloomberg said it was YOU/ Congress that wrote the Tax Laws!
6
Also, can we talk about the amount of coverage over who's winning every second of the day? It may be good for media companies, but it is not good for us.
"Decades of academic studies find that horse-race reporting is linked to:
Distrust in politicians.
Distrust of news outlets.
An uninformed electorate.
Inaccurate reporting of opinion poll data.
Horse race coverage also:
Is detrimental to female political candidates, who tend to focus on policy issues to build credibility.
Gives an advantage to novel and unusual candidates.
Shortchanges third-party candidates, who often are overlooked or ignored because their chances of winning are slim compared to Republican and Democratic candidates.
Horse race reporting helped catapult billionaire businessman Donald Trump to a lead position during the nominating phase of the 2016 presidential campaign, finds another paper in Patterson’s research series, “News Coverage of the 2016 Presidential Primaries: Horse Race Reporting Has Consequences.
https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/news-media/horse-race-reporting-election/
"
2
@Petrichor Thank you for this comment. Yes horse reporting causes burnout, which in turn makes the electorate apathetic.
It's was a debate. Everyone except Bloomberg was trying to get the upper hand. He was the only one last night who really had his eye on the ball.
4
If you donated to someone's campaign, then they bought your vote.
Bloomberg made a decision not to act the fool. He was on the stage for the first time and in the end, he did nothing to hurt himself. He made some very good points (eg, capitalism isn't going anywhere), and he wasn't wild about fighting. That he threw back a few zingers is nothing compared to what Trump would encounter. Ugly but at this point, we need a wall like Bloomberg; it won't crumble even if Trump hurls his entire arsenal of ugliness. Why? Because like it or not, Bloomberg's success is real, tangible, proven and it outweighs his failures. So put him on the ticket with Warren, Klobuchar, Biden and conservatives who don't want to vote for Trump have an option.
2
Bruni, I don't know which debate you saw, but I saw where Warren nailed it. She's the ONE!
3
If you want to get the donald re-elected, this is how you do it. Tear apart the candidates who are all vastly superior to the incumbent. Democrats need to stop destroying each other.
1
The debate was a win for Trump last night thanks to the Democrats unrelenting attack of Bloomberg.
The focus should be on defeating Trump, explaining your policies and how you will pay for them and be united.
Disgusting display that will NOT attract voters who are needed to defeat Trump.
2
Nothing said by any of the Democratic candidates against another, was as damaging as what Trump has done to our democracy and as degrading as Trump himself.
If the voters think that Trump is preferable to any of these Democrats that emerges as the nominee, then our 240 year experiment is finished.
That is not hyperbole. That is a sad fact. The fact that Trump is considered a formidable candidate against any of these Democrats is an indictment of the current state of the American electorate.
1
What is clear to me is that the "good" of Bloomberg is not outweighed by his arrogance and bad behavior. NDA's are a way to pay off people who have been seriously harmed. People don't get paid off for bad jokes. They get paid off for seriously bad behavior. No rich person with lawyers pays off people for minor indiscretions. Too many Democrats see Bloomberg riding in on a white horse to destroy a man whose personal behavior and sense of entitlement is altogether too much like Trump's approach to the world.
1
Thankfully 95% of the American people had better things to do last night than watch the celebrity TV "journalists" start a free-for-all mud-fight and then drift-off for their naps. Our electoral system is a farce from the money involved and these "debates" to the sketchy voting technology, voter suppression and anti-democratic Electoral College.
2
I am worried where the democratic party is heading!
Of all the people on the stage the only one who did not enagage in showmanship and over the top rhetoric like Warren, Sanders and to some extent Amy, was Michael Blumberg who made sense with practical explanations.
There is a lot more that Blumberg could have pointed to, his real financial support for Gun Control and other intelligent causes! It is not about debating skills and spouting various unreal nonsense. Blumberg knows how to work with many different types of people and groups. For many years my wife and I were Democrats but the left wing of the party is heading us all over the cliff! ...and cementing another four years of Donald Trump.
1
You had me until the end, Frank.
We're going to beat Trump.
Warren’s constant hand raising before her fellow contenders finished speaking totally put me off. The same can be said for Sanders except Warren’s behavior was worse. Only Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Biden and Bloomberg behaved in a manner that befitted a presidential candidate. The moderator from Telemundo was difficult to understand despite being on national television where the ability to be understood was troubling especially given the fact that Klobuchar was being repeatedly admonished for not remembering the name of the President of Mexico. The entire setup of the “debate” was a farce and the New York Times also continues to demonize Bloomberg because of his wealth. Aren’t there any intellectual in the media anymore or just pretty faces asking vapid questions? I continue to support Bloomberg. The goal is to beat Trump not cannibalize each other.
2
Will choose anytime Democratic socialism over democratic capitalism.
how do you expect Bloomberg to justify the stop and frisk and the NDA? Typical Americans want a cheesy actor tape response. He can’t change his past no matter what he says. You either except him for what he plans to do going forward or you don’t
I don’t know Frank ... it seems like Bloomberg stood his ground and gave as much as he got calling the other candidate’s attacks on his wealth “ludicrous” ... Democrats attacking someone for being VERY successful does not look good and it is UnAmerican ... that was my impression ... I’m a Biden man and Biden had his best debate ... I don’t like a billionaire becoming President by virtue of his wealth alone ... and that’s the only reason Bloomberg was at the debate ... but Bloomberg handled himself “Presidentially” in my view .
For Bloomberg it was a total disaster. I wrote a day ago stating several reasons why he should withdraw from this race. Last night everything I wrote was presented by Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar, all in spades. The best blast came from Elizabeth Warren who clearly stated to Bloomberg and for all to hear that it was not the outcome of Stop and Frisk, but rather the thoughtless and racist beginnings of that policy. Bloomberg broadly supported this policy pointing out that black youth with guns was the problem and the only way to stop gun violence is to throw these men against the wall and instill fear within them so that they would leave guns at home. Bloomberg failed to grasp that the execution of this program would do more harm than good. He didn't get it then and doesn't get it now.
Bloomberg also stated recently that the 71 year old security guard at a Texas church who, among many others was armed, should not have made the decision to shoot the armed terrorist who just killed two others with a shotgun. Had that security guard not killed the madman and waited for the police dozens of others would have been killed. Nevertheless Bloomberg savaged the armed member of the congregation.
Bloomberg is out of touch. He thinks he can buy his way to the Presidency.
Sorry Mr. Bloomberg but you are a rich, out of whack bully with a checkered past about women and civil rights. Please, leave the race and avoid further embarrassment.
2
The Democrat circus continues. Al that screaming and yelling by Warren and red faced Sanders pushing for an agenda that the majority of Americans don't want.
The others did the same except for Bloomberg who stayed cool and didn't get near hysterical like the rest of these egotistical turkeys. At the end of these debates and last night's performances I would never vote for any of the candidates except for Bloomberg. Where were the attacks on Trump and his policies. Where were any thoughts how they would govern and rein in McConnell. They lost me when the two yelling big mouths chased the only two candidates, Inslee and Bennett, away with talking over them. Republicans must still be laughing over last night.
1
Now Bloomberg's dirty laundered has been aired. So what? At the next debate, this will be past him and the other debaters. Now can we focus on the most critical issues?
The debates have outlasted their usefulness. The issues and candidates stand on them are known. All that's left for participants to do is attack one another, which they do with gusto.
Personally, I find this abhorrent and smacks more of Trumps' tactics than I'd hope to hear from candidates professing to be 'holier then thou'.
Mike was the only one not participating in this despicable take-down, so to me, he was the best of the abhorrent bunch!
I'm one of those unicorn voters caught between extremes (a small L libertarian) who desperately wants a Democrat I can support against the Trump dumpster fire. I eyed that Bloomberg bandwagon when it first rumbled by but after last night's crumble, and in hearing some of his comments on minorities and women, I'm going to wait for another ride. But if it's driven by Bernie "Trust me, it'll work, I'm smarter than you" Sanders and his one-size-fits-all, no choice brand of life management imported from Scandinavia, I may have to leave the top of my ballot blank.
That was the first time I ever saw Blooomberg on live TV and I was not at all impressed. I can't believe that guy was the mayor of NYC
2
I think M. Bloomberg may have been a more viable candidate 10 years ago. We have four 70 year olds on the stage: both Bloomberg and Biden seem a bit frail and lacking vigor, while Sanders and Warren still have the energy and gumption to ascend to the next level.
I'm not terribly interested in food fights and yelling contests, so after the opening salvo by Sanders and seeing Warren, mouth agape, trying to jump in, I left the debate if that's what we call these things. Mostly it's just an embarrassment and a disgrace that the Democrates can't put together a vastly better slate of candidates than this. Well over 300 million citizens in our country and this is what we offer a country that needs giants? And no matter anyway because mouse lips Mitch isn't going to let the Dems do anything! Harpo Marx gets my vote!
That was a "Debate"? Could have fooled me.
Thought the context of article read more like a Critic's review of a Theatre or Movie performance.
Lest we forget: four years ago the consensus by the "intelligentsia" including the NYT, was that Trump performed poorly in every debate. Seems to me that Professor Santayana is somewhere up in the sky smiling.
I had to turn it off after an hour. What exactly did these candidates have to gain by eviscerating each other over so many petty subjects? And the anger. Wow! A circular firing squad if there ever was one.
I was rather bemused at Michal Bloomberg’s response to his accusers. There was literally nothing he could say to Elizabeth Warren’s and Bernie Sander’s harangues that would assure them of his sincerity...so why bother. He appeared to simply be standing by silently at times watching the rest of them duke it out. The forgotten name of the president of Mexico. Really? Why get involved in such stupidity?
All in all, I was disappointed by them all. And learned nothing new except several had a new level of nastiness not previously revealed.
What a colossal waste of time. Michael Bloomberg was the least of it.
1
Bloomberg has needed multiple NDA's with women that work for him, that is gross. He personally owns more than the bottom 125 Million ppl in the country, also gross. He implemented and defended Stop And Frisk, a racist policing policy, no words. This man is no better than Trump, are we as Democrats?
1
70% of America are HS grads at best. So naturally a failed businessman, husband and christian will lead the a country based on Faith, Truth and reputation. Oh well! Our country is truly Dancing with the Stars or hypocracy for all to see!!
It was a travesty, and even more so because the "moderators" didn't moderate. Instead they egged them on, and cut them off when they tried to defend themselves. NBC seemed to stand for"Nothing But Chumps."
1
Text me when it's over.
1
Michael Bloomberg did not deny that he had had problems with women in his workplace. He dodged Elizabeth Warren’s questions and yet she wouldn’t let him get off the hook. He is a racist and sexist. This fact will not go away. A female employee told Michael Bloomberg that she was pregnant and he told her to “kill it.” This is awful. She was justifiably upset and sued. They settled out of court and this is just one of many incidents involving his sexism.
Michael Bloomberg is very insensitive and would make a poor president. It is very unlikely he will move ahead after last night’s debate. It was a bomb and the true Mike Bloomberg was on display. We do not need the likes of him in the White House. He is a disgrace.
3
Over his 8 years in office Bloomberg saved lives, and drastically reduced the number of rapes, assaults and robberies. He shouldn't have to apologize for that. Oh, just ask the people who weren't murdered, raped, assaulted or robbed.
1
So much shilling for Bloomberg in these comments, it's unbelievable. Especially after that debacle last night. I'm sure he's paying a pretty penny for many of these posts.
2
If you thought this was bad, read the attached article from Forbes, describing all the nasty tactics and verbiage traded in presidential campaigns long past. Puts this debate in perspective:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/08/20/the-dirtiest-presidential-campaign-ever-not-even-close/#2e21e03c3d84
It was a gangster street fight with zero substance. The clear winner for the undecided voters is Donald Trump.
1
Every person on the debate stage is massively better than Trump. Every person on that stage has also stumbled at some point in past debates. Ever thankful for Bernie, still behind him. Also willing to support Bloomberg. He is competent with a capital C.
The pundits have it wrong. Bloomberg made a clear calculation to appear aloof. That's not bombing, it's a strategic decision. These debates mean nothing. None of them has moved polls or launched candidacies. His performance reflected the meaninglessness of the event and differentiated him from the pack. His rivals seemed downright desperate; he seemed like he was too self-assured to care. Just look at the subheading of this article: "His rivals were ready. He was not." That's another way of expressing the old Sesame Street tune, "One of these things is not like the others..." He made it plain that he is not like the others. And given that the others behaved like a bunch of zoo animals, I don't think that was a bad move.
2
I was glad Bloomberg did not say much, was disappointed in all the pouncing and yelling (granted some may describe it as impassioned) and admired him for holding back. I wanted to hear about job creation, health care costs, building infrastructure, relationship with allies, environment and climate change, healing the divide etc. So sick of the the take downs, see that everyday in the current admin.
1
Bloomberg did accomplish one thing. He showed how flawed and downright unpleasant the Democratic candidates are. You say this is not a popularity contest? Sure it is.
Trump gets this. He knows most people do not like or trust him. But rather than try to win them over by pretending otherwise, he goes for their self-interest, telling folks they don't have to like him but he'll keep their 401k going up.
2
I think you missed it this time Frank.
Bloomberg looked like the only adult in a room of shouting, yelling and impatient kids. He was restrained, perhaps bored, a little perturbed. Compared to the others, he was the only one who was presidential.
He made no gaffes, and his lines about Bernie being a socialist with three houses, and about Trump benefiting most from the other candidates' raucous backbiting were the best of the night.
In his first debate, with the other candidates eagerly prepared to pummel him, Bloomberg stood up to them and didn't even mention all the programs he funded to benefit minorities, stop gun violence or elect Democratic women to the House in 2016.
The media may like chaos, controversy, and drama, but most Americans are tired of it, especially from our president. Read how many here agree.
I think Bloomberg won his first presidential debate, hands-down.
5
@Dennis
Agreed, I think Bloomberg was toast in Mr. Bruni's eyes before the "debate" ever began, and he saw exactly what he wanted to see.
Medicare for All and Single Payer is the wrong message. Public Option is the correct message. We have Public Option everywhere in American society. Public schools are public options. They are tax payer funded. You don't like it, put your kids in private schools. Public transit is is public option. It is tax payer funded/subsidized. You don't like it, buy your own car. There are many other examples.
Republicans have starved public schools and public transit from funds to "prove" that public option and government is a failure. Invest, invest, invest. That's different than throw money down the drain as Republicans have been saying since Reagan's years.
It started with Reagan in 1980 but it continued with Democrats and Republicans since. Clinton did more for Reganomics than Reagan and Bush-1 combined.
Yes, we need structural changes. But they won't happen overnight. We need a champion with a vision on how to get there. Unfortunately, Bernie and Warren have the vision, but not how to get there. The so-called moderates don't have the vision. Americans are stuck in the middle.
3
For 50 years I've watched Dems pin their hopes on young voters only to have them dashed repeatedly. Why is this consistent historical phenomenon being ignored again? Bernie cannot win the general.
4
No matter what you say about Bloomberg, it all pales against anything Trump has done. Unfortunately you would be hard pressed to find a wealthy white man of his age who didn't hold those same despicable views on women and minorities. The one redeeming factor is he believes in Climate Change and uses he money for that and other"democratic causes"
That being said, after numerous discussions with friends who are Democrats and wealthy , Bloomberg is the only person they would vote for. They will not vote for Trump so will not vote at all.
To defeat Trump everyone must vote. As it appears money is the main motivator for who you vote for, Bloomberg is a very viable choice for Republicans who despise Trump but love their portfolio more. Their vote could allow us to save Democracy.
So put your ideals in the back seat because if Trump wins they will be worth nothing and support Bloomberg
2
I wish folks would realize that Bernie Sanders is not a candidate of the Democratic Party. He is a Democratic Socialist, which isn't the same thing. not the same thing at all.
If he somehow won the Presidency (he won't) he'd be all by himself in the White House. Who in Congress is going to take up the banner of Democratic Socialism. Which business executives will rally to his cause? What moderate and progressive career public officials will adopt Sanders' unrealistic agenda?
Bloomberg has his share of faults and weaknesses. Who doesn't. But he is rallying the Democratic Party up and down the ballot and across the nation; no one else, and certainly not the DNC, has the wherewithal and ability to manage this side of politics.
Bloomberg has pledged to support whoever wins the nomination and continue his investment in defeating Trump. Seen in that light, the attacks on him last night by Warren and Sanders were incredibly short-sighted and highly polarizing.
1
@PaulB67-- agree 100%. Bernie is old and in ill health that he will not cop to. He is unpleasant, and as Hillary honestly though perhaps ungraciously stated, "nobody likes him." His entire career path has been as a senator from an insignificant state, nice though it may be. He is a socialist. I doubt he could find a suitable Veep, nor can he fill a cabinet with the sort of smart democrats we will need to unwind the mess that is trump.
Perhaps the worst thing about Bernie is that he has no coattails, and many never-trumpers won't vote at all if he is the candidate. What we need even more than somebody's idea of a dream president is a democratic senate and house. Bernie can't (and won't) help deliver this goal.
Bloomberg knew he was entering the race with serious issues he would have to address. It's not his past deeds that are the problem; it's his apparent failure to understand and address them in a coherent matter. The fact that he doesn't seem to understand why he was wrong raises serious concerns about his candidacy. And besides, if he can't deal with attacks from Elizabeth Warren, how can anyone expect him to put up an effective defense against Trump and the Republican hate machine?
2
Last night was a parade of cheap-shots masquerading as campaign strengths and virtues. The chorus of "let's hear it for the girls" and the "socialism is horrible" and "you don't KNOW what?" .. along with variations .. gets really boring. If we wanted a social Jerry Springer Show, we could perhaps tune in elsewhere.
What many of us would like the see/hear is a deeper discourse. For example: how much 'socialism' would actually be good for the US? How much debt should our govt accept, and why .. what is the actual significance of debt? Should health care indeed be affordable and completely available? What is the actual cost of universal medicare, under a smoother system w/o private companies taking profits?
What is the actual effect of federal expenditures ... where money is made to circulate more fully? How much military do we really need, and how much do we really want to only increase it?
And a thousand other questions about things that affect the people. The personal life histories of candidates do not interest me much. Why not focus on our real systems for people, rather than a flawless personality test of candidates?
Why do we want to pretend we need a candidate that walks on water when the chief opponent cannot even walk on solid ground?
10
I don't know, Frank.
Seems to me that for a first performance, Bloomberg did fine.
Many of the commenters here, and me too, tuned in for the first time, perhaps partly to see the Bloomberg phenomena manifest, and partly because it finally seems now that the field of candidates are finally ready to debate the issues.
I think voters don't really care about any single gotcha bumping off one or another candidate, we want someone who can beat Trump, who can paint for us a picture of a restored America after Trump, and who has the gravitas and credibility to have us pull together and follow them in to the future.
Each of the candidates had to make their shot count last night, and each tried. I don't think anyone created an opportunity for their ascendancy last night, and I don't think any one of them was completely outclassed.
Someone must be the nominee. The voters of Nevada and those of Super Tuesday will let us know how to judge the performances. I just hope we can all pull behind whomever wins.
2
Wow, reminds me of 2016-- here is where the people who get paid to chatter start losing sight of the whole picture. And the whole picture is this: not everybody watched the debate on some in-house ad-free live-stream with their echo-chamber colleagues. Most of America watched the debate on network TV. And so, even though Bloomberg's answers were stilted and defensive and arrogant and all the other stuff, he came out a winner because the two Bloomberg ads that ran during the debate were great ads that made him look great, and that's what people will remember. Whether it was ethical for NBC to accept those ads is another question-- but they did, and that's how most people will remember Mike Bloomberg from the debate. And why political reporters will be shocked (shocked!) when his popularity grows. He's smart enough to know that reporters don't actually have many votes, and that good ads will always trump the debate.
I wish it were otherwise.
4
"Bloomberg has been the target of ire for his spending on campaign ads. You can’t blame his opponents." (Gail Collins, NYTimes, 19Feb2020) As an Independent, I find the attitude of the Democratic candidates self-defeating. Mr. Bloomberg has promised to support whoever the Democratic nominee is, and has made removing Mr. Trump a primary goal. Also, he is not devouring campaign donations that can go to others. One might think the Democrats would welcome such a man, especially when all his policy positions are appealing - health care, the environment, taxation, etc. Yes, there have been controversies, but nothing remotely close to Mr. Trump's fiascoes. E.g.: "I Was the Judge in the Stop-and-Frisk Case. I Don’t Think Bloomberg Is Racist." (NYTimes, 19Feb2020)
The "winner" of the Nevada debate is clearly Mr. Trump, who is undoubtedly greatly enjoying the Democrat's circular firing squad.
2
I didn’t see this is a win for Trump but as an opportunity for Democrats to see what’s hidden under the rocks before it’s too late. I felt more optimistic after this debate than I did before. Personally, I think Warren killed it, in a good way. I just donated again to her campaign and also to Buttigieg’s, contradictory as that may seem.
3
Bloomberg has a lot of the baggage Trump has but the dem voters just won't put up with it like republicans do. Corruption and big moneyed interests is what got us here. Warren and Sanders are the only two candidates left standing after this debate for many reasons. I expect Warren to get a boost in the polls going forward.
5
Bloomberg is going to benefit from the attacks hurled at him just like Trump did in 2016 GOP primaries. As a man, a business owner and a liberal, the attacks especially on his wealth and past shortcomings on women’s relations didn’t stick with me because they didn’t speak of the major problems we are facing for which he has a proven record in addressing and funding.
Like the very successful prime minister of Singapore once said: I am 88, I have lived long and I have not forgotten my mistakes.
Please spare us the attacks on past behavior, we are interested in policies. Stop and frisk is one and the African American voters in particular will have a final say on that.
4
I watched the entire debate. I like Bloomberg’s chances of winning the nomination and beating Trump.
Bloomberg is authentic. He’s in this to beat Trump; not to satisfy some long-held ambition to be the President. His actions speak louder than everyone else’s words.
At different times I’ve liked and rooted for everyone on that stage last night.
I wanted Warren to run in 2016, when we needed her. Her recent flip-flopping on Medicare for all, however, and the Super PAC now supporting her anti-Super PAC candidacy, have undermined her integrity.
Biden is no longer cognitively prepared for a debate, let alone the Presidency.
Pete was promising at first, but his many billionaire donors, and his smugness as he temporarily pulled ahead, do not a pretty picture make.
I personally like Sanders’ platform. But I’m worried about his health/longevity and his ability to get anything done unless we get a majority in both houses. Without that, his election would be a meaningless accomplishment. And he is the least likely candidate to live/survive through a four-year term.
Klobuchar has her moments, but she seemed petty against Pete last night and in prior debates. She is not as funny or cute as she thinks she is. And she does not have a progressive agenda.
Bloomberg has integrity. He is authentic. He’s been the successful chief executive of our largest city. His actions belie a generous, progressive leader. He needs me to help him for the next debate.
757
@Scottapottomus What a great comment and analysis of the DEM candidates. I agree with your thoughts on Bloomberg.
The fact that Bloomberg has been elected multiple times as Mayor of New York speaks volumes for his ability to run a demanding and complicated city. Being a self-made man is impressive enough but also given the fact that he knows Trump well and I believe has the ability to beat him.
I think that Sander's health is an issue and he is too left wing to beat Trump, maybe there will be more people willing to vote for such a platform in 4 to 8 years but viewing this from the outside, America is still a very conservative nation on many fronts.
123
@Scottapottomus Bloomberg changes the laws with his money so he could run a 3rd time. No one wanted him as a 3 time mayor. He was a terrible mayor especially to POC. There is no way, if you were a Sanders supporter, you can go for Bloomberg. Entirely different policies.
55
@Scottapottomus Your comment most accurately reflects my read of this debate, the candidates, and the trajectory of the campaign. Thank you.
51
Bloomberg was a disaster last night. Things stayed status quo for Bernie, which only helps him. Which makes four more years of Trump more likely. God help us all.
I think Mayor Bloomberg had the best line of the night. Granted, it was regarding a specific topic, when he said something to the effect of 'Trump is certain to be re-elected if people listen to what has been going on on this stage tonight'. Every Democratic debate I observe is leading me to the same conclusion. The only difference I have noticed is that the circle of the circular firing squad is getting smaller. Whining is not a winning strategy.
2
Bloomberg is not perfect. And he got hit pretty hard during the debate. But ask yourself, will Warren's attacks on Trump be as effective; will Sanders' attacks on Trump be as effective if they are the candidate. From what I saw, Bloomberg's aloofness might be what's needed to mess with Trump's game. Trump will have the most difficulty, the most trouble Bloomberg, that is the message I take away from the debate. And that is the MOST important message.
2
Lots of anti Warren comments here that boil down to, angry woman ugh. I though she was great. I love her passion for right. As for Blumberg, hiding behind too many non-disclosure agreements gets at the very essence of what is wrong with him and disqualifies him. I am still not quite decided and am looking at my ballot, but Warren impressed me again.
5
I watched the entire debate and read a fair number of comments here.
Last night, there were some strong arguments and some petty ones. It was predictable that Bloomberg would have a target on his back, so it was surprising that he wasn't prepared for the attacks on him. If he thought he had a rough night, that is nothing compared with what the Russians/Republicans will do to him.
So the real winner of last night's debate was Trump because hardly anyone even mentioned his name. Once again, it looks like the Democratic circular firing squad will provide ammunition for Trump.
1
Caveat: I didn't watch the debate, in part because I really do not care about this political theater and in part because all knew that the candidates not named Bloomberg would be attacking Bloomberg, especially Warren.
Reading about the debate, I conclude that Mayor Mike did not perform well. However, to me, for several reasons, his debate performance matters little.
First, experience in debate matters. The other candidates have been doing this. Bloomberg has not.
Second, at some point, the attacks for stop-and-frisk and over gender issues become old news.
Third, Bloomberg has the money to overcome any debate damage.
Fourth, there will be a point in the campaign when Bloomberg does join fully in the fray, making the points that Bernie and Liz as the nominee means not only a Trump second term, but also Speaker McCarthy; that he is running for president, not to be the darling of the party's progressive wing; and that Trump is the issue in 2020, not police practices 15 years ago.
It strikes me as peculiar that there is no public outrage about Bernie Sander's plan to go single payer, government managed health insurance. The pharmaceuticals he wants to disown and redirect their business model towards the common good. This will wipe out capital investment in new research. With Bernie in power supported by a Democratic Congress, this will crash the stock of healthcare insurers, and pharmaceuticals. New drug research will immediately lack capital. And all this will happen at the speed of the Wall Street stock market, namely trillion dollar losses within days before any legislative debate has even started, never mind written laws fit to print. In hours, healthcare can collapse, and no amount of T-Note issues will correct this. Not even the Social Security Trust fund.
Bloomberg needs to use his expertise to publicly explain to Bernie Sanders the effects of his plans will have on the financial industry and economy of the USA. At the risk of the GOP using it to their advantage. Someone has to speak up.
1
Bloomberg is the only candidate that can talk down to Trump because he's made more money, created more jobs, put his own money to work on social issues (evidenced here in the Bay Area) and knows more about the financial markets than anyone else, including the other democratic candidates. It's great to have diverse opinions and perspectives coming from Bernie -- whom I admire -- but he is not the candidate to win, nor bring this country together.
6
My take on last night’s debate- unsettling! The hostility was over the top! Did it work against Bloomberg. Not sure. However, regarding Warren and Bloomberg’s responses, Warren’s attacks on Bloomberg were understandable, but in my opinion, it didn’t resonate on his overall electability. Bloomberg’s mayoral, management and philanthropic accomplishments are real. Did he make mistakes over the years, yes. Did the other candidates make mistakes over the years! Yes! Who are they to throw stones.
Bloomberg doesn’t have to prove anything in regard to whether he can beat Trump. His record speaks for itself. Who cares if he use to be a Republican? Sanders isn’t a Democrat, and that doesn’t seem to bother a lot of voters.
We want to oust Trump, bottom line!! Who can do it? We will find out.
4
This is not the first column I have read today bemoaning the fact that Democrats are actually competing with one another for the nomination. Nearly every column concludes that this is good for trump, and I disagree very, very strongly. It only works to trump's advantage if the media decide to bang that drum--in my view this is a traditional campaign to choose a candidate to defeat trump and turn this country around. Do not accept the implication that the farce that was the 2016 campaign is or should be the new normal....the winner debased the process with adolescent name-calling, lies and hyped up rallies--oh, and Russian bots swung the election in his favor. Let the Dems compete!
4
Let’s face it, we all want to see JFK up there, tanned and poised, taking on the sweating Richard Nixon. Times, have changed. How many non-descosure agreements would JFK have today? And, he essentially wanted to build up the military, “the missle gap.” After gaining office, he lowered income taxes, like every Republican after him. It’s a lot easier to simply say, (like Trump), I’m going to put a little more money in your paycheck, then to tell people your job is obsolete, and now you have to learn a new one! A daunting prospect for someone in their sixties. But, think of our immigrant grandparents who somehow boarded, “steamers,” crossed the Atlantic Ocean, with nothing, often, just children and alone. There are former factory workers in Michigan who lament moving several hundred miles to start over, not to mention the resentment they hold for those that live where the jobs are. Clearly, out sourcing, has to be penalized with gusto. Corporation CEO’s would fire their parents to get a better bottom line, and outsourcing is the lowest hanging fruit. Not one candidate mentioned it. People need a fair shake. People need hope.
2
To me, a revealing moment about Sanders was this: Asked about his socialism, he quickly went to "socialism for the rich" and how he wants to get rid of it. He could have instead talked about the actual socialism we do have -- social security, medicare, medicaid, etc. But instead he went with "off with their heads" socialism. That's why I find Sanders off-putting while also agreeing with some of his policies.
A second revealing moment was a missed opportunity to shut down all the diatribes against Bloomberg as a billionaire. What Bloomberg did with his company is to make something of nothing, to give thousands of journalists and others jobs, and to pay gobs of taxes. Did Bloomberg deserve to get as rich as he is? No, and that reflects our venal tax code. But is he the monster as attacked by most everyone else on the stage? Of course not. I would argue that with his business, his philanthropy and his time as mayor, he has done much, much more for the public than anyone else on the stage.
But as a naive debater on the national stage, he booted that and allowed Warren and Sanders in particular to demagogue and stereotype. I hope that other viewers saw these things last night.
7
One thing (among others) that seems to have got lost in the shuffle (or the gang fight) of last night's debate is that when someone (maybe one of the immoderators or one of his antagonists: I forgot) asked about making his tax records public, Bloomberg said that (in addition to needing time to do it because they're complicated, but he'll have them all available in 2 weeks), he had made his tax records while he was mayor of NYC available and they still can be seen. In other words, do your homework.
2
@Berine in Va
You just skated across what I saw as a contradiction.
If Bloomberg already released his taxes in New York, doesn’t he already have taxes ready to release to the public?
The Wall Street Journal offers an explanation:
“Unlike most New York politicians, the billionaire mayor for 12 years has refused to release his full tax returns, instead inviting the media each year to review—for a few hours only—his highly redacted filings. Reporters are prohibited from photocopying, scanning, photographing, videotaping or otherwise mechanically duplicating any of the information provided.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323975004578501644167537514
Do we really need to trade one New York film flam man for another on the premise the next one will be less bad and “electable”?
1
Let’s go a little bit easier on Mr. Bloomberg. He is not a professional politician nor a debater. He is a businessman and a philanthropist who spent time as NYC’s mayor. I’m not a fan of Mr Bloomberg, but for the media to play up the fact that he didn’t do as well as the seasoned debaters is a bit unfair. Let’s not forget, the man has already given away more of his fortune than most of us will ever make.
10
@Pete, he can no longer use the "not a professional politician" trope. He is such successfull professional politician that he managed to get himself a third term as mayor of New York.
If he's going to insist on occupying that space, I'll just remind everyone that the current president is "not a professional politician," and it shows.
4
Bloomberg made the most prescient comment of the debate when he admonished his fellow candidates by saying: “I can’t think of a way to make it easier for Donald Trump to get reelected than listening to this conversation. This is ridiculous. We’re not going to throw out capitalism. We tried that. Other countries tried that. It’s called communism, and it just didn’t work.”
To many Americans the Democratic debates look like a meeting of the Comintern or a gathering of Jacobins. Most Americans agree that something should be done to reduce the income gap between the rich, but most are hesitant to make the revolutionary changes most Democrat support. When Bernie Sanders references Denmark, they think Venezuela. When Elizabeth Warren advocates passing a law to force corporations to put workers oh their board of directors, they think commissars.
4
I was leaning toward Bloomberg...not any more. Sorry to say...he is brilliant but it looked like he thought he was above it all and could swat them all away with a few slightly flippant and cutting remarks. I hope he gets behind the nominee, as he has said he would, if he's not it. Guess he could turn it around. At his age with a history of being the boss and probably not open to a lot of coaching it's doubtful.
2
As Bloomberg struggled to find his footing in last night's debate, I am reminded of Obama's clumsy first debate. He recovered and so will Mike. He now knows who and what will come at him again.
And I have to say, the debate over his wealth is a fruitless fight. With several millionaires on that stage, we're talking about where to place the decimal point in personal net worth. And Mike has donated billions to the causes we believe in; gun control, saving the environment, equal pay, ... Should we be asking how much money the millionaire candidates have donated over the years?
Yes, MIke has had to repair his reputation a few times over the years. But I must advise him of a quote from West Germany's first chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, who was criticized by the press for frequently changing his mind. He responded, "I reserve the right to be smarter than I was yesterday." Mike, I hope you are listening and reading these reader comments.
8
Why did Warren wait til last night to mount a Pickett's like charge against her own party?
There was only one winner in thsi debate.
Trump. The Dem civil war will rage on, each candidate jockeying for a brokered convention win.
And a guarenteed loss in November.
2018 laid out the road to a win in 2020 for the Dems. Tey chose a completely different path.
This choice is a disaster, and they thus deserve the loss coming.
5
He was wobbly and showed his age. there is NO way he can take Trump on; he couldn't even handle Elizabeth Warren!
5
The voice of the people has been speaking for years and it has not been heard by the Democratic Party. The voice of the people has again been speaking during these first primary contests and the Democratic Party is tying itself in knots trying not to see the truth. How long will it take for the Democratic Party to hear the voice of the people? Bernie is winning every contest because the people see something that the corporate funded party leaders cannot allow themselves to see. And that is that they have sold out their base and their principles long ago and the people are not going to stand for it any more. Trump is only in office because the Democratic Party leadership ignored the voice of the people last time. They do not look like they have learned anything this time around. But the people might take the choice away from them with their overwhelming enthusiasm for Bernie. Bernie is the Trump defeater in waiting and all the party leaders have to do is get out of his way. Bernie now represents our last hope of preserving something very important in our history, something that will forever change our country if it goes away. The Republicans are well advanced on their project to create a Russia-like mafia of law breaking wealth interests. If we want the rule of law and a country for the people we have only Bernie left leading the way. This is not a hard choice and I am sure the American people will make it if they are given the chance.
2
It would seem that Mr. Bruni saw exactly what he wanted to see, and only what he wanted to see. I saw a lot of cheap, predictable shots, and a level headed guy with dignity & composure sloughing it off like water off a duck's back.
Bloomberg got in the race because he sees that the rest of the field doesn't have the stuff to vanquish trump (especially Sanders), and that scares him. It scares me. He's focusing on trump while the rest of the pack is focusing on smears while participating in a circular firing squad.
18
Let's get real bit serious.
American election system as a whole is a horse race. Nothing substantial talked about or detailed about.
For example : Go read every running candidate health care solution , you cannot find a single word Why we are here this awful situation. Instead without knowing the problems we have lots of solutions. so to said trial error.
I remember 2016 republican primary, nothing substantial and only best lying person won.
In the world no body give politician 2 year of attention for their election. that is wastefully unnecessary.
American political system 2 party, election preparation , money spend etc. are clearly the sign Things will only got worse. This is already certified in Congress side, white house side is soon reach that level.
This is a 20th century political talking, we are in 3rd decade of 21st century.
Trump is running country as if it is like mid 20th century .
I do not see any good comes out of this process.
Believe it or not, a smackdown in Las Vegas is not the best determinant of who would be the best President. Bloomberg would be among the best Presidents we have ever had. It would be an honor to vote for him. I also feel the same about Klobuchar.
11
The Democratic candidates, indeed, Democrats as a whole, are unable to forgive themselves. They deliberately slay and sacrifice each other at the altar of purity, cajoled, provoked and prodded by media outlets more interested in the horse race and ratings. It is thin sustenance in the Democratic Party's efforts to remove Trump from the Oval Office, and, importantly, in down-ballot races come Election Day.
The Republicans, especially since Trump, have long known how to take advantage of the Democrats' bloodletting. Like the Trojan Horse, they are merely laying in wait and will likely annihilate the Democrats come November. Judging by what I've seen so far, they won't have to wait until midnight to make their move.
2
To me the two winners were Sanders and Bloomberg, for very different reasons. Sanders' strength is in his moral convictions, and his ability to connect with younger voters who are the future of the party. Bloomberg's in his executive ability, and the fact he didn't come across as a slick politician. And both were strong on the biggest issue of all: climate change.
7
Will choose democratic socialism anytime over democratic capitalism. Policies are made by human beings and not impossible to change old policies or bring new policies.
3
The debate was the equivalent of a food fight. The main question remains who can best beat Trump and an important question iswho can best help the Democrats take back the Senate and retain control of the House. I had thought Biden was that person but his poor showing in the first two primaries has led to a complete disarray and has opened the door for no candidate getting a majority of delegates going into the convention. Sanders is clearly aware of this and doesn't want to follow the convention process but declare the person who has the most delegates to be the winner which he assumes will be himself. He was the only candidate who expressed that view. A big question has to be who would the super delegates favor if it does come down to a second round of voting? And what would happen to the party if Sanders has the most delegates but the super delegates wind up giving the victory to another candidate.
I don't care what Bloomberg did in the past. Wall Street in the 1980's was a boys club. I'd love to see him go toe to toe with Putin and the Chinese. If/when he starts to tout his self made, son of immigrant story, I believe most people who didn't know him as mayor of New York City for 12 years, will see that he has the ability and resources to straighten out this mess Trump has made out of government and our country.
15
The problem with these TV shows is that so many people keep confusing what's going on with a "debate." There is, nor has there recently been, a "debate." A debate is a reasoned, polite argument between two knowledgeable, prepared people who pitch their points in a structured back-and-forth. The last such political debate I witnessed was Kennedy vs. Nixon in 1960, and it, appropriately, made a difference in the election outcome.
What is happening on TV these days is just a verbal shouting match between a bunch of impolite people who employ Trumpian tactics to see who can humiliate the others the most. The only one on stage last night who wasn't doing that was Bloomberg. But how could Bloomberg, or anyone, withstand the nasty, withering onslaught of the other desperate candidates?
I like Mike in 2020!
22
Yet another party establishment and corporate media chew toy comes up short and tasteless. The biggest laugh of the night came for me on MSNBC when Chris Matthews was asked who was the centrist, unity candidate on stage who could stop Sanders. He thought a moment and answered, Elizabeth Warren. It will be even funnier if we see Warren coverage suddenly turn positive in all the mainstream "liberal" media, including this one, that delivered the three consecutive week billionaire-panic beat down of Warren when she first started rising in national polls. Mathews is right. It really doesn't look like they have any other choice. At least she reads financial data.
5
The debate highlighted what a travesty our electoral process has become. We choose our presidents based on their charisma and stage presence, not on their wisdom and managerial ability.
No wonder that a television-savvy con man is currently sitting in the White House and is likely to keep sitting there for another four years. Among the democrats, Bernie is the most charismatic and strident, so he leads the pack, even though his record and policy ideas are not representative of the majority of his party.
And, BTW, in 2016 all pundits declared Hillary the winner over Trump in all their debates. Those pundits, of course, missed the whole point, as they are missing it now. The words and policy ideas the debaters spew matters very little. What sticks in people's minds is only this: who is the alpha-primate on the stage? Among the current crop of democrats, that is clearly Bernie. Warren, despite her attacks, is just shrill and agitated. Biden is unsteady, Bloomberg is whiny and meek, Pete is too rehearsed, and Amy is not forceful enough. Sanders, however, has a deep booming voice and forceful hand motions that signal his dominance in this part of the forest. The voter primates will undoubtedly end up picking him.
1
"He built his phenomenally successful business himself ... "
Please stop perpetuating these myths about individuals who start companies. Yes, they had an idea and created a company to further it. But once that organization was created, hundreds and thousands of employees influenced its success (or lack thereof). Bloomberg is a key and vital player in the success of his company, but in no way did he built it by himself.
3
@JBC I’m pretty sure all of Bloomberg’s employees were paid, probably well, and received healthcare and other benefits, none of which would have happened had he not started the business. I’m also pretty sure that he was instrumental in selecting and hiring all the smart people who helped build the business under his direction and made it successful. Wouldn’t that be a desirable quality in a President?
1
The arrogance of the media in declaring a victor and a loser is off-putting, to say the least. The metrics that are being used - time spoken, number of “zingers” etc - have no meaning in selecting a leader. If anything, just as the Democrats created sympathy for Trump as they piled on for impeachment, their piling on Bloomberg, while he maintained his cool, will only make him more appealing to those of us who disdain Twitter, pundits, and late night comedy as sources of information.
10
Frank writes that Bloomberg created "the narrative that he is the obvious moderate alternative to Sanders and the most fearsome adversary for Trump." I'd say that mainstream media co-created it, or at least bought into it big time. As Frank admits "There’s no real proof yet" of that narrative, and yet every time I turn on the radio or tune into MSNBC etc. I am bamboozled by the message that Sanders is the devil and Bloomberg our savior.
2
By staying calm amid an unseemly storm of shrieking, hissing and cheap accusations, Bloomberg showed me the kind of mettle that Democrats need more of this election year.
15
Does anyone think for one minute that the Republicans won’t dig up or concoct some harebrained falsehood equally as vituperous as any of the insults and attacks that were slung at each other last night by the Democrats? The eventual candidate will be involved in a food fight with the deranged man in the White House. This is the time to prepare for that. I’m happy that the debate was as raucous as it was last night. It lets us see in real time how each of these candidates will stand up to a simple onslaught of abuse.
1
Trump, his past, and his crime family and friends make me much more uncomfortable than last night's debate.
3
It was uncomfortable to see Klobuchar come unraveled by Buttigieg and Warren. Last nights debate helped a lot in picturing what each of them would do in a match up with Trump. I think Warren came out looking the most impressive.
5
I was willing to give Bloomberg a chance, but his response to female work place harassment complaints was inexcusable verging on literally criminal: “None of them accuse me of doing anything other than maybe they didn’t like a joke I told.”
That attitude from the boss creates a hostile, intimidating, and offensive work environment, which is against the law. Jokes about women's reproduction, about "doing her," are illegal in the workplace because of the hostile work environment they create and encourage. And apparently, Mr. Bloomberg either has no comprehension of this fact, or has enough money to bypass the law.
Women have had enough of Trump's grotesque sexism. We don't want to go through that again with another president who judges what we women are worth based on if someone would want to have sex with us.
4
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was Michael Bloomberg. One might have thought that with all of his many advisers and staff, he would have been better prepared to deal with troubling issues from his past; issues he surely knew would be coming. But when they did come, his responses were ill-conceived and tentative. And while I believe he would make a good President and appeal to a wide spectrum of voters, after last night’s performance, it is difficult to imagine him doing well in a debate with Trump.
One factor that I believe has not gotten sufficient attention is likeability vs. unlikeability. On that latter scale, in my opinion, Warren and Sanders are at the top of the chart, while last night Amy Klobuchar showed that even with a smile on her face, she can be crass and annoying. Perhaps most likeable is Pete Buttigieg. His replies are usually among the clearest, calmest and most well-thought out of anyone on the stage. It is unfortunate that his youth, inexperience and sexual orientation make his electability seem a stretch. As to Biden, sadly he seems old and at times confused.
Finally, I believe these debates are doing a disservice to whomever the eventual Democratic nominee is. Instead of uniting the party they are further dividing it and doing so at a time when unity is critical. Moreover, they are growing tiresome and repetitive and they will provide Donald Trump with a plethora of ammunition to use leading up to the election in November.
3
Remaining calm in the face of a storm well may have impressed many people and in that regard, Bloomberg probably benefited. By contrast, the constant sniping made many of the candidates look adult versions of nasty children.
6
I thought he did fine. Cool, calm, collected. Maybe a little annoyed that he had to there. I don't blame him.
If it weren't for the Bernie Sanders inexplicable phenomenon, he wouldn't be. If it weren't for the other wishful thinkers on that stage (except for Joe), Bloomberg would not be running for President. He is a true patriot and saw that he had no choice, because this country needs to be saved from the current conditions. If it takes a billion dollars to do that, he has it and is willing to spend it to get that maniacal lunatic out of the White House.
I said it in this forum a zillion times: the Democrats needed to all rally around Joe from the get-go. That way there would be unanimous support - just like Trump has from Republicans. But no...everyone wanted to jump in the pool. And now the votes are split. No matter who wins the nomination, enough of each candidates' fans will sit out and we will have 4 more years of Trump.
Congrats, Democrat President wannabes. You have effectively handed Trump a second term. Wrong side of history, folks.
6
This debate might have been the most depressing two hours of television I have ever had the displeasure to witness.
Except for Lester Holt, the moderators were almost as awful as most of the candidates. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders seem to have spring-loaded arms, appearing to believe that nobody else on the stage was interesting enough to warrant a turn to speak while they seemed at perpetual risk of vascular aneurism.
Mayor Pete was articulate and relatively calm, as usual, but petty at times. Amy showed flashes of wit when she wasn't apoplectic over Pete's digs but generally showed a petulant over-indulgence of herself.
Mayor Mike woke up an hour too late, unable to counter the charges against his record, especially supervising women. And Joe was, well, Joe, ready for a peaceful retirement.
We now have an utterly corrupt, deranged and dangerous president in the Oval Office. The Democratic Party appears fixated on the obsession to lose yet another Electoral College tussle to him.
Not to worry though. Here's a song from the founding fathers to lull us into a blissful sleep.
https://youtu.be/-Ue5F57dZMU
2
Let’s not forget what the real issues are.
Trump has become a full-fledged corrupt dictator, and the GOP is supporting him.
Trump’s extreme narcissism presents an imminent danger to America and to the world. The GOP caters to Trump’s every whim.
Trump has betrayed our National Security by repeatedly and consistently aiding a foreign power, Russia. The GOP has become the Gang of Putin.
Trump sees enemies among immigrants, refugees, minorities, the Press, our government agencies, and our Allies. The GOP has endorsed all of this.
We need to get rid of Trump and his GOP apologists.
Vote Blue, no matter who!
5
There was a time when debating meant stating your position and then defending it. When did debating turn into who could destroy an opponent not based on the merits of their ability to convince people that their position was better but that by trying to embarrass their opponent?
When Warren went after Klobuchar on her "two paragraphs on your website" on her medical plan I immediately went to her site to fact check. Blatantly wrong. There had to be at least 30 full paragraphs detailing out her plan and positions. So I essentially discredited anything else Warren had to say for the rest of the night. After doing a few more fact checks on comments made by the various candidates I found in every instance they were either flat out wrong or taken so badly out of context that they had no value. Maybe great for slinging mud but did nothing to convince me that I want any of them heading up our country. How are their lies any better than Trump's? I guess you can qualify them as the way politicians have always lied versus Trump just doing it differently.
3
"I've seen chum treated with more delicacy by great white sharks." I laughed out loud at this. Your summary of the debate was perfect overall - thank you!
2
And Frank’s, “This wasn’t the pot calling the kettle black. This was a six-burner Wolf range calling the dorm-room hot plate a stove.” I nominated it for sentence of the week.
1
There are only two people on that stage capable of winning the nomination and then beating Trump, that’s Warren and Bloomberg. Of the two, Bloomberg has the best shot. Calm down.
7
Frank, your analysis is in line with the rest of your colleagues from the Times and from 538 and elsewhere. But, I disagree. I think there are a lot of us, men and women, Democrats and Republicans are sick and tired of people digging up statements from thirty years ago and demanding an apology for them. I know I am.
11
What broke my heart last night was seeing Joe Biden. Yes, just seeing him, not anything he or anyone else said. I love Joe Biden, but this campaign is taking such a toll on him physically that he now looks like a dead man walking. I truly fear he will die before the race is over. For his own sake and that of both his family and the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, Joe needs to shut down his campaign and cede the stage to Pete and Amy. Let the young people carry the flag, Joe. You can mentor them, pick one to support and send your voters their way. It’s just too depressing to watch you campaign yourself into the hospital, or worse. This is now the best way to give us a moderate Dem nominee. Please do it.
1
Fantastic piece of writing.
1
Self-funding is really problematic because no one can say "drop out from race already".
2
Frank, you are right. The fight between those who hold that money is the enemy of democracy and those who rather think that without money, there is no democracy was awfully awful.
An excellent, trenchant analysis of the debate, Frank. All the candidates were prepared to challenge the billionaire and did, on various points. Some give Warren points for her barrage of the NDAs from Bloomberg's former employees, ostensibly female, while others, like Bernie, disparaged his wealth. The battle was worthy, I say, for what faces the winner: Trump. Does this mean that Dems have to get down and dirty to beat the dirtiest guy in town? No, but the contest will be not to the swiftest, but the one with deep pockets and a stable center. While I don't disparage Amy for her anger at the Telemundo's ridiculous point about forgetting the president of Mexico, why wasn't the question more about the facts re: immigration, cartels, economy, trade w/the US, etc.? Why was she wearing false eyelashes? Too many foolish moderators from a tv network asking questions that were superficial, not substantive. Nor were candidates cut off when talking too much, viz. Warren, Warren, Warren. When you're invited somewhere, you are often told what the occasion is and with that, plan accordingly. What did the moderators do for this occasion?
Regardless of that, the viewers and ameican public got a good look at all of them in a skirmish on stage.
It's valuable for a candidate's flaws and weaknesses to be exposed. It's valuable for candidates to point out how their positions are different or better than their rivals. Do it now because our depraved, petty, adderall addicted president will fight much dirtier than the folks at this debate. The monied class have made out like bandits under Trump and will not give up the GOP's generosity easily. They will fund dirty tricks, fake news, lies while no one will hold Trump up to any standard other than cesspool behavior. Too much rich people money at stake.
Many pundits and commenters seem bent on using a Warren’s debate performance as some sort of indicator of whether she would win the election. This is just lazy. Look at her actions! This is the same Warren who was Pochahont-ized by Trump into releasing her DNA test results, and then intimidated by the other Democratic candidates into releasing complete details of her healthcare plan when it was stupid politically to do so. Then, there is the fact that she unerringly goes for the jugular on race and gender issues with the sole intent of provoking outrage. She has mastered the art of processing every action of her opponents using a misogynistic or racist or anti-LGBT lens. This is a surefire recipe to offend the middle-class suburban voters who helped flip the House in 2018. Bloomberg was kind to her in not responding in kind by calling her Pochanotas or referring to her $400,000 paycheck at Harvard to teach one class a semester. Trump won’t be so kind to Warren. Her vaunted debating skills will be of no use then.
3
Am I the only one who cannot stand the yelling, eyes wide with anger, and physical finger pointing of Sanders and Warren at every debate and town hall? The thought of being reprimanded and scolded for four years by a viscerally angry Warren or Sanders leaves me cold. Their constant anger is grating. Boy, how I miss Obama.
11
The loser was the democratic party. The debate was a disgusting spectacle.
MSNBC threw red meat on the table and sat back to watch the debacle. Every time the furor eased they stirred it up again with another trigger question.
The moderators wanted to spotlight Sanders and they succeeded. He is good for ratings so they kept him at the forefront of the mix.
The format is not intended to allow candidates to inform us but to create a reality tv free for all. What could have been used to inform us and to give candidates an opportunity to explain their platforms or really answer questions turned into an opportunity to attack each other.
If you want to select your president based on who is best at hogging the attention and throwing out smart quips then this was your forum.
If you want someone with something to offer who can defend their positions and policies without resorting to cheap shots you lost.
Sanders knows how to grab attention. He had his hand up most of the night and the moderators loved it. Klobuchar, Warren and Buttigieg did their part by attacking him. Combined they kept the attention on him whenever they were not attacking Bloomberg. Sanders is a boor and the democrats will have a much harder if not impossible time winning with him. Unfortunately the democratic party is allowing him to bulldoze his way to the front.
I don't know how much debates affects voting. In my case it turned me off most of the people on stage last night.
4
"[Bloomberg] made a groaner of a joke about his wealth, saying that he could hardly use a plebeian instrument like TurboTax to ready his tax returns for public consumption."
A "groaner"? Unfair! When Bloomberg tested that joke in front of his employees, THEY all thought it was REALLY funny.
Obviously the humorless and elitist debate audience was deliberately giving our man of the people a hard time.
1
What is this nonsense about debate performance. Does anyone believe the best debater will be the best president? Not bloody likely. That’s why I don’t watch the debates. Watching would color my judgement and cloud my choice. Citizens, watch Netflix instead and choose a candidate based on his or her morals, honesty and, most of all, character.
Bloomberg lost me forever last night when he said "I'm a New Yorker" with a smug, condescending grin, implying that it gives him some kind of winning edge. New York City is utterly unrepresentative of the USA, and non-coastal Americans gag at the attitude and accent. For all that NYC arrogance and bravado, Bloomberg was a wounded puppy after Warren's early attack on him. His specific answers about sexism and NDAs at his company were pathetic. Will enjoy seeing this guy with an obvious Napoleon complex squirm as the race progresses.
1
@Heike Korošec
I would have so loved to hear Amy invite Bloomberg to come and campaign in the Heartland, because there are so many farmers so eager to have Bloomie 'teach them how to farm'.
1
What makes Bloomberg run?
Can he win the nomination?
It is a long shot. There is too much baggage in general from being a white male patriarch, business mogul from a boys club in a good ol' boys network. Bloomberg is too similar to 45 in too many ways for D to knock 45 and boost Bloomberg. But maybe if he was the last best hope....
Could he win the election? Not a chance, not enough D will vote for him, they'll stay home.
Is Bloomberg running to impact the national politics. This is most likely. He can leverage his position to get a lot done. This is why being a good debater is not important. He wants to impact policy and the eventual D candidate.
On a far more sinister note: Is he running as a D spoiler to keep Bernie and Warren out of his pockets? Isn't Mnuchin good for business and government (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-13/-government-sachs-reunites-when-mnuchin-dines-with-goldman-pals)?
Is Bloomberg just taking a gamble that he might win, and if not, be a king / queen maker, all the while affecting policies?
It could just be hubris and vanity.
But he didn't get all that dough by being egotistical and vain. Bloomberg is a rational actor. He is buying up necessary talent (election / political staff and operatives) at 2-3 times the going rate, along with all those as buys.
But it will now be in his obit, a viable presidential candidate who helped make the 2020 presidential market.
1
The hearty crows were devouring a live creature which was paralyzed with a strange sort of fear.
This was a curious and sad example of animal, pack-like behavior from the Democratic Party.
Very hard to watch, harder to believe this morning.. Disheartening. I suppose we could try to say this is what Trump has left us with, exhibiting inhumanity to provide survival of the fittest for the sake of our country.
But that even seems pretty inappropriate today having watched this “show” with our very own eyes.
2
Climate science, education, gun safety, living wages, equality in the workplace, eliminating racism - I hope we stick to issues rather than personalities and weird pasts. Nobody has a weirder, seedier, disgusting past (and present) than DJT!
Last night was a debate! It wore me out, but I learned a lot about who is willing to fight for the rights of Americans. And it isn't trump.
2
If Senator Clobuchar won every race she participated in, why is Trump in the White House?
Amy didn't have enough courage to stand up to Hillary...
What came out of the Democratic debate were poor Democrat candidates whining over Michael Bloomberg it was a sad state of affairs the only winner that night was Michael Bloomberg. The worst one was Elizabeth Warren she is waving her hand like a mad person, then do was Bernie Sanders and then Joe Biden all got together.
The only winner that night was Michael Bloomberg he can on top victoriously took the slings of arrows from the candidates and will well behaviors under any circumstances.
All the Democratic candidates whining not Michael Bloomberg.
The Democrats let me point out all the have a better program than Pres. Donald Trump if you believe in misguided thoughts it always things he's going to do is make his billionaire friends richer in the middle-class pay for you can't be so stupid let this happen any of those Democrats candidates better than Pres. Donald Trump.
It would be better for all Americans to wake up and smell the roses already in his budgets the Democrats had to go back because of pres. Donald Trump butchered social security, Medicare by cutting $80 billion your Joke believing that can't do is make it tougher for all middle-class American he's sick and needs to be removed from his Presidency d Donald Trump nobody should vote for him Nov. because what comes out is my mouth is not the truth he'll tell you he's not cutting entitlement programs what a lie's.
1
Please stop pushing Bloomberg on us. Obviously nobody cares for the man. This absurd argument that middle of the road voters will stay home and let a right wing extremist keep the office is just nonsense.
People have had enough. No more failed trickle down, no more ignoring healthcare, no more lies about everything. We're very tired of reaching across the aisle just to have our hands slapped back. Now we want real change. That is not Bloomberg, not even close.
3
The whole debate was an unseemly pile-on. I'm tired of everyone dredging past mistakes and missteps to criticize opposing candidates. This cancel culture has got to stop. Frankly, I think these debates are absolutely pointless. I am angry at the Democrats for being so disorganized and fragmented. As for stop and frisk, it's over, get over it! As for remarks about women, who cares? I don't care about apologies either. Get in there and beat this criminal gangster in the White House and stop stabbing each other in the back.
2
Shame on the Democratic candidates. All of them. With their spiteful behavior, obvious personal ambition and clear lack of interest for the American public, they are handing the election to Donald Trump.
3
There was very little of substance in this debate. Just ad hominem attacks. Bill Clinton was no saint. JFK was a serial adulterer and he is idolized. I have a friend who once said that if you drink and you say you never got into a car when you shouldn't have you are liar. I am tired of the demands of ideological and every other type of purity in the Democratic party. All they will bring us is another four years of Trump.
4
This was no debate, it looks and sounded more like a dog fight and Ms. Warren was the leader of the pack with her medicate for all fiasco!
1
His rivals were ready. Yes, they brought all their weapons.
He was not. He brought his wallet to a knife fight.
Ugly. Afraid this will only continue and get worse. . .
Bloomberg is an imperfect messenger, but his messages are nonetheless spot-on: Trump is a danger to the country who must be defeated in November; Trump will eat Sanders for breakfast in November; Sanders' contention that there is a hidden supermajority of democratic socialists is incorrect.
Trump is a loathed and loathsome man, an awful President, and a danger to the country. And he is coasting to re-election.
Good job, everyone!
2
I can forgive Bloomberg his bad behavior he had 20 years ago, just like I have forgiven Thomas Jefferson having slaves, or people like you, dear reader, who saw what you thought was a man, and then, inexplicably and horrifically went on to call them him.
We cannot judge people's past actions by today's moral values. If we do, we are all disqualified.
2
"A grotesque and immoral amount of money." Say that to Trump, not another Democrat. Sanders said billionaires should not exist. If the billionaire earned it what business is it of anyone else. If he is doing some good with that money leave him alone. Poor people should not exist. There will always be inequities. Such is life. Stop eating our own.
1
I was all-in for Bloomberg until last night. His lack of preparedness for obvious attacks is disqualifying. He could have easily gone with...
"I was an arrogant, obnoxious, sexist and massively successful businessman. I said a lot of awful things. I'm sorry for that. I know better and my record for the past 10 years proves that. I release the women from their NDA's and they'll substantiate that I was obnoxious and sexist many years ago. Now let's move on."
But he didn't. And that shows that he may not ready for obvious things that will be thrown at him by Trump.
I guess I'm on team Pete now.
Every billionaire thinks they can pull off what Trump did in 2016, but they’re delusional and there’s no one around these people who will tell them no. The Dems are shocked (shocked!) that a financial industry multibillionaire is a jerk. You don't get that level of success, especially in that field, without being a detestable person personally.
The real problem is that Bloomberg's poor debating skills can't hide it. Despite this, Bloomberg probably did the best last night, although his answer on NDAs could've been much better. Of course, the media is already, predictably, crowning Warren the winner. Trump must be salivating over running against Sanders and Communism. Trump's gonna win this thing in a walk.
1
Frat boy buttigieg finally gets called on his canned, practiced, propaganda, as Bruni properly notes, summarizing accurately the evening takedowns. Necessary takedowns, points at each reversal, as Bruni notes.
Bloomberg does not belong on stage, or in office. It's still a choice between DNC, "trump is the issue", and Sanders-Warren, the issues are the issue...2016 redux with enough players to dilute delegates to allow DNC to choose, rather than the American people. Horrible.
1
Odd. I thought he was composed, articulate and level headed. I dont care about theatrics, we've had enough of that. Warren was awful. She comes across as mean. Pete is smug and gets to play outsider (as Amy appropriately said). Sanders is too left. This is a fact. Biden always replay's his past, #1, #2, #3! Klobacher was on her heals but danced her way past a fall... I cant help but think she's Dukakis 2.0.
Bloomberg turned my lifelong Republican wife into a Dem for the AZ primary (presidential choice election). That's more important than your theatrical assessment of Bloomberg. Remember that.
2
Maybe he'll drop out and I can stop getting daily flyers from him in my mailbox.
1
During the 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg took the stage to endorse George W Bush and defend the war in Iraq.
Endorsing a war-hawk over war-hero John Kerry who was famously swift boated for being against the Iraq war.
Outside the RNC thousands of peaceful anti-war protesters, curious bystanders and every day people walking home from work were rounded up with orange plastic nets by NYPD on orders of Michael Bloomberg.
These people were carted off to a garbage truck garage over the Hudson River and locked up for days. illegally, in filthy, greasy, hot, inhumane conditions. On order of the mayor.
Guantanamo on the Hudson, they called it.
Mike Bloomberg, a Republican Mayor with a police state apparatus at his beck and call, who had deployed illegal surveillance of peace-nick groups to gather intelligence in advance of the convention, in an effort to impress his Republican guests, with his blatant abuse of police power.
Costing NYC millions in lawsuits for the unlawful arrests and incarceration.
https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/12/new-york-city-finally-settle-2004-rnc-arrests/356467/
Mike Bloomberg represents perfectly the tone deaf nature of the police and surveillance dystopian state.
Disagree with him and he will lock you up too.
Is Mike Bloomberg the man to represent the people's party?
No sir.
4
Bloomberg needs to get off the stage, and he can take Bernie with him. Either one as nominee will hand the Clown the election.
1
“ . . . and his funding of his own presidential bid at least means he’s beholden to no one.”
It blows my mind that intelligent people can believe this sort of idiocy. Mr. Bloomberg is beholden to the corruption of the system that enriched him, more so than Trump or any other candidate. His assertion in the debate that he “deserved” his 60 billion dollars was as morally clueless as Trump’s assertions that he is perfect.
2
You guys are all so superficial. Bloomberg doesn’t inspire with Obama- style Hollywood performances and stage acting. He inspires with his resume, competence, success.
2
Smug and unprepared worked for Trump. It's not pretty but it's who Bloomberg is. He probably needed to walk a finer line between bravado and honesty but again, the American people have shown huge affection for bluster and thrusting outwards of chin and chest.
1
No one impressed.
Folly to demand purity candidates when you are running against the most vile president in history.
Talk issues - government debt, infrastructure repair, immigration, prescription costs, wages, climate, cyber security.
Bloomberg will survive and Warren will be gone after Super Tuesday.
1
Elizabeth Waren is the boss!!!!
She wiped the floor with Bloomberg, and rightly so!
She was on fire last night - and excitement for her is high!
GO Elizabeth, go!!!!
3
@Ellen she puts people to sleep when she blabs about .02% of something. She would be a could cabinet secretary. Smart technocrat, essentially.
@Bx Apparently you did sleep- it's 2 cents!
1
Reply to @HPower - one of the top reader picks
Democratic positions on everything: health care, taxes, immigration, environment, guns, abortion, election reform, minimum wage - everything - are the MAJORITY OPINION of Americans. That's fact.
Here ya go:
www.pollingreport.com
So, notice to Democratic candidates:
Ignore the inane, gotcha, set up questions of the small-minded moderators.
Say, "Ya know Chuck, Lester… I'm not playing your game."
Here's the real game.
- Trump's lawyers are in court this very day trying to make sure insurance companies can deny you coverage for any pre-existing conditions (including acne. that was actually happening prior to Obamacare)
- more tax cuts on tap for the wealthy paid for by cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, education, infrastructure needs, etc-Republican doctrine for years.
- women forced to have children by fiat of Republican government.
- more gun violence- all Americans are in a "gun lottery" - your number can be up anytime you are in public. The "other guy" is you.
- dirtier air and water, nice for your kids.
- Trump-Corruption every federal agency.
- ideologue judges that always favor the powerful.
All while King Trump makes a mockery of our laws and democracy.
Democrats have one overriding task and it's not to savage each other.
It's simply to scare the living heck out of Americans with the truth.
The terrible truth about 4 more years of this president.
Tell the truth.
It tilts toward Democrats.
2
Right, let’s champion bullies. Warren was disgusting to watch last night. Most of her statements were either exaggerate or untrue. Just because you are a woman does not give you the right to act like that. Would not even let anyone speak. Great job democrats. Ready for another 4 of me Trump?
2
That was the real Mike Bloomberg. It was only a matter of time.
6
The take-away lesson from yesterday evening's Democratic debacle, euphemistically referred to as a debate, was that the Democratic Party is not ready for prime time. What I saw on stage was a group of smarmy, snarky, sniping individuals, none of whom had a coherent set ideas that could either pass through a Republican-controlled Senate much less pay for. Sen. Warren's pie-in-the-sky handwaving with regard to how to control the cost of a national health care policy without realistic limits on what is covered (hint: she cannot), Sen. Sanders's belief that the mainstream voting populace would trip over themselves to embrace his replacement of capitalism with socialism and massive forced redistribution of wealth, etc. are policies and dreams that are Dead On Arrival. The real question American voters had after watching this vitriol and carnage for two hours is:
"Do you want to elect ANY of these people to be POTUS for the next four years?"
Get ready for four more years of Donald J. Trump and the completion of his Republican Party orchestrated transformation of the United States from a democracy to a dictatorship of the ultra-wealthy and the bigoted, fundamentalist, libertarian rednecks who are armed to the teeth with hatred of all forms of central government and dreams of anarchist sugar plums floating in their heads. Sadly, it is coming.
1
It's Bernie or bust.
3
"His rivals were ready. He was not." We look to someone's record of accomplishments to determine who is 'ready,' not who dishes out the most canned zingers. The liberal press (I'm liberal, or at least was until recently) is a godsend to Trump. Who needs Russia to elect Trump when you have several NYT writers doing it for them? A shout out to Charles, Frank, and all the others on the re-elect Trump team.
Obama's circular firing squad was shooting away all night. The damage they did to the Democratic Party and the chances of defeating Trump may be irreparable. Where was Tom Perez? Out to lunch? Regardless of who he would like as the Democrats' nominee, how could he let this happen?
Right now, I'd have a hard time voting for any of these candidates were it not for the fact that they will be running against Trump. Bloomberg looked bored and unprepared. Warren is a Sherman Tank destroying everything in her path, along with support from the rivals she is demolishing. Bernie is an angry extremist promoting policies that have no chance of becoming law (not to mention the inability to explain how he's going to pay for these policies). Biden seemed relieved not to be the target of his fellow candidates' wrath. Buttigieg's attack on Klobuchar for not knowing the President of Mexico's name was a low blow that proved nothing. Klobuchar's calmness (for the most part) makes me wonder if she could stand up to the verbal baiting and beating that will spew from Trump's mouth.
God help us, because right now it doesn't seem like any of these candidates can!
1
Sanders is the hypocrite ... not for himself being a millionaire and owning three homes ... but for accusing Bloomberg of trying to buy the nomination with his wealth. It is Sanders promising to give away health care, college education and debt forgiveness for votes, while asking a few others, and future generations, to bear the brunt of the cost.
Bloomberg has created wealth not just for him, but for others; and he has and is giving much of his wealth to others. Sanders wants to redistribute others people wealth.
4
This is not over yet, far from it.
1
I don't know anyone Mike that loves their insurance plan. Most are discussed at how much their employer pays knowing it is an excuse for not giving raises to them
. I think hate is the better word Mike ,maybe loath. Maybe you are out of touch Mike.
Bloomberg performed terribly. He was stiff, didn't defend himself well against Warren who really hammered him on the non-disclosure agreements to which he said little.
That said, for anyone still hoping for him to win the nomination, were he to go up against Trump, he wouldn't face the same scrutiny. Imagine the President who puts people in cages, calls countries, x-holes, calls white supremacists 'fine people', accusing Bloomberg of being racist? And who knows more about misogyny than Donald Trump?
The Democrats lost their chance to defeat Trump in November.
Not only did Bloomberg Bust , but his critics went down with him.
The Democrats illustrated that they are a bunch of Vipers, That will destroy anyone that stands in their way.
Frank, was your last paragraph written from a fainting couch? This is a contest to become PRESIDENT. There's nothing uncomely about a fantastic, substantive, energizing debate!
I think we now know which candidate can beat Trump handily, Elizabeth Warren! Imagine what she will do to Trump once she's on that stage with him. All he has is "Pocahontas" ....she's going to gut him. I cannot wait.
2
I don't watch these reality tv stunts to make the networks money.
They are ridiculous and not at all relevant.
They are one reason why we are stuck with the current unstable one in the White House.
If you really want to be an informed voter, go to a candidate's website and read up on their policy proposals and follow real journalism not Fake News like Fox and Limbaugh.
It never ceases to amaze me just how gullible and uninformed American voters are.
1
People watch commercials not debates.
So the one candidate who did not devolve into petty bickering is viewed as the loser? We used to call such individuals “adults.”
And guess what? Headlines after Trumps debates in 2016 labeled him as a bust too.
1
I disagree. He reported his positions and refused to mud sling.
Warren and Bernie were shrill and disgusting.
1
Frank Bruni talks of “cringe moments”. How about the absolute nastiness and anger of Elizabeth Warren? And, yes, it was unattractive. It was bullying. It was her anger coming forth to Bloomberg. And, who is the other multi millionaire on stage? Warren? Who is the other elitist on the stage? Warren. Harvard professor and beneficiary of huge salary. Harvard professor and elitist wonk of liberalism. Warren, who has made millions in speeches, etc etc. The general lack of class or any decorum among any of the candidates was jaw dropping. It was not a debate, but a dirty fight. It was unprofessional and sad. It was all about personality, money, and general malice. Another notch in the incivility that has overtaken our country...in spades...from both parties.
3
Trump must have been
laughing with malicious glee
as he watched the candidates
tear each other apart. The most
important issue is Trump. Hit him,
hit him hard and get a Democrat
who can win.
1
Frank, great piece, especially the “great white shark” mention! The debate was great! It showed us, that every is fired up and with good reason! I was tweeting last night, “It’s a debate, not a tea party!” Does anyone think that Democrats are going to be “nice” when they debate 45?!
Folks, this election is a war, Democrats are fighting to SAVE our Constitutional republic from a would be tyrant!
Memo to Mayor Mike- Don't bring a letter opener to a gunfight.....
To what end? This was a good night for Donald and Warren was happy to serve him. At the end will any of these candidate accept Bloomberg's financial support should they be the nominee? Instead of targeting their firing squad at Trump, they all grouped like a bunch of rabid animal aiming at one of their own.
1
The nastiness demeaned them all. I thought Any Klobochard did the least damage to herself and made some positive comments. As to Bloomberg, he did well in the hot seat. His best response was the honest one that no one on the stage was untainted by the excesses of the 'law and order" years. Those excesses came as a result of institutional and cultural racism that blinded us all, including many African Americans. Mia culpa.
I didn't get past the headline, but since when is being successful and earning money considered a bad thing in this country?
2
Disagree.
Bloomberg is never going to be a podium thumping shoutist on a debate stage. He was being himself, calm and unfazed by the cacophony aimed at him. That’s wind in the sails by my calculus - and not deserving of knee-jerk reaction from the nabobs of negativism.
1
Bloomberg was completely unprepared. Then again, nobody could prepare for getting ambushed by a pack of ravenous hyenas. It didn't help that the crowd was primed to cheer on the hyenas.
2
Living proof that all the money in the world can't make something out of nothing. One more debate like this and Bloomberg's finished. Sanders rolls merrily along and with him a second term for Trump. Klobachar's "Do you think I'm stupid" remark to Buttigieg begged for a sarcastic response, but he didn't make it.
Final question is where was this Elizbeth Warren all these months? This Florida Democrat is taking another look at her before our March 17 primary.
1
Warren's attack on Bloomberg was near-Trumpian. The NDAs, the redlining comments, yes, they're ugly.
But the fact is that Bloomberg was a positive mayor for the vast majority of New Yorkers, including women and minorities. To judge him only by stop and frisk, the NDAs, and by his comments on redlining? Look at what he did and does. He's largely a force for good. Mike, time to attack Warren!
Okay Elizabeth, let's talk about your work for Dow Corning on its bankruptcy case, and how you limited this big corporation's liability for ruptured silicone gel breast implants. How you accepted lots of big money for your campaign, until you decided to re-package yourself. Ugly!
1
Still voting for Bloomberg. That debate was ridiculous.
3
That was horrible. The format made them all look like fools. I am independent, and regardless of these ridiculous cage matches claiming to be debates, I will vote for Bloomberg or Klobuchar. I am having a dark conversation with myself about whether I could pull the lever for Sanders or Warren over Trump. I don't think I'm alone and democrats should be worried.
2
I haven't watched any of the Democratic debates, including last night's. I'm disappointed to read that the candidates all attacked each other, instead of attacking their real opponent, Trump. Maybe they think that's the way to go for now, and will turn their attention to Trump once they secure the nomination. Anyway, it makes no difference to me. I'll vote for any of them. November can't come soon enough. Any person on that stage will be a better president than Trump and will make me proud to be American again. Our allies will once again begin to look at America with admiration, not distaste. We will no longer be a laughing stock around the world, with our clown of a president, in his baggy suits and floppy tie and ridiculous hair. Any one of those Democrats will stop the attacks on our justice system and instill pride in our federal workers, again. And, any one of those Democrats will stop the favoritism toward the rich, and begin to show the middle class that they matter. I don't watch the debates because I am ready to vote for any one of those Democrats. We cannot go on as we are. The country is on the verge of crumbling. We desperately need to go another way, away from the lying, paranoia, pettiness and vindictiveness evidenced by Trump. Any one of those Democratic candidates will take us there.
While it may seem that a self-funded political campaign would leave one free from influence, it really means that said person knows no boundaries and owes no allegiance to anyone but himself. We have evidence staring us in the face with DJT’s quest for a kingdom. Power has corrupted our government through and through. We have a Republican Party that is out to protect its position & poised to take away as many rights of the people necessary to maintain its dominance. We have a would be king that is doing his damnedest to consolidate power to himself. The declaration that he believes that he is the chief law enforcement officer in the land and his attempts to subjugate the judiciary to do his bidding ought to be causing the alarm bells to ring unceasingly. Instead, it appears we have a numbness to these outrages. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned by the sheer volume of the outrages already committed by this president and his co-conspirators. Enough is Enough!
The robust debate over how the candidates would return integrity to the jsutice department was interesting. WAIT! You say that question wasn't asked. Instead we got...."it's been reported that 15 years ago a female employee didn't like the joke you told......" A total waste of time.
We need to get ready for a second trump term.
1
What does the nation so desperately crave after three years of Trump?
Decency.
Did America see it on the debate stage last night?
No.
Just more politicians trying to drag each other down.
Sickening.
"I don’t know how Democrats escape the uncomely chaos of their contest. But I do know that it’s not the ideal run-up to November, and Bloomberg’s billions aren’t magically going to make it all better."
If anyone doubted who to vote for in their primary, that spectacle surely didn't help. Every single person--with the possible exception of Amy Klobashar, whom Frank didn't mention--came out worse for wear.
One's too smug, one too angry, one too arrogant, one too preachy, one too tentative, and one too reticent. But none displayed the vision, optimism, fire, and passion needed to fight the tyrant in the White House.
The debate left me sick. The situation in our country makes me horrified. The prospect of another term for Trump makes me numb.
But worst of all, this "bloodbath" is already part of Brad Parscale's highlight reel. Another debate like that, and he can vacation till November.
1
Bloomberg brought a water balloon to a knife fight.
1
Disgusting. The Democratic candidates spent the night in character assassination instead of reasonable political debate. Welcome to the bottom of American political discourse.
1
What a sad night for the Democratic party.
3
So far the moderators performance and questions are bellow mediocre. The debate format encourage an atmosphere of a three ring circus. Except spitting on each other’s face the candidate said nothing new. Our future is in the hands of the one who scream and interrupt the most. The TV talking heads and commentarians are hanging on every drop of blood spilled in the arena to justify their payroll while Americans are doomed.
1
Bloomberg busts? Starting with the so called NBC moderators the whole shebang was a bust. They forgot Trump last night, but you can be sure Trump will not forget one iota of the catty Dem in fighting. EVERYONE on that stage was a prima donna last night.
If Bloomberg had run as a Republican, everybody would probably be happier. He'd give the Republican's a decent way to save face - and votes - and, he'd give all voters a clearer view of just how nutty and rushed some of the Democratic positions are. As it is, he has to be one of the few adults in the room, biding his time with the kiddos until the real confrontation takes place with that, uh, resident guy. Warren came across as too shrill. Biden as too, "What about me, I used to.." Amy as a good Senator, but... Pete as a little like JFK, but not a whole lot. Bernie... For God's sake, we appreciate your input, but could you comb your hair and mentor someone, not harp at us all - all the time? Put the finger down, show us numbers we can live with... A lot of important issues being discussed, but not a lot of consensus being created. Best part of my evening? Bloomberg's eye-roll... That will play well with the resident's pouting later. Adult vs child. Ha-ha!
1
Bloomberg is just like Biden all over again. Over-hyped, over-sold, inflated expectations and promoted by many in the media.
What a contrat with the pathetic and condescending man we saw yesterday. If Trump was worried before about Mike, he is not now. If Warren was able to destroy him on stage, well that’s actually a small appetizer for the torrent of insults and tweets that would come Mike’s way anyway.
2
Seeing so many Times commenters warm up to Bloomberg's candidacy reveals just how out of touch so many of this paper's readers are with the rest of America.
3
Hah!
Hearing these Bloomberg this and Bloomberg that.
NDAs and innuendo?
Yeah. Take a look a the guy in the White House.
None of that stopped HIM from getting in there.
And to think about a F2F of Bloomie to T?
Epic.
Yes he does have any number of qualities anyone might not be all that comfortable with. Every candidate does. Its called experience.
But let's not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good.
And if the good is the one who can get you-know-who out of you- know-where. That's good enuff.
Bloomberg looks to be the one most likely to win.
That's all anyone should care about, given the situation.
Watching them savage each other, I feel that no one loves this country more than they love themselves as the next president. I had to turn it off. Bernie's opening remrks set the stage for what followed and Klobushar and Warren joined in. Shame on them and shame on the moderators who clearly had questions that would feed this frenzy. Why were there no questions about Trump, Barr, Pompeo, Ukraine, impeachment, the constitution? Why!
1
Thanks for being candid about your affection for Bloomberg.
Bloomberg should drop out today, & devote his $$ to supporting the 4 candidates who are not Sanders. The overriding goal is to get rid of Trump & his GOP Lickspittles; Sanders cannot beat a Trump, & he will sink down ticket candidates.
I am fearful that he & his cult will do what they did in 2016: undermine & torpedo the candidate and end up electing Trump, just to feed his massive ego.
@Steve kohl
It was the DNC that undermined Sanders who had a strong lead over Clinton and Trump 4 years ago. The collusion of Clinton and the neolib DNC would not allow a putative socialist to win the nomination. If Sanders doesn't get the nomination of the superdelegates on the first ballot this time, it will be a replay of the sabotage that he endured in 2016.
1
Looking to Bloomberg as some kind of magic moderate bullet to defeat Trump is a fools errand. Forget about Trump. Pick the candidate that will be the best president. At this point no debate will change my opinion that Elizabeth Warren is the best candidate for the job. She far surpasses the others in smarts, wit, stamina, ideas, principles, and heart.
1
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." The Wizard of Oz
1
Todd was particularly obnoxious. And the "Latina journalist" who repeatedly chided Klobuchar for forgetting AMLO's name? Who decided that these people should run the debate and the future of America? Those who did do not like this country.
1
No one had a “breakout moment”. We so miss Obama’s eloquence and intellect!!!
1
In diminishing your competitor, you diminish yourself. And clearly, to quote Kipling, "The female of the species is more deadly than the male."
I don’t want a borderline hysterical President who yells, screams, and waves their hands and arms pointing and berated everything around them, we already have one of those. I want a President who is a descent person, believes in Democrats values and is basically invisible, goes to work and does the job without all the theatrics. Mike might be boring but he wasn’t a bombastic red faced aneurysm waiting to happen.
1
Congrats on the Democratic Lobsters clawing at one another while the water slowly boils.
Donald has his bib.
Keep the moral high ground.
Lose the election.
1
I couldn't watch... Trump must have been very pleased... trying to get a nominee who cannot win? You are succeeding.....don't even need to get Jill Stein on the ballot.
Regarding Bloomberg: How an analysis of aloofness and laughing off what seemed like desperate attacks from the weakness not strength of other candidates, could translate into doom, well, here we go again NYT misreading the mood of the country. Trump won because of his arrogance and disregard for details that mattered to Clinton. We were living in a bubble that the NYT helped cultivate. Four years later this newspaper is still running headlines with shock over Trump's style. During his candidacy he mirrored what people were feeling about progressives, elitism, and political correctness. The answer now from the left, drive further left until even a centrist left like myself no longer relates to the party. We've squandered four years, bashing Trump as if that in itself can win elections.
Wow! Disdain squared among these candidates. Let's hope they can muster at least this much courage to 'disembowel' Trump politically, as he is the real enemy of all reason and common sense, and a huge void in decency, already on his way in destroying this republic...by taking the law in his own little dirty hands.
Bloomberg was so bad, he made Biden look cool. Maybe he will be back at another debate so Warren can sharpen her shots to use on Trump. He is an obvious foil for Warren and Sanders and is exhibit A in everything they have been talking about in the past year. His awfulness is to their benefit. I don't know what democrat is going to vote for this buffoon.
2
The Mayor looked like a deer in the headlines.
3
Democrats would never appoint a Scott Pruitt to run the EPA.
You may as well appoint El Chapo as drug czar.
Or Al Capone to fight organized crime.
And Democrats should not elect Mike Bloomberg to fight for the little people. He won't.
2
The more I read these columns the more I realize just how out of touch New York Times op-ed writers are with most voters. Take Bruni's claim for example that Bloomberg was being hypocritical for calling out Sanders as a socialist with three houses. How ridiculous. Is Bloomberg a socialist? Not the last time I checked, but maybe Mr. Bruni has overlooked that little detail.
Mr. Bruni, you and your colleagues buy into your own hype and get lost in your own rhetoric. This is why none of you except Maureen Dowd saw Trump coming in 2016 and this is why you are wrong again about Bloomberg.
1
No surprise to me but now the question is whether voters will see Bloomberg for what he is: yet another racist, sexist, over-entitled billionaire.
3
Plutocracy is as great a danger to American democracy as Trumpist authoritarianism is.
No quarter should be shown to either Bloomberg or Trump.
It fits that the Republican Party has a fascist, racist, authoritarian as party leader, but the Democratic Party must provide the democratic opposition.
No fascist racist authoritarian leadership in the Democratic Party. Bloomberg is a Republican anyway, just acts like a Trojan horse.
Politics ain’t beanbag, and it’s about time that the Democratic debate lovefests came to an end.
Trump will savage anyone who runs against him, and being able to take a punch and give as good as you get will be a key to defeating Trump in November.
For all those weak-kneed Americans who worry that it was uncivil, I ask: what country do you think that you live in?
Obama was civil, intelligent, dignified, bipartisan, cool, collected, and ineffective- his signature achievement was passing The Heritage Foundation’s Romneycare. Disappointing, but better than his utter failure to pursue the bankers who crashed the economy.
I don’t want a president who is nice, I want a president who is good. And if that president is grumpy and angry also, fantastic.
I’m grumpy and angry, too.
Corporate money buys everything and everyone- if you aren’t grumpy and angry about that, you are a fool.
And if you think I’m going to vote for the nice candidate this time around, who promises a return to the “normalcy” that gave us Trump, go fish.
1
Even Billy the kid couldn’t survive an all out assault from his enemies. You know a candidate is a serious threat when other candidates all gang up on you. It’s Mike first debate. He has time to polish and improve. I guarantee you that anyone but Mike will lose to Mr. Kovfefe.
Bloomberg had nothing to say. trump carried the day.
Yes, Bernie Sanders is a millionaire. It would be hard not to be if you were a bestselling author named Bernie Sanders. Yes, he owns property. Wouldn’t you, if you were a millionaire?
The only people who think Sanders is a hypocrite on this are people who think he is a revolutionary communist who wants to end private property. Sorry to disappoint you.
2
So I guess the DNC will stop his leveraged buy out?
1
The big winner of the Nevada Democratic debate was...Donald J Trump.
"I don’t know how Democrats escape the uncomely chaos of their contest. "
More importantly, neither do the Democrats.
Mitt Romney for President!
1
Please - stop these ridiculous debates. A total exercise in futility. I don't understand why they continue. Useless.
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@John ' I could never vote for Sanders, ever.'
So despite all the talk about 'unifying around the winner' you will allow Trump to win. Basically the attitude of the Hillary led DNC. Cheating, smearing others as 'Russian Assets', cheating on votes in Iowa. You don't mind. You want to to replace an ex Democrat plutocrat with an ex GOP one who cares nothing for the Constitution, the law or non whites or females. You represent the hypocrisy and anti democratic Oligarchy as philosophy and designate actual facts and morality as 'moral mud'. So it is fine that the DNC break it's own rules because the guy is rich and paid for it, open corruption then. stopping the poorer voters from having a DECENT chance is more important to you than stopping Trump.
Perhaps you should go see Debbie Wasserman Shultz; she should hire you lot to do billionaire outreach. Meanwhile millions of Americans are dying homeless in the streets, committing suicide and suffer opioid addiction and poisoned drinking water but who cares about that or eternal unneeded wars. But hey these voters don't count, they are what Leona Helmsly once called 'little people that PAY taxes'! Perhaps you prefer oligarchy over democracy and Constitutional rights after all. Just like a Trump or Putin. You are a white male of means and you don't care about justice or others suffering as you explained yourself!
Some of us do care about the nation and we are fighting for a non corrupted and healthier USA and we support Sanders!
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The winners of last night Democratic Party debate were smugly smiling and smirking Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman.
The losers were the American people and their limited different power constitutional republic of united states along with preserving, protecting and defending their Constitution.
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Is it too late to start over?
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Judging by the comments here, people need to be reminded that the primary season is a Hunger Games for the nomination. Considering what awaits, may the toughest & most vicious win.
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I like the comments section before the BloomBros come in sounding like paid employees with their “I stand with Mike / Mike’s the guy / You know what, I think this guy can win” sign offs.
Michael Bloomberg is the Edsel of American politics. For the uninitiated, Google will explain. Like the overhyped automobile, the public kicked the tires and found they're all flat. Bloomberg can only succeed in a very narrow venue in which he can exercise his famous penchant for control, hence the deluge of advertisements, memes and influencers that are immune to confrontation. When faced with debate seasoned veterans who'd honed their skills with varying degrees of acumen, Bloomberg was revealed as the petulant autocrat he has always been, too arrogant even to pretend that he's not a study in entitlement.
Frank Bruni is a very highly remunerated white male who would naturally find much to admire in the 12 year eternity of Bloomberg's reign. The unwhite, poor and women who were subjected to Bloomberg's unwanted leer are less sanguine about this smug plutocrat holding public office again. He can't be bought because he owns everyone. The corrupting force of his vast wealth renders him a source of corruption, not a receptacle of it, which is just as bad.
I was surprised to read in today's New York Times that Shira Scheindlin isn't only a jurist, but a cardiologist as well, able to determine that Michael Bloomberg has a pure heart, and is by no means a racist. I am unaware of any judicial or medical protocol by which this can be discerned, but I'd seek a second opinion from someone who has actually experienced racism before accepting Scheindlin's seal of purity.
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This was no debate, it was a dog fight led by Liz Warrent
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Bloomberg was the same guy I loathed as mayor of NYC.
Full of confidence, he--as you say--cannot budge, while also thinking of himself as the smartest guy in the room.
A friend of the workingman? Bloomberg's justification of his enormous wealth--"I wirk hard"-- was a spit in the eye to every person working 2 or more jobs who still can't make ends meet.
The other candidates were juiced last night. Biden finally woke up.
Great debate.
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To sum up last nights debate in one word, STEAMROLLER.
Bloomberg was a complete disaster. There is no way that sneering, sexual harassing, racist, authoritarian billionaire convinces the general public to vote for him. The other candidates correctly pointed out that he has far more in common with Trump than with anyone else on that stage.
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Bloomberg is arrogant.
He thinks he can buy the presidency with his billions
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Down with shrill attacks. Up with quiet competency.
Bloomberg should be into sauces because his explanation of sexual misconduct as "they didn't like my jokes" was fastest reduction ever....
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Look around in this paper today and you'll see Bloomy's past and current attempts to buy influence. Specifically, how much did it cost for you to buy a NY judge (Shira A. Scheindlin) and have write a favorable op-ed, which the NYT gladly runs.
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So, she probably knocked Bloomberg out of the race. Ok, but Warren can't win. It's unfortunate that she is following Hillary's wretched campaign. But, those cross-over voters will see Warren as Hillary part two. We all know how part one went.
Bloomberg deserved everything he got. He's a despicable snob, a misogynist, and a racist. All he can do when challenged is sneer. Warren is right, he's not electable. He needs to bow out as soon as possible and keep his promise to support the frontrunner. If it's Bernie, who won't accept his money, he can support down-ballot races and thereby win back some respect.
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Bloomberg is a ghastly opportunist and winter outdoor certainly be no better than Trump. He needs to be exposed to some home truths... and hopefully emigrate.
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In a word, Frank – no...
At least, not yet…
With the Leninist (i.e. socialist + anarchist) vibe pervading the land, increasing number of people feeling increasingly aggrieved…
From college-grads with six-figure debt and no salable skills to those who feel a six-figure payment is due them, because of what somebody’s (not mine) ancestors did to their ancestors…
With this, no way for Mike to meet the cheap shots hitting him from all sides last night…
Warren-as-warrior will get a spike in $ – and pretend her SuperPAC doesn’t exist – but no way I would ever vote for her, because she’s both a schemer and toast…
In attacking Bloomberg the way she did last night, every similar thing she’s ever said now fair game for a GOP campaign – though she’ll faux-pivot (one more time) to a high road of issues…
And that’s where all except Bloomberg fall short…
They’ve all been mouthing problems for so long, they think we haven’t noticed they don’t begin to have an answer – other than to write a blank check, from some magic account…
Without missing a beat, Bernie not only promised free health care for all, he promised people whose health care he’d be taking away, that it’d be replaced by something at least as good, in every aspect…
Utter hogwash – the SEIU has made very deliberate decisions for premium health care vs higher paychecks…
And free Medicare???
After paying in for 40 years – $400/month, just to get even with Medicaid…
Give it a month – then re-start donations to GOP…
Bloomberg is flooding the comments sections of these articles with paid supporters. Who could honestly believe that the top comment would be supporting Bloomberg after his unremitting faceplant?
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Most cringe worthy moment = Klobuchar's sarcasm. Shouted insecurity complex and emotional immaturity.
Bloomberg was just "Stopped and Frisked" on a national debate stage - on national television - by Elizabeth Warren. How does it feel, Mike?? LOL.
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That was a pathetic showing by everyone. We should all be ashamed that this is what we have to choose for our next President.
It looks like 3rd party once again for me!
"This wasn’t the pot calling the kettle black. This was a six-burner Wolf range calling the dorm-room hot plate a stove." This is why, Mr. Bruni, I read every word you write for the NYTimes. Elegant.
It was like bunch of fourth graders arguing about who is richer, who doesn't like girls, who is older and who is more intelligent. Get ready for 4 more years of the big bullying 5th grader, Donny T, because these democrats are a far cry from anything to unite the country.
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