Billionaire Bloomberg enters crowded presidential field, Warren trolls him while reactions roll in

Daily Kos Staff

Thursday November 07, 2019 · 3:44 PM PST

2019/11/07 · 15:44

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Michael Bloomberg attends the Hudson River Park Annual Gala at Cipriani South Street on October 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Hudson River Park)

Michael Bloomberg is a billionaire. The former mayor of New York City has wanted to run for president of the United States for some time and according to a new report from The New York Times he is “actively preparing to enter the Democratic presidential primary and is expected to file paperwork this week designating himself as a candidate in at least one state.” (Take a moment to hear the sound of all air being sucked out of your sails.)

It’s not hard to understand why a billionaire like Bloomberg would look at fellow billionaires Tom Steyer and Howard Schultz’s entrances (and exits) from the Democratic presidential race and say, Yup, I can do better than that—I’m a billionaire! In Bloomberg’s defense, he’s known Donald Trump for years as a fixture in the New York political and financial machine, and my guess is that anyone who has ever met Donald Trump in person believes they, too, could do a much better job at anything Trump attempts. There’s also the pretty obvious political calculation that a centrist like Bloomberg might be able to present enough age and confidence to cannibalize the primary votes of Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.

But let’s be clear about one thing: Billionaires are egomaniacs. Their belief that not only are they the best qualified to run the country but that everyone else believes they are, too, will always trump what is best for the collective United States.

Here’s some analysis:

The most immediate problem for Biden here isn't a huge number of voters deserting him, but Biden-friendly donorsÃ¢ÂÂwho Biden really needs right nowÃ¢ÂÂsaying "hang on a sec..." until they hear more from Bloomberg
— Gabriel Debenedetti (@gdebenedetti) November 7, 2019

But who cares?

This news hit the internet the way that news like this always hits the internet: poorly. Arguably the best response was this one:

Ok, Bloomer. https://t.co/jfYI9q0e3g
— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) November 7, 2019

Another argument might place Sen. Warren’s response at the top.

Welcome to the race, @MikeBloomberg! If you're looking for policy plans that will make a huge difference for working people and which are very popular, start here: https://t.co/6UMSAf90NT
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 7, 2019

The billionaire class is scared and they should be scared.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 7, 2019

Hehe. And off to the races we go:

pic.twitter.com/iTTXNpRRuv
— russ strickland (@nsrrder13) November 7, 2019

But what about “practicality?”

pic.twitter.com/12AwAY2cWA
— Jason Adam Katzenstein (@JasonAdamK) November 7, 2019

Very relieved that Michael Bloomberg is running for president. I was concerned there might only be one billionaire running in Tom Steyer.
— Tim Fogarty (@liquiddahang) November 7, 2019

Bloomberg mood. pic.twitter.com/0wNehHC7mL
— Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) November 7, 2019

But what about the candidates that Democratic voters actually like?

when Warren and Sanders find out that Bloomberg is running pic.twitter.com/sLQpb0SnrY
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) November 7, 2019

And then there are those questioning why a billionaire would spend money on running for president when they could spend that money better elsewhere.

Can't just ONE rich dude try being Batman instead https://t.co/3gWov2JI5c
— Fiddler (@cFidd) November 7, 2019

Bloomberg could just give me 5% of the cash he will burn in this embarrassing episode and I'd be set for life. https://t.co/Q5TUv9ZRpM
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) November 7, 2019

Bloomberg could be an international hero by throwing all his money at climate change and/or gun reform. These are good things. More of that, please.
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) November 7, 2019

And let’s be clear, here is the view of moderate Bloomberg from the MAGA seats.

Report: Michael Bloomberg Filing to Run for President ANOTHER COMMUNIST TO ADD TO THE LIST https://t.co/4freEVkoVc
— KAG (@LILLYZ720) November 7, 2019

Who can beat Donald Trump or Mike Pence in a national election? The candidate who can bring out the most votes.

Billionaire Bloomberg enters crowded presidential field, Warren trolls him while reactions roll in

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