Mike Bloomberg will ‘Spend Whatever it Takes’ in 2020 to Defeat Trump – The Antidote to Donald Trump

Here are just a few of the stories I’m reading today…

Mike Bloomberg Will ‘Spend Whatever it Takes’ in 2020 to Defeat Trump (Axios)

The Bloomberg buzz ignited yesterday with the news that he’ll file today to qualify for the primary in Alabama, which has an early filing deadline. He’ll quickly ramp up in other states with deadlines approaching, including Arkansas, New Hampshire, Florida, California and Texas.

“Mike will spend whatever it takes to defeat Donald Trump,” a Bloomberg source said. “The nation is about to see a very different campaign than we’ve ever seen before.”

Bloomberg, who will make a final decision “soon,” isn’t expected to seek or accept campaign contributions, according to a second source.

“If Mike runs he would offer a new choice to Democrats built on a unique record running America’s biggest city, building a business from scratch and taking on some of America’s toughest challenges as a high-impact philanthropist,” Bloomberg adviser Howard Wolfson told the New York Times. Read the full statement here.

Welcome, Mike Bloomberg (New York Times – David Leonhardt)

I’m glad Bloomberg appears to be running. The current field is imperfect, split between candidates running weak campaigns and those who have so far shown little interest in appealing to swing voters.

By entering the race, Bloomberg could sharpen the eventual nominee — or run such a strong campaign that he’ll prove skeptics like me wrong.

Michael Bloomberg is the Antidote to Donald Trump (CNN)

Bloomberg has plenty to offer Americans on both sides of the aisle.

For those enamored with the mirage of Trump as a successful businessman — enter Bloomberg, a man whose net worth vastly outnumbers that of Donald Trump’s.

For those craving a progressive candidate, Bloomberg has long supported gun control and taken bold strides to fight climate change.

And for those looking for a leader who will stop picking silly fights that might endanger the global economy, look no further than the man who brought global financial markets into the digital age.

And here’s a selection of what elected officials across the U.S. are saying:

“I would caution anybody not to underestimate Mike Bloomberg.”
–Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, S.C. in The New York Times

“I admire his track record as a successful business leader and mayor who finds practical solutions to some of America’s biggest challenges, from creating good jobs to addressing the opioid crisis and fighting for common-sense gun safety.”
–Governor Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island in The New York Times

“His getting in the race is certainly going to stimulate thought and provocations that weren’t there before. Bloomberg doesn’t do things halfway, he’s going to stir up some conversation.”
–Former Senator Harry M. Reid in The Washington Post

“An important voice is entering the race for President. From climate change to common sense gun reform, Mike Bloomberg doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. Democrats — let’s get out and vote in 2020.”
–Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington D.C. on Twitter

And finally: Bloomberg’s 20,000 global employees received the following email from the company’s management committee early Friday:

As you have likely heard, Mike has decided to explore a campaign for president of the United States.

No final decisions have been made, but of course this is nothing new to the company. When Mike ran for City Hall, we kept the business moving forward, and when Mike became Mayor, the company continued to grow and innovate.

If Mike steps away again, we have an expanded Management Committee well equipped to continue running the day-to-day operations of the company.

We are well on track for our 38th consecutive year of revenue growth because of your efforts. Thank you for everything you have done.

Let’s close out another strong year.

 

Best of late night.

“The FDA say that they want bigger calorie labels on snacks sold in vending machines, so people can make healthier eating choices. Although I think the healthiest diet choice you make is not eating food from a vending machine.”
— Jimmy Fallon

“NASA has sent several cases of Bordeaux wine into space. NASA described the launch as ‘zesty and unpretentious.’”
— Conan O’Brien

“Some breaking news in the world of politics! It looks like former New York City Mayor and businessman Michael Bloomberg is seriously considering entering the Democratic race for president, because today he filed initial paperwork to enter the primary. A New York billionaire running for President! Like, an actual billionaire running for President! Where did he get this idea?”
— James Corden

On one of the impacts of Michael Bloomberg possibly entering the race for president, another candidate joked on CNN:

“It’s probably going to change the price of advertising.”
— Andrew Yang

 

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