Mike Bloomberg-Hillary Clinton: Could they beat Trump?

Bloomberg - Clinton

This pair may be proven research, but it looks to me like a train wreck going somewhere to happen. When you Google "Hillary Haters," you get 7.4 million hits. But, when you do the same with supporters, you get 22.6 million, so maybe I am wrong. My initial reaction comes from blogging during the 2016 election, seeing the ire from so many commenters and across the board when it comes to profiles. But Bloomberg's research team does appear to have credibility.

On the other hand, RealClearPolitics says, "Bloomberg May Be What Democrats Need." RCP continues that the 77-year-old, former Republican, billionaire is probably not what the Dems want, at least Progressives like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The Bern does say that Mike Bloomberg is trying to buy the election, which, if you look at the mechanics of Bloomberg using his money only to fund his campaign, might vaguely qualify for the accusation.

RCP considers Buttigieg and Klobuchar, but lacking the experience and a strong following, rules them out. Democrats need Bloomberg for four reasons...

"First, the former New York mayor has done real things. Building a multibillion-dollar business from scratch and ably managing New York City for 12 years are concrete accomplishments. Making speeches and sitting in committee hearings – the core tasks of being in Congress – are no match for what Bloomberg has done."

"Second, Bloomberg is not a left-wing ideologue."

"Third, competence. Bloomberg knows how to make things run."

"Fourth, Bloomberg guarantees a first-class campaign. He can fund the entire general election out of petty cash. Two billion? Three billion? Four billion?"

 With the favored candidate, Joe Biden, in a downward spiral, recoiling from being originally "available, acceptable and electable," here's the latest scenario...

"a recent Quinnipiac poll shows his once-powerful support among black and moderate Democrats nationally has taken a tumble since Iowa."

Warren is fairing no better, and all this considering Bloomberg skipped campaigning in the first four states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The experts thought he was crazy, but turns out he made a smart strategic move with the demise of Biden. The Buttigieg/Klobuchar profiles are fairly similar and I can see their followers going to Bloomberg, should they drop out of the race. But here's a possible obstacle that could throw everything into chaos.

Based on a recent release, Michael Bloomberg may be considering the selection of Hillary Clinton as a running mate. Now that may show strength to his strategists, but I can see it as pissing off Klobuchar and Buttigieg, if, in fact, as I have surmised earlier, each is now not running for president, rather, for vice president. Depending on how the two react, they could stay in the race, which, of course would siphon votes from Bloomberg.

As far as electability goes...

"On November electability, which was Biden’s calling card, Bloomberg is now doing better than other Democrats. The most recent Quinnipiac poll places Bloomberg ahead of Trump by a sizable nine percentage points. The latest Fox News poll has Bloomberg beating the White House occupant by eight points. Even polls that show narrower Democratic margins place Bloomberg in a relatively strong position for November."

On the Progressive side, haven't seen any recent polls for the Bern against T-rump, but in the past Sanders has been in the lead. For what it's worth the BBC says, "US election 2020: Could it be Bernie Sanders v Donald Trump?" This should be a very interesting fall.   READ MORE...

Wake up Democrats...Bernie Sanders can win

Bernie has the ball(s)

I cannot believe that major donors, party operatives, senior lawmakers and rival candidate Pete Buttigieg would conspire against another liberal who has shown that he can not only raise big funds but also spark a huge lineup of contributors and loyal volunteers. But they did. Is there jealousy on the part of these lawmakers and fellow candidates, the fact that they may have dismal track records? Or do they simply wish they had the balls to do what Bernie is doing?

I am not completely sold on the Bern yet, and won't be until he gets much more aggressive on gun control. One of his volunteers called me recently since my wife and I had supported him in 2016, and I told him my concern over the gun control issue. So, I have to look at Joe Biden, who, although middle of the road, seems more inclined to get solidly behind the gun violence issue. But let's just assume Bernie does come out solid in this area.

Some say the Vermont Senator isn't electable, but then he didn't get the chance to challenge Trump in 2016 thanks to Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Democratic National Committee. Few can claim the favorability ratings that Sanders has maintained since coming on the presidential scene. Right now he is outperforming Trump in the polling. The Guardian says there's infighting and bad blood left from his run against Hillary Clinton. Here's a point of view...

"social psychology research tells us that people who have different ideas about politics than us are not generally bad people – they’re mostly good people with different convictions."

Bernie Sanders' convictions are definitely different than establishment Democrats, but in my eyes they are also definitely better. That's why I am an Independent.

Please give me your COMMENTS on this issue.

Pete Buttigieg couldn't be more wrong about Bernie

Pete Buttigieg just said, "he doubts fellow hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) can beat President Trump in a general election." Boy was I wrong when I suggested a ticket with him as Bernie's vice president. It is just damn arrogant of a newbie like Buttigieg, whose only political career so far has been mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to make a prediction about a seasoned, experienced and dedicated politician like Bernie Sanders.

On the other hand, I think Franklin Graham's attack on Bettigieg as a gay man is beyond bad taste. This country is trying its best--and is failing by the way--to erase the prejudice of racism and sexual orientation. Graham said...

the Bible defines homosexuality as “something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized.”

That's very interesting since I am just finishing a book, The Bible Unearthed, which makes an excellent case that the Bible's accuracy is, at best, questionable on all levels. This is supported by excavation uncovering complete cities with the artifacts to prove their theories. Graham probably wouldn't know about this and would refute it if he did. Still in the process of excavating, who knows what these archaeologists will find of homosexuality in biblical times.

Sanders's campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, replied to Buttigieg's comment with...

"At a time when Trump has lied to millions of Americans and sold out workers, voters are looking for a leader who they can trust will fight for them," obviously talking about his candidate, Bernie Sanders.

It will be interesting to see if Bernie's age or Buttigieg's being gay will affect their election chances. But so far both are front -runners. 

Karl Rove says Bernie can beat Trump in 2020

Bernie Sanders

Coming down the stretch for the first U.S. primary in New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders has a commanding double-digit lead at 30 percent, followed by Biden at 18 percent and Buttigieg at 15 percent. Biden hasn't officially declared and N.H. is right next door to Sanders home state of Vermont. But the real surprise is the fact that newbie Pete Buttigieg is surging in the Democratic race, trailing former V.P. Joe Biden by only 3 points. Could the primary end up with a Bernie Sanders/Pete Buttigieg ticket, and, if so, could they beat Donald Trump?

Karl Rove says so. He "thinks Democratic contender Bernie Sanders could beat Donald Trump in 2020 to become the next president." Rove even added...

"After watching the Vermont senator’s Monday Fox News town hall, Rove complimented Sanders on Fox and Friends Friday, saying participating in the event was a 'smart move on his part.' He was also impressed with the response Sanders got, saying, 'Bernie comes on to Fox, and gets the largest viewership of any campaign event thus far.'”

Now that's very interesting considering Fox plays to a conservative, Republican base.

The word is out some Trump supporters who are disenchanted with the Oval Office lunatic's bizarre antics are looking at Bernie Sanders for 2020. But Bernie still must contend with the fact he is a Democratic Socialist, a trait becoming more acceptable but not quite there yet. I have had two people recently question my Bernie 2016 bumper sticker, still affixed. One "patriot" actually walked up to my wife on the passenger side window and said, "Just wanted to see what a Socialist looks like." I pulled out of the parking place quickly hoping to run over his toes. Unfortunately not.

Bernie tops $18 million from 500,000 donors

Bernie Sanders 

The above number comes from the period when he declared his presidential bid in February, topping all other declared candidates. Newcomer Pete Buttigieg has raised $7 million and Beto O'Rourke raised $6.1 million. Yet I read a Wash. Post article recently that implies Bernie Sanders isn't electable. Apparently 500,000 people don't agree. First of all, they think he's too old and spouts the same platform over and over. And, oh yes, he's a Socialist.

There are millions of progressives that believe the above qualities are good enough to put him in the White House. The question remains whether certain other factions will agree, like Independents, young people and the female vote. In comparison with Bernie's $ numbers, the Trump campaign has only about $19 million cash on hand. There are also around a $6 million in legal fees against the campaign. Should it come down to Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, I believe Bernie can take him, if those above factions kick in.

Who is Pete Buttigieg?

Pete Buttigieg

Right now, he is a long shot to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination but is turning a lot of heads with his issues. Even with low name recognition, Pete Buttigieg raised $7-million since January. Now that's right up there with the leadin' contendas, if he can get an act together soon, things could improve. He is currently the mayor of South Bend, Indiana. 37, gay, and literally has come from nowhere. Early polls have him in 7th position of declared candidates.

Buttigieg has raised enough money to qualify him for the summer Democratic debates, which requires contributions from at least 65,000 donors to make it to the debate stage. His issues include, "Medicare for all who want it, believes in "addressing or reversing harm and inequities" through policy, supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and a path to citizenship, openly pro-choice, strong gun control advocate, and more in the above article.

He's a Progressive's kind of person. But while sitting mayors haven't had much luck in the past, Buttigieg plans to change that.