While most of the 2020 Democrats are focused on Iowa and New Hampshire, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is taking a different approach. Because he is entering the race so late in the game, his team has decided to skip focusing on the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary. Instead, his team will focus solely on Super Tuesday, where voters in 15 states and abroad cast their primary votes.
According to the Associated Press, Bloomberg's team realizes the strategy is bold but his wealth can help him overcome that obstacle. After all, Bloomberg is one of the wealthiest men in the world, with a net worth of $53 billion.
“If we run, we are confident we can win in states voting on Super Tuesday and beyond, where we will start on an even footing,” advisor Howard Wolfson said.
His staff is rushing to file paperwork to qualify to get on the ballot in Super Tuesday states, like Arkansas, which deadline is fast approaching. It was announced on Friday that he will be on the ballot in Alabama, which launched the billionaire's official presidential campaign.
Bloomberg has repeatedly said he would not run for president but, after looking at the crop of candidates, decided to enter the race. According to the AP, he wasn't feeling confident in any of the contenders's ability to beat President Donald Trump in the general election.
Democrats, however, don't see how his strategy can be successful.
“I don’t think you can just hopscotch around the calendar to suit your own political purposes,” Democratic strategist Bill Carrick said. “You skip the early states, you’re going to have a difficult time. I don’t see any evidence that strategy ever works.”
Super Tuesday is set to take place on March 3, 2020 and includes: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Democrats Abroad, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially on the gun control front. Bloomberg funds numerous gun control organizations, including Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action. Will these groups promote Bloomberg's candidacy or continue to applaud every candidate when he or she supports some kind of ridiculous anti-gun law? Only time will tell.