Polls confirmed this morning that former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg (D-NY) will join fellow Democratic presidential contenders on the debate stage in Las Vegas Wednesday night. Given that the DNC nixed the individual donor requirement, Bloomberg was easily able to qualify for the debate via his growing poll numbers.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) campaign is flatlining right in front of her, after poor performances in both Iowa and New Hampshire. The Warren campaign has thrived on painting billionaires as "evil" and "greedy," while Sen. Warren herself is worth $12 million. Sen. Warren had harsh criticism for former Mayor Bloomberg, likening him to President Trump:
It’s a shame Mike Bloomberg can buy his way into the debate. But at least now primary voters curious about how each candidate will take on Donald Trump can get a live demonstration of how we each take on an egomaniac billionaire. https://t.co/H02radEZcv
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 18, 2020
Bloomberg’s presence in the race certainly exposes the influence that money can have on politics, and given Bloomberg’s record, Democrats are justifiably angry at the former mayor of New York. While initially written off by Republicans and Democrats alike, Bloomberg is now seen as a real threat. Sen. Warren’s campaign is desperate for a breath of fresh air and a fundraising boost. Her finances could not be more different from that of former Mayor Bloomberg’s, while Sen. Warren (D-MA) accepts donations equal to half of the life savings of a college student, Bloomberg exclusively self-funds his campaign:
Elizabeth Warren brags about accepting a $3 donation from a college student with thousands of dollars in debt who has just $6 in their bank account.
— Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) February 12, 2020
Warren has an estimated net worth of $12 million. pic.twitter.com/9lymjk1bRM