Opinion | Michael Bloomberg’s Monumental Failure to Prepare

  • 📰 politico
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 51 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 24%
  • Publisher: 59%

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News,United States Headlines

Opinion: Michael Bloomberg had a story to tell and a few apologies to make in tonight's Democratic debate. He managed to do neither.

You’re about to go on a treacherous journey. You’ve hired an army of knowledgeable experts who know the dangerous twists and turns in the road, who know where the brigands lurk, who have been told for weeks exactly what perils await.

Do you really respond to Bernie Sanders’s embrace of socialism—a clear vulnerability for Sanders, but a growing enthusiasm for the younger wing of the party—by saying that “they tried [abandoning capitalism] in their countries; they called it communism”? And do you spend the entire evening with barely a flash of engagement, not to mention passion?

Fundamentally, the challenge for Bloomberg was to seize the terrain of the debate; not just to acknowledge an error on stop and frisk, but to acknowledge that he was all too comfortable with talking abut women that was unacceptable—not just now and then. He had to know that lame assertions that he put women in positions of influence would not come close to answering the years of insults and crude jokes—but that was exactly the defense he offered.

In the years I spent in debate prep, there were times when a candidate fiercely resisted a frank acknowledgement of error; it is part of the DNA of people with the hunger for power.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Why did a unprepared Bloomberg walk on stage? Arrogance

Bloomberg is who he is. Bloomberg is not getting any better with time. His shameful debate speech proves he isn't ready to take his staffs' political advice.

It wasn't a debate, it was an attack. I didn't care for the show.

You think he takes this seriously? He assumes he can buy his way into anything he wants.

alaw202 They're being over paid to be yes men. Some of them are happy to take the money, money doesn't actually buy enthusiasm.

It’s supposed to be a debate not a name calling contest which is what it turned into all decorum went out the window

Bigger question. How did the DNC let him walk out there at all?

Because this man in unprepared.

He thought that the way had been paved for him by his ads to do what he wanted, & that the media having his back would protect him from people they were already erasing.

I heard MikeBloomberg and ewarren had to fly to Utah together, because she planted her foot too deep up his ass. LowerGI2020

Mike has exactly the same 'instincts' as Trump....they worked harder than anybody else..they are smarter than anybody else..and they're not about to take advise from any mere mortal!

It's not his team. It's the candidate. It's the quality of his rival.

Bloomberg really messed up big time. I was amazed at how inept he was. this is very uncharacteristic of the man. don't know what happened here. I can only surprise that he thought $$ would save the day. a complete puzzle.

Are they counting on his money?

It's the difference of hiring a team that is only interested in getting paid and a team that truly believes in their candidate.

All the money in the world Won't fix what's wrong with Bloomberg

Lazy white man syndrome. I guarantee he didn't think he needed to prepare.

Bloomberg thought he was going to a cocktail meet and greet. Not a Tribunal.

Being a billionaire, he is so used to people deferring to him, he just thought they would to. That is what a big ego gets you.

Worse absence of judgement was to participate in this farce to begin with

M B. said if he doesn’t win the nomination he’s committed to defeating trump and he will spend any amount of money and stand behind any democrat to achieve that we’ll see how committed he is because he’s not going to be the nominee

Good question

Ego.

Anyone done a psych profile on Mike? Sounds like he may have trouble listening to advice.

If only we had other recent examples of wealthy businessmen not wanting to take political advice from their staff members.

Yes!

I dunno maybe coz they're not his boss and he decides what prep he does?

Because they thought he could just buy a good performance, too.

Let him? Rofl

He had no team. Ego killed that dope

The arrogance of money.

That was the worst performance I’ve ever seen on a debate. He couldn’t put one single thought together that answered the questions regarding his history as a racist ass mayor.

Why are you only reporting on his performance and not his racist and sexist record? The fact the you and the other establishment publications are whitewashing his past is disturbing.

Maybe having a lot of money doesn't make people smart?

Do you think, maybe, it's less his staffers at fault, and more that he's a wealthy egotist, who overestimates his importance, intelligence and relevance?

I doubt they let him, but he's lazy or arrogant and thinks that money will fix everything for him, if I had to fashion a guess.

Trump did the same and look what it’s netted him .. Bloomberg doesn’t want presidency anymore than he does.

Can it be that MikeBloomberg is similar to DJT? Views himself as the smartest person in the room and doesn’t listen to anyone? BlueWave VOTE VoteBlueToSaveAmerica

That’s what they said about trump. We’ve dumbed down this country so much it probably doesn’t even matter.

That’s fine that they let him walk onstage. It showed just how out of touch he is with the rest of us. Warren sliced him into tiny pieces. Okay by me.

His team probably tried but he probably knew all the answers and saw no need for advice

Mike is too arrogant for his own good and his ways are etched in stone. He's not going to change.

If he’s that unprepared for a debate, imagine how unprepared he is to be President. He’s not taking this seriously and voters shouldn’t take him seriously. Drop out MikeBloomberg.

Arrogance.

Does not matter how prepared someone is if they are dull and uninspiring.

Bloom got smoked.

Sorry for him🙏

Joe Biden didn't do well on the first debate stage did he? Just wait, Mike will get it done, his opponents have been in politics their whole life, they know what say to make you feel good but do they do what they say? The answer is no.

That’s the thing, he was prepared He just sucks!!

This debate was a joke. Democrats viciously fighting each other. How stupid. THEY are NOT the problem. The problem lives in the White House. Attack HIM, not each other.

Yeah I guess you can't pay people to prepare for you. Who wants to watch Liz do that to trump

He's buying the election, why bother prepping?

Exactly my thoughts... he was terrible. He couldn’t answer any of the questions

If he can’t prepare for a debate he can’t run a country

In this day of technology, he could have had 20 experts talking in his ear or projecting on the glasses with reply’s.

One word, hubris

Sounds kinda like another billionaire trying to be president and thinking they know it all.

He looked very out of his element. I'm so disappointed that this network let his debate get so out of control. These debates need to be very structured and the rules laid out so the candidates can't just blurt out whenever they feel like it. I like the town halls much more.

He has a team?

Maybe they aren't as brilliant as you lefties make them out to be

How the hell is it his TEAM’s fault and not HIS fault?

DemocraticDebate Thoughts: Trump wins with Dem knife fight . bad —SenWarren won the night - angry Done if bad in NV —SenSanders leader but socialist tag is perm. —PeteButtigieg vs amyklobuchar is a race for 4/5 MikeBloomberg shaky, better in 2 💰 —JoeBiden 0

There is no way he could have prepared for the obvious. Rather than Bloomberg spend his money on getting himself elected, which is not going to happen, he should support one of the candidates that will bury Trump and help Dems take over the house and senate.

Because they are just as elitist as he is and think they are smarter then everyone else

Well first you can’t prepare Stupidity. Second he is so done there is no need to even cover anything he says or does unless you just want a good laugh .

Say. Her. Name. Elizabeth Ann Warren. Any narrative that doesn’t say her name this morning is absurd.

He is the poster child of privilege and someone who is surrounded by “yes” men and women.

shaunking One of those rare moments I agree with shaunking

It was only his first debate, people Gz give him a chance

Bloomberg monumentally failed at everything that he can't buy.

All about his ego.......epic failure

Cuz he just plans to buy the election. Buying ads. Paying social media influencers to pretend like they like him. Fake. Phoney. Not cool.

shaunking MikeBloomberg did prepare by being a billionaire.

He didn’t know what was going to happen, now of us did! Electric.

So, so it seems money can’t buy everything, afterall. 🤔

they was all losers.... DT2020!!!

shaunking He was shocked to discover he couldn’t just pay the moderators.

shaunking The room wasn’t filled with “yes men” worshipping whoever has the most money.

The news was that he'd spent WEEKS preparing for THAT!

shaunking Strong 6th place.

Yup, sure did. The apologist for rich man's white America is dead as a candidate.

I actually disagree. I thought he stood firm and held his ground pretty well. Amy Klobuchar blew it and Bernie looked increasingly delusional.

It’s almost like nobody gets it. Mike has zero intent at being President. Never has. He’s building a machine that the final nominee can use to win. That’s it. It’s strategy to beat Trump no matter what. Why has no one figured this out yet?

But really, HOW many NDAs are out there? It’s rumored to be dozens. He’s a racist, and his arrogance tops Trump by far. No way. Pass.

He is a monumental failure at a human being.

The ugly tone & slander that lasted throughout the entire debate was disappointing! I was expecting more discipline from these candidates! After they had their say with Bloomberg, they should have concentrated on the difference between their platform and Trump's, not each others

Unclear why he actually showed up.. he was doing much better as a one dimensional character

I havnt fought like hell for the last 4 years against a racist, sexist, authoritarian xenophobic billionaire just to vote in another likely more dangerous one just because he has a D next to his name. Keep your corrupting money we dont need it we dont want it. BloombergIsTrump

Paid $420,000,000 to fail big time

Someone inform JRubinBlogger

Yep. Or, conversely, was totally incapable.

He should have primaried Trump.

The eye rolling was the icing on the cake!

No: He prepares and still failed.

The problem of delegating too damn much. Always be a student Big Mike, or new tools will not be forged to use to save your life in battle.

Unfortunately this is true. Bloomberg looked terrible. Good news is, he’s got time to recover.

MIKE BLOOMBERG WAS THE ONLY PRESIDENTIAL PROFESSIONAL ON DEBATE STAGE. THE REST OF THE CANDIDATES WERE BULLIES.

Why I think Bloomberg is running he had to much cash, couldn’t explain it at tax time, didn’t want to pay taxes on it, so he is blowing it on this campaign now he can write it off.

They didn't give him a chance to explain anything..Couldn't talk over Warren and was constantly cut off by the moderators...Hit job all around...

this isn’t shouldn’t be an opinion piece, it should be a news piece

Probably can drop the “Opinion” part.

When youre used to having people bow to you like youre some sort of king, you dont know how to prepare for people who think youre a human embodiment of everything wrong in this country. Democracy shouldn't be for sale.

That's arrogance in my opinion. Thanks.

why should he prepare, he is just going to be BUYING the nod from DNC!

Not So Happy Days For The New Guy

The arrogance of the 0.01%.

He is a misfit for being a President. The US deserves a much better guy at the top.

Duh. Trump will win.

and MikeBloomberg both have something in common. THEY ARE BOTH SHILLS FOR THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA (CPC)!

Imagine having the nerve to run for president knowing that you publicly said that the police should specifically target young minorities, you’ve got to have one hell of an ego.

The entire debate was a painful clusterff to watch Is this the best the Democrats got? Ugh

Trump told y'all about Bloomberg debate skills

Nobody watches these pathetic debates.

He thought he could pay someone to prepare for him

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 381. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Bloomberg to sell his company if elected president: campaignDemocratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg will sell Bloomberg LP, the ... 🤔 Why? Trump said the emoluments clause was phony.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »

Bernie Sanders & Michael Bloomberg Campaigns Duel Over Heart Health Records Ahead Of First Debate ShowdownAs Democratic candidates prepared for what is likely to be the most consequential debate of the cycle so far, Michael Bloomberg and Bernie Sanders’ campaigns engaged in a back and forth over … this is what all politics has come to.... huh. Yup. We’re in one sad place. Are you healthy enough to hold a phone and to sign bills into law? They aren’t cage fighters gang. Lols
Source: DEADLINE - 🏆 109. / 63 Read more »

Biden campaign pushes back on Bloomberg's riseBiden campaign senior adviser Symone Sanders pushes back Mike Bloomberg's rise in the polls, saying Bloomberg 'has not won a single delegate, he is not on the ballot in a single early state, he has not yet graced the debate stage.' She’s not wrong. Not very convincing.
Source: MSNBC - 🏆 469. / 51 Read more »

5 things to watch in tonight's Democratic debateFormer New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has qualified for tonight's Democratic debate, injecting a combustible new element into an already volatile primary fight. Here are a few other things to watch. Good Luck ewarren! Stay cool, stay above the fray, boys will be boys! Bloomberg didn't 'qualify' for tonight's DemDebate. He's not even running in Nevada and bought his way onto the stage. There, fixed your story for you. You're welcome.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

Bernie Sanders Opens Up Double-Digit National LeadBut Michael Bloomberg is surging in Super Tuesday states. this isn't a fucking game Warren2020 she's not afraid to release her medical records. And she's the BETTER candidate any day over the rest of this bunch. PresidentWarren
Source: NYMag - 🏆 111. / 63 Read more »

Bloomberg's transaction tax sets stage for clash with Wall Street clientsPresidential candidate Michael Bloomberg's decision to back a tax on trades... No matter who implements it, it's long overdue. This Transaction Tax is going to do some serious damage to markets and ultimately the economy as GDP is closely tied to markets. Bernie Sanders' transaction tax is 5X higher!!! I'm sure Bloomberg's wall street buddies would be happy that he tries to save them money.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »