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Michael Bloomberg qualifies for Democratic debate for first time – live updates Michael Bloomberg qualifies for Democratic debate for first time – live updates
(30 minutes later)
Billionaire Bloomberg will face opponents on debate stage in Las Vegas as he faces over past policies and alleged comments Billionaire Bloomberg will face opponents on debate stage in Las Vegas after rules change that opened door to his participation
Politico has more on Bloomberg’s preparations to join the debate stage for the first time. He is not known as a brilliant orator, and many of his fellow Democrats may relish the chance to play up his wealth, his past as a Republican, and the controversies about racism and sexism that have blown up in the past couple of weeks.
His rivalry with Sanders is becoming increasingly bitter, and the Vermont senator is unlikely to pull his punches, telling a crowd earlier this week: “Now, Mike Bloomberg is struggling — he’s down to his last $60bn. Hey, life is hard, you know — food prices going up, housing going up. How are you going to make it on $60bn? Mike is trying.”
As Politico reports:
The poll that has opened the door for Bloomberg also has good news for Sanders, however.The poll that has opened the door for Bloomberg also has good news for Sanders, however.
The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist survey shows the Vermont socialist senator well at the head of the field, with 31% – up nine points since the last poll by this company in early December.The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist survey shows the Vermont socialist senator well at the head of the field, with 31% – up nine points since the last poll by this company in early December.
Bloomberg comes in second with 19% (up 15). Biden is on 15% (down nine), Warren on 12% (down five), Klobuchar on 9% (up five) and Buttigieg on 8% (down five).Bloomberg comes in second with 19% (up 15). Biden is on 15% (down nine), Warren on 12% (down five), Klobuchar on 9% (up five) and Buttigieg on 8% (down five).
The poll also asked which Democrats would beat Donald Trump in the popular vote in November, finding that all the main contenders would.The poll also asked which Democrats would beat Donald Trump in the popular vote in November, finding that all the main contenders would.
Their leads ranged from Biden’s six points, to Bloomberg’s four points, Sanders’ three points, Buttigieg’s and Klobuchar’s two points, and Warren’s one point.Their leads ranged from Biden’s six points, to Bloomberg’s four points, Sanders’ three points, Buttigieg’s and Klobuchar’s two points, and Warren’s one point.
The election is decided based on the electoral college, however, not the popular vote. In 2016 Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 3m votes, but still won the election, thanks to his strength at picking up delegates in key states.The election is decided based on the electoral college, however, not the popular vote. In 2016 Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 3m votes, but still won the election, thanks to his strength at picking up delegates in key states.
Bloomberg’s appearance on the debate stage is highly controversial.Bloomberg’s appearance on the debate stage is highly controversial.
The Democrats changed their qualification rules just weeks ago, scrapping the need for participants to reach a threshold of donations.The Democrats changed their qualification rules just weeks ago, scrapping the need for participants to reach a threshold of donations.
The billionaire Bloomberg is funding his own campaign, and the rule change was widely seen as a move by the Democratic establishment to allow the centrist former mayor to take part.The billionaire Bloomberg is funding his own campaign, and the rule change was widely seen as a move by the Democratic establishment to allow the centrist former mayor to take part.
Bernie Sanders has been particularly scathing about the change, noting: “Suddenly a guy comes in who has not campaigned one bit in Iowa or New Hampshire … but he’s worth $55bn and I guess if you’re worth $55bn you can get the rules changed for a debate.”Bernie Sanders has been particularly scathing about the change, noting: “Suddenly a guy comes in who has not campaigned one bit in Iowa or New Hampshire … but he’s worth $55bn and I guess if you’re worth $55bn you can get the rules changed for a debate.”
Michael Bloomberg has qualified for tomorrow’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas – the first time he will face his opponents on the debate stage.Michael Bloomberg has qualified for tomorrow’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas – the first time he will face his opponents on the debate stage.
The former New York mayor needed four poll ratings of 10% or above to qualify. A poll from NPR, PBS NewsHour and Marist released on Tuesday showed Bloomberg with 19% support.The former New York mayor needed four poll ratings of 10% or above to qualify. A poll from NPR, PBS NewsHour and Marist released on Tuesday showed Bloomberg with 19% support.
Good morning.Good morning.
The presidential candidates are back on the campaign trail today, with Democrats Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg in Nevada ahead of Saturday’s caucuses there.The presidential candidates are back on the campaign trail today, with Democrats Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg in Nevada ahead of Saturday’s caucuses there.
Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar will all appear on CNN tonight for town hall-style interviews.Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar will all appear on CNN tonight for town hall-style interviews.
It’s also the deadline at midnight ET tonight for candidates to qualify for the next Democratic debate, which takes place in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders and Warren have all qualified – but a change in the rules means Michael Bloomberg may qualify to appear for the first time. He needs to reach 10% in one more poll to make it. The Democrats controversially scrapped a rule that meant participants had to reach a donor threshold, allegedly to allow the self-funding billionaire former New York mayor to take part.It’s also the deadline at midnight ET tonight for candidates to qualify for the next Democratic debate, which takes place in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders and Warren have all qualified – but a change in the rules means Michael Bloomberg may qualify to appear for the first time. He needs to reach 10% in one more poll to make it. The Democrats controversially scrapped a rule that meant participants had to reach a donor threshold, allegedly to allow the self-funding billionaire former New York mayor to take part.
Bloomberg – who joins the race in earnest on Super Tuesday, 3 March – has come under fire over the past week for allegedly racist policing policies as New York mayor and for alleged sexist and misogynistic comments as a businessman. His fellow Democrats stuck the knife in further yesterday, with Biden saying: “$60bn can buy you a lot of advertising, but it can’t erase your record.”Bloomberg – who joins the race in earnest on Super Tuesday, 3 March – has come under fire over the past week for allegedly racist policing policies as New York mayor and for alleged sexist and misogynistic comments as a businessman. His fellow Democrats stuck the knife in further yesterday, with Biden saying: “$60bn can buy you a lot of advertising, but it can’t erase your record.”
Sanders, the leftwing Vermont senator who is now the frontrunner in the race, seems to be pulling ahead in polling in Nevada, with the ailing centrist Biden now nine points ahead of him in polling averages. The former vice-president has also plunged in national Democratic polling following his poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire this month, leaving Sanders in the lead but with centrists Bloomberg and Buttigieg gradually climbing. Warren, Sanders’ rival on the left, seems to be on the slide too. Sanders, the leftwing Vermont senator who is now the frontrunner in the race, seems to be pulling ahead in polling in Nevada, with the ailing centrist Biden now nine points behind him in polling averages. The former vice-president has also plunged in national Democratic polling following his poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire this month, leaving Sanders in the lead but with centrists Bloomberg and Buttigieg gradually climbing. Warren, Sanders’ rival on the left, seems to be on the slide too.
Like Iowa, Nevada holds caucuses rather than primaries – complicated, hours-long public meetings with multiple rounds of balloting. (Here’s more on how they work.) But after the shambles in Iowa where an app malfunctioned, the Nevada Democratic party has said it won’t use the same technology. But it’s not clear what they will use instead. “Reports suggest the party has decided to abandon the app for a combination of Google forms and scannable paper ballots as a backup,” writes Kari Paul.Like Iowa, Nevada holds caucuses rather than primaries – complicated, hours-long public meetings with multiple rounds of balloting. (Here’s more on how they work.) But after the shambles in Iowa where an app malfunctioned, the Nevada Democratic party has said it won’t use the same technology. But it’s not clear what they will use instead. “Reports suggest the party has decided to abandon the app for a combination of Google forms and scannable paper ballots as a backup,” writes Kari Paul.
Donald Trump is heading west too, meeting the LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee and supporters in Beverley Hills and then heading to Las Vegas.Donald Trump is heading west too, meeting the LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee and supporters in Beverley Hills and then heading to Las Vegas.
Trump waded into controversy last week when his attorney general, William Barr, criticised him for interfering in criminal cases such as that of his friend Roger Stone, who is due to be sentenced for obstruction, false statements and witness tampering on 20 February. There is a pre-sentence hearing on that case today.Trump waded into controversy last week when his attorney general, William Barr, criticised him for interfering in criminal cases such as that of his friend Roger Stone, who is due to be sentenced for obstruction, false statements and witness tampering on 20 February. There is a pre-sentence hearing on that case today.
Here’s some of the US politics news you may have missed from yesterday:Here’s some of the US politics news you may have missed from yesterday: