3 Reasons Democrats Won't Nominate Bloomberg

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is giving really serious thought to entering the 2020 Democratic presidential race.


It was about this time a year ago that Bloomberg pondered getting into the race only to decide against it this past March. At the time, Bloomberg stated:


As I've thought about a possible presidential campaign, the choice before me has become clear. Should I devote the next two years to talking about my ideas and record, knowing that I might never win the Democratic nomination? Or should I spend the next two years doubling down on the work that I am already leading and funding, and that I know can produce real and beneficial results for the country, right now? I've come to realize that I'm less interested in talking than doing.


It would appear Bloomberg is now more interested in talking.


Despite his progressive credentials on issues like climate change and gun control, there are three reasons I can think why Democrats would never nominate him as their presidential standard bearer.


First, much like Donald Trump, Bloomberg was originally a Democrat. But when he sought the mayoralty of New York City in 2001 he switched his political registration to Republican for the simple reason that he could never win the Democratic Party's nomination. If Bloomberg couldn't win the supports of Democrats in New York City then how can he expect to earn the support of Democrats across the country?


Second, Bloomberg is a billionaire. In a party that features Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, nominating Bloomberg is simply inconceivable. AOC believes billionaires should cease to exist. If a critical mass of Democrats believe there shouldn't be billionaires then what makes anyone think they would vote for one?


Third, Bloomberg is Jew who steadfastly supports Israel. The Democratic base will tolerate Bernie Sanders because he denounces Israel every chance he gets and supporting him insulates them from charges of anti-Semitism. Bloomberg, on the other hand, has stood up for Israel as he did when he protested the Obama Administration's temporary ban of domestic flights into Israel during the 2014 Gaza War by flying on his private jet to Tel Aviv and wrote an op-ed to defend his actions. I also remember when he went to Jerusalem in August 2003 to ride a bus route that had been target in a suicide bombing which claimed the life of a New York area Orthodox Jewish woman and her infant son. In a party where AOC, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib and their anti-Semitic remarks and actions are tolerated, it would be simply inconceivable to see the nomination of a staunchly pro-Israel candidate much less one who is Jewish.


Although I have my disagreements with Michael Bloomberg, I would consider cast a ballot for him as our next President. But chances are that ballot would be a write-in. Bloomberg winning the Democratic nomination would surely be a write-off.