ELECTION 2020

[HairOfTheDog]

Wednesday Democratic Debate

Five Democratic presidential contenders are confirmed to participate in the next presidential primary debate Wednesday, which marks the final debate before Nevada caucus goers pick their candidates February 22.

    --Former Vice President Joe Biden
    --Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
    --Senator Amy Klobuchar
    --Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders
    --Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren

To appear on the debate stage in Las Vegas, candidates have to meet either a delegate or polling threshold, according to the Democratic National Committee.

Candidates must have won at least one delegate from either the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary.

For the polling threshold, Democratic contenders must clear 10% in at least four national polls approved by the Democratic National Committee or receive 12% in two single-state polls in South Carolina or Nevada.

(continued)

[HairOfTheDog]

The qualifications set by the Democratic National Committee for Wednesday's debate are a departure from previous debate requirements, which demanded that Democrats meet a donor threshold.

The change paves the way for Michael Bloomberg, who is self-funding his presidential campaign, to debate his Democratic opponents for the first time.

The former New York City mayor is on the cusp of qualifying for Wednesday's debate, since he has received at least 10% in three national polls so far. He has exceeded the 10% threshold in polls conducted by Fox News, Quinnipiac and Monmouth. Bloomberg would need to reach 10% in a separate poll before Wednesday in order to qualify.

Ref: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democratic-...andidates/

[HairOfTheDog]

Mike Bloomberg has now met the polling threshold for tomorrow night's Democratic primary debate in Vegas.

His campaign has confirmed that he will participate.  

Should be interesting -- Bloomberg hasn't participated in any of the debates thus far and will very likely be pounced on by the other contenders who've spent months campaigning.

[BigMark]

[HairOfTheDog]

   Mean, but funny.

[BigMark]

That's me in a nutshell.

[Duchess]

I really don't want to have to vote for Bernie. I'm not seeing much, if any, of a difference between Bernie bros and trump's cult.

[Maggot]

The Dems are going crazy I hope this years convention doesn't turn into a remake of the 1968 convention.

[BigMark]

An angry Cronkite tersely replied, "I think we've got a bunch of thugs here, Dan."

[HairOfTheDog]

I really don't want to have to vote for Bernie. I'm not seeing much, if any, of a difference between Bernie bros and trump's cult.

I think I'm the only one here at Mock who would have no problem voting for Bernie Sanders (based on consistency on the issues, passion for much-needed systemic change, and electability).  I don't care about the 'Bernie Bros' internet bullshit though.

I suspect that a large number of Democrats over 25 (and pundits + media + a smaller number of Independents) share your feeling and don't want Bernie to be the Democratic nominee. 

I get the anti-Bernie rationale and nobody 'has to' vote for him, but hope that enough Dems and Independents will give him a chance and vote for Bernie if he ends up being the Democratic nominee. 

The alternative is 4 more years of Trump, with even less checks and balances on his Executive power.

Anyway, it's on Bernie to explain his plans and his ability to unite people beyond his very solid base - he needs to do better on that front and I'm optimistic that he will now that the field is narrowing. 

I wouldn't have any problem voting for Warren, Buttigieg, or Klobuchar in the general election either.  Biden and Bloomberg are at the bottom of my preference list, but I'll vote for either of them without much trepidation if they win the primary.

[BigMark]

I can already feel his hand in my pocket.

[Rootilda]

The Dems are going crazy I hope this years convention doesn't turn into a remake of the 1968 convention.

To put that brilliant observation into perspective:

[HairOfTheDog]

I can already feel his hand in my pocket.

You're a kinky mofo Biggie.

[BigMark]

He's gonna do a ding dong ditch on your devils doorbell.

[Duchess]

 hope that enough Dems and Independents will give him a chance and vote for Bernie if he ends up being the Democratic nominee.  

I'm absolutely voting for him if he's the nominee and I'll do so without complaint. I intend to have that attitude with whoever the nominee is, and aside from Bernie bros, I see Democrats all say the same thing. There is one goal this year and that's to get trump the hell out of there.

[Clang McFly]

I'm voting for Bernie if he's the Democratic nominee. Or Warren. No one else. I'll throw away my vote and write in Optimus Prime or some silly name if only to avoid voting for Trump. If we start now, can we get Deez Nuts on the ballot somehow. Please?

[Duchess]

I'm voting for Bernie if he's the Democratic nominee. Or Warren. No one else. 

I read someone say that not voting is a vote for trump.

[Carsman]

Should be interesting seeing Mike on the stage podium (Box) with the others!

It's been said it has cost him "$400" million (so far) to get there, so lets see if he gets his money's worth!

[Carsman]

Has to be soooooo true!

[HairOfTheDog]

Should be interesting seeing Mike on the stage podium (Box) with the others!

It's been said it has cost him "$400" million (so far) to get there, so lets see if he gets his money's worth!

I haven't watched all the debates, but I am going to watch this one. 

There are few enough candidates now that they should be able to get into more detail, and I'm curious to see how Bloomberg does too.

Not only has Bloomberg spent hundreds of millions in tv advertising to meet the polling threshold, he's paying social media 'influencers' $150.00 per clip to promote his candidacy.  

I like that Bloomberg has worked (and resided) across the political aisles, and that he's put his money where his mouth is when it comes to good causes like gun safety, neighborhood development, and climate change. 

At the same time, I really don't like the fact that all the other candidates have had to work so hard to earn financial/candidacy support from voters for months on end in order to avoid being beholden to rich donors and special interests........... while Bloomberg has been able to simply jump in midstream using his own massive wealth. 

I don't resent Bloomberg for being a self-made billionaire at all.  I just wish that money wasn't still such a huge factor in our politics.

Anyway, will definitely be interesting to see what goes down on the Vegas debate stage tonight.