Michael Bloomberg rallies supporters in Philly

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With a swath of Democratic presidential candidates consumed Tuesday with the confusing outcome of the Iowa caucuses, Michael Bloomberg came to Philadelphia to argue that he’s the only one who can beat President Donald Trump.

“I got into this race 10 weeks ago because I was deeply concerned Donald Trump was on track to win the election,” Bloomberg, the billionaire and former New York mayor, told a large crowd of supporters Tuesday night at the National Constitution Center. His campaign estimated the crowd at close to 2,000 people. “We have an angry, out of control, lawless president dividing the American people and abusing his office," Bloomberg said on the eve of Trump’s expected acquittal in his impeachment trial. “Well, I’m running to bring America back together and start getting things done.”

After the rally, Bloomberg said he’s always taken issue with Iowa and New Hampshire having outsize roles, given the relative lack of diversity in both states. “It is not fair to this country as its composition has changed, and we’d be better off with bigger states" like Pennsylvania, he said, while acknowledging how expensive it is to compete in larger states. That’s an issue Bloomberg, who is self-funding his campaign, doesn’t have.

On Tuesday night, Bloomberg rented the entire Constitution Center and spoke from an elevated lectern in the center of the lobby to supporters surrounding him on the floor and on the upper level. The campaign spared no expense, with catered food, wine, a DJ, and lighting design cast onto the ceiling. Signs reading “Philadelphia Will Get It Done” — a play on his “Mike Will Get It Done” TV ads — and “PA Likes Mike” were hung around the grand hall.

Bloomberg has also been on a hiring spree in Pennsylvania, quickly building an almost 100-person field staff. He has a Philadelphia office in Old City, as well as offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. By next week, offices will open in Bucks County, West Chester, Ardmore, Media, and Greensburg. No Democratic candidate has campaign infrastructure on that scale.

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mike-bloomberg-philadelphia-rally-constitution-center-20200205.html

OM GRALISH / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Former Philadelphia Mayor and Mike Bloomberg 2020 National Political Co-Chair Michael Nutter speaks to the crowd.

[msongs]

1. rally sounds like a black n white clip from a 1930s hollywood B movie lol nt