Bloomberg to Trump: "I will do everything I can to defeat you whether I am on the ballot or not".

[denem]

Statement on 'Stop and Frisk'

February 12, 2020

“President Trump’s deleted tweet is the latest example of his endless efforts to divide Americans. I inherited the police practice of stop-and-frisk, and as part of our effort to stop gun violence it was overused. By the time I left office, I cut it back by 95%, but I should’ve done it faster and sooner. I regret that and I have apologized — and I have taken responsibility for taking too long to understand the impact it had on Black and Latino communities.

“But this issue and my comments about it do not reflect my commitment to criminal justice reform and racial equity. I believe we need to end mass incarceration and during my tenure we reduced incarceration by 40% and juvenile confinement by more than 60%. We created the Young Men’s Initiative to help young men of color stay on track for success, which President Obama built on to create My Brother’s Keeper. And we overhauled a school system that had been neglecting and underfunding schools in Black and Latino communities for too long.

“In contrast, President Trump inherited a country marching towards greater equality and divided us with racist appeals and hateful rhetoric. The challenge of the moment is clear: we must confront this President and do everything we can to defeat him. The President’s attack on me clearly reflects his fear over the growing strength of my campaign. Make no mistake Mr. President: I am not afraid of you and I will not let you bully me or anyone else in America. Between now and November, I will do everything I can to defeat you whether I am on the ballot or not.”

https://www.mikebloomberg.com/news/statement-from-mike-bloomberg

[BusyBeingBest]

1. Solid statement.

Never takes his eye off the ball.

[trueblue2007]

12. Thank you Mayor Mike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hangaleft]

79. I especially like the last sentence

[dalton99a]

2. Ok. Go get the asshole.

[DENVERPOPS]

78. Don't go after Trump it's a waste of your money Bloomberg

Spend 5 to 10 billion of your 60 Billion? annihilating the Republican Senators in their state's elections......
Pick 10 of the most vulnerable Republican Senators and dump a Billion in ads in each state non stop from now until the election.

THE DEMS ARE ACTING BRAINLESS......THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE PURELY WHAT ALLOWS TRUMP TO EXIST AS PRESIDENT. IT SHOULD BE PAINFULLY OBVIOUS TO ALL, ESPECIALLY AFTER LAST WEEK, THAT IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE REPUBLICAN SENATE TRUMP WOULD BE HISTORY IN A SECOND.

The democrats are walking down the jungle path, swatting at mosquitos and oblivious to the herd of charging elephants.

Pardon the pun.............

[orleans]

80. i hope he goes after trump AND republican senators

and also spends some of that money on commercials that tell people what to do if their names have been purged from voter rolls (such as bringing several forms of i.d to the secretary of state's office within the state's deadline--3 to 5 days--so the vote can count) otherwise those republican senators will never go away

[lagomorph777]

86. Exactly. The Russiapublican Senate is destroying the judiciary. Stop them above all!

[redqueen]

3. K&R

For all my problems with him I do appreciate his focus on ousting Trump.

[honest.abe]

4. Excellent statement.

"I regret that and I have apologized — and I have taken responsibility for taking too long to understand the impact it had on Black and Latino communities."

That is good enough for me and others who are willing to forgive.

[BigOleDummy]

87. Indeed

People change and grow due to experience. The ability to learn from your missteps is something that should be applauded in my opinion.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Right to the point.

Trump. Must. Go. That is Priority One.

This is what wins elections, not beating up on other party members.

[MFGsunny]

36. + 1000 n/t

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. K and R

[Mike 03]

7. Once Mike Bloomberg focuses on an objective he won't let go.

Something's happening.

I know things look chaotic right now but something's taking shape.

We are uniting.

We are going to defeat Trump in November.

[cilla4progress]

58. You

just made me tear up.

I haven't cried since November 2016. I've been too traumatized.

Thank you.

[mvd]

8. Want him far away from being our nominee..

But if he uses his money to beat Trump, good for him! We can use it.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. Yep. Sounds like the best of both worlds to me.

[Lunabell]

10. Wow

That was a great statement from Bloomberg. Love it. Gloves are off and he will use his money for good whether we vote him in or not. He isn't my choice but gets my vote if he is the nominee.

[highplainsdem]

11. K&R. More info from the Urban Institute on the Young Men's Initiative:

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/75996/2000533-New-York-Citys-Young-Mens-Initiative-Status-Report-and-Future-Directions.pdf

January 2016

The New York City (NYC) Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), launched by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2011, was founded in response to the large inequities between Black and Latino young men and their peers in health, developmental, and economic outcomes. Its original purpose was to connect Black and Latino men from 16 to 24 years of age to the tools they need to succeed. The current iteration of YMI, called YMI 2.0, aims to serve all boys and young men of color (BYMOC), not just Black and Latino young men, as well as younger boys and young women. The public–private partnership that supports YMI comprises an annual investment of NYC tax levies of $22 million ( increased to $27 million for fiscal year 2016) as well as a three-year private investment of $60 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Open Society Foundation that began in 2012. YMI, which is associated with over 40 program and policy initiatives, was one of the inspirations and models for the federal My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge.1

YMI is currently led by three full-time staff members, who report to Deputy Mayor Richard Buery, and asteering committee called the equity committee. The NYC Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO), an organization within the mayor’s office that works with city agencies to implement antipoverty initiatives,has been and remains a key partner with YMI in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of YMI programs. Several existing CEO initiatives were incorporated into YMI and expanded at launch in 2011, and CEO has played a role in the development and execution of most other new YMI programs. CEO is directly responsible for program and budget management of most existing YMI programs.

-snip-

A common response to questions about the successes of YMI 1.0 was that its most important achievement was highlighting the inequities between BYMOC and their peers as an issue. By establishing YMI, the city announced that reversing the differential outcomes experienced by these young men and their peers was a public policy priority. YMI accomplished this in many ways, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s strong support of YMI was an important component of YMI’s success in putting a spotlight on the importance of these inequities in the city. Stakeholders were aware and proud of the fact that YMI served as a model forPresident Obama’s national My Brother’s Keeper initiative. They also attribute growing conversations around implicit bias and structural racism, in part, to YMI.

Almost all stakeholders agreed that justice is the issue for which YMI 1.0 was most successful. Our interviewees gave accolades to several YMI-aligned policy changes related to justice. Among them wereClose to Home, a n initiative that works to keep juvenile offenders from NYC in settings administered by the city so they remain closer to their families while they receive services and support. Associated with Close to Home is the YMI-aligned Neighborhood Opportunity Network, a network of community organizations, government agencies, local businesses, and community residents focused on connecting probation clients who live in target neighborhoods to opportunities, resources, and services.Arches—a group mentoring program for young adult probation clients ages 16 to 24—was singled out as a successful program. In addition, the justice programming was held up as a good example of the interagency coordination YMI aims for. People admired the fact that although the Department of Probation led the justice efforts, other agencies (e.g., the Administration for Children’s Services) and organizations (e.g., City University of New York) were also involved.

-snip-

[LeftTurn3623]

13. very well said

I dont know who to vote for anymore

[Dem2theMax]

22. The Democrat who winds up on the ballot in November.

That's who you vote for.

[Amimnoch]

25. Heh, if only there was an election version of "Groundhogs day"

where we could do a trial run and see how each of our candidate will actually do in November, then wake up back at this point and make a decision to pick the one that we like most that WILL win.

[NewJeffCT]

26. agreed

I'm still Vote Blue No Matter Who

[Dem2theMax]

38. Me too.

I picked a candidate, and right now I'm supporting that candidate. But I refuse to get into the fights. I totally ignore it. When it comes time to vote in November, I will vote for the person with the D after their name.

It's so simple.

[cilla4progress]

59. I know!

[blueseas]

14. Wonderful!

Now if we can get everyone else to say the same after the frontrunner is chosen.

[samnsara]

15. I'll take it!!

[wryter2000]

16. I am liking this guy more and more

I think he's really in it to get rid of Trump

[sagetea]

34. me too!!

It feels strange to like him...but I do, more and more. The big thing for me is, he doesn't attack the other candidates. Just tRump*. I think Mike is my guilty pleasure...

sage

[Skittles]

62. ditto

[Happyhippychick]

17. Excellent statement.

[lkinwi]

18. Can't get a better apology than than that.

[NurseJackie]

19. That's good to know. But, he doesn't seem like he'd be a spoilsport...

That's good to know. But, he doesn't seem like he'd be a spoilsport... or the kind of candidate who'd pout and disappear to "lick his wounds" (or write a book, or whatever) during the crucial weeks leading up to the General Election. He seems like someone who actually has integrity and character.

[sarisataka]

20. Good,

I have no issues with his opposition to Trump.

Last year he said he wasn't going to run because he thought he could do more good working his projects outside of DC. I agree with that statement.

[underthematrix]

21. I tweeted because this because if it happened it would make everyone go

full on EMO!

Link to tweet

[heckles65]

23. Excellent.

I really know little about you (other than you are very rich and the Mayor of NYC) but I'm very grateful for this declaration.

[Bengus81]

24. That's why he's my choice,money and the BALLS to take on the THUG in the WH........

[SWBTATTReg]

55. Amend. And I love that Mike is holding no punches back either towards the pretender in chief,

the worthless and shiftless crook who is totally fake (look at his make up disasters, yikes!, we should make campaign posters showing rump's face with the idiotic make up attempts). Go Mike!!!

[oldsoftie]

61. Hes quickly moving up my list too. nt

[denem]

63. Bloomberg is putting himself, his family, friends and colleagues

into the crosshairs of trump/Barr's DOJ should MF45 win a second term. He has earned my respect.

[BigOleDummy]

88. He has indeed

Agree with you 100% like him or not this man seems to have our Nations best interests at heart. He has the courage to say what he means and to let the chips fall where they may. I like and respect him more every day.

[luvtheGWN]

84. Not only that...

....he's also easy to listen to and to watch, unlike the current WH occupant.

[tavernier]

27. If I had the bucks I would do the same.

Commendable that he doesn’t back one candidate as that would negate his impartiality in my mind. Yes, he hopes it’s him, but if not, he can do an awful lot of hurt to Jaba.

[slumcamper]

28. DJT has met his match--and knows it.

As mayor, Bloomberg was in a position of direct power and authority over Trump. And he is a hell of a lot smarter--AND richer.

DJT is a pauper by comparison, and he knows that too.

[TNNurse]

29. At our house, we are thinking better about Bloomberg every day.

Hopefully, he will put his money and his people behind the candidate and help.

[llmart]

33. I'm actually looking more closely at him too.

I received a letter from him last week. It wasn't your usual campaign style flyer/postcard. It was a detailed letter and he asked for my vote.

I'll vote for whoever wins of course, but I'm becoming more impressed by Bloomberg.

[denem]

37. Bloomberg is now trump enemy No.1

If MF45 gets a second term, trump/Barr will come after Mike, his family, friends and colleagues. We have reached at the point of no return.

[extvbroadcaster]

30. Go Mike!

I am starting to think Bloomberg is the man, for a number of reasons. Sadly, I see Trump calling Biden "plugs", Sanders a "socialist", Warren "Pocahontas" , and Buttigieg who knows what. Time for a dream ticket of Bloomberg/Klobuchar. I am liking Bloomberg more and more, since I don't see him running away from Trump and crying. I picture him shoving it up Trump's ass with a candle on it.

[sprinkleeninow]

31. THIS is why he's my back-up, Plan B. eom

[Evolve Dammit]

32. That statement alone, is worth the price of admission. Drumpf needs bludgeoning.

[BadgerMom]

71. It's really well done.

He really apologizes. It’s not a no-pology.

He’s becoming my back-up, replacing Biden in that role. I worry that stop-and-frisk is too big a hurdle for Democrats and other voters of color to manage; that his opposition to marijuana legalization will turn off younger voters; that in a progressive election cycle his wealth is detrimental. Personally, as a retired public school teacher, his pro-charter policy is abhorrent. But, if he can take out Trump—and drive him crazier while doing so—I’ll applaud his stance on women’s reproductive health, healthcare expansion, gun control and the environment. I need to hear more about foreign policy, NATO, Social Security and many other issues. But, I’m listening.

[Polybius]

35. Bloomberg was the last time I ever voted Republican

It was 2005. After voting for Democrat Mark Green for Mayor in 2001, I voted for Bloomberg in 2005. I think his best term was easily his first and much of his second as well.

[randr]

39. Bloomberg can kick Trumps ass to hell and back

Last night I listened to a black commentator say that the black/latino community is far more sensitive to the urgency of removing Trump than voters at large. They are the deciding factor. A candidate without minority support will be farting in to the wind.
Bloomberg running frees up DNC funds for Senate races.
Beat Trump, take the Senate, and fight about all the issues in the House and Senate where they should be fought.
I would bet money today that we end up with a Bloomberg/Klobuchar ticket, will kick the shitstains ass back to hell, and proceed to heal our divided nation.
Vote Blue to be true.

[Duppers]

40. This is what I've been posting about.

Bloomberg HATES tRump as much as we do. Don't you love his ads?! He seem to be not running against any Dem but against tRump & going for that pos's throat.

And his campaign doesn't seem to be as much about vanity but about his gutsy will to remove that treasonous, illiterate piece of shit from the WH.
I wish all collective billionaire liberals would pool their funds and run ads like MB has.

[denem]

42. Bloomberg has put himself, his family, his friends and colleagues on the line.

If MF45 gets a second term trump/Barr will come after everyone Bloomberg knows and cares about. There is no turning back now.

[Duppers]

44. Excellent point you've made.

Mike Bloomberg is gutsy.

[wryter2000]

46. I figured this was ego, like Steyer (who still bugs me)

Bloomberg has floated the idea of running before but has never done it. I thought this was just another rich guy trying to buy his way into the election. Now I think he wants Trump gone as much as I do. And he's very good at hurting Trump.

Stop & Frisk was a stopper for me, but I've heard African Americans are finding it possible to forgive him, if only he'll get rid of Trump. That fact, plus his statement here, allow me to put that in the past.

[Quixote1818]

41. Can we give him some valentines hearts?

[Laelth]

43. You go, Mike! k&r n/t

-Laelth

[usaf-vet]

45. That is a comforting statement. Everything he can do to defeat Trump on or not on the ballot. YES!

That is my goal in 2020. The best individual who can defeat the tyrant in the WH. Having the financial ability to match Trump dollar for dollar is going to be key.

[democrank]

47. Go get 'em, Mike!

Mr. Bloomberg, take down that thug.

[catbyte]

48. I'm glad he's on our side. He's like a pit bull with a bone & that's just what we need to drive that

thing currently infesting the White House over the edge. This should be interesting.

[denem]

49. Bloomberg no doubt is now 'trump enemy No. 1'

If MF45 gets a second term trump/Barr will come after everyone Bloomberg knows and cares about. There is no turning back.

[catbyte]

51. Yeah, I'm not exaggerating when I say this election is make or break for the Republic.

We can't survive another 4 years of this horror show. Hell, neither can the planet. I'm wondering if that's the reason I just can't decide on a preference for the nomination. I've never been this undecided before. I'd wholeheartedly support any one of the candidates at this point. Our lives depend on it. I don't know know how the hell I'm going to vote in the Michigan primary. Sheesh.

Make up your mind, Diane...

[denem]

56. What you can take away from today's statement

is whoever is the nominee, Democrats are not going to be outspent by the RNC/GOP allies.

[patricia92243]

50. He inherited "stop and frisk"??? I have not heard that before.

[denem]

53. 90s

Commissioner Bratton

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/real-history-stop-and-frisk-article-1.1088494

[Bengus81]

90. Yeah...and listen to what the HYPOCRITE in CHIEF had to say about stop and frisk

all those years ago.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2498012010453725

[pandr32]

52. A wonderful, powerful statement

I hope DT has serious concerns that may need a diaper change.

[cp]

54. His ads are great at getting under Dumpy's skin and weakening him

Good use of his vast wealth. Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg.
Not, however, to buy the presidency.

[OKNancy]

57. I'm impressed with his campaign. I got a mailer today

from him. Really slick. I was surprised because I've given money to Kamala, Beto and Joe but only had mail from Joe Biden.
(my record isn't too good is it?...LOL as soon as I give money they start to slide )

[oldsoftie]

60. Oh, how i'd LOVE to see a REAL billionaire confront trump in a debate.

A real self made one. Who has never filed bankruptcy. And is worth 30x what trump is

[PurgedVoter]

64. Good on Bloomberg

When a man takes it on the chin and sees where he was wrong and confesses without an excuse, he earns my respect. I have not seen a single Republican do that since Kemp.
Bloomberg is not my favorite out there, but today, after reading this, I think I would be, not just content, but pleased if he became president.

If he wins the nomination, I will happily vote for him.

No narcissist is capable of saying or thinking what Bloomberg just did.

[catrose]

65. BRAVO N/T

[Scruffy1]

66. Meh.

In my very humble opinion he hates Trump because he makes billionaires look bad. Politics is a lot like physics. For every action their is a reaction. The Dumbfuhrer exposes the truth: Just because you have a lot of money you are not necessarily intelligent, talented, or even a member of the human race. Getting rich is like winning the lottery, mostly about "time and chance" as the Bible says and of course being born to wealth. The public been sold this bullshit for a long time and may wake up a little from their television induced coma and finally get over that tv show I never saw callled (I think) "The lives of the rich and famous" Before I would vote for a billionaire I would walk across the border into Mexico and become an ex-pat. Of course for me it's only a few hundred yards, but it would be nice to live with normal people again.( Actually the people in El Paso are wonderful and very kind.)
I could actually see the sad lesson from Orangeface leading to an actual wealth tax, real antitrust l;aws, the tax giveaway that is the real estate business and a generally diminishing respect for assholes who have dough. Harry Truman said it very well; "Progress happens two steps forward and one backwards." We've already been through about fifteen steps backwards so I figure we got about thirty coming. If we cater to the wealthy we will get the shaft as usual. If he can buy an election so can the right wing rich. Eugene Debs said "I will not lead you to the promised land because if someone can lead you into it someone else can lead you out of it."

[mzmolly]

67. Thank you Mike Bloomberg!

[SammyWinstonJack]

68. Whatever/whomever it takes to rid us of the maggot, is fine by me.

[McKim]

69. I Admire Him for Helping Our Country

I admire him for helping our country by weakening Trump. I sometimes wish he had run as a republican against Trump. It would have been interesting to hear him talk about what he would have offered Trump voters. This would have been a good way to weaken Trump.

I hope we do not become a country where one person can buy themselves the presidency.
At the same time I deeply appreciate Bloomberg spending real money to help our country.
Maybe he will learn from this experience and repudiate Stop and Frisk? People do learn and grow!

[AlexSFCA]

74. he also spent a lot of his money to turn around NYC

after disastrous crazy gulianni years so no surprise. We’ll need tens of billions to defeat trump this cycle.

[bucolic_frolic]

70. Bloomberg's statement is brilliant because

55% of America is saying the same thing!

[dustyscamp]

72. ALL our candidates and their supporters should get behind this

[AlexSFCA]

73. the good news, we'll have more money than trump

[wisteria]

75. Get off the ballot, you won't win, you will just be a spoiler.

I swear, he is trying to help Trump.

[Awsi Dooger]

76. I used an unfortunate term in another thread

I can't remember which one. I wrote it was sheer ignorance to believe Bloomberg's money would shove anyone else across the finish line.

Actually I believe that remark is correct but since I'm aligned with Amy Klobuchar's smiling image down below I don't to come across as mean.

Pick any less harsh version of the same idea

[ForEverGlades]

81. If much more Bloomie audio

is released of him spouting of about his love of racial profiling, and "throw'em up against the wall" stop and frisk practices his money will be radioactive at best. Candidates will be racing to return or donate those BloomieBucks to charity.

[Woodycall]

77. I would make a goddamn deal with Stalin himself to defeat Trump... n/t

[RedSpartan]

82. Whatever you may think of him as a candidate

Bloomberg doesn't take sh!t from anyone. Unlike Trump, he's a real New Yorker and is self-made. Trump knows this and it drives him nuts.

[gibraltar72]

83. Keep landing those body blows Mike.

[colsohlibgal]

85. Excellent!

Heard that 12,000 or so New Hampshire Republicans voted for Bill Weld not Twitler. That is encouraging.

Commendable that Bloomberg will throw multi millions in to beat that would be Mussolini whether he is the nominee or not.

Like our chances, hope we crush that idiot badly.

[Doreen]

89. My first thought was "good!"

Now, take your name off the ballot and get to work.

[paparush]

91. "The fact that my tax plan would save me $3Bn is a coincidence"

-Bloomberg, probably