Friday, January 31, 2020
'Definition of a Rigged System,' Says Sanders Campaign After DNC Changes Debate Rules for Billionaire Latecomer Mike Bloomberg
"DNC changing the rules to benefit a billionaire."
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/31/definition-rigged-system-says-sanders-campaign-after-dnc-changes-debate-rules
After debate rules were changed in favor of allowing billionaire Mike Bloomberg to join the candidates onstage vying for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination on Friday, Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign hit back, calling the decision emblematic of the corrupt political system the Vermont senator has centered his run for the White House on defeating.
"To now change the rules in the middle of the game to accommodate Mike Bloomberg, who is trying to buy his way into the Democratic nomination, is wrong," Sanders senior adviser Jeff Weaver told Politico. "That's the definition of a rigged system."
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced Friday afternoon that the criteria for making the debate stage will no longer include a requirement about individual donors—allowing Bloomberg, whose campaign is largely self-funded, to join the candidates if his polling numbers reach the new threshold.
"DNC changing the rules to benefit a billionaire," tweeted Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir. "I much prefer Democrats being a grassroots party. And under Bernie Sanders, that's the way it will be."
According to Politico:
Candidates will need to earn at least 10% in four polls released from Jan. 15 to Feb. 18, or 12% in two polls conducted in Nevada or South Carolina, in order to participate in the Feb. 19 debate in Las Vegas. Any candidate who earns at least one delegate to the national convention in either the Iowa caucuses or New Hampshire primary will also qualify for the Nevada debate.
The rules change caught Democrats by surprise.
Some observers noted the timing of the change and wondered if it was part of a coordinated attack on Sanders from both the DNC and Bloomberg.
The Intercept's Ryan Grim, citing Federal Elections Commission data, noted Bloomberg donated $325,000 to the DNC in November 2019.
"Totally normal system," said Grim.
The debate rules have been a source of contention throughout the primary process, with some former hopefuls like Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro questioning the restrictions on polling and donors as prohibitive to their campaigns.
Progressive strategist Tim Tagaris wondered what could have been different if not for the qualifications.
"How much money did candidates like Julián Castro and Cory Booker have to spend chasing donor thresholds that could have been spent building organizations in early states?" said Tagaris.
Comedian and writer Jack Allison took a wry look at the changes and what they mean about the party.
"Remember when they wouldn't even think of changing them for like Cory Booker," Allison tweeted. "This is what we mean when we talk about the DNC cheating, obviously and out in the open."
"Thankfully seeing Bloomberg speak can only hurt his standing," Allison added, "but still."
‘You’re A Piece Of Shit And I Hope Everyone Like You Dies,’ Says Biden To Democratic Voter In Stirring Call For Party Unity
https://politics.theonion.com/you-re-a-piece-of-shit-and-i-hope-everyone-like-you-di-1841363666?utm_source=TheOnion
OTTUMWA, IA—As part of his effort to reinvigorate the coalition that once put Barack Obama in the White House, presidential candidate Joe Biden issued a moving plea for party unity when he told a Democratic voter “You’re a piece of shit and I hope everyone like you dies,” reports confirmed Thursday.
“Look here, pal, fuck you and fuck anybody who thinks like you,” the former vice president said to a town hall participant in what political experts have hailed as a rousing call for Democrats, independents, and even moderate Republicans to join together in harmony and overcome the divisiveness and rancor that have characterized the Trump era.
“If that’s what you believe, you’re clearly an idiot, and I don’t need your vote. Seriously, you and every single person in this fucking town deserves to die. Now back the hell up before I tear your throat out with my goddamn teeth.”
After the event, a screaming, red-faced Biden reportedly continued to share his inspiring vision by informing a group of unwitting Iowans that he could beat their asses with one hand tied behind his back.
Cringe: Mike Bloomberg Desperately Tries to be More Personable, Fails Miserably
(No Mike, he's not an android but a malignant narcissist or psychopath.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cecM2V6FNhs&feature
Good news and bad news from Bernie's Campaign Manager
Good news first: As we inch closer to today’s FEC fundraising deadline (at midnight!) and the Iowa caucus (3 more days!) a number of polls show us with a slight lead. We have the most volunteers, the most donors, and the most enthusiasm.
Now the bad news: All of those good polls came out before a super PAC launched $700,000 in ads attacking Bernie personally. We still don’t know who’s paying for them, and they could do damage. We’re also facing a Joe Biden super PAC spending millions in Iowa down this final stretch.
And the truth is, we’re pacing a bit behind where we’d hope to be at this point in the day. The stakes are too high for that. So we need to catch up.
We don’t have any billionaires waiting in the wings. No super PACs. So it’s up to us to do everything we can before the FEC deadline and the caucus. We need every last contribution that we can get.
Please make a contribution to our campaign before tonight’s FEC fundraising deadline at midnight so that we can win Iowa on Monday, win this nomination, defeat Donald Trump, and transform our country.
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EXPRESS DONATE: $2.70
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It is no surprise that big money is pouring into this race to stop us. But if we stand together, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.
Thank you for all you do.
In solidarity,
Faiz Shakir
Campaign Manager
It is no surprise that big money is pouring into this race to stop us. But if we stand together, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.
Thank you for all you do.
In solidarity,
Faiz Shakir
Campaign Manager
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