The stakes couldn't be higher for Mike Bloomberg at the next Democratic debate -- which is why he should avoid themCNN, Feb 14, 2020
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For nearly eight years, I worked alongside Bloomberg, first as an aide in his 2001 political campaign, and later as his chief media advisor at City Hall. I have probably seen more live Bloomberg press conferences, debates, and public events than almost anyone else. Although I think he is the ideal standard bearer for the party in 2020, representing Democrats' best chance for taking back the White House from Trump, I think he would be better off staying off the national stage, letting his ads do the talking for now -- at least until after Super Tuesday.
On top of the hundreds of millions he has been pouring into television and digital media, a solid debate performance will cement his role as the leading moderate in a campaign where the centrist lane is currently divided across Buttigieg, Biden, and Klobuchar. However, anything less than a home-run performance will raise questions about Bloomberg: Despite his overwhelming financial advantage and solid track record governing New York City for twelve years, does he have the raw political chops necessary to motivate Democrats increasingly nervous about their party's ability to remove Trump? Not to mention the requisite debate skills to take on Trump mano-a-mano in the fall.
CNN's Michael Smerconish thinks that Bloomberg would be better off not qualifying for the Nevada debate. "He's been so ascendant without standing next to the others that it's hard to see how there's any political advantage by joining their ranks," Smerconish told me. "If he qualifies, I don't think he has any choice but to participate."
And that's the real dilemma for Team Bloomberg.
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