Caribbean Life, November 15-21, 2019 11
By Schneps Media
The Democratic presidential primary
got a shakeup last week when former
Mayor Michael Bloomberg began taking
steps toward formally entering the race.
After the word got out that he filed
paperwork to enter next year’s Alabama
Primary, the news spread quickly, as did
the reaction to his potential late entry
into the crowded field of candidates.
Most of the reaction was mixed, to
say the least, with some suggesting his
late bid would upset the Democrats’
apple cart in their bid to defeat President
Trump. Pundits also pointed to Bloomberg’s
rather moderate position — with
some believing it a strength, and others
seeing it as a liability.
The former three-term mayor
wouldn’t be the first presidential candidate
to jump into his party’s primary
within a year or less from the actual
presidential election. History shows the
results have been mixed.
The late Senator Robert F. Kennedy
joined the race in March 1968, shortly
after the New Hampshire Primary, and
was seemingly on his way to the nomination
when tragedy struck. Retired
General Wesley Clark also joined a wideopen
Democratic field in 2003 after a
public draft movement, but his campaign
fizzled out within weeks.
How will former Mayor Bloomberg
perform? That’s up to him — and, more
importantly, the voters.
His three terms as mayor of the
nation’s largest city were largely successful,
as he helped lead the rebuilding
effort following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks. Bloomberg also spurred
further development across the five boroughs
and helped diversify its economy
by attracting businesses in a wider variety
of fields from healthcare to technology
. Bloomberg’s record certainly qualifies
him to be part of the presidential
conversation.
As for moderation and moderate candidates,
we don’t believe either should be
eschewed by the voters.
Even before Bloomberg’s entry into
the race, candidates like former Vice
President Joe Biden and South Bend,
Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg were getting
a raw deal because they’re not as far
to the left as others.
But moderation is a strength because
polarization leads to dysfunction, as we
have seen during the current administration.
We believe most American
voters want someone who will tilt left
or right, but stay grounded toward the
center and put the country — not the
party — first.
We’ll find out in time if that candidate
is Bloomberg or someone else from the
Democratic field. Either way, the Democrats
need to get it right — as another
four years of Donald Trump would be
disastrous for the country.
OP-EDS
Bloomberg’s bid, and moderation
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg fi lls out paperwork, Tuesday,
Nov. 12, 2019, at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., to appear on the
ballot in Arkansas’ March 3 presidential primary. Bloomberg hasn’t formally
announced a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, but his trip to
Arkansas is the latest indication that he is leaning toward a run.
Staton Breidenthal / The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via Associated Press
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