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JI7

(89,262 posts)
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 06:50 AM Aug 2019

Steve Bullock says "Steyer spent nearly $10 million to buy his way onto the debate stage,"

<Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday accused fellow Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager and liberal megadonor, of buying his way into the third presidential debate.

"Tom Steyer spent nearly $10 million to buy his way onto the debate stage," Bullock tweeted. "But no matter what the @DNC says, money doesn’t vote. People do."

Bullock then released an extended statement on Steyer, whose campaign announced earlier Tuesday that he had hit the 130,000 donor requirement and was just one qualifying poll away from being assured a spot on the Sept. 12-13 debate stage in Houston.

As of Tuesday, nine candidates had qualified for the debate: former Vice President Joe Biden; Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Kamala Harris of California; former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke; South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg; and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

"We’re kidding ourselves if we’re calling a $10 million purchase of 130,000 donors a demonstration of grassroots support," Bullock said. "It’s not serving the candidates, and it sure isn’t helping the voters who will actually decide this election."

Speaking with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell later on Tuesday, Bullock said the Democratic National Committee's rules for qualification were "well intentioned" but "allowed a billionaire to buy a spot on the debate stage — we’re getting to the point where we’re spending money online as opposed to actually talking to voters.">

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/bullock-accuses-steyer-buying-his-way-democratic-debate-stage-n1041881

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Steve Bullock says "Steyer spent nearly $10 million to buy his way onto the debate stage," (Original Post) JI7 Aug 2019 OP
True but Steyer stayed within the DNC rules. Funtatlaguy Aug 2019 #1
Steyer is late to the race but radius777 Aug 2019 #2
and Bullock gave us a democratic governor in red state montana . Steyer has money JI7 Aug 2019 #3
And Steyer would not know how government work question everything Aug 2019 #16
Bullock shouldn't be running either BeyondGeography Aug 2019 #4
and actual election win , especially in a red state should count more also. and he was unable to JI7 Aug 2019 #6
Senate first, then try for President BeyondGeography Aug 2019 #7
it doesn't hurt to try right now . especially if rules continue to be shitty JI7 Aug 2019 #8
And slick Rick Scott bought the govenership and senate seat mitch96 Aug 2019 #5
I will continue to ignore both Steyer and Bullock as irrelevant distractions Atticus Aug 2019 #9
Bullock is one of the most qualified in the race JI7 Aug 2019 #10
You are absolutely entitled to think so. nt Atticus Aug 2019 #11
How did he purchase 130,000 donors? He asked for one dollar and it was all legal. Autumn Aug 2019 #12
I agree. Steyer has earned a spot in the debates. StevieM Aug 2019 #17
"We're kidding ourselves if we're calling a $10 million purchase of 130,000 donors Hortensis Aug 2019 #13
Two people who will never be president. BannonsLiver Aug 2019 #14
Irrelevant candidate upset at slightly less irrelevant candidate, details at 11. tritsofme Aug 2019 #15
If you are on the debate stage then you are not irrelevant. StevieM Aug 2019 #18
 

Funtatlaguy

(10,885 posts)
1. True but Steyer stayed within the DNC rules.
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 06:56 AM
Aug 2019

I started out liking Bullock but lately the rules whining has turned me off.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

radius777

(3,635 posts)
2. Steyer is late to the race but
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:09 AM
Aug 2019

is by no means a johnny-come-lately to Dem activism.

It was Steyer who in the dark days led the impeachment charge with ads, billboards, etc.

Steyer also formed several organizations to help mobilize votes for the Blue Wave in 2018.

If Steyer (who is sharp/tough/articulate) had entered the race earlier, he undoubtedly would've had more than enough 'real' donations and polling to be in all of the debates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JI7

(89,262 posts)
3. and Bullock gave us a democratic governor in red state montana . Steyer has money
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:17 AM
Aug 2019

what he did is not difficult with the money he has.

many other people do the same thing but they have less money but they give as much or if not more when you take into account what percentage of time and money they give based on how much they have.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

question everything

(47,522 posts)
16. And Steyer would not know how government work
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 02:02 PM
Aug 2019

will find out that just saying "do it" does not cut it.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

BeyondGeography

(39,378 posts)
4. Bullock shouldn't be running either
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:17 AM
Aug 2019

He’s a potentially attractive national candidate with low name recognition who started way too late and would now be much better off running for the Senate.

There are too many candidates. Next time around I would set the polling threshold higher for the third debate.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

JI7

(89,262 posts)
6. and actual election win , especially in a red state should count more also. and he was unable to
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:25 AM
Aug 2019

start running earlier for the exact reason he would be a good president.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

BeyondGeography

(39,378 posts)
7. Senate first, then try for President
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:35 AM
Aug 2019

He’s 53. Still a baby by current counting methods.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

JI7

(89,262 posts)
8. it doesn't hurt to try right now . especially if rules continue to be shitty
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:38 AM
Aug 2019

we will have more attention whores next time around .

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

mitch96

(13,924 posts)
5. And slick Rick Scott bought the govenership and senate seat
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 07:24 AM
Aug 2019

Rich people do that... BTW I can’t stand Scott...
M

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
9. I will continue to ignore both Steyer and Bullock as irrelevant distractions
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 08:40 AM
Aug 2019

in a crowded field of more qualified people.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

JI7

(89,262 posts)
10. Bullock is one of the most qualified in the race
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 08:43 AM
Aug 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
11. You are absolutely entitled to think so. nt
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 08:45 AM
Aug 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Autumn

(45,120 posts)
12. How did he purchase 130,000 donors? He asked for one dollar and it was all legal.
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 11:05 AM
Aug 2019

He got 6 one-dollar donations from my family and then a larger one. Steyer serves me very well. Bullock can go find an empty space in Montana and whine about it there. I would rather have Steyer at the debate than Bullock.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

StevieM

(10,500 posts)
17. I agree. Steyer has earned a spot in the debates.
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 02:22 PM
Aug 2019

Nobody was forced to donate. And nobody was forced to tell pollsters that they planned on voting for him.

I like Steyer a lot and look forward to hearing more from him.

I had been planning on supporting him in 2018, and I still might. Right now I am looking for a candidate who discusses a plan to deal with the assault on democracy coming from the Supreme Court.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
13. "We're kidding ourselves if we're calling a $10 million purchase of 130,000 donors
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 12:55 PM
Aug 2019
a demonstration of grassroots support," Bullock said. "It’s not serving the candidates, and it sure isn’t helping the voters who will actually decide this election."

+10,000 to that. Steyer and his anti-democratic methods disgust me.

The irony of a billionaire who's decided to seek power as a populist leader buying himself onto the Democratic debate stage should be gobsmacking. However, research revealed that those vulnerable to populist resentments against elites actually prefer leaders from those elites who are seen as "outsiders."

That's right. If you're a billionaire with a big ego whose neighbors won't invite you to their parties, you too may have what it takes to convince a hoard of people to follow you around screaming your name. Just hire a firm to make it happen and commit to making some appearances.

So, Steyer's coming for Sanders supporters. Is HE what's causing Sanders to push conspiracy theories against himself then? Trying to draw his closer?
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

BannonsLiver

(16,439 posts)
14. Two people who will never be president.
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 01:27 PM
Aug 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

tritsofme

(17,398 posts)
15. Irrelevant candidate upset at slightly less irrelevant candidate, details at 11.
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 01:29 PM
Aug 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

StevieM

(10,500 posts)
18. If you are on the debate stage then you are not irrelevant.
Wed Aug 14, 2019, 02:24 PM
Aug 2019

I look forward to Tom Steyer's participation.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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