Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumSteve 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 doesnt 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.
"Were kidding ourselves if were calling a $10 million purchase of 130,000 donors a demonstration of grassroots support," Bullock said. "Its not serving the candidates, and it sure isnt 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 were getting to the point where were 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
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Funtatlaguy
(10,885 posts)I started out liking Bullock but lately the rules whining has turned me off.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
radius777
(3,635 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JI7
(89,262 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
question everything
(47,522 posts)will find out that just saying "do it" does not cut it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,378 posts)Hes 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.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JI7
(89,262 posts)start running earlier for the exact reason he would be a good president.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BeyondGeography
(39,378 posts)Hes 53. Still a baby by current counting methods.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JI7
(89,262 posts)we will have more attention whores next time around .
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
mitch96
(13,924 posts)Rich people do that... BTW I cant stand Scott...
M
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Atticus
(15,124 posts)in a crowded field of more qualified people.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JI7
(89,262 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Atticus
(15,124 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Autumn
(45,120 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
StevieM
(10,500 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)+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?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,439 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
tritsofme
(17,398 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
StevieM
(10,500 posts)I look forward to Tom Steyer's participation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden