The former mayor of New York is reportedly gathering signatures for a candidacy for the American Democratic primaries, which would shake up Joe Biden's campaign.
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg plans to enter the US presidential election, according to US media reports on Thursday, November 7, opening the prospect of a duel with the other centrist septuagenarian Joe Biden to win the Democratic nomination.
According to the New York TimesBloomberg would gather signatures to apply by the deadline of Friday at Alabama Primary. If it will be organized on March 3, the state is among the first to close the files. The former mayor of New York "Is ready to spend what it will take to beat Donald Trump" in November 2020, said Friday the political site Axios citing sources close to the eighth world fortune.
The information, first revealed Wednesday night on a Bloomberg application, are to be taken with caution, the billionaire has already several times in the past hinted that it could target the White House, before giving up. But the very fact that they circulate is bad news for centrist Joe Biden. " It is necessary (…) to make sure that Trump will be beaten, but Mike fears more and more that the current group of candidates is not in a good position to get there »said Howard Wolfson, adviser to Bloomberg.
"Little Michael will fail", quickly commented on Donald Trump, referring to the size of the billionaire – about 1.70 meters – while claiming he would love to challenge him at the ballot box. "I think he'll, in fact, hurt Biden", which occupies the same moderate niche, has augured the American president.
Fortune 52 billion dollars
Eighth fortune of the world with more than 52 billion dollars, according to the updated figures of the magazine Forbes, Bloomberg could make his decision " soon " and would finance his campaign alone. Aged 77, he announced in March that he gave up the opportunity to present himself so as not to undermine the chances of Joe Biden, 76, counting among the favorites of the Democratic primaries. His reversal would therefore appear as a clear signal that he seriously doubts the chances of former Vice President Barack Obama.
Campaigned to top the polls in April, Biden remains in the lead but has seen his advance largely undermined by Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren. It is followed in the polls by independent Senator Bernie Sanders and then in fourth place by centrist Pete Buttigieg who could also see his chances disrupted by the entry into the running of Mr. Bloomberg.
Mayor of New York for twelve years, Michael Bloomberg made a fortune through the financial news agency that bears his name. Very active in the fight against climate change, he has spent millions to support Democratic candidates in local elections. But while he has, in the past, claimed independent and republican, this moderate could have trouble winning the vote of progressive voters. Elizabeth Warren welcomed his arrival in the race by sending him back on his "Calculator for billionaires"who evaluates how much the great fortunes would pay taxes under his presidency.
