The Democratic National Committee has announced they will be changing the requirements for their 2020 presidential candidates to make the next debate stage, opening the door for billionaire Michael Bloomberg in particular to benefit.
Bloomberg has openly said he is not accepting donations for his presidential bid as he is funding his effort. As a result, he was unable to participate in the DNC primary debates as he was unable to meet the unique donation threshold to qualify.
The Washington Examiner reports: “On Friday, the DNC announced a system for the Feb. 19 debate in Las Vegas-based entirely on delegate allocation from the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and Nov. 11 New Hampshire primary and polling thresholds, giving him a chance to make the stage.”
The change is uniquely benefitting Bloomberg, causing other candidates to speak out against it.
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren addressed the change in a tweet on Friday, criticizing the change.
“The DNC didn’t change the rules to ensure good, diverse candidates could remain on the debate stage. They shouldn’t change the rules to let a billionaire on. Billionaires shouldn’t be allowed to play by different rules — on the debate stage, in our democracy, or in our government,” Warren said.
The DNC didn’t change the rules to ensure good, diverse candidates could remain on the debate stage. They shouldn’t change the rules to let a billionaire on. Billionaires shouldn't be allowed to play by different rules—on the debate stage, in our democracy, or in our government.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 31, 2020
“Billionaire Bloomberg just bought the @DNC,” fellow contender Tulsi Gabbard tweeted.
Billionaire Bloomberg just bought the @DNC. #PayToPlay #StandWithTulsi
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) January 31, 2020
Fellow billionaire and 2020 candidate Tom Steyer tweeted the change “is just plain wrong.”
Let’s make one thing clear: @TheDemocrats decision to change the rules now to accommodate Mike Bloomberg and not changing them in the past to ensure a more diverse debate stage is just plain wrong.https://t.co/BoCVpahWpx
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) January 31, 2020
As the Washington Examiner reports, former Democratic presidential candidate Steve Bullock, who dropped from the 2020 primary process, also spoke out against the change.
“Democrats should not be connecting the ability to be heard to money. Period,” Bullock tweeted. “DNC did that in setting debate requirements & in removing them. You link money & politics, process gets corrupted. Dems should be rejecting money’s influence, not letting it guide our primary.”
Democrats should not be connecting the ability to be heard to money. Period.
DNC did that in setting debate requirements & in removing them. You link money & politics, process gets corrupted. Dems should be rejecting money’s influence, not letting it guide our primary.
— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) January 31, 2020
“When @CoryBooker led an effort to change the debate thresholds, the DNC refused — saying they couldn’t benefit any candidate,” former 2020 contender Julian Castro tweeted. “It seems the only candidate they’re willing to benefit is a billionaire who’s buying his way into the race. Total mess.”
When @CoryBooker led an effort to change the debate thresholds, the DNC refused—saying they couldn’t benefit any candidate.
It seems the only candidate they’re willing to benefit is a billionaire who’s buying his way into the race. Total mess. https://t.co/mw0MhdyjBr
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 31, 2020
While not commenting on whether the change was fair or not, Joe Biden noted Bloomberg is not even on the ballot in Nevada.
“He’s not even on the ballot in Nevada,” Biden said when asked about the change by ABC 2020 campaign reporter Molly Nagle.
.@JoeBiden is asked about the rule change for the DNC Debate and if he was concerned that it could benefit @MikeBloomberg. When he learns it’s for the Nevada debate, Biden replies “He’s not even on the ballot in Nevada.” pic.twitter.com/7phPEKUKWI
— Molly Nagle (@MollyNagle3) January 31, 2020