Democrats at the 2020 primary debate in New Hampshire on Friday night dinged former New York City Mayor Michael BloombergMichael BloombergEngel scrambles to fend off primary challenge from left It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process Liberals embrace super PACs they once shunned MORE, hinting he was using his vast personal wealth to try to buy the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Bloomberg, who is skipping the New Hampshire primary and three other early contests even as he blankets the airwaves with ads for his presidential campaign, was not on stage Friday night. 

But his presence was felt during one question during the debate.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I don’t think anyone ought to be able to buy their way into a nomination or to be president of the United States,” said. Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) when asked about Bloomberg’s candidacy. “I don’t think any billionaire out to be able to do it, and I don’t think people who suck up to billionaires in order to fund their campaigns ought to be able to do it.” 

Bloomberg wasn’t eligible to be on stage on Friday under the Democratic Party’s rules for the debate, but he could be on stage soon given a rule change by the Democratic National Committee that will no longer require that candidates hit a donor limit to be on stage.

The former New York City mayor is self-funding his campaign. 

“It’s a funny thing. There are millions of people who can desire to run for office, but I get if you’re worth $60 billion and you can spend several hundred millions on commercials, you have an advantage. That is nonsense,” added Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.). 

Bloomberg’s advertising effort has focused on key primary states like California and Florida and general election swing states. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“I can’t stand the big money in politics,” said Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.). “People don’t look at the guy in the White House and say, ‘Can we get someone richer?’ I don’t think they think that. They want to have someone they can understand.”

Transparency over campaign financing has taken a central role in the crowded primary field. Several 2020 Democrats have renounced taking donations from corporate-backed super PACs, while Sanders and Warren have eschewed high-dollar fundraisers altogether.

“If we want to change America, you’re not going to do it by electing candidates who are going out to rich people’s homes begging for money,” said Sanders.

However, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE defended his campaign’s efforts to tap into funds from high-dollar donors, saying the Democratic Party should not refuse resources heading into the fight to unseat President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE. 

“We are going into the fight of our lives,” he said. “We need to go into that fight with everything that we’ve got.”

Click Here: st kilda saints guernsey 2019