Mike Bloomberg during Nashville rally vows to make Tennessee a priority ahead of Super Tuesday – Tennessean
With just over three months until Tennessee’s presidential primary election, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg traveled to Nashville Thursday, opening up a new office, pitching himself to area Democrats and facing pushback from local activists.
Offering himself as the Democrats’ best chance of beating President Donald Trump, Bloomberg touted his ability to take on tough issues and unite the country.
The billionaire businessman, who is the first presidential candidate to run TV ads in Tennessee this year, vowed to maintain a presence in the Volunteer State, which he said has been neglected.
“It’s a long time since a Democrat made the state of Tennessee a priority and that’s wrong for this country,” Bloomberg said during a roughly 15-minute speech, which was twice interrupted by protesters.
Standing on a stage backed by large American flag, he criticized Trump for trying to divide the nation and touted a health care plan he announced earlier in the day while in Memphis.
Noting Tennessee’s high uninsured rate, Bloomberg called his plan a practical one that could get congressional approval. His plan would preserve private health insurance while rebuilding and expanding the Affordable Care Act.
His speech was briefly disrupted by a woman in the audience who called for Medicare for all, a plan touted by some Democrats in the race. Despite the interruption, Bloomberg said he was happy to talk to the woman after his speech.
Bloomberg criticizes Trump over opioid crisis
He pressed on, criticizing the president for inaction on the opioid crisis.
“We cannot have four more years,” Bloomberg said. “We’ve got to take on the tough challenges, the drugs and guns and climate change and rebuild America and he’s obviously not going to do that.”
As Bloomberg continued his speech, he was once again interrupted by a small group of local activists, which included Congressional candidate Justin Jones.
A frustrated Bloomberg said he would be happy to talk to Jones, who pressed on, after the event. “Just stop it,” Bloomberg said. “I’m doing more on the climate than you’ve even dreamed of.”
The activists grew louder, eventually chanting “Green New Deal” and breaking into song as they were escorted away from the crowd of roughly 150 people in downtown Nashville.
Bloomberg continued his speech as the group left, concluding a few minutes later while apologizing for the disruption.
“People want results, they want a doer, they just don’t want a talker,” he said. “I would appreciate your consideration.”
The campaign rally came just a few hours after Bloomberg met with Nashville Mayor John Cooper at a downtown restaurant over coffee and tea.
Throughout the various events, Bloomberg was aided by a throng of campaign workers, including personal security and a videographer, that was unlike most other presidential campaigns who have come through Tennessee this year.
Bloomberg says he’ll focus on ‘practical ideas’
In between grabbing coffee and the campaign rally, Bloomberg explained to The Tennessean why he initially got in the presidential race.
“I watched the candidates and I didn’t think most of them had practical ideas that could be implemented that addressed the real needs of our citizens, and I didn’t think that they would be able to beat Donald Trump who I think would be a formidable candidate, as an incumbent, and a street fighter,” he said.
With such a late entrance into the race — he launched his bid less than a month ago — Bloomberg is focusing heavily on Super Tuesday states, which include Tennessee. Other Democrats, meanwhile, have focused on states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
It’s a risky strategy that others have unsuccessfully tried in the past but Bloomberg was confident about his plan.
“I’m investing all my money in trying to beat Donald Trump. That gives you the ability to get to a lot of states, most candidates would not have that ability,” he said, noting his schedule lately has taken him to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, in addition to Tennessee.
“I’m going to go all these states and while everybody else is working on the early four, I’m going to work on those.”
Bloomberg said he thought he has the ability to appeal to moderate Democrats and Republicans and did not expect to fight for more liberal voters who support candidates like U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
“This country has been built on evolution rather than revolution other than 1776,” he said. “I think there’s a big demand for somebody that would come in and be practical, propose legislation that has a chance of passing and being implemented rather than ‘I’m going to just solve the world’s problems.'”
Discussing the the House of Representatives impeachment Wednesday of the president, Bloomberg called it tragic while expressing support.
Initially, he said, he didn’t support the impeachment effort but as more information has come to light, Bloomberg said he’s been convinced of the merits.
He said he would like to see the Senate, which is expected to take up the issue in January, hear from witnesses. If the chamber does nothing, Bloomberg said, “shame on them.”
“They’re not doing what the constitution called for them to do,” he said.
Asked whether his support for changes to the nation’s gun laws could pose a challenge in appealing to moderates, Bloomberg said the vast majority of gun owners and National Rifle Association members support background checks and so-called red flag laws.
In 2013, Bloomberg helped start and finance Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun safety organization.
“Nobody’s trying to take anybody’s guns,” he said. “But we should not sell guns to people that are either minors, have a criminal record or psychiatric problems.”
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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.
Published 9:02 PM EST Dec 19, 2019
