Billionaire Tom Steyer clears hurdle to join U.S. Democratic debate in October

[SocialMediaInfluenza]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Yonnie3 (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Reuters

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 / 3:02 PM

U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmentalist and political donor, said on Sunday he has qualified to participate in the fourth Democratic debate in October, putting him on stage alongside the leading contenders for the first time.

The 62-year-old former hedge fund manager from San Francisco, who is not well-known beyond political circles, will be one of 11 candidates who has met the Democratic National Committee’s minimum requirements to participate in the Ohio debate on Oct. 15-16.

“It’s now more clear than ever that Tom’s message is resonating with Americans across the country — that it is time to break the corporate stranglehold on Washington and bring democracy back to the American people,” Steyer campaign manager Heather Hargreaves said.

Steyer launched his self-funded campaign to win the White House in November 2020 on July 9 after saying earlier this year that he would not run and focus on efforts to impeach President Donald Trump. His campaign is focusing on getting corporate money out of U.S. politics.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-steyer/billionaire-tom-steyer-clears-hurdle-to-join-u-s-democratic-debate-in-october-idUSKCN1VT0O3?il=0

---

"...getting corporate money out of U.S. politics."

[dalton99a]

1. Money talks.

[Atticus]

4. LOUDLY. nt

[JI7]

14. +

[lapfog_1]

2. I made a small donation to his campaign

to get him the number of individual donors he needed.

I have no problem with rich people running for office. Not every rich person is an asshole. John F Kennedy (and Ted and Bobby) all came from a wealthy family.

What I care about is their policies and their empathy to those less fortunate.

If Steyer gets traction... I would support him.

[question everything]

10. All three Kennedys held office before running for the presidnecy

The current occupant is rich who never held office. A business owner with no experience of consulting cabinet members, or working with Congress and with allies. Of accepting opposing views. But with the habit of issuing orders and expect them to be filled or be fired.

[lapfog_1]

11. Just so you know

every good business person wants people around them to voice opposing views.

Trump is NOT an example of either a self made billionaire or a good business person (how many things went bankrupt under his leadership?).

Yes, Steyer has not held elected office.

Andrew Yang is a wealthy entrepreneur and lawyer that has never held office, but I seldom hear this complaint about him... why is that?

[question everything]

13. I didtinguish business person from business owner

and, yes, from personal experience though not necessarily bad.

Business owners do not even have to be accountable to their boards or shareholders. They just make a decision, not necessarily a major one, and it gets done.

And, yes, Yang is in the same boat but people tolerate him because they like his promise of $1,000 a person a month. Never mind the vagueness on how he will pay for it.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287238750

A post that enough DUers found it of interest.

And sadly, both Yang and Steyer poll higher on these pages than candidates with government experience: Bennett and Bullock.

[lapfog_1]

16. I was sorry to see Jay Inslee leave

I think global climate change is the top priority... over health care, the economy, etc.

And I hope that whoever wins they put this as their top priority as well.

[Opel_Justwax]

19. The 1% do not care about the workers.

[riversedge]

3. Glad to see this.

[msongs]

5. reminds me of a famous led zepplin tune. hmm, which one? nt

[virgogal]

6. Another billionaire buying his way in....just ducky!

[demmiblue]

7. Interesting choice of avatar (yes, I know it is the state flag). n/t

[left-of-center2012]

8. Good

Let's hear what he has to say.

Betting he has no need to sling around cuss words to get attention.

[PSPS]

9. Jeez, another unqualified rich jerk who thinks president is an entry-level position for governing.

[lapfog_1]

12. why do you think he is a "jerk"

have you ever listened to him?

Being mayor of a small town makes you qualified? How about as member of Congress? What exactly are the qualifications needed to be President?

We had a President who was in the US Senate for a little over 3.5 years... was he qualified?

Is Andrew Yang qualified? What about Marianne Williamson?

Are they also "unqualified jerks"?

Steyer isn't my first choice... but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be listened to.

[Opel_Justwax]

17. I don't need to listen to a 1%er. They are just about enriching themselves at the cost of workers.

[Opel_Justwax]

15. Oh Yes! We need another 1%er to rule this nation.

Screw him.

[JI7]

18. Steyer is trying to stop Warren

[Yonnie3]

20. Locking ...

Please discuss Democratic Primary Candidates in the Democratic Primaries Forum

Per the announcement on Feb 20, 2019 by site administrators, all discussion of the Democratic Primaries and candidates belongs in the Democratic Primaries Forum. Please re-post there if you like.