Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumThis morning, my wife took the Mike Bloomberg yard sign
out of our living room picture window and put it in the basement. She is switching to Joe Biden for her Super Tuesday vote. I never switched from Biden. I had zero input into her decision, since I don't presume to tell my wife how she should vote.
Based on her decision, I believe that Mike Bloomberg will withdraw from the primary race on March 4 or March 5, and announce his support for Joe Biden. I predict that he will continue to advertise against Donald Trump, even if he doesn't advertise directly for Joe Biden.
My wife, aside from being a wonderful person, is something of a bellwether for elections.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(47,711 posts)That was my first reaction when I started to read you post! It feels like a lot of people switched to Joe after last night.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Bucky
(54,087 posts)it's a Scottish term meaning the "bell wearer"
Mineral Man for certain meant that metaphorically.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
rzemanfl
(29,581 posts)now back to Joe. Paranoia about winning being everything and Bernie being a disaster caused all my wavering. I will mail my ballot for Joe tomorrow.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,656 posts)..im sticking with joe til the end but IF he himself decides to pull out because of some unforeseen reason i will vote for the one who will will NOT be bs.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DownriverDem
(6,233 posts)votes on 3/10. I have always supported Biden and will vote for him on 3/10.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
This campaign has been interesting and will be more interesting. I supported Pete early, did not like Biden's chances or who he has been. I considered Harris early, then Elizabeth. I thought a little about Bloomberg. I flirted with jumping on Bernie's train when he seemed to be headed for a lock on the nomination. Now, I'm all in on Joe Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
rzemanfl
(29,581 posts)up dried overnight.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TwilightZone
(25,512 posts)I'm still convinced that his primary goal is defeating Trump, and I think he's convinced that Sanders can't do that. I think he was waiting (as were many) to see if Biden could be a legitimate alternative to Sanders and the SC result combined with what seems to be some upward poll trends in ST states may lead him to go all in on Biden.
Just a guess, but I don't really agree with those who think this is just an ego thing. His dislike of Trump is personal and visceral and I think he'll do whatever it takes to get rid of him. I could certainly be wrong.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)people were waiting to see him do that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
yardwork
(61,748 posts)People who make billions of dollars from analyzing data recognize climate change as an existential threat. I don't know if it's all about profit or if they really care about human survival, but either way, they're on the right side of this.
Bloomberg will work to defeat Trump.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,656 posts)....typical political novice..gets her info from soc media..i dont dare dispute her choice cuz its her choice!!! but shes gotta realize she cant write in bernie if he doesnt win. As little as that family pays attn to world, national or local news im sure her decision wasnt based on research.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
xmas74
(29,676 posts)She likes Warren but is voting for who she feels will beat Trump. She thinks Sanders will lose in a landslide.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
leftieNanner
(15,190 posts)She's very up on things. She even went to DC during grad school to lobby Congress.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
xmas74
(29,676 posts)With an emphasis in political media and wants to work on campaigns with people who are underrepresented in our current system.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,881 posts)WTG Mrs. MM
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)There's a Warren lawn sign in front of a house around the corner, and a couple of blocks from here there's one that says "Any Functioning Adult - 2020" which I like a lot. That's about it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)I tried, but I couldn't get the sign's wires to go into the lawn.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)Now they'd be falling over.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)were, but they are still around.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)for poking holes in other things if necessary.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
efhmc
(14,735 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Progressive dog
(6,924 posts)within a mile of me. One has been flying since sometime in 2016, the other started when new owners purchased a house near me. The previous owner flew a confederate flag for years on that pole.
Not one yard sign for a Democrat to be seen. I'm sure that our representative will have a very tough time winning again in an R+2 district if Bernie is the Democratic nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
11 Bravo
(23,928 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)She said, "Where did the word "bellwether" come from?" I explained. After I did, she laughed and said, "I'm not sure, but maybe that's insulting."
We usually think of sheep more as followers than leaders, but in a flock one sheep must lead the way. Long ago, it was common practice for shepherds to hang a bell around the neck of one sheep in their flock, thereby designating it the lead sheep. This animal was called the bellwether, a word formed by a combination of the Middle English words belle (meaning "bell" and wether (a noun that refers to a male sheep that has been castrated). It eventually followed that bellwether would come to refer to someone who takes initiative or who actively establishes a trend that is taken up by others. This usage first appeared in English in the 13th century.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bellwether
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
iluvtennis
(19,897 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)Always have been.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LiberalFighter
(51,263 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onetexan
(13,078 posts)Please thanks the missus for us Biden supporters. Go Joe!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bucolic_frolic
(43,443 posts)He wants a strong Democratic candidate. We may not all agree with his record and foibles, but I do think him a true patriot.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)Even though he's richer than God and can easily spare the money, nobody drops that kind of coin on anything unless they really want results. Maybe Bloomberg is doing it for his country but I bet he's got his own reasons, too.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bucolic_frolic
(43,443 posts)Bloomberg made his wealth by servicing Wall Street, the honest legal SEC regulated side.
Trump has several BFFs from Wall Street - Mnuchin, Icahn, Wilbur Ross, Kudlow. These are the laissez-faire unregulated side, cutthroat capitalists who will plunder anything for profit.
We may never know if there is a line of demarcation there.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brush
(53,968 posts)our country deserves better.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
FailureToCommunicate
(14,027 posts)she slips her's back in front each night.
Glad your very own Bellweather has caught the fresh winds blowing from the Biden camp.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)There aren't any available at the non-existent Biden headquarters here in the Twin Cities.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
FailureToCommunicate
(14,027 posts)painting "Biden" on it ?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to MineralMan (Original post)
democratisphere This message was self-deleted by its author.
Sloumeau
(2,657 posts)This is good news for Joe Biden!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dios Mio
(429 posts)With the money he wasted he could have fed a lot of hungry people.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Wounded Bear
(58,765 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)That's is why I can now support him. What on Earth are Trump , Putin and Guiliani going to do to him that would be worse than the Ukraine Treason? It is like Biden has survived his own personal Watergate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sogo
(5,013 posts)If they pull anything out of (left to your imagination), at this point, everyone will know it for what it is and just laugh.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
oldsoftie
(12,654 posts)Which means they've got jack shit
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oasis
(49,454 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
randr
(12,418 posts)And then we vote with our head.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JenniferJuniper
(4,515 posts)however, I will be voting for him on Tuesday.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)Maybe always. That's especially true when Trump is the competition, I think.
Now, is it true that you live upon the hill?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
McKim
(2,412 posts)So with this momentum and the enthusiastic support of big money and big media, we have to kiss universal health care and accessible university education goodbye? So I just have to be patient and wait another 50 years for the changes I want for America? Is it time to immigrate or is Joe Biden going to get my issues into his platform? No more wars in the Middle East? Whats it gonna be, Joe?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)You wouldn't get either from Bernie Sanders. What you will get from Biden is progress in both directions. With Bernie, you would get nothing at all, since his plans could not get through Congress. And, since Bernie could not unseat Donald Trump, you'd get even less than you have now with Trump remaining in office.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oldsoftie
(12,654 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)because it wouldn't ever get through Congress, at least as Congress currently exists. Anyhow, universal health care isn't synonymous with M4A. It simply means a system in which everyone is covered and has access to affordable health care. All Democratic candidates are on record as in favor of universal coverage. The only question is how best to do it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
grantcart
(53,061 posts)Universal 2 years of CC is doable
Sanders proposals exceed $ 55 Trillion and, in Sanders own words, a middle class tax increase.
Mondale and McGovern both advocated for middle class tax increases and each one won exactly one state.
The populism you appear to embrace over promises, under delivers and where it has won left governments with staggering debt.
If you want to increase health coverage and make college more accessible then you should be supporting Obama style candidates who have practical plans for big changes and not utopian plans that will never get elected, never get passed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
McKim
(2,412 posts)I have to ask, why is there always money for war, but public goods, not so much!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
hangaleft
(649 posts)Kiss progress goodbye.
But at least our democracy will survive.
Thats a lot. But, its not enough. Im greedy. I want to see real improvement in our country for all of us.
Liz represents the best of both worlds. Beating Trump like a drum and moving the country forward.
Too bad the lemmings started lining up after one win by a rather soft candidate. Ill vote for him him if hes our candidate, but it will more a vote against Trump than a vote for Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
yardwork
(61,748 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peggysue2
(10,848 posts)Amazing what a blowout win can do, a win that happens at the exact right moment. Like you, I never withdrew my support for Biden. I was a very happy camper last night. Celebrated with pizza and wine.
That being said, even I'm startled at the enormous shift in support towards Biden.
This primary is moving at lightening speed. Enough to make my head spin. But in a good way.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
totodeinhere
(13,059 posts)Have there been any polls released that reflect any reaction to last night's result? I think it's too soon for that. That latest RCP average has Bernie up double digits over Joe nationally. And Bernie leads Joe by 17 points in California and 9 points in Texas. And remember that with early voting many voters have already voted and won't have been influenced by last night's results.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Doitnow
(1,103 posts)$46,000.-havent heard much of that news on MM. You can bet all those many small donors will also be voting for Bernie.
Just keep watching, yall. Its just amazing what you learn on NON-MM these days. All the really good talking heads were kicked off the MM for telling the truth about what goes on, is where they are. They are listened to by the youth and that is why they follow Bernie.
As luck would have it, I started learning the internet 15 years ago and encouraged my peers to do the same. Not many did. March 3 will be my 85th birthday and I consider it a good omen. I have a Bernie sign in my yard and so does my neighbor.
Go, Bernie!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Lucid Dreamer
(584 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Doitnow
(1,103 posts)Out here In the older generation supporting Bernie Sanders. Believe it.-
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JustAnotherGen
(32,000 posts)It will be a step in the right direction towards getting money out of politics.
If the platform works for people - the platform wins, not the candidates election account.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
totodeinhere
(13,059 posts)Age 73. His support spans generations, but I am especially glad to see younger people supporting him since they are our future. Happy birthday!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
musicman65
(524 posts)with Joe before He even started and will continue till He sits in the Big Chair
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
totodeinhere
(13,059 posts)I'm not sure. But I think he will be under quite a lot of pressure to drop out and endorse Joe. And Joe could certainly use his financial help.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)He has pledged to fight Trump, and I'm sure he will. I cannot see him endorsing Sanders, however, so that leaves just one candidate for him to get behind when he stops campaigning for himself.
I've been watching his ads here in the Twin Cities for a couple of months now. All could be easily converted to pure, anti-Trump ads or to support Biden. They're designed with those options in mind.
It's interesting.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wishstar
(5,272 posts)Moderates I know have been split between Biden and Bloomberg and influenced with the onslaught of Bloomberg ads but waiting to see if it looked like Biden was strong in SC and to find out about Bloomberg's weaknesses such as supporting Bush and Lindsay Graham and Scott Brown for Senate. Early voting picked up greatly beginning Thursday through yesterday but with probably half of NC voters who waited to see how Biden did in SC before voting Tuesday.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cwydro
(51,308 posts)I voted early yesterday, for neither Biden nor Sanders.
Shocked to see Booker, Yang, and some others were still on the ballot.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sancho
(9,070 posts)the TV market is so big in Florida, that only Bloomberg can win here. Otherwise it will be another "close" win for the repubs...nothing to do with policy or personality. It's simply who can pay to reach the unaware voters.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
HarlanPepper
(2,042 posts)Its the rising number of wingnuts. Bloombergs money, which will be there anyway if Biden wants it, isnt going to change that. Your rationale seems a little overthought to be honest.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sancho
(9,070 posts)...and right now, the majority of eligible voters are "no party" or don't vote, so I don't think a rising number of conservatives is an issue.
Only a lot of dollars can penetrate the Florida market. There are more Democratic registrations than republicans, but the independents and unregistered are the largest group.
The repubs here swamp the markets for most elections - including local ones. Lots of republican money. TV, mailings, yard signs, phone calls. No one except Bloomberg has even come close in recent years.
We have not seen a single Biden ad. If Bloomberg wants to give Biden a few hundred million that would be ok, but Bloomberg could have done that instead of running, so he appears to have already decided.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Bloomberg choice was purely strategic... I want the Gibbon out and he has the money . My Bloomberg sign comes out of the Yard today and its Biden all the way.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)a socially liberal fiscally conservative person. But think he could live with Biden. Just not BS or EW.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ooky
(8,933 posts)that most moderate primary voters were like myself, perhaps your wife - waiting for South Carolina results - before doing anything (early voting), and that some of those polling numbers for Bloomberg and other moderate candidates will swing back to Biden on Tuesday.
Also, there is a segment of voters that might have Bernie as their first choice and Biden as their second choice that will now swing to Biden on Tuesday. (Had Biden flopped in SC I was going to vote for Bernie on Tuesday.)
Normally I vote early, this time I waited to see South Carolina. How many more did that? I think those moderate voters could very well be Biden votes now, like your wife. Voters who perhaps knew Joe had the best chance of beating Trump but needed more confidence that Joe would stay through the convention.
It is so important that we get this right I didn't want to rush things by early voting with Super Tuesday so close.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kaleva
(36,384 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Moderateguy
(945 posts)But I think its more of a case of when than if- unless Biden seriously falters on ST
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Kaleva
(36,384 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)have demographics in the Democratic base that are very much like South Carolina. Biden should win all of them handily. Joe might just pick up some Buttigieg support from California, Maine, and Massachusetts.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Pachamama
(16,887 posts)I sense the same and two friends who like me a few weeks ago were even on the fence about whether Joe could do this and were waiting for the results of SC, all now are 100% Biden and our previously all the way-in for Bloomberg friends got lukewarm after his debate performances. One Bloomberg supporter, a black woman physician friend, previously Biden but still sticking with Bloomberg, thinks he is going to change minds with his 60 Minutes interview tonight.
We shall see...but Im with your wife on this one. I also think in the next 36 hours there will be some major announcements of support for Biden that will increase his numbers.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
disndat
(1,887 posts)Maybe a flood of people will do the same thing in the next 24 hours.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
gordianot
(15,249 posts)This living nightmare has to end in the executive branch and the Senate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
vlyons
(10,252 posts)for my Tuesday vote in Texas
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
robbedvoter
(28,290 posts)which would be weird, as 3 times I proudly didn't as Mayor. Now I can see Biden always had a path. Pretty sure he'll have my vote in April.I feel we are being manipulated by the media with bad polls and lots of propaganda for the Putin candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DarthDem
(5,257 posts)Favoring Sen. Sanders. It may rapidly erode now, as it was never very solid.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatrickforO
(14,602 posts)Bernie takes a lot of flack for not being a Dem, but Bloomberg seems to have blatantly changed from the Republican party just for access to the ballot. But then, if you give Bernie a 'pass' for that, then you have to give Bloomberg one.
Honestly, though as I've said, I will vote blue no matter who, I never really felt comfortable with Bloomberg. The idea of a 'good' billionaire taking on an 'evil' one, you know. It just seems wrong on so many levels.
I do hope, though, that Bloomberg does this nation a service and continues his anti-Trump ads. It will be a great thing if he does.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wryter2000
(46,125 posts)to God's ears.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Chemisse
(30,821 posts)That would really propell Biden toward a win.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LaurenOlimina
(1,165 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)If he leaves the race, he'll spend a few million here and there on his causes and those who suck up to him in connection with those causes (including Republicons), but he's not going to shovel a billion or two to help Joe Biden.
I see him using a third place position to stay in the race, and offer himself as a compromise candidate should neither Biden nor Sanders has enough for a first ballot victory. He'll bribe the superdelegates with offers to help their campaigns with a multi-billion dollar super-PAC.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,345 posts)Perhaps you do know him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)from living in the NYC media market from 2007 to just a couple of years ago. He used his money to get whatever he wanted during his terms as mayor.
And wealthy people didn't get that way without thrift (among other things). They know when to cut their losses. Tom Steyer did just that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
corbettkroehler
(1,898 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden