Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg tried to curb-stomp his downtown billionaire rival, Donald Trump, by slashing at his business record.
“The bottom line is: [Trump] is a risky, reckless, and radical choice, and we can’t afford to make that choice,” said Bloomberg, the party-switching, government-growing billionaire who portrayed himself as the voice of moderate common-sense speaking out “for the good of our country.”
“Join with me, not out of party loyalty, but out of love of country… [to] elect a sane competent person with international experience, a unifier who is mature enough to reach out for advice, to build consensus, and to recognize that we all have something to contribute,” said Bloomberg, who repeatedly described himself as a political “independent.”
Bloomberg’s pitch was likely aimed at upper-income voters and business leaders who dislike Trump’s populist campaign which has reduced their influence and status in the GOP.
“I say to my fellow independents — your votes matter now… there is no doubt in my mind that Hillary Clinton is the right choice this November,” he said from a blue-gray podium almost devoid of American flags.
Bloomberg has been a Democrat, a Republican and an independent — but he has also always been an international progressive who prefers government cooperation with business enterprises to Trump’s mix of populist nationalism.
“We need a problem solver, not a bomb thrower, someone who can bring members of Congress together to get things done,” he said, adding that many business leaders share his “same pragmatic approach to building consensus.”
“The richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy … he wants you to believe we can solve our biggest problems by deporting Mexicans and keeping out Muslims … he’s wrong … we can only solve our biggest problems is we come together,” said the progressive billionaire.
Bloomberg extended criticism of Trump’s business record is likely a prologue to the Democrats’ tall offensive against Trump.
“Throughout his career, Trump has left behind a well-documented series of bankruptcies, 100s of lawsuits and angry stockholders, … disillusioned customers who feel they’ve been ripped off,” he said. “Trump says he wants to run the name as he runs his business. God hep us — I’m a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one.”