By David K. Shipler
Michael
Bloomberg’s tone-deaf paralysis in the Las Vegas debate puts a boldface
question mark behind the growing assumption among many Democrats that only he can
defeat President Trump in November. One debate fiasco might matter little in
the end, given that many more people are seeing the flood of Bloomberg TV and
internet ads. And maybe he’ll do better next time. Still, 19.7 million viewers
watched his first. But if he gets the nomination, voters will see him
extensively, out from behind his screen of commercials. He could use a serious makeover.
His
advantage is his money: his generous philanthropy on the liberal side of such
issues as gun control and climate change, his decisive contributions to
Democratic candidates, the networks of loyalty that he has purchased in cities throughout
the country, and his extensive campaign organization. He knows how to direct
his dollars effectively, and his ex-Republican centrism will surely appeal to
moderate Republicans who are disaffected with Trump.
Yet
voter turnout is crucial, and that depends largely on a candidate’s appealing
demeanor, vision, and forward-looking agenda. Trump has built a wall of
zealotry. To break through it, a Democratic opponent needs a surge of young and
minority citizens moved by passion and belief, plus a middle-spectrum of voters
in swing states. Right now, Bloomberg looks like nothing more than the
candidate of last resort. That’s not enough to drive enough people to the
polls.
There is a sharp hunger in the land
for decency. There is a thirst for honesty, candor, authenticity—all traits
that Trump supporters mistakenly attribute to the president. Depending on which citizens
you ask, the country is impatient for reform and afraid of it, welcoming and
resentful of demographic diversity, idealistic and cynical about politics in America.
