How Michael Bloomberg Is Buying His Way Into the Race

The latest national poll of voter preferences for the Democratic Party primary shows former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg jumping 15 percentage points to second place in the race.

Bloomberg has surged past former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren to poll at 19% support now.

He has spent hundreds of millions of dollars of his own limitless resources on ad buys around the country blanketing television stations and online spaces with his face.

But, as journalists dig into his past Bloomberg’s own crass statements and rightwing policies have sown doubt. Yet, a growing number of progressive and liberal organizations and individuals have puzzlingly endorsed Bloomberg for President.

The New York Times over the weekend explained why – Bloomberg has spent billions of dollars supporting causes over many years, and organizations beholden to his charitable giving may be worried about crossing their largest funder.

Sonali Kolhatkar speaks with Beth Rotman, the Money in Politics & Ethics Program Director for Common Cause about Bloomberg's past.

Rising Up with Sonali is a radio and television show that brings progressive news coverage rooted in gender and racial justice to a wide audience.

Rising Up With Sonali was built on the foundation of Sonali Kolhatkar's earlier show, Uprising, which became the longest-running drive-time radio show on KPFK in Los Angeles hosted by a woman.

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Beth Rotman Common Cause Democratic Party Free Speech TV Michael Bloomberg Rising Up with Sonali Sonali Kolhatkar United States