Battle moves to Warren’s home turf
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making an aggressive play for voters in Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s backyard as the senior senator continues her attacks on the billionaire in an effort to resurrect her presidential campaign.
Bloomberg’s Bay State director Jordan Overstreet pointed to the campaign’s army of more than 60 staffers working at six field offices in all corners of the state.
“In a short time, Mike Bloomberg has built a robust organization in Massachusetts,” said Overstreet. “This unprecedented investment in Massachusetts allows our campaign to reach communities that most campaigns don’t have the resources to engage.”
Actor Michael Douglas rallied supporters Sunday as part of 50-event weekend in Massachusetts to show campaign strength. Bloomberg and his surrogates, however, were still explaining his poor performance at last week’s debate.
“’I mean he may not win the contest in stand up comedian but you can’t be everything to everybody. So I just admire this guy so much. I am really happy to be out here,” said Douglas.
Warren launched into a blistering critique of the New York mayor during last Thursday’s debate in Nevada, chastising the media mogul for his wealth and alleged sexist remarks in a performance that’s buoyed her once-sinking campaign.
The senior senator continued those attacks this weekend, even making fun of Bloomberg’s 5’8” height at a rally Saturday night.
“I want to speak specifically for just a minute at the top about a threat that is coming our way. And it’s a big threat — not a tall one, but a big one, Michael Bloomberg,” said Warren.
The Cambridge Democrat came in third in Nevada’s caucuses Saturday, an improvement on her lackluster fourth place finish in the New Hampshire primary. But her poor showing in Iowa and New Hampshire has motivated other Democratic challengers to make a play for Massachusetts. Several groups canvassed for front runner Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., over the weekend. Former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s campaign has held events in Arlington and Newton.
“I think Pete is confident he can compete successfully with everybody else on the ballot here in Massachusetts,” said former state treasurer Steve Grossman.
Bloomberg, who so far hasn’t directly responded to Warren’s critical blitz, has a chance to address her complaints at the South Carolina debate on Tuesday. Until then, he’ll continue running the favorable ads that have boosted his polls across the nation.
“The state is absolutely in play for the March 3rd primary,” said Bloomberg state director Overstreet.