Team BloombergOnce Bloomberg, the billionaire self-funder and least liked of all the Democratic candidates running for president, put out feelers that he would pay-- and pay big-- for congressional endorsements, we asked who the first asshole would be. Democrats polled say they find Bloomberg relatively untrustworthy, dishonest, unable to deal with their hopes and aspirations, bad on issues and unable to beat Trump. But he is spending and spending and spending and even hiring lobbyists to bribe Democratic congressmen into endorsing him. So it should have come as no surprise which corrupt Blue Dog bit first.Yesterday, the Associated Press' Sydney Kashiwagi reported that Rose "has endorsed Michael Bloomberg for president, winning the former New York City mayor his first endorsement from a sitting member of Congress." Kashiwagi didn't mention how much Bloomberg paid Rose.
"The city Mike Bloomberg inherited in 2002 was reeling from the worst terrorist attack in American history and facing economic recession. There were real fears nothing would ever feel or be the same again. Mike Bloomberg took the reins, brought New York City back to life and put us on track to lead in the 21st century,” Rose said.“Mayor Bloomberg’s even keeled and visionary leadership is what we need to reduce the chaos, partisanship and hyper-vitriol that has overtaken Washington. Rather than submit to another stage of politics as usual, we must be bold and unifying in taking on the huge challenges we face as a nation,” Rose continued. “We need to root out corruption so we can put the economy back on the side of working people, fix our crumbling infrastructure, lower prescription drug costs and end the opioid epidemic. Mike Bloomberg has taken on tough fights and gotten results, which is why I believe he is the best candidate for my district, my city, and for our country.The billionaire has presented himself as a centrist candidate, but has faced some criticism for positions he held during his time as mayor, such as the NYPD’s stop and frisk program and the push to ban large-sized sugary drinks. Bloomberg attempted to address the stop and frisk concerns during a campaign speech in Brooklyn last year.“I was wrong,” Bloomberg said before the Christian Cultural Center, a predominantly black megachurch. “And I am sorry.”The former mayor paid a visit to the Island in early December to attend the Iron Hills Civic Association’s annual holiday dinner at the Richmond County Country Club.“If we work together, we can solve problems and make progress,” Bloomberg told the room of more than 200 people. “We’ve done that here in New York City, and we desperately need to do it across the country.”Rose’s endorsement comes as the race for his congressional seat is heating up.Rose is currently running unopposed in the June primary, but faces two Republican challengers-- Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Brooklyn prosecutor Joseph Caldarera.
Let week Democratic Socialist Richard-Olivier Marius dropped out of the primary. And even before Bloomberg's contribution, which we won't see until the spring, Rose had raised $2,130,499, compared to the GOP establishment's Malliotakis, who has brought in $756,964. Saladino raised just $55,143 and isn't considered a serious candidate, just another right-wing vanity candidate. There has been some talk about Mafia-thug and Trump amigo Michael Grimm, who has been released from prison, running as well. But he's been quiet for a few months.I don't know off hand if there is even one Blue Dog who hasn't earned an "F" from ProgressivePunch, but if there is-- it sure isn't Max Rose. He has continued to let his constituents down by consistently voting with conservatives. In fact, his miserable voting record is 12.62% more conservative than the Staten Island and Brooklyn residents of his district. His most recent vile roll call vote was to cross the aisle with 7 other of the worst Democrats in the House to oppose the War Powers Resolution. It passed last Thursday 224 to 194 without Rose. There were even 3 Republicans who voted for it. It really is tragic that there is no one primarying Rose this cycle. Hopefully... 2022.And, by the way, at the same time Bloomberg and his bought-and-paid for pack of lobbyists were rolling out the Rose endorsement, Bernie got a real good one that he obviously didn't have to pay for:And so did former Bernie DNC delegate Jill Carter, a state senator and candidate for Congress for Baltimore's open seat (MD-07). Ben Jealous' endorsement is a very big deal-- and would be in any congressional race. I'd take either one of these over Max Rose or any other Blue Dog-- any day of the week. Please take a look as Ben explains why he endorsed Jill: