Billionaire Michael Bloomberg didn’t qualify for the Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire -- but it didn’t always feel that way.
The candidates on stage Friday night were asked several times about the former mayor of New York City.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren responded, “I don’t think anyone ought to be able to buy their way into the nomination or to be president of the United States.” She also said candidates shouldn’t “suck up to billionaires to do it.”
That was a swipe at former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who have relied on large donors to finance their campaigns.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders singled out Buttigieg specifically, saying, “I don’t have 40 billionaires, Pete, contributing to my campaign.”
New debate rules set by the Democratic National Committee may see Bloomberg qualify for future debates.