One New York billionaire -- former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- was speaking directly to independents and skeptical Republicans about another New York billionaire when he told Democratic National Convention delegates, "I'm a New Yorker, and New Yorkers know a con when we see one."
Speaking Wednesday night, political independent Bloomberg spent his time at the podium in Philadelphia casting GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump as a failed businessman and a risk to the country.
Naturally, as soon as Bloomberg left the stage, the Trump faithful came out of the woodwork to discredit the three-time mayor. But for a full 15 minutes, Bloomberg charged at his old golfing buddy with both horns.
"I understand the appeal of a businessman president," Bloomberg said. "But Trump's business plan is a disaster in the making. He would make it harder for small businesses to compete, do great damage to our economy, [and] threaten the retirement savings of millions of Americans," he said. "Trump is a risky, reckless, and radical choice. And we can't afford to make that choice.
"Most of us who have created a business know that we're only as good as the way our employees, clients, and partners view us. Most of us don't pretend that we're smart enough to make every big decision by ourselves. And most of us who have our names on the door know that we are only as good as our word, but not Donald Trump," said Bloomberg, as the crowd cheered throughout his speech.
“The bottom line is: Trump is a risky, reckless and radical choice. And we can’t afford to make that choice,” the three-term mayor said. “I know Hillary Clinton is not flawless; no candidate is. But she is the right choice, and the responsible choice, in this election.”
Bloomberg, who briefly wrestled with the temptation to run for president as an independent, has made gun control the centerpiece of his post-mayoral political career. He decided against a run when he determined his entry in the race could give the election to Trump.
“There are times when I disagree with Hillary. But whatever our disagreements may be, I’ve come here to say we must put them aside for the good of our country,” he said. “We must unite around the candidate who can defeat a dangerous demagogue.
“I don’t believe either party has a monopoly on good ideas or strong leadership,” he said. “When I enter the voting booth each time, I look at the candidate, not the party label. Probably not many people in this room can say that, but I know there are many watching at home who can.”
Bloomberg became a billionaire with a financial data and media company bearing his name before seeking office. He argued Trump is a far cry from the business titan he claims, even though the Republican presidential nominee, has been using his business acumen to appeal to voters, attempting to show off his leadership skills.
"Throughout his career, Trump has left behind a well-documented record of bankruptcies, thousands of lawsuits, angry shareholders and contractors who feel cheated, and disillusioned customers who feel ripped off. Trump says he wants to run the nation like he's run his business. God help us," Bloomberg said.
What set Bloomberg apart from other speakers Wednesday night -- and made him particularly dangerous for Trump -- was 1) his "special knowledge" of Donald Trump and 2) his lack of allegiance to the Democratic Party. He came over as convincing. He came over as a man who felt a need to step to the plate to keep something terrible from happening -- the election of Donald Trump.
Conservative lions in the Trump camp noticed and fired back.
Author and columnist Ann Coulter's cheeky tweet directed folks to an unflattering story about Bloomberg: "Michael Bloomberg makes powerful case for cheap immigrant labor as groundskeepers on his golf courses. http://bit.ly/2ab8M8u"
A tweet from Conservative Review Senior Editor Michelle Maulkin did the same thing, citing a different story: "DNC speaker Michael Bloomberg, the elitist hypocrite who doesn't live by his own health rules: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/dining/23bloom.html?pagewanted=all …"
While President Obama's strong third-night speech grabbed most of the headlines, Bloomberg's 15 minutes talking specifically to folks still wavering may have delivered the convention's most damaging blow yet to Donald Trump.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
