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Rivals Target Bloomberg as He Rises in Democratic Presidential Race

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's name is not on
   any of the ballots for the first four U.S. Democratic presidential
   nominating contests, and he has yet to qualify for the candidates' next
   debate on Wednesday night.

   But it is Bloomberg who has quickly become a key figure in the
   Democratic contest, rising to third in national political surveys of
   Democratic voters behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice
   President Joe Biden.

   Bloomberg has also become the target of stinging barbs from his fellow
   Democratic rivals, as well as Trump, who mocked him last week as a
   "mass of dead energy," and callinghim "Mini Mike" for his short
   stature.

   In turn, Bloomberg called Trump "a carnival barking clown," adding,
   "Where I come from, we measure your height from the neck up."

   Democratic opponents have accused Bloomberg, said to be worth $62
   billion, of trying to buy the party nomination.

   Bloomberg reportedly has spent nearly $400 million of his own money on
   a wide array of campaign ads, and has hired hundreds of campaign
   workers ahead of the March 3 voting in 14 states, known as Super
   Tuesday, when he will be on the ballot.

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