Media

Sam Donaldson pens op-ed endorsing Bloomberg for president

by Marty Johnson - 02/15/20 10:38 PM ET

Former ABC News anchor Sam Donaldson endorsed former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a CNN op-ed Saturday.

The award-winning journalist wrote that Bloomberg has the ability to “bring people together and unite our country.”

Donaldson also cites Bloomberg’s record as mayor makes him equipped for the high office, saying that “he created affordable housing, improved education and reduced crime throughout the city.”

Moreover, Donaldson said, Bloomberg has the ability to beat President Trump in November, a sentiment he echoed on-air with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

“Bullies cannot bully Bloomberg,” Donaldson said. “He won’t be cowed by a few tweets from Trump.”

“I think Mike Bloomberg is best-suited to take on Donald J. Trump.”

Fmr. ABC News anchor Sam Donaldson explains his decision to support Bloomberg in 2020, saying of Trump, “We are in the grip, Anderson, of a sick, ignorant man.”https://t.co/pLTZELMKX0 pic.twitter.com/0Qt0q2aKgp

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) February 15, 2020

Donaldson also pointed to Bloomberg’s ability to self-finance his campaign, which will let him “compete aggressively against Trump’s massive political machine.”

Like Trump, Bloomberg is a billionaire, though he has a larger net worth than the president, roughly $60 billion.

“He will make sure our government regains the trust of the American people, restores our standing in the world, and helps all Americans lead better and happier lives,” Donaldson added.

Despite skipping the first four Democratic nominating contests, Bloomberg is picking up steam in the national polls.

The latest Economist/YouGov national poll showed Bloomberg at 12 percent, trailing Sen. Elizabeth Warren at 15 percent support, former Vice President Joe Biden at 18 percent support and Sen Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) leading the pack at 22 percent support.

However, he did edge out former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg – who currently has the most state delegates since the Iowa and New Hampshire contests – by two points.