US election 2020: How can Michael Bloomberg enter the presidential race so late?

Bloomberg short-circuited the normal timeframe for a campaign with his vast fortune, bringing his rivals’ ire in Las Vegas last night

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 19: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (R) gestures as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg listen
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders gestures at former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg during the Democratic presidential primary debate in Las Vegas on February 19
(Image credit: 2020 Getty Images)

Last night’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas was the most bitter yet, as some of the high-profile candidates falling behind in the polls tried to jump-start their faltering campaigns.

Adding to the discord was the emergence of billionaire media and former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg - formerly a Republican - who was making his first appearance on the debate stage more than a year after some of his opponents launched their campaigns.

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William Gritten

William Gritten is a London-born, New York-based strategist and writer focusing on politics and international affairs.