Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
In Fresno, Bloomberg Says He's Ready to Bounce 'Bully' Trump
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
February 3, 2020

Share

President Donald Trump’s insults about his height didn’t deter Mike Bloomberg.
The billionaire businessman and Democratic presidential candidate made his own cracks about his stature during a speech Monday at Fresno City College.


Listen to this article:

“I’m still growing. I still have hopes. Unfortunately, when I’m growing, I’m growing this way (motioning with his hands side to side) instead of this way (hands motioning up and down),” Bloomberg said.
Trump commented on Bloomberg’s height in a pre-Super Bowl interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Sunday.
Several times during his 20-minute speech, Bloomberg called Trump a bully. He told the receptive audience that he was the candidate who could defeat him.
“When you can’t defend your record on healthcare or wages or the environment, you resort to insults. Donald Trump’s insults don’t bother me … I’m a New Yorker and I’ve never backed down from a bully or ran away from a fight,” Bloomberg said.

Speech About Broad Goals

“Central Valley issues are Latino issues. And, Latino issues are American issues.” — Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg
Bloomberg touched on broad goals of his campaign in the courtyard at the Old Administration Building.
He highlighted raising teacher pay while he served as mayor of New York City and his effort to curb gun violence. He additionally his efforts on climate change,  air quality, and inequality.
“Central Valley issues are Latino issues. And, Latino issues are American issues,” Bloomberg said. “We cannot afford another four years of this craziness.”
He did not offer many specifics for his plans.
Fresno was the second of three stops for Bloomberg, who campaigned throughout California on Monday using a chartered jet. In the morning, he appeared in Sacramento. After his Fresno stop, he headed to Compton.

Establishment Watches, if Not Supports Bloomberg

Fresno City Councilman Luis Chavez was on hand to watch the speech, along with city council colleague Mike Karbassi, who said he was impressed but not ready to endorse.
Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Esmeralda Soria also dropped in for part of the event.
The Democratic establishment locally and statewide also turned out in Fresno. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and current San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo introduced Bloomberg. Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs was there, too.
Even Kingsburg councilwoman Jewel Hurtado — an avowed Bernie Sanders supporter — caught part of the speech between her classes at Fresno City.
Isaac Gudino, a Fresno City College student and one-time political podcast host, said Bloomberg could be the man if frontrunner Joe Biden falls.
“This is probably the centrist wing of the party’s chance at a very reliable back-up plan,” Gudino said.
Bloomberg opened a campaign office in Fresno, hiring 15 local staffers at salaries of $6,000 a month, led by Chavez. It is one of 20 offices statewide Bloomberg’s campaign team opened.
Statewide, Bloomberg says he will hire up to 800 staffers.

Students More Interested in Food Truck

School officials estimated about 200 people attended Bloomberg’s speech, far smaller than Bernie Sanders drawing 2,700 in November at the college.
The make-up of the crowd also differed. Sanders drew a younger audience with few elected or party officials. Bloomberg drew many party insiders, and a more button-upped crowed, weather (hovering in the 40s) notwithstanding.
Bloomberg tried to entice students to attend with a free taco truck from El Jaliscience. Volunteers stood at the courtyard entrance, acting like carnival barkers hoping to attract a crowd.
While it worked for some, several students appeared more interested in a free meal than a civics lesson.
“He’s not withholding his finances. He’s providing lunch today for all those who came out to support him. That shows what kind of gentleman he is,” said Debbie Martinez from Modesto, who is not a student.

 

DON'T MISS

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

DON'T MISS

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

DON'T MISS

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

DON'T MISS

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

DON'T MISS

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

DON'T MISS

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

DON'T MISS

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

DON'T MISS

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

DON'T MISS

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

UP NEXT

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

UP NEXT

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

UP NEXT

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

UP NEXT

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

UP NEXT

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

UP NEXT

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

UP NEXT

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

UP NEXT

California Food Banks Brace for Funding Cuts, and Not Only From the Trump Administration

UP NEXT

Madera Authorities Seize 80 Pounds of Meth, Arrest Two Suspects

UP NEXT

Cal State Automatically Admitting High School Students With Good Grades

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

20 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

21 hours ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

2 days ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

2 days ago

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

2 days ago

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

2 days ago

Myanmar’s Earthquake Death Toll Jumps to 1,644 as More Bodies Are Recovered From the Rubble

2 days ago

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

2 days ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

2 days ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

Last year, The Merced FOCUS reported that for the first time in over a decade, a crucial service for survivors of sexual assault would be of...

19 hours ago

19 hours ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

19 hours ago

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

20 hours ago

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

20 hours ago

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

21 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

1 day ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

2 days ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

2 days ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend