The hidden hand behind Bloomberg's campaign

[brooklynite]

Politico

Harris, a 64-year-old Manhattan native who stepped aside from her job running Bloomberg Philanthropies to chair his campaign, occupies a central role in his effort to turn himself from a proudly nonpartisan businessman into an appealing option for a Democratic Party that is increasingly splintered between moderates and progressives.

Campaign manager Kevin Sheekey, whom Harris hired at Bloomberg LP in 1997, called her “the quiet force in everything that Mike has done.”

“I think almost anything that Mike has done in the political or philanthropic sector you can trace its roots back somewhere to a Patti Harris origin,” he added.

Harris took a job at Bloomberg’s financial news company in 1994, worked on his first New York City mayoral campaign and oversaw much of his administration for 12 years as deputy mayor. Now, the inextricable role she plays in all facets of his life — politics, business, and philanthropy — will play out on a national stage as campaign chair for his free-spending run for the Democratic nomination.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Did she release his tax returns yet?

[brooklynite]

2. "Bloomberg says he will release tax returns"

Crain's New York Business

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg will be releasing his tax returns but isn’t saying yet when or how many years of records would be made public.

Campaign spokesman Marc La Vorgna said the former New York mayor’s returns will be released but declined to elaborate on timing or other details. He spoke a day after Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said she has no plans to release records covering her work as a law professor and bankruptcy lawyer before she entered public service in 2008.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. LOL ROFLMAO

Yes. Of course. We've heard this tune before. For a long time in fact.

[brooklynite]

4. How many candidates released tax returns within a month of their campaign launch?

[bucolic_frolic]

5. True, a valid point

But put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" camp. I doubt billionaires like transparency on their tax returns, and perhaps rightfully so. But I'm not sure it can be avoided after Trump.

[brooklynite]

6. Bloomberg made his money in a communications business...

...not buying up companies and firing employees. He also runs well-respected philanthropies (a friend of mine used to work directly for him). Not obvious what he'd be reluctant to reveal.

[PatSeg]

7. I agree

After Trump, we need to demand that any presidential candidate is totally transparent when it comes to finances. No exceptions. And not like the pathetic handful of returns that Romney released. I would say at least ten years, if not more. Anyone who wants to hold the highest office in the country, needs to be forthcoming with their financial history. If they cannot or will not comply, they need not run.