Devil's advocate take on Bloomberg at the debate: no question that he had a horrible first hour, but he did much better later, and he's the only one savvy enough to go after Bernie. Anyone-But-Bernie Democrats should take note of that.
Not only did Bloomberg go after Bernie, but he reduced the old crank to a stammering mess by calling him out as a communist and mentioning his three houses. That should bother Dems that really want to beat Trump, who will hit Bernie like that but 100 times harder.
Bloomberg also had a show-stopping moment when he flummoxed the rest of the candidates by pointing out he's the only one that ever ran a business or created jobs. That sort of thing WILL matter to voters in the general election, given Trump's strength on the economy.
As for Bloomberg's worst moments, the attacks from Warren that really demolished him are attacks the Trump campaign is unlikely to launch. Bloomberg is probably better positioned to handle the really heavy punches Trump WILL throw.
Of course, those are points that would probably only resonate with the most dispassionate Democrat wholly focused on winning the general election, and even then, they might not outweigh Bloomberg's stiff stage presence, condescending attitude, and lack of charisma.
And if you're sizing up contenders for the heavyweight fight in the general election, you'd have to severely reduce Bloomberg's score for getting caught flatfooted by attacks he (and any reasonably competent debate coaches he hired) should have expected.
Bloomberg went into the debate arrogantly convinced his strengths were so overwhelming, and the other Dem candidates were such obvious losers against Trump, that his weaknesses didn't matter and he had no need to guard his flank. Big mistake, and it cost him dearly.
Democrats who aren't completely devoted to one of the other candidates, and who really want to win the big game in November, would do well to stop laughing at Bloomberg's (admittedly hilarious) first-hour faceplant and carefully study his stronger moments at the debate. /end
