Bloomberg Pushes Back on Criticism That He’s ‘Buying the Election,’ Apologizes for Stop and Frisk

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg speaks to gun control advocates and victims of gun violence in Aurora, Colo., on Dec. 5, 2019. Thomas Peipert/AP Photo

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg pushed back on criticism for entering the Democratic presidential race, saying that he has “the same rights as everybody else.”

Asked by “CBS This Morning” during his first televised interview since announcing his bid after the range of reactions to his entry, Bloomberg said: “I have the same rights as anybody else. Does it take an ego? Yeah, I guess it takes an ego to think that you could do the job.”