* Black voters are expected to comprise a quarter of all Democratic primary voters next year. That’s a higher percentage than ever before. Among those notably impacted: Joe Biden, who remains popular among African-American voters, minority candidates Cory Booker and Kamala Harris who haven’t moved the black needle very much, and Pete Buttigieg, who hasn’t moved the needle at all.
* Not that it’s equivalent to anything that Trump did, but it’s still fair to ask: When Hunter Biden took that seat on the board of Ukraine’s Burisma Group in 2014–in a geopolitical-hotspot country notorious for corruption–what was the response of Hunter’s father and Hunter’s president? Raised brows?
* “I believe my unique set of experiences in business, government and philanthropy will enable me to win and lead.” That was Mike Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York mayor, in announcing his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. The environment, gun laws and medical research will be top Bloomberg priorities. And did we mention that he’s one of the richest guys in the world?
Bloomberg also has enough cachet and cred to make it to the “Saturday Night Live” debate parodies. Former SNL cast member Fred Armisen returns to play the part. It’s not as high-profile as Woody Harrelson as Joe Biden or Kate MacKinnon as Elizabeth Warren, but it’s a good send-up and well-timed exposure, especially for someone not actually participating in the primary-prepping debates.