Bruised and battered, can Bloomberg still buy the Democratic nomination?

Analysis: His vast wealth has put him into the running, but the former New York mayor will need more than slick adverts to take the Democratic nomination, writes Phil Thomas

Mike Bloomberg speaks during Wednesday’s Democratic presidential primary debate in Las Vegas (AP)

Can you buy your way to the Democratic nomination? And then to the presidency? That’s the riddle the billionaire former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg has been posing to the voters of the United States since announcing his candidacy in September.

Despite his late entry to the race, his lavish spending has catapulted him ahead in the polls – still behind Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden in a Real Clear Politics average, but, at 16 per cent, ahead of senators Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar.

His attack ads against Donald Trump have been slick. His business record is impressive. With years at city hall, he has solid experience as a political chief executive.