Democrats at the 2020 primary debate in New Hampshire on Friday night dinged former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergTop Democratic super PAC launches Florida ad blitz after Bloomberg donation The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE, hinting he was using his vast personal wealth to try to buy the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Bloomberg, who is skipping the New Hampshire primary and three other early contests even as he blankets the airwaves with ads for his presidential campaign, was not on stage Friday night.

But his presence was felt during one question during the debate.

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“I don’t think anyone ought to be able to buy their way into a nomination or to be president of the United States,” said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenWarren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon No new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead MORE (D-Mass.) when asked about Bloomberg’s candidacy. “I don’t think any billionaire out to be able to do it, and I don’t think people who suck up to billionaires in order to fund their campaigns ought to be able to do it.”

Bloomberg wasn't eligible to be on stage on Friday under the Democratic Party's rules for the debate, but he could be on stage soon given a rule change by the Democratic National Committee that will no longer require that candidates hit a donor limit to be on stage.

The former New York City mayor is self-funding his campaign.

“It’s a funny thing. There are millions of people who can desire to run for office, but I get if you’re worth $60 billion and you can spend several hundred millions on commercials, you have an advantage. That is nonsense,” added Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE (I-Vt.).

Bloomberg's advertising effort has focused on key primary states like California and Florida and general election swing states.

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“I can’t stand the big money in politics,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharEPA delivers win for ethanol industry angered by waivers to refiners It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates Biden marks anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, knocks Trump and McConnell MORE (D-Minn.). “People don’t look at the guy in the White House and say, ‘Can we get someone richer?’ I don’t think they think that. They want to have someone they can understand.”

Transparency over campaign financing has taken a central role in the crowded primary field. Several 2020 Democrats have renounced taking donations from corporate-backed super PACs, while Sanders and Warren have eschewed high-dollar fundraisers altogether.

“If we want to change America, you’re not going to do it by electing candidates who are going out to rich people’s homes begging for money,” said Sanders.

However, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq A socially and environmentally just way to fight climate change MORE defended his campaign’s efforts to tap into funds from high-dollar donors, saying the Democratic Party should not refuse resources heading into the fight to unseat President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE.

“We are going into the fight of our lives,” he said. “We need to go into that fight with everything that we’ve got.”