Bloomberg: Hillary Clinton understands 'this is not reality television, it's reality'

PHILADELPHIA, July 27 (UPI) -- Michael Bloomberg, the independent former mayor of New York, pleaded with fellow unaffiliated voters to elect Hillary Clinton, "a sane, competent person" to the White House, and reject Donald Trump.

Bloomberg, who drew some scattered boos when he mentioned his disagreements with Democratic Party orthodoxy at the beginning of his speech, drew a standing ovation by the end, when he declared in no uncertain terms his belief Trump is dangerously unqualified to be president.

"I built a business and I didn't start it with a $1 million check from my father,:" said Bloomberg, whose financial reporting empire made him a billionaire.

He mocked Trump's background as an over-the-top media personality, versus Clinton, who he said has amassed a lifetime of experience in government and politics.

"Hillary Clinton understands this is not reality television, this is reality," Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg appealed directly to independent voters, saying their decision could determine who becomes president.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Hillary Clinton is the right choice this November," he said. "Tonight, as an independent, I'm am asking you to join with me not out of party loyalty but out of love of country, and together let's select a sane, competent person with international experience — a unifier who is mature enough to reach out for advice, to build consensus and to recognize we all have something to contribute."