VoteVets and Martin O'Malley have both endorsed Pete Buttigieg for DNC chair

[Recursion]

http://www.votevets.org/press/votevets-endorses-buttigieg-for-dnc-chair

In an unprecedented move, the largest progressive group of veterans in America, VoteVets PAC, is endorsing South Bend, Indiana mayor and Afghanistan Veteran Pete Buttigieg for Chair of the Democratic Party. “Mayor Pete,” as he’s known, took a leave from his job to serve in Afghanistan with the US Navy, in 2014.

“Progressives need fresh and bold new leadership, like Mayor Pete, to lead the way to regaining the majority in Congress, and the White House,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets. “Veterans like Pete know how to communicate to so many Americans why it is progressive policies that will keep America safe, and prosperous. Being from the heartland, Pete also knows how to reconnect with huge swaths of the country that Democrats, frankly, have ignored. He has a record of success in Indiana doing just that – not just on a rhetorical level, but on a technical and strategic level, as a great organizer. That’s why he’s exactly the right person to lead the progressive movement, as chair.”

VoteVets has never endorsed a candidate for any office within either party, but Soltz explained that the group could not sit on the sidelines this year.

“VoteVets will always endorse veterans – of either party – who stand up for progressive ideals,” said Soltz. “When one comes about who is seeking to lead an entire party, we’re going to back him or her up. If, by some miracle, the GOP recognizes the error of its ways and a progressive veteran runs for chair of the Republican Party, we’ll endorse that person, too. As far as we’re concerned, America cannot have enough progressive military veterans in public life.”

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/democratic-national-committee-chair-234765

Former Maryland governor and 2016 presidential candidate Martin O'Malley is endorsing South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship, just days ahead of the candidate forum in Baltimore, where he served as mayor.

“I’ve known Pete Buttigieg for many years, he has been a terrific mayor. He’s one of those new, up-and-coming leaders in our country and in our party that’s really bringing forward a new and better way of governing,” O’Malley — who himself briefly considered a run for the chairmanship before bowing out in November — told POLITICO. “He speaks with a clarity that our party really, really needs right now. He has been successful in a so-called red state, he brings to the public service of being mayor the background of having served in our armed forces.”

“He is of a new generation of leadership. Our party sometimes talks about bringing forward a new generation of leadership, well, hey man, there’s never been a better time,” added O’Malley, referring to the 35-year-old veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

The endorsement represents Buttigieg’s most prominent nod so far as he faces off against a field of favored candidates that includes Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez — and it’s a clear snub of Perez, a Marylander whom O’Malley appointed to be the state's secretary of labor in 2007.

I don't know much about Buttigieg, but that's an endorsement nexus that I personally respect a lot...

[democrank]

1. Pete Buttigieg stood out impressively at the DNC forum on C-Span yesterday.

The VoteVets endorsement of Buttigieg speaks volumes.

[CanonRay]

2. I was pretty impressed with the guy.

He seems like the kind of big D we need.