'Pete Has a Black Problem': Top Black Leaders Say Buttigieg Is 'Naive' on Race

[Jose Garcia]

NORTH AUGUSTA, South Carolina—A few weeks ago, a prominent black leader posed what seemed like a simple question to South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigiegduring a private meeting: Who in the African-American community back home supports you?

“He didn’t name anybody,” the leader said in an interview with The Daily Beast. “If he’s got young black supporters, they do have names.”

That leader, who requested anonymity to speak openly about a private meeting, was not only referring to young supporters but expressing a sentiment that was apparent in talks with several African-American lawmakers: that Buttigieg’s interactions with the black community in recent weeks were “naïve” and that the national perception of him as “genuine and authentic” was not always translating when it came to their concerns.

“Pete has a black problem,” Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), the former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told The Daily Beast. “I don’t know of one black person out of Indiana that supports him.”

More: https://www.thedailybeast.com/pete-buttigieg-has-a-black-problem-top-african-american-leaders-say-he-is-naive-on-race

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. Oh dear.

[pangaia]

2. Feel better now?

[FloridaBlues]

3. This will be a problem for him to over come

Not sure the history he has with the AA community in his town during his time as mayor.

[Blue_true]

26. He has a decent record with a couple glaring holes.

I think that his view on racial issues mirrors Senator Sanders, that if he fixes the economy, Blacks will rise with everyone else, I am not sure that he sees the unique issues that Blacks have with getting treated fairly by police, banks, government, ect.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. It speaks to me as unfortunate that the one black person who is quoted...

is a woman who said “I don’t know of one black person out of Indiana that supports him.”

And yet the article goes on to mention several local black members of South Bend who do support and respect him.

[elleng]

7. Right, Peg, doesn't sound very well-informed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Sure doesn't!

[MBS]

8. the head of the local NAACP has actually endorsed him for president, too. n/t

[elleng]

10. IMPORTANT!

[MBS]

12. This was pointed out in one of the articles

about the South Bend protests. I'll look for the article and post the link when I can find it. (Can't do it tonight, though).

[elleng]

16. Thanks

[MBS]

22. this was not the article I originally had in mind but

it gets you to the same place.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/21/us/politics/buttigieg-south-bend-shooting.html

Michael Patton, president of the South Bend N.A.A.C.P., who stood quietly aside, praised the mayor, who is mostly known as a whiz kid versed in data and policy, for displaying empathy to both the Logan family and the police officer who shot him, Ryan O’Neill.

“I think we saw the human side of the mayor,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Patton told CNN that Mr. Buttigieg had his endorsement for president. “He’s led our community, South Bend, well, and I believe —— I have full confidence he could lead our nation as well,” he said.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. No local support, my lily-white ***!

[Celerity]

24. and Marcia Fudge, anti-LGBTQ, who Moulton, Ryan and all the never-Nancy's were trying to use

in a palace coup, until she backed out at the last minute
.

Possible Pelosi Challenger for House Speaker Is One of Only Two Dems Who Did Not Support LGBT Equality Act

https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2018/11/possible-pelosi-challenger-for-house-speaker-is-one-of-only-two-dems-who-did-not-support-lgbt-equality-act/

Rep. Fudge is one of only two House Democrats who refused to support the LGBT Equality Act. The bill, introduced in May of 2017 by Rep. David Cicilline, would "prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation."

The bill would amend two major civil rights laws to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in "education, employment, housing, credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of Federal funds."

When introduced, it was supported by 241 Members of Congress: 46 Democratic Senators, 194 Democratic Representatives, and even one Republican Congresswoman.

But not Rep. Fudge, and not Illinois Democratic Congressman Dan Lipinski, who holds anti-LGBT views and beliefs in keeping with the Christian right.

snip

[cwydro]

32. And the "leader" requested anonymity.

[SouthernProgressive]

5. Hate to see this.

Some of this is really good learning material. I wis Mayor Pete the best. He has time, intelligence, energy and passion on his side. There is a whole lot worse than “naive” in elected positions from coast to coast. Buttigieg is absorbing a lot of info right now and has to make some good decisions. I’m pulling for both he and his community.

[JI7]

6. it's still not as bad as another candidate

[a kennedy]

13. and that might be the "talking point" for him all election season.....

ya know how the talking heads grab onto a talking point and run, run, run with it. It’s a long season, and he’ll come out of this just fine. JMHO.

[Turin_C3PO]

14. I think Pete's handled the recent events as best as he could.

It’s a tough situation to be in.

[emmaverybo]

27. +1

[left-of-center2012]

15. "That leader, who requested anonymity to speak openly ..."

"An unnamed source (who spoke openly) said ...."

blah blah blah

[DrToast]

20. Exactly.*

*

[Politicub]

17. Buttigieg listens to the people, even when the message is harsh.

But I'm suspicious of the quoted "leader" who doesn't want to be named... leaders don't typically remain anonymous because it makes it hard for followers to find them.

He basically said the buck stops with him yesterday evening. Accepting responsibility is what a leader does. I'm not sure what Mayor Pete should be doing differently or more of at this stage. He has my full support, though.

[RLG]

18. Note to Buttigieg supporters.

Expect more of these stories. It'll be tough for him to accumulate more support amongst the African American community.

Although the incident wasn't his fault. It just plays into the theme that he won't get enough AA support to win the nomination.

[tulipsandroses]

19. Repeating what I said yesterday about Bobby Kennedy

He was also called Naive.

It was fair criticism for Bobby Kennedy - Fair Criticism for Mayor Pete

He can use all these criticisms as Constructive the same way Bobby did. Bobby became the Man of the People - All people from blacks, whites, hispanics. Everybody came to love Bobby. Just saying. So we can get all hrumph that poor Pete is being criticized. I suspect that Mayor Pete is going to rise to the challenge.

[crazytown]

21. Pete's Announcement at SB: Did one local black person support him?

[mtnsnake]

23. Mayor Pete's only black problem is no different from his white problem

and that is that he just isn't known as well as the other top candidates YET.

Just because one person, Marcia Fudge, says he has a black problem, that's supposed to mean he has a black problem? I don't think so. Once people actually hear what he has to say in the upcoming debates, town halls, interviews, etc, they will see that Mayor Pete is out for the general welfare of every person in this country regardless of whether they are black, white, or in between, gay or straight. He is that smart and that good a person. He might not end up winning, but he will impress the black community and everyone else in a huge way before this is over. There is no way that this "he has a black problem" is going to stick, at least not for very long.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. Damn right, my dear mtnsnake!

[Captain Zero]

28. If he is the nominee, many black Democrats might not be that inspired to get out and vote.

That could be all the difference considering the media and Putin's propaganda will insist it is a horse race.
There is a segment of the black religious community that won't ever vote for a Republican, but at the same time they are probably not exactly wildly comfortable with Pete. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. This is not a slam, just my opinion and I do have a basis for it in my encounters and observations. Maybe it can be overcome.

[JI7]

29. black people will vote no matter who is the nominee. it's white people who mostly vote republican

[Kind of Blue]

33. +1000. We know the lesser of 2 evils fully well and in this

contest there is only one evil. Everyone I know, especially other black people, are ready to vote for the nominated Democrat.

[mtnsnake]

31. I think that's a good observation and a valid concern.

The point you made about inspiring people to get out and vote is important. It's easy to forget about that factor, so it's good that you brought it up.

BTW, your current favorite, Eric Swalwell, has always been one of my favorite Democrats. He's always great in his interviews, he's tough on Trump, and I thought he had an amazing town hall. I can't understand why he isn't more popular, but I think that could change once more people get to know and hear him. I love his intensity.

[Nuggets]

30. I would like to know of he addressed the racist

accusations the fired chief had exposed.
It shouldn’t be ignored regardless of the chief’s actions.
The question is, is it true? Are there racist officers creating a hostile environment on the police force?
If so, what has he done to attempt to resolve the issue?