Here's how Pete Buttigieg is setting himself apart from the Democratic presidential pack

[babylonsister]

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/03/heres-pete-buttigieg-setting-apart-democratic-presidential-pack/?fbclid=IwAR0RmX2le0Z-mkGjxVGXlxnTLcdbKepy8XcD2_lKNnJLxuKRab_5QFQUrDg

Here’s how Pete Buttigieg is setting himself apart from the Democratic presidential pack
By John Gallagher ·
Sunday, March 17, 2019


When Pete Buttigieg announced that he was running for president, the general feeling was he was a minor candidate at best. At 37, he’s just two years older than the office requires, and thirty (even forty) years younger than some of his Democratic rivals. The only elected office he has held is mayor of South Bend, Indiana, which, with a population of 102,000, is hardly a metropolis.

And then there’s the gay thing. As an openly gay candidate, Buttigieg seemed easy to classify as a novelty. All in all, Buttigieg looked like he was destined to be a footnote in a crowded presidential field.

It’s not turning out that way. Not at all.

Buttigieg is proving to be a credible candidate simply by being himself. His appearance at a CNN Town Hall last week was a turning point. Buttigieg impressed the audience and pundits by his plainspokenness and command of facts, to say nothing of his ability to turn a phrase.

snip//

To be clear, Buttigieg has the kind of background that is tailor-made for a presidential candidate: Harvard, Rhodes scholar, veteran. He also has a big uphill battle. Most people don’t know who he is; he’s polling at one percent. He’s not the fundraising juggernaut that other candidates (including O’Rourke) are. The media’s love affair with him now can quickly turn, as the press decides the pendulum has swung too far in that direction.

Yet so far, Buttigieg’s candidacy has been more successful than anyone would have predicted. Seeing him arrayed on a stage crowded with first-tier candidates will further boost his credibility. Maybe Buttigieg doesn’t win the nomination for president, at least not this time around. But he’s definitely paved the way for a bigger presence in the Democratic party.

[RandySF]

1. I think he is setting himself up well for to run for governor.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. VP

Would be a very interesting debate with Pence.

[dalton99a]

3. "Mother?" "It's ok, Mike, you may shake his hand"

[mobeau69]

4. Seeing him arrayed on a stage crowded with first-tier candidates will further boost his credibility.

Yes, it will. Can't wait!

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Thanks for the post, babylonsister. He's getting people interested in the process.

That alone is a great achievement. Thanks again for the post.

[left-of-center2012]

6. A lot of good comments about him ...

A lot of good comments about him
on today’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” (ABC News)

[AKRicky]

7. Mayor Pete has what we now need most -

In one word, integrity.

As we suffer through this abysmal Trump presidency, I believe that the most damaging aspect of this administration is a complete loss of integrity.

What Pete can begin to restore on day one in office is a measure of respect for the office of the President of the United States of America. Truth would supplant lies. Facts would supplant fiction. Intelligence would supplant willful ignorance. Compassion would supplant callousness and cruelty.

In my view, of all the democratic candidates thus far declared, Pete offers what we more need most - honesty, transparency, intelligence, and a real-world view of our future challenges and opportunities.

As Trump so abundantly demonstrates every day, age is no measure of integrity. This 64 year-old is all in for the "kid".

[gopiscrap]

9. welcome to DU

[AKRicky]

10. Thanks

Its so good being here. I can harvest hope here with friends.

[gopiscrap]

11. You're welcome!

[Blue_true]

8. I have seen him answer questions twice.

If I was one of the people on that debate stage with him, I would be alert. The guy is good at answering questions with clarity.