Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumA question for those who have watched Pete Buttigieg campaign
Hes in my top two or three right now, and I actually think if I were forced to vote today, I might vote for him. Just last night I watched his Politics and Prose discussion, which was awesome.
My question is, how does he do in debates? Its obvious hes a thoughtful person, whose responses to questions are based on layers of knowledge and life experience and thought. I love this about him, and it feels reassuring that he isnt a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy who would push the button to start nuclear war based on a nasty tweet or other such offense.
How does he do when forced to respond in short answers and sound bites? Will he be able to pack an answer into the allotted 30 or 60 seconds?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dlk
(11,438 posts)He's obviously a bright, very well-educated and well-rounded man with lots of good ideas. Although I liked most of his answers, there were a couple of random things he said that raised concerns for me. For now, I think he would probably be a better governor than president.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Lefta Dissenter
(6,617 posts)I watched it while I had the stomach flu so I might not have been real focused!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
California_Republic
(1,826 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Lefta Dissenter
(6,617 posts)But I want to know whether to be excited for that or nervous for it! Is he practicing now, or is he too busy actually doing his job of Mayoring?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
California_Republic
(1,826 posts)Does he know enough quality people to build a national security, economics, military and cabinet positions?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
patricia92243
(12,590 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,308 posts)But I've seen him struggle to get out the sound bite. He really wants to talk at length and depth.
He was on Fox News, and the interviewer said let's do a rapid fire Q&A. And Pete really had trouble condensing his thoughts down enough for that.
I happen to think that the way he answers questions is one of his big strengths. The sound bite, though impressive, is not a good idea.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Lefta Dissenter
(6,617 posts)I agree with you that one of his strengths is explaining how he arrives at a decision - the thought behind it. But he just wont be able to do that in a debate. Thats what worries me.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
radical noodle
(7,990 posts)but not rapid fire. The candidates have time to give a thoughtful answer. His debate prep will tidy up his answers. He's obviously bright enough to figure it out.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tblue37
(64,982 posts)generally. We treat campaigns as policy discussion, but the media treat them as horse races and soundbite generators. The voting publicly responds to the soundbites and the media framing.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,308 posts)There needs to be balance between both positions, and I think he's smart enough to see that and to aim for it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tblue37
(64,982 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Lefta Dissenter
(6,617 posts)I think Im looking forward to the debates...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stuart G
(38,365 posts)be smart enough to be more concise. And yes, he will learn to be balanced between both positions. If he believes fervently about wanting to be President, then he will learn the whole show. And, I also believe that if he really is our best candidate, and our true candidate, then Pete will have some help from some other people in order to win. Oh let's see? Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Jimmy Carter, as well as everyone else.
....If he is, "The real thing" then he will get the best help there is to beat Idiot Donald Trump
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marlakay
(11,370 posts)Time to answer his questions and he seemed to do fine.
I watch daily so can tell he isnt a favorite of any of the women although Joy likes him and Beto. So because of that they grilled him a bit more and he did fine.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Lefta Dissenter
(6,617 posts)Im going to look for that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
patricia92243
(12,590 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CabalPowered
(12,688 posts)I've watched the town hall, but haven't seen anything else.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,308 posts)The thread is mine, and I found the videos, just to reassure you.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CabalPowered
(12,688 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,308 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
karynnj
(59,475 posts)Having watched the debates for years, the majority of the questions are predictable, possibly with some twist. I think many politicians develop some canned answers that fit each expected topic and will transition from the question to the point they want to make.
Mayor Pete is as smart as they come and we keep finding his knowledge is broader and deeper on many things than anyone would have expected. As a mayor, he likely has dealt with a large number of domestic issues. As mayor, his role was to lead in proposing solutions. I suspect that background will be seen to provide many of the examples that make the issue personal.
As to foreign policy, he was in intelligence in the armed services in Afghanistan. He also studied in the UK when he was a Rhodes scholar. One thing we know is there will likely be no question where you suddenly sense he has no idea what it is about.
As to being someone who usually gives detailed, complex answers that show both his knowledge and his thoughtfulness, I can remember before the first general election debate in 2004 many Democrats describing our nominee like that and worrying about time limits. Kerry won that debate hands down.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden