'He's phony': How Buttigieg has drawn the fury of the online left

[brooklynite]

CNN

The moment served as a window into the anxieties this young generation has about the inaction of older political leaders on major issues like the climate crisis -- and how much of that anger is now being trained squarely on Buttigieg, who, while their peer in age, has offered moderate views that often align him with older voters.

Increasingly, their opposition to Buttigieg is turning to fury, fueled by a boisterous online ecosystem of progressives who are driving anti-Buttigieg commentary and memes. They view him as beholden to corporate interests, unable to win over the diverse Democratic base that these activists take pride in, and disinterested in the systemic change they believe the country desperately needs on issues like the influence of big money on politics and climate change and systemic racism.

Buttigieg supporters say the criticism has become unhinged, with some progressives eager to latch on to virtually any negative narrative about Buttigieg whether it is true or not.

There is no question: The youngest candidate in the 2020 presidential race, at age 37, isn't doing well with young Democratic voters. In the latest Quinnipiac poll, Buttigieg gets the support among just 2% of voters under 35. And in an average of CNN polling in October and November, Buttigieg gets slightly better with 8% of voters under 35 -- still a single-digit number.

[Hortensis]

1. I despite on-line mobs that go after some group target.

Usually it's some unfortunate entertainment figure. Buttigieg's not my choice, but he's a decent enough guy and smearing him this way does us all bad.

I don't know who's grown this to this point, perhaps it's just organic hostility and dishonesty coalescing around a convenient target, but I'm at least comfortable that Biden isn't among them. We have choices of good people. We choose for those who aren't at our own peril.

[cwydro]

11. I agree completely.

This does no one any good.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. Have the Russian trolls latched on to him now, too?

They seem to be pretty good at duping or co-opting some progressive/left social media users.

[Hortensis]

18. :) Surely SOP for them? They poke their sticks at everyone,

of course, because their goal is to sow chaos and dissension to destroy, not to elect anyone except as a means of destruction.

[ananda]

2. Hmm..

Well, if he is beholden to corporate interests ....

[brooklynite]

3. Is he? Please provide evidence

[comradebillyboy]

14. Why, because he had a job?

[FreeState]

19. There is zero evidence he is n/t

[dsc]

4. but if we dare say his gayness is part of the problem we are called names

but Bloomberg, Stop and Frisk Bloomberg is getting less push back over policing that he is.

[mr_lebowski]

5. If one supposes that the online far left can't be manipulated by the RNC/Russia complex

Just like we all know the far right can be ... then one would be supposing ... incorrectly.

I'll leave it at that.

[Hortensis]

15. Unfortunately, the illiberal left's and Russia's political goals

strongly overlap. That's why Russia so obligingly shovels their propaganda deep and wide.

Not their interests, of course, though. Putin hopes to see us all poor and scrabbling for enough to buy a course of penicillin. Like the people under his foot. Famines, disease outbreaks, power outages from shortages of food, medications and equipment are far from uncommon in Putin's theft-ravaged, centrally controlled Russia.

[thesquanderer]

6. I think too much emphasis is placed on getting just 2% of this group, 8% of that...

...in that it doesn't mean that these groups don't like him, or wouldn't eagerly vote for him over Trump. Rather it means that there's some other Dem candidate they like better. That's not insignificant, of course, certainly when it comes to winning the nomination, but it doesn't mean that these groups think negatively about him, either. The polls of favorability/unfavorability bear that out. People seem to think that someone who gets low support of a group is disliked by that group, but it's a false conclusion.

And in the end, that's the crux of his challenge to win over enough black voters to get the nomination. It's not that black voters have to like him (his favorables there really aren't bad anyway), it's that he needs a lot of black voters to like him more than they like Biden and some others, which is a high bar. Because a voter may like more than one candidate, but s/he has to choose just one to vote for.

[TexasTowelie]

7. It's a four person race at this point.

All of them have adequate financial resources along with the billionaires to stay in the race after Super Tuesday. However, I expect Biden to build a huge advantage after Super Tuesday and no matter how deep their coffers or the amount of spin the race for all practical considerations will be over. The only thing that will remain to be determined is which candidates have so much ego that they refuse to withdraw.

[PatSeg]

8. How on earth do they poll voters under 35?

I just don't see how they can get a reasonable sampling of that age group. By telephone?

[vsrazdem]

9. Maybe they don't like his evolutionary process.

Bernie Sanders
By Peter Buttigieg
St. Joseph’s High School
South Bend, Indiana

In this new century, there are a daunting number of important issues which are to be confronted if we are to progress as a nation. Each must be addressed thoroughly and energetically. But in order to accomplish the collective goals of our society, we must first address how we deal with issues. We must re-examine the psychological and political climate of American politics. As it stands, our future is at risk due to a troubling tendency towards cynicism among voters and elected officials. The successful resolution of every issue before us depends on the fundamental question of public integrity.

A new attitude has swept American politics. Candidates have discovered that is easier to be elected by not offending anyone rather than by impressing the voters. Politicians are rushing for the center, careful not to stick their necks out on issues. Most Democrats shy away from the word “liberal” like a horrid accusation. Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush uses the centrist rhetoric of “compassionate conservatism” while Pat Buchanan, once considered a mainstream Republican, has been driven off the ideological edge of the G.O.P. Just as film producers shoot different endings and let test audiences select the most pleasing, some candidates run “test platforms” through sample groups to see which is most likely to win before they speak out on major issue. This disturbing trend reveals cynicism, a double-sided problem, which is perhaps, the greatest threat to the continued success of the American political system.

Cynical candidates have developed an ability to outgrow their convictions in order to win power. Cynical citizens have given up on the election process, going to the polls at one of the lowest rates in the democratic world. Such an atmosphere inevitably distances our society from its leadership and is thus a fundamental threat to the principles of democracy. It also calls into question what motivates a run for office – in many cases, apparently, only the desire to occupy it. Fortunately for the political process, there remain a number of committed individuals who are steadfast enough in their beliefs to run for office to benefit their fellow Americans. Such people are willing to eschew political and personal comfort and convenience because they believe they can make a difference. One outstanding and inspiring example of such integrity is the country’s only Independent Congressman, Vermont’s Bernie Sanders.

Sanders’ courage is evident in the first word he uses to describe himself: “Socialist”. In a country where Communism is still the dirtiest of ideological dirty words, in a climate where even liberalism is considered radical, and Socialism is immediately and perhaps willfully confused with Communism, a politician dares to call himself a socialist? He does indeed. Here is someone who has “looked into his own soul” and expressed an ideology, the endorsement of which, in today’s political atmosphere, is analogous to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Even though he has lived through a time in which an admitted socialist could not act in a film, let alone hold a Congressional seat, Sanders is not afraid to be candid about his political persuasion.

After numerous political defeats in his traditionally Republican state, Sanders won the office of mayor of Burlington by ten votes. A successful and popular mayor, he went on to win Vermont’s one Congressional seat in 1990. Since then, he has taken many courageous and politically risky stands on issues facing the nation. He has come under fire from various conservative religious groups because of his support for same-sex marriages. His stance on gun control led to NRA-organized media campaigns against him. Sanders has also shown creativity in organizing drug-shopping trips to Canada for senior citizens to call attention to inflated drug prices in the United States.

While impressive, Sanders’ candor does not itself represent political courage. The nation is teeming with outspoken radicals in one form or another. Most are sooner called crazy than courageous. It is the second half of Sanders’ political role that puts the first half into perspective: he is a powerful force for conciliation and bi-partisanship on Capitol Hill. In Profiles in Courage, John F. Kennedy wrote that “we should not be too hasty in condemning all compromise as bad morals. For politics and legislation are not matters for inflexible principles or unattainable ideals.” It may seem strange that someone so steadfast in his principles has a reputation as a peacemaker between divided forces in Washington, but this is what makes Sanders truly remarkable. He represents President Kennedy’s ideal of “compromises of issues, not of principles.”

Sanders has used his unique position as the lone Independent Congressman to help Democrats and Republicans force hearings on the internal structure of the International Monetary Fund, which he sees as excessively powerful and unaccountable. He also succeeded in quietly persuading reluctant Republicans and President Clinton to ban the import of products made by under-age workers. Sanders drew some criticism from the far left when he chose to grudgingly endorse President Clinton’s bids for election and re-election as President. Sanders explained that while he disagreed with many of Clinton’s centrist policies, he felt that he was the best option for America’s working class.

Sanders’ positions on many difficult issues are commendable, but his real impact has been as a reaction to the cynical climate which threatens the effectiveness of the democratic system. His energy, candor, conviction, and ability to bring people together stand against the current of opportunism, moral compromise, and partisanship which runs rampant on the American political scene. He and few others like him have the power to restore principle and leadership in Congress and to win back the faith of a voting public weary and wary of political opportunism. Above all, I commend Bernie Sanders for giving me an answer to those who say American young people see politics as a cesspool of corruption, beyond redemption. I have heard that no sensible young person today would want to give his or her life to public service. I can personally assure you this is untrue.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. Talks about cynical climate then offers "access" to large donors his first weeks in the campaign.

Talks about cynical climate and then holds closed door big money fundraisers.

I’m gayer than Old Paris and I’m supposed to feel guilty for having this guy at the bottom of my list? Fuck that.

[cwydro]

12. Who said you're supposed to feel guilty?

What an odd statement.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. Look up thread.

[cwydro]

16. I still don't get it.

I’m gay too, but saw nothing that would make me think I should feel guilty.