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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 04:55 PM Mar 2019

What Democrats can learn from Buttigieg

Buttigieg is very intelligent and fluent in multiple languages. He served in the military. He is devoted to his one and only spouse. He is entirely capable of discussing most any public policy issue, including foreign policy. He is earnest and radiates kindness. He doesn’t assume his audience is uniformed or foolish.

And most of all, though he is being himself, he manages not to make his race about himself. His quintessential line in response to whether, like Beto O’Rourke, he was “born” to run sums it up. “I was born to make myself useful,” he told Chris Wallace. That makes him the most un-Trumpian candidate out there.

Perhaps his success to date tells us the secret to unifying the country does not rest with fighting Trumpian fire with fire nor in being a celebrity candidate of the left. The secret to unifying the country, to underscoring Trump’s total unfitness to hold office and to breaking through the media noise is to eschew cynicism and artifice. Refusing to sound like a politician running for president or to buy into the media narrative makes him unique in a pack of sameness.

“Authenticity” gets one only so far, of course. Once voters discover he’s really who he says he is, they have to like what they see. Buttigieg has tapped into something Democrats want badly — a decent and smart person. They want to believe character still counts. And that has nothing to do with whether you check the box on a meaningless catchphrase (the Green New Deal) or whether you can pander to one faction of the Democratic Party. At the very moment Democrats would like a quality person to reaffirm their faith in rational government, Buttigieg comes along. No wonder he’s making headway.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/25/what-democrats-can-learn-buttigieg/?utm_term=.b8707890ddcd

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What Democrats can learn from Buttigieg (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Mar 2019 OP
Mayor Pete has impressed me. nycbos Mar 2019 #1
No doubt! Mayor Pete is a standout... I could easily support this guy as my #1if Bernie wasnt runnin InAbLuEsTaTe Mar 2019 #2
I loved Bernie, but will go with Mayor Pete this time. Thirties Child Mar 2019 #3
Bernie is only 77, going on 57... he's gotta lotta gas left in the tank. InAbLuEsTaTe Mar 2019 #7
Yes they got it just right, this is his moment in history marylandblue Mar 2019 #4
Lincolnesque many a good man Mar 2019 #5
He is authentic just the way I am. nt Stellar Mar 2019 #6
 

nycbos

(6,033 posts)
1. Mayor Pete has impressed me.
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 05:26 PM
Mar 2019

He is on my list for sure.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,110 posts)
2. No doubt! Mayor Pete is a standout... I could easily support this guy as my #1if Bernie wasnt runnin
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 05:43 PM
Mar 2019

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Thirties Child

(543 posts)
3. I loved Bernie, but will go with Mayor Pete this time.
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 06:26 PM
Mar 2019

Bernie's too old and I speak from experience. I'm 84 and 79 is too old. Mayor Pete, on the other hand, has it all.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,110 posts)
7. Bernie is only 77, going on 57... he's gotta lotta gas left in the tank.
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 09:36 PM
Mar 2019

Of course, it's hard to compete with 37... and Pete is wise WAY beyond his years. I see why you like him so much... there's a LOT to like!! He's definitely not one of those who's a "flash in the pan," and will definitely do well. I wish Mayor Pete the best of luck!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
4. Yes they got it just right, this is his moment in history
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 06:57 PM
Mar 2019

It's why he is so bold as to run at a young age. As Obama did before him. They both knew they would have a better chance four or eight years later.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

many a good man

(5,997 posts)
5. Lincolnesque
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 08:45 PM
Mar 2019

He might be just what we need to save this country

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Stellar

(5,644 posts)
6. He is authentic just the way I am. nt
Mon Mar 25, 2019, 09:00 PM
Mar 2019
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
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