O'Malley backs Buttigieg in DNC chair race

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Former Maryland governor and 2016 presidential candidate Martin O'Malley is endorsing South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship, just days ahead of the candidate forum in Baltimore, where he served as mayor.

“I’ve known Pete Buttigieg for many years, he has been a terrific mayor. He’s one of those new, up-and-coming leaders in our country and in our party that’s really bringing forward a new and better way of governing,” O’Malley — who himself briefly considered a run for the chairmanship before bowing out in November — told POLITICO. “He speaks with a clarity that our party really, really needs right now. He has been successful in a so-called red state, he brings to the public service of being mayor the background of having served in our armed forces."

He is of a new generation of leadership. Our party sometimes talks about bringing forward a new generation of leadership, well, hey man, there’s never been a better time,” added O’Malley, referring to the 35-year-old veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

The endorsement represents Buttigieg’s most prominent nod so far as he faces up against a field of favored candidates that includes Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez — and it’s a clear snub of Perez, a Marylander who O’Malley appointed to be the state's secretary of labor in 2007.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/democratic-national-committee-chair-234765

[tenorly]

1. He would be a historic choice.

That name though.

[NewJeffCT]

5. how is it pronounced?

Butty Gig? Butty Geeg?

and, I've never heard of the guy. Other than his age, why would he be an historic choice?

[tenorly]

6. Right. 'Butty Geeg'.

Apparently it's a common last name in beautiful Malta. Unfortunately, it can be a little inopportune if you're going into politics - particularly in this era of schoolyard politics and Faux News.

Buttigieg would be a historic choice because he's an openly gay man.

I wish him well. His being elected to the post would send a powerful message against Trump and his bigots.

[NewJeffCT]

7. Ellison would be historic as well

a Muslim as the head of the DNC. Another message to Trump.

[tenorly]

9. He certainly would - and I think he's got the best chance.

It would be a particularly brave choice, considering the wave of anti-Islamic hatred we've been in since 911.

And I wouldn't put it past Trump to stage some false-flag incident himself in order to inflame said hatred even further.

[NewJeffCT]

10. I'm expecting a false flag operation

but, I'm not leaving out a terror attack happening due to Team Trump's incompetence as well.

[tenorly]

11. God help us all - and any patriotic souls in the Armed Forces and Intelligence who can stop it.

Somebody needs to invoke the 25th, and sooner rather than later.

[Hortensis]

12. No, imo. He speaks, and apparently thinks, in cliches.

I was tremendously unimpressed with him once I took a good look. A tremendously uninspiring person, his only asset in this race is that he is seen by Bernie supporters as a continuation of the battle against Hillary supporters. They should take a little glance to the right now and then. The DNC isn't a huge power, but it is a real player and we need the most capable person we can come up with to unseat as many Republicans as possible in 2018.

As for Ellison's religion, that's mostly useful to get a little media note here and there. We are the party made up of America's very diverse population groups, and everyone already knows it. It conceivably would please perhaps half of the less than 1% of American Muslims who aren't too conservative to consider voting Democrat, and they could use a gesture of inclusion and respect about now, but!

Bernie-the-independent was only mentioned as a curiosity for a couple of decades--until he moved into the spotlight and it was discovered that he could move large crowds with his rhetoric. When Ellison gets in front of a microphone, people fall asleep.

Haven't checked out this new guy yet, but he'd have to be pretty bad to not be better. I still like Tom Perez and wonder what caused O'Malley to switch.

[NewJeffCT]

13. What the next DNC head needs to do

is bring back the 50 State Strategy. We also need a good fundraiser in there as well.

What I'm disappointed by is that I saw Van Jones as a name mentioned right after the election. But, have not heard him since. Jones is good on TV and has headed progressive organizations before.

[Hortensis]

14. Yes, but we have to remember the new realities:

that the DNC is only one among a bunch of power centers. We really need leaders who will come to together in a unified strategy.

And ones who are extremely adept at using modern communications to get to people honestly but viscerally. Well enough to overcome at least some of the right's advantage in being able to entertain by spreading corrupting lies with room-temperature flash points.

[Denzil_DC]

16. BOOT-edge-edge,

according to his Twitter profile (he must have gotten so much grief for it over the years): https://twitter.com/PeteButtigieg

[NurseJackie]

2. Why does the writer characterize O'Malley's preference for one as being a "CLEAR SNUB" of the other?

Is there any bad-blood or hard-feelings or other ill-will between O'Malley and Perez that I'm unaware of? If so, then perhaps the use of the phrase "clear snub" might make sense.

It's almost as if the writer is suggesting that O'Malley somehow "owes" Perez or is politically indebted to him and that he's doing something unseemly or dishonorable by endorsing someone other than Perez.

Is something else going on here? Or does this writer have an agenda?

I'm curious and suspicious at the same time.

[TexasTowelie]

3. I like him.

He has a distinguished record at a very young age and would certainly bring some traits into the chairmanship that neither Ellison or Perez possess. For example, I believe that he would have a much stronger connection to millennial voters than the two frontrunners. His military service would also provide a link to others in the military. While I don't expect him to win the chairmanship, I would happily support him if he did.

[geek tragedy]

8. I like this guy-fresh face, progressive, success story from the heart of Trumplandia

and very focused on economic renewal.

I like all of the candidates, any preferences are on job suitability rather than character or values or ideology.

[dembotoz]

15. i tend to trust martin tho i don't know shit about this guy

and i am not sure it matter as i do not get a vote