Mayor Pete is one of the gutsiest candidates to ever come along. He is quickly becoming a rock star

[mtnsnake]

When it comes to tearing Trump a new one, I think Mayor Pete is #1 in that category, not just because he is so gutsy with what he has to say about Trump, but he does it in such a remarkable fashion. And whenever he nails Trump, he does it like a true gentleman which makes it even more effective.

When this campaign first started, I never would have thought in a million years that Mayor Pete would have a chance to make a dent, let alone overtake Biden, Sanders or any of the other more well-known candidates, but every time he opens his mouth I am more and more impressed with his delivery. For someone who entered this race with barely any name recognition at all, he is quickly becoming one of the most popular candidates to ever run for President, at least since Obama ran.

Pete Buttigieg is really sharp. Plus he's likeable, tough, and incredibly intelligent which equals a winning combination. I think the thing that surprised me the most about Mayor Pete is his confidence. He swims in it. He believes deep down that he is going to be the next President. All he lacks is public exposure, but once he gets a ton of that in the debates, everyone else better look out.

[MBS]

1. I agree 1000%.

You just narrated the exact route by which I ended up with him as my favorite candidates of the moment.
Especially this:
.

.. not just because he is so gutsy with what he has to say about Trump, but he does it in such a remarkable fashion. And whenever he nails Trump, he does it like a true gentleman which makes it even more effective.

He has this disarming and positive way of pointing out hard truths.
I have high hopes for him.

[hlthe2b]

2. His manifest ability to call Trump out on his fake "pro-military" crap is so damned refreshing

Honestly, I think he may get even some of the brainwashed troops to think about their unquestioned support of Trump.

[Jarqui]

3. I do not know if he can win this time around

But he's going to make some noise and be a voice for the party
and if he falls short, he'll contend in the years ahead.

I'm impressed with all of the top candidates.

But I really like Pete.

[mtnsnake]

8. Me either but I won't be surprised if he does. Check out Pete's eyes, his expressions in this video:

He has a delivery and intensity matched by very few other politicians, plus he comes off as so sincere, intelligent, and spot on. It's hard to disagree with just about anything he ever says.

https://www.axios.com/pete-buttigieg-trump-vietnam-bone-spurs-a8613a37-6166-468a-b3ae-7daa341b645b.html

[Jarqui]

9. My pessimism isn't based on him per se

It's based on prejudices - because he is gay, I doubt he is going to get a fair shake.

His intellect, demeanor, sincerity, etc is Obamaesque (if there is such a word).
I'm very impressed with him and like you, I agree with much of what he says.

He's going to be formidable in the debates. The other candidates will have a tough time with him there because he handles himself so well.
He would destroy Trump in a debate - in a very classy way.

I'm excited about his candidacy. There's a darn good chance if he doesn't win the nomination that he will someday soon.

[Honeycombe8]

36. I think that may be true, sadly.

The gay thing. Hopefully most of that is in the Repub Party, but I think the Af. American demographic, which has a large religious affiliation, may have a problem with that. I saw a poll with various demographics saying which types of people they'd vote for. As I recall, they had a negative column for "gay" for the Af. American demographic. There was a negative column for another demographic, too, but I don't remember what it was; it wasn't a large demographic for our party, like the Af. American group.

I also think he'd have trouble with working men in the rust belt. The way Pete talks (fairly high level...not just political speech and sound bites) won't appeal to them, I think.

But I love Pete and would love to see him in the White House...in any capacity. The country should have people of his caliber in the W.H.

[DeSmet]

38. sadly I agree

Yet it wasn't that long ago the notion of an African American president was shrugged off as well. President Obama had the right stuff and the majority saw it.
I too think this time around for the mayor is a bit risky with what's at stake in spite of his having the right stuff.
Four to Eight years as Secretary Of State to demonstrate to all Americans he can lead and lead well may be the course.

[Jarqui]

39. I felt that roughly 10-30% of the electorate was inaccessible to Obama

because of racism. To win, he had to be someone extraordinary to overcome that handicap. And he was.

I do not know what the percentages of prejudice are against a gay person becoming President but I'm sure they are not insignificant. Mayor Pete seems to have the potential of becoming someone extraordinary (or is someone extraordinary) to eventually overcome those prejudices.

I feel that way about women candidates - Hillary and now Elizabeth, Kamala, etc. Hilary was extraordinary - she had her election stolen from her. I'd be delighted if Elizabeth or Kamala won as I'd love to see a woman president in my lifetime. They are great candidates. But kind of like Pete, the jury is out for me on whether Elizabeth or Kamala are extraordinary enough at this point to overcome the misogyny. I've got my fingers crossed for them.

I'm really proud of the collection of Democratic candidates. You look at the clowns Trump has in his cabinet and imagine the kind of cabinet the Democratic candidates could form - they just blow Trump's cabinet away - no contest.

[marylandblue]

41. at least 10 to 30% of the electorate is always inaccessible to the other party

Probably closer to 40%. FDR's landslide
victory in 1936 won him 61% of the vote. Reagan won 59% in 1984. It would be hard for anyone to beat either of those results under the best of circumstances, let alone in today's polarized environment.

[calguy]

4. He can afford to be gutsy

He's got nothing to lose and everything to gain. He's come from nowhere to now having a prominent voice in the process. I think he has little chance of getting the nomination and lesser chance if he were to make it to the general. If we win the White House I'd expect to see him appointed to a high post to see what he can do beyond governing a medium sized city of 100,000 people. If that happens expect to see him around for quite a long time.

[mtnsnake]

5. He isn't in this to be appointed to some high post

He's made it clear that he is in it to win the nomination and become President. I agree with you, though, that he will be around for a long time, one way or the other, whether or not he wins.

[leftofcool]

6. Pete is in it to win it.

You would be shocked if you could see his internal polls.

[USALiberal]

27. OK, so you have seen them? nt

[marylandblue]

30. That's how underdogs win. First they are underestimated, then

they fight harder and smarter than everyone else until they win.

[Honeycombe8]

37. They can all afford to be gutsy...if they're gutsy. He's not saying outlandish things.

He's saying fairly ordinary things. The only thing gutsy is that he's saying them. He says the obvious: Trump has issues with his relationship with the military, for instance. Trump lies. Trump faked a disability so that someone else to go to war in his place. Things like that.

But more than that, it's the way he says them, and his honest, frank answers, instead of political-speak. And he's specific, instead of speaking in generalities, with platitudes. Not that I'm saying others are doing that, but the generalities, the failing to criticize and speak the obvious, are things all too common with presidential candidates.

[LiberalLovinLug]

44. +1000

[LiberalLovinLug]

45. Democratic candidates cannot afford to NOT be gutsy

And that includes the smooth talking Biden. Fighting fire with strongly worded letters just will not cut it anymore. Or worse attempts at appeasement, "working together" on infrastructure bills for instance, ignoring the fat orange elephant in the room, will NOT bring out Democratic voters.

[Vidal]

7. Yes

He is very impressive and I'm getting won over also.

[TruckFump]

10. I love him.

I am well old enough to be his mother and, boy, my heart would bust with pride if he were my kid! I hope his family appreciates what a great guy he is!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. You nailed it, my dear mtnsnake! I feel everything you said is completely right and true. n/t

[Turin_C3PO]

12. He's awesome.

He’s probably my second choice, behind Biden. He would be my first choice but I believe Biden has a better chance in the general election.

[BootinUp]

13. Mostly agreed

Just not sure about whether he believes he will be next POTUS. Either way he will have an impact in a very positive way.

[pdsimdars]

14. I love him too, but only 2 don't take big money -- Warren and Sanders.

That makes me nervous about Pete. Remember Obama was great in every way, but he also was too schmoozy with banksters -- 95% of his "recovery" went to the top 1% (or something like that). That's no accident. Just sayin' facts.

Here's one link

[RLG]

15. He's a bit too milquetoast for me.

I don't think his nuanced talk will go well with POC.

[Tipperary]

19. "Milquetoast?" The definition of that is "timid or submissive."

Tell us this: How was YOUR time in Afghanistan? How Tough was it for YOU to make a decision to come out as a gay man, in Indiana, no less.

Tell us please.

[RLG]

20. I'm not talking about his military experience nor his sexuality.

I'm talking about his policies.

To me, he and Beto are about the same.

[Tipperary]

21. Interesting choice of words to describe a gay candidate.

Please point out what policy is “milquetoast.”

[RLG]

22. Where do Buttigieg and O'Rourke differ policy-wise?

I've been on both their sites and I don't see a big difference between them.

[JI7]

23. most Democrats agree on most issues

[Tipperary]

31. So you are unable to tell me which policy is "milquetoast?"

You brought up Buttigieg, not sure why you are bringing O’ Rourke into it.

[RLG]

33. Because both are considered to be the "new, young, fresh, Democrat".

One says Medicare for All but not yet, the other says Medicare for America.

Say Medicare for All.

[SMC22307]

24. If he wins the nomination, POC better get over it, nuance or no nuance.

In fact, everyone will need to get over their little wish-lists and get to the polls. Hold your nose if you need to, just VOTE for the Democratic candidate.

[RLG]

34. Good luck with this.

It sounds like 2016 all over again.

[True Dough]

28. The record needs to be corrected here

Pete is NOT accepting donations from "big money."

Pete Buttigieg, whose upstart presidential campaign has benefited from an early surge of donations and national attention, will no longer accept contributions from federal lobbyists, his campaign said Friday, bowing to pressure from fellow Democrats who want to reform the way campaigns raise money.

Mr. Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., was somewhat isolated among his rivals for the 2020 Democratic nomination because he initially accepted lobbyist money, putting him at odds with the more progressive wing of his party and its increasing demands to take big money out of politics.

He will return the contributions he had already accepted from lobbyists, which his campaign said totaled $30,250 from 39 individuals.

“Mayor Pete will not be influenced by special-interest money, and we understand that making this promise is an important part of that commitment,” the campaign said in an email to supporters.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/26/us/politics/pete-buttigieg-fundraising-lobbyists.html


The man is principled. I'm sure we can trust him to "walk the walk."

[pdsimdars]

40. Yes, but in a more recent article it says he has been taking some large donations,

maybe they weren't from lobbyists. I don't remember the article but it was about the fact that only 2 candidates are not taking large donor money.

[True Dough]

42. A link to the article in question sure would be helpful

Please let us know if you happen to come across it.

[pdsimdars]

43. It was a while ago. I did a search and this one was pretty good.

It's from Ferron Cousins of Ring of Fire

[LiberalLovinLug]

46. Tulsi Gabbard is also not taking corporate money.

[not_the_one]

16. When mayor Pete speaks

it is like he is having a conversation with you.

He isn't preaching, or spouting cliches. He comes across as sincere and thoughtful.

I never thought any gay person would have a chance, but he is changing the rules. I hope he continues to be heard, and continues to win people over.

However, anecdotally, my partner and I had my partners brother and his wife visit last week for a few hours. Since we weren't prepared to cook for, and feed them, we went out to eat. The sister-in-law, who is VERY outspoken, and has an opinion (usually) on EVERYTHING (need I say Italian?), had never heard of mayor Pete.

I was absolutely gobsmacked. They aren't trumpanzies, and are on the right side of most issues.

But apparently there is a large segment out there who are not political junkies like we are, and have no clue about LOTS of stuff that is going on... I don't understand how someone hasn't even heard the name....

So Sad.

[California_Republic]

17. Somewhere on the ticket or in the administration

[Politicub]

18. His way with words is amazing

He’s the democratic Oscar Wilde.

He also stays on the offense and doesn’t give conservatives a chance to define who he is. Witness the stammering Pence when Buttigieg claimed the moral high ground with religion.

[SMC22307]

25. Not just Drumpf, he sliced and diced Pence with finesse.

Telling Pence his issue was not with him (Pete) but with his creator was a thing of beauty.

[The empressof all]

26. Today my dream ticket....

Warren and the Mayor!!!

[True Dough]

29. I'm all in on that dream ticket

Elizabeth Warren may have been my 5th or 6th choice several weeks ago. She's definitely my second favorite now. The commanding presence and clever policy proposals she's put forth recently have been nothing short of impressive.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. I agree, which is why Mayor Pete is currently #3

on my Top-10 list of Democratic candidates. Wish him the best of luck in the 2020 primary contest.


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

[Honeycombe8]

35. I agree. He's amazing. He can talk to people in other than soundbites!

There are certain voters who won't vote for a gay man. Maybe most of them are Repubs, anyway. You never can tell.

I would love this guy to be in the White House.

[Mopar151]

47. It's about heart!

Hard to define, easy to spot!

[democrank]

48. Mayor Pete is an extraordinary human being.

He has been number one on my list for quite some time now. I have a lot of respect for his intellect, his vision, his character.