These paragraphs in this Guardian story exemplify why I think Pete Buttigieg will be prez one day...

[marmar]

OP's comment: I don't think any Democrat has so effectively countered the right's 'Big Government' rhetoric as effectively as Pete does. He articulates it better than anyone:


.....(snip).....

Buttigieg, who is unapologetically from the government and here to help, says: “The beginning of the Reagan era brought about a vicious cycle of public trust, where resources were stripped away from the government. It became harder for government to deliver for people and then those policy failures reduced trust in government, which made people more reluctant to trust their taxpayer dollars to government, which meant even fewer resources and even worse results.

“The cycle of disinvestment has been accumulating for essentially my entire lifetime and part of what’s so exciting about this moment is a chance to re-establish public trust by making big investments to get big results to build public confidence in the things we can do together through good public policy and good public investment.” .......(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/31/pete-buttigieg-interview-gay-president

[TigressDem]

1. K&R

[multigraincracker]

2. Smartest person in government.

Hands down.

[calimary]

57. Indeed!

[murielm99]

3. I don't think we are mature enough

as a country to elect him.

[Boomerproud]

4. Yes, not in my lifetime. He's young though and has time.

He's a fantastic messenger and manager. The Administration should continue to use those gifts to full advantage.

[KPN]

14. Ouch, that hurts! I really hope you are wrong

about that muriel. I know … you do too.

[Jarqui]

26. I felt that way about Obama ...

I still feel Obama was the best President of my lifetime.

Pete is the only person I can currently see who might change that

[Lonestarblue]

27. I'm not sure. Younger generations would have no problem with his lifestyle.

And several LGBTQ people have been elected to state governments and Congress. Gallup reported in 2020 that 70% of people in the US support same-sex marriage. That percentage is probably higher now.

It’s mostly white evangelicals who make up the percentage that does not support same-sex marriage, and they are never going to vote for any Democrat. But Democrats and Independents have the numbers to elect a gay president, especially one as gifted as Buttigieg. I hope he is ready to run in 2028.

[Hekate]

46. I thought that about an African American POTUS, but then Barack Obama came along💖

Sadly and to our everlasting shame, then the backlash came along, too.

We have a long way to go, but if anyone has a chance, it’ll be Pete Buttegieg. He is amazing.

[peggysue2]

5. After listening to Pete Buttigieg during the 2020 primary . . .

my husband said: I don't think on this round but (if I live long enough), I'm going to witness this man's swearing in as POTUS.

Buttigieg has been impressive from Day 1 which is why IMHO there are rumblings now from certain quarters tying to chip away at the man. Most recently, it's been Sirota and Greenwald claiming the holiday Southwestern debacle was all about Buttigieg's incompetence as Transportation Secretary.

I see Pete Buttigieg as a genuine political talent. For others, he's a genuine threat.

[mountain grammy]

32. I said exactly the same thing..

and I hope I live long enough.

[peggysue2]

35. Me, too, mountain granny

Let's hope most of us on DU live long enough to see something extraordinary. Pete Buttigieg as POTUS and for me personally--the first manned mission to Mars.

A double whammy!

[MyOwnPeace]

43. "it's been Sirota and Greenwald claiming.....

the holiday Southwestern debacle was all about Buttigieg's incompetence as Transportation Secretary."

Well, I guess they chose to ignore 'Mayor Pete's' letter to the CEO of Southwest. It's a doozy - written with a polite smile on his face and a hand on the CEO's throat!!!

https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-12/Message%20from%20Secretary%20Buttigieg%20to%20Southwest%20Airlines%20CEO%20Bob%20Jordan_12.29.22.pdf

[betsuni]

45. Yes, Nina Turner blaming Pete: "What's happening with the railroads, airlines & the supply chain

is a result of a small city mayor being made Secretary of Transportation as a means to pad his resume to be President. Secretary Buttigieg is a prime example of failing up," and now see more of the same attacks from certain quarters. Blame Democrats!

Following the rule that when policy goals are the same, go after character.

I just saw a clip from the primary I'd forgotten where Pete said that leadership is about what you draw out of people, how you inspire them to act. That right now we're in a toxic political environment. Policy goals are going in the same direction. Leadership is about how you motivate people to treat other people.

Exactly. Leaders have the opportunity to educate and inspire, not lie and demonize. Pete is very inspiring!

[mainer]

6. Some of us doubted a Black man would be Prez in our lifetimes

And we were wrong.
So I do not doubt Pete could make it to the White House. I think he's the most brilliant candidate I've seen in a long time -- and perhaps even more verbally gifted than Obama.

[tblue37]

10. His "I don't care" response to Trump's tweets was perfect.

[vlyons]

7. I would dedfinitely vote for him, although

I don't think the US is ready for a gay POTUS. He needs to be a Gov. first to show his effectiveness.

[Celerity]

11. Indiana is ruby Red MAGAt country. He has no chance at Gov or Senate. Even his district is MAGAt.

Also, South Carolina as the first Dem primary hurts him, as the Dem buybull bangers, both black and white (the two dominant ethnic groups in SC Dem poltics) are far more anti-gay and far more conservative as a Dem voter populace, on balance, than a shedload of other states.

They likely make up too much of the Dem primary voter bloc for Pete to do well there, thus a serious problem right out of the gate. I saw some atrocious homophobia exhibited locally there in 2020 during the SC primary, unfortunately too often from my fellow black Americans.

Fundie christian-based bigotry is a bad look no matter who you are or what your racial background is. I was appalled and angered over and over with some of the ignorance and outright open homophobia on parade down there. For example, the multiple uses there of the shit trope 'Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve' that some Dem voters evem some of the younger ones, much to my dismay) spewed whilst being interviewed.

[Arazi]

16. Chasten and Pete moved to Michigan after the twins came

Chastens family is there and with Pete exploding on the national political scene (needing to spend long stretches in DC), they officially moved closer to family for help with the twins.

Soooo… Michigan would be where he’d formally make a move towards a governorship if he decides to do that, which is a far more plausible possibility than Indiana.

[cilla4progress]

19. Hmmm...

Whitmer Prez

Pete Guv

I like it! Eventually. 2028?

[Celerity]

20. Running for Governor in a state you just moved to is a hard sell. Senate perhaps. Hillary did it

in NY in a far shorter time. She ran for Senate the same year she moved there.

Governor is another kettle of fish. People expect deep ties, and it helps to be an actual native born person.

[NNadir]

22. As did Robert Kennedy.

[Upthevibe]

31. Arazi.............

Thank you for this info.

I, like others, was thinking about how difficult it would be for him to become a Senator or Governor in Indiana. I'm thrilled to hear he and his adorable family have relocated to Michigan.

If they're in a blue district, he could run for a House position to get some congressional experience.

I think he's amazing!

[TexasTowelie]

18. I guess that you are behind on the news.

Pete and Chasten moved to Traverse City, Michigan in July to be closer to Chasten's parents who help take care of their children. Hopefully the move will also provide him some opportunities for political advancement in the future.

[Celerity]

24. Thanks! See post 20 for my thoughts.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217510329#post20

[shrike3]

62. Forgot about Pete's move.

I hate to say this, but they'll be better off in Traverse City. On a personal level. The LGBTQIA phobia in Indiana is startling at times.

[shrike3]

48. Exactly. I live in one of the blue areas in Indiana. But we are too small in number at the moment.

However, when Hillary ran against Obama in 2008, I thought that a black man would be more likely to win than a white woman.

Sadly, I now feel a gay man is more likely to win than a woman of any color.

[Celerity]

50. I did not know that he had moved to Michigan. A better shot at the Senate, if a seat opens.

I doubt he would run for Governor, as he has never lived in Michigan until now.

[shrike3]

60. I was born in Michigan.

It's slowly becoming the state I once knew: blue. Actually, knowing Indiana the way I do, he and his family are better off elsewhere.

[soldierant]

52. Sadly, i agree.

It keeps amazing me how deep misogyny runs - as well as the extent to which it seems to be a model for how to exclude other groups.

I also feel all the LGBTQIA herfuffle is misogyny related. Both are rejections of aything other than straight men. They need straight women in order to achieve the "survival of the race," so they turn the fury on LGBTQIA - for now. But it will come back to bite us straught women in the butt if we just ignore or, worse, accept it.

[shrike3]

61. You make a very good point.

I live in a blue area, but the transphobia is over the top. Shocks me at times.

[pamdb]

8. Pete

Yeah, not in this country.

[dem4decades]

9. I agree, too many Bible thumpers.

[lambchopp59]

49. Give it time.

Fox Noise and the GOP are waaaaaay out on a ledge with confabulations that keep becoming undeniably apparent.
Methinks much of the hateful "evangelical crusade" is burnt toast in about 20 years.

[stopdiggin]

12. I'm 100% behind this message

And any standard bearer clearly articulating this or something similar gets my vote.

[chicoescuela]

13. I hope so. I voted for him in the Nevada 2020 Presidential primary. He is really good.

[unweird]

15. My new mantra...

We’re a big country with big people who can do big things. Offered in rebuttal to all the cheapskate cheap shots offered by dumbasses everywhere.

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. He really reminds me of Obama. So smart and so

engaging.

[NNadir]

21. For me, a perfect comment. I visited the FDR National Historic Site, Library and Museum yesterday.

The part that blew my mind was the understanding of what FDR came into 1933, the times and result of a Republican wet dream that persists to this day, laissez-faire capitalism.

[OMGWTF]

38. Democrats have been cleaning up Rethuglican messes since 1933.

[calimary]

54. MAN, is that ever true!

The Democrats.
Cleaning up Republican messes since 1933!

OMGWTF, Happy New Year! I do believe you just birthed a new meme!

[OldBaldy1701E]

41. Roosevelt was one of my heroes.

And, my beloved grandmother used to call him 'that wild-eyed radical!' (She was not a fan btw. Contrast that with her description of Reagan: "MY wonderful president!" She had a crush on him back in the acting days, so she was biased from the beginning.) LOL. He was from money, but refused to be guided by it. Or by those who worship only that.

[NNadir]

42. I reported on my visit to the NHS Roosevelt site...

...here: A visit the temple of liberalism, the FDR/ER National Historic Sites, Museum & Library.

By the way, my mother loved Roosevelt, but my father sometimes confused him with Satan.

I'm with my mother; yesterday I became an even stronger admirer, although I didn't think it possible.

[OldBaldy1701E]

44. He was the subject of my senior history paper.

And, I once played him in a local television production. I held that ciggie holder in my teeth and grinned big! (Plus, I love wearing a top hat.)

[RestoreAmerica2020]

23. .Ojala! Biden/Harris 2024, Harris/Buttigieg 2028,2032; Buttigieg/Cortez 2036

..or earlier if Biden opts not run.

Ojala ... we will never see a republikkklan ever hold the office of the presidency. Especially if they continue to be the party of racists, bigots mysogynists xenophobic homophobic --hate of any one nonchristian, non-white--yet, seems they're on same ole path to their inevitable demise, oh well. bc the world is moving forward with or without them. Paz.

[Fiendish Thingy]

25. I like him, but he hasn't got a chance unless/until he wins a race for Senate or Governor

Also, if doesn’t get more proactively aggressive with airlines in his role as Sec of Transportation, his political future will be weakened considerably.

[JuJuChen]

28. I want him as President

[Celerity]

29. +1

[LittleGirl]

30. Pete is going places.

I’ll do whatever I can to support him. He’s a hometown guy and I understand where he’s coming from. We grew up in the same town.

[FakeNoose]

33. Yes indeed, Pete Buttigieg is the future of the Democratic Party

... and I feel really great about that!

Hopefully he'll be Potus one day, but first I'd like to see him snag the Governorship of Indiana away from the Repukes. What a difference he could make in that state! He's doing an awesome job for the Dept. of Transportation right now - restoring our faith in government and the democratic process.

Pete is like the "anti-Reagan" that we need right now!

[Arazi]

39. Pete doesn't live in Indiana anymore

The Buttigiegs moved to Michigan when the twins arrived since Chasten had family there who could help.

So he’d have to run for Congress or the Governorship in Michigan (with far greater prospects of success than deep red conservative Indiana)

[Blue Owl]

34. K&R for Pete

President Pete sounds good to me...

[msfiddlestix]

36. An amazing Brilliant mind with a certain communication talent of clarity, honesty and respect...

just a few descriptors which doesn't quite do justice.

I first heard him speaking in various forums, seen on youtube, long before the primary started kicking off. I was so blown away that I had prayed he'd be a candidate. Of course, the context of the times, was listening to him in contrast to the slobfather.


Of course, I did vote for him in the California Primary.

[Mr.Bill]

37. I'm all for him being president as soon as possible.

I think a good next step for him would be Secretary of State.

I also wouldn't mind him being on the Supreme Court.

[blueinredohio]

40. I love Pete.

Not that I don't like Joe Biden but Pete was my first choice in nominees in 2020.

[TygrBright]

47. I would be SO thrilled to work on his campaign someday. n/t

[Saoirse9]

51. I love him

Intelligent, articulate, always quick with his comeback. I would absolutely vote for him for President. He would be wonderful.

[mjvpi]

53. The Democratic Party is full of really smart people who believe in government.

President Biden’s cabinet is packed with true public servants. Secretary Buttigieg is one of the best and a great public speaker. What he said in those two paragraphs, I would boil down to Reagan is the Antichrist. But I have no tact. He does have the “it” factor, like Obama and he delivers his message without using scary terms like Democratic Socialism. There are many on our side who know what we need to change. Climate change, economic inequality, universal healthcare etc are things that only a strong, central government can change. Biden has amazed me with the things that he has successfully brought to the table. He has governed as a progressive yet pulls off a more conservative feel to his presentation. Secretary Buttigieg has that kind of feel but a bit more rockstar.

[Joinfortmill]

55. One the the smartest guys in the room - always. Love the dude.

Hope I live long enough to see him become President.

[electric_blue68]

56. Oh! Very well said!

[bucolic_frolic]

58. Only a handful of Democratic politicians have shown such broad perspective in the last 100 years

It is an epic achievement for his age and thus opportunity to advance and teach others of his vision.

[twodogsbarking]

59. I would vote for him, no question.

[ecstatic]

63. I always say he's one of the most effective and articulate

communicators I've ever seen/heard. He has an extremely high emotional intelligence. I think intelligence and merit are usually rewarded at the ballot box, but we (Democrats) have to do everything we can in the meantime to ensure fair and legitimate elections, especially before trying something new (again).