I changed from undecided to Pete Buttigieg

[dsc]

Honestly, I know he isn't going to win. I also have to say, he may well not deserve to win. But he is my Jesse Jackson. When he ran in 1984 he was 43, had never held elective office. Pete is 37 and well, only has been a mayor. But someone has to be the first. Someone has to lead the way. And like Jackson, there is more than resume to Pete. He is smart and thoughtful and deep. If Inslee had taken off, I likely would have voted for him. He was my sweet spot of record, experience, and policy. But he isn't going to be it. Buttigieg, if he gets a decent number of delegates and keeps doing well in debates will make a LGBT President more possible, then more plausible, and finally more certain to happen.

I was streaming an episode of the Practice from 1999 or 2000. An employer had outed an employee with AIDS and largely won his case with a closing argument that could have translated to today with very few words changed. It was striking how similar the argument about special rights vs discrimination were word for word what we will be hearing in Oct at the Supreme Court. We have a long way to go. I don't know if I will live to see a LGBT President. I didn't think I would live to see a black one. I don't know if I will see a female one. I am only 51 but longevity isn't a hall mark of my clan so I am figuring maybe 30 years or so at best is what I have. Even if I don't see an LGBT President, I am casting my vote in a way that will, I hope, hasten the day someone does. I can live with being Moses to another generation's Joshua.

I know it is virtually certain it won't happen yet but it will. And Pete, flawed though he may be, is the vessel I am choosing to put forward for now. And frankly, I know that even though he is young and less experienced than I might be like, he is a truly impressive person and we could do way, way worse than him and are unlikely to do much better.

[murielm99]

1. I like Pete, too.

Like you, I have doubts that he will win. I like him because he is the smartest person who is running.

By the time we have our primary in Illinois, he may well be gone. I hope, if that is the case, the new Democratic President will have a place for Pete in his administration.

[AlexSFCA]

6. he is perfect for SoS

[pertello]

2. Yes! Welcome to the Buttigang!

I feel like every speech or interview I hear with Buttigieg just cements my belief in his basic decency, intelligence and measured thoughtfulness. He is calm, direct and clearly states his beliefs and plans. He, more than any other candidate is our new Barack Obama!
This interview is like a breath of clean fresh air!

https://cantbeatpete.tumblr.com/post/186467715236/a-strange-situation-happened-as-a-nashville-radio

[True Dough]

3. We already had DU member MBS on Team Pete

We'll gladly welcome dsc as well! We'll take all the initials!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Welcome to the Buttigieg Group, my dear dsc!

I have been supporting him since I first heard him speak at the CNN Townhall way last winter. That was all it took.

He is young but he's had a lifetime of experience doing all sorts of work and having a great education along with that.

I think he's way more than just a mayor. Some towns are run by a city manager, and the mayor is a figurehead. South Bend has Mayor Pete and it's a full-time job. He is responsible for everything. He is at the top of the chain of command. He's been mayor for nearly 8 years and he's learned a lot about governing. Even Representatives and Senators don't learn about governing the way he has.

I believe he truly has the vision and the courage to lead our country back to her glory. I agree that he is a long shot. I hope I'll be alive to see him become president someday. I'm 75 so we'll see!

Again, welcome!

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

5. PETE! Alth the first part of your statement...

... was a bit underwhelming... ... he is definitely the caliber of tomorrow's presidential candidates. NOTHING wrong in supporting that!

[Hulk]

7. It may not be his hour....

...but I hope he returns for 2024...and maybe even can take a higher seat, say a repuKKKe congressional seat in the near future.

One fear I have is we may take the White House, but lose the Senate. If that happens, we have another SIX FUCKING YEARS of Moscow Mitch. We can NOT afford that!

[FreeState]

8. I think he's what we need now, I hope he wins n/t

[MBS]

14. Me, too.

In my view, he's the candidate for this very moment. THIS moment, not 4 or 8 years from now.
He's not only the smartest in the room - he's also the wisest, with the broadest and deepest vision.
Looking at the intense crowds he's been attracting in NH, and his highly successful visits to Iowa, all I can say is, don't underestimate this man.
Not naming names, but I'd also note that at least two of the current so-called top-tier candidates are more vulnerable, with softer-support, than current polls suggest.
There will be more than one surprise as the primary season unfolds.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

9. He's a good choice

Among several good choices

[grantcart]

10. Welcome to the group.

Doubtful he is going to win this round

But

Of all the people who are running that I am confident will someday be President, he is at the top of the list.

I identify with him for reasons that few others do (I assume). I identify with him because he is trained as a Management Consultant and share that particular way of looking at problems.

I would guess that Warren is likely to win and if she is I would suggest Klobuchar as VP because she communicates in a less aggressive more empathetic way but would be happy to say Mayor Pete on the ticket.

I honestly don't see the LGBTQ axis as having much relevance anymore. I meet with Trump supporters on an almost daily basis and they communicate their feelings to me freely (they assume I am on their side). I am shocked at how little people react to his sexual orientation. In fact the most common response is "I used to be upset about that kind of thing but my (son, daughter, nephew, niece, granddaughter, etc) is gay and I don't see it as an issue any more, I am more concerned about the character of the person".

Arizona (where I lived) elected a bisexual Congresswoman to Senate last election defeating a highly decorated woman fighter pilot.

[radical noodle]

11. Welcome

I know part of the reason I'm supporting Pete is that he seems the polar opposite to trump. When I see our other candidates bickering, and some shouting, I just shut down because I'm so sick of it. I can always count on Pete to be calm and reasonable.

I do think he could do the job because, unlike trump, Pete is smart enough to get good people to work in his administration but I'm not convinced he can win the primary.

[the_sly_pig]

12. Pete: Smartest person in the room

I chose him after I first heard him speak, don’t remember when. He’s got it all, wicked smart, young and military experience.

Will I vote Democrat regardless? Of course. But Pete is my number one. Warren, Harris, Biden is how the rest of my list goes....

[Cosmocat]

13. Yeah

I tried to fight it, but he is brilliant, has the right approach to try to change the system, and goes after Rs.

He could win, get behind him and see what happens.

Honestly, I think his on ramp might be as EWs VP.

[SpankMe]

15. Mayor Pete is my candidate, too.

He's a mere 37. Plenty of time to run for governor of Indiana, get some quality executive experience under his belt and then hit the ground running in '28. ('24 if the Orange Asshole wins in '20.)

Trump can suck my aging white ass.