Understatedly Gay Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Can Throw Some Shade

"You’re thirty-seven, you represent a town of a hundred and two thousand people—did I get that right? What qualifies you to be President of the United States?"

But hosting Celebrity Apprentice qualifies someone to be president?!

Trump was unqualified and that has been a disaster. "Mayor Pete" is also unqualified and would also be disaster, although undoubtedly less so than Trump. Anyway, he knows he has zero chance and is just raising his profile, but I suspect that will ultimately be unsuccessful. He should move out of Indiana if he wants the big job.

Yeah, the difference is Pete isn't a bigoted piece of shit like Trump

Fuck Norah and her skeptical eyebrows. She's 's notoriously snobby cunt and her husbands restaurants are shitty. And her grating fake laugh makes me puke.

I love Pete and I find him incredibly genuine and smart. Does he have much of a chance? Not in this homophobic country. But I really like that he's in the race and I would gladly volunteer my time for his campaign in whatever capacity.

That was funny.

[Quote] Does he have much of a chance? Not in this homophobic country.

A mayor of some no name city running for President wouldn't be taken any more seriously.

The fact that he is gay has at least helped him get more media attention.

Wouldn't be taken anymore seriously if he were straight*

He's also getting attention because, as the article points out, established Democrats like Obama have mentioned him as someone to keep an eye on.

He could win. He's not a screaming queen. What experience did Obama have? Zip. Being gay is not a detriment in most places. Although the religion of peace would never vote for him, more than likely would toss him off a building. Many people thought Trumps predecessor was gay, and he won. He actually has much more political experience than Obama had.

I'd vote for him, but like others have alluded, probably no chance in this overly Fake-Christian, not so secular nation. I don't think it helps for politicians to be announcing their candidacy so prematurely ⸺ gives the Republicans even more time to expand their smear campaign. My wild hunch is that the primary winner this go-around is going to be someone who announces their candidacy at the 23rd hour.

Obama was a US Senator when he declared r10, that is a world away from being a mayor. Just the reality.

Any senator who declares for President is treated like a serious candidate.

Obama was a media star. Great performer. Terrible president. Nice guy.

The only people who thought -- or think -- that Obama was gay are right-wing fringe lunatics.

And people are out of their minds if they think that being gay wouldn't be an enormous handicap in a 50-state election.

"A mayor of some no name city running for President wouldn't be taken any more seriously."

Trump won the election despite no political experience whatsoever

"Obama was a media star. Great performer. Terrible president. Nice guy."

Only terrible to stupid freepers like you

Can OP learn how to post correctly?

R14 I live in Chicago and quite a few upper echelon top people have rumors about O.'s sexuality. He looked good, had impeccable grooming, spoke intelligently, but really was pretty clueless as a leader. Just facts, ma'am.

...Here come da' Gieg"!

"He looked good, had impeccable grooming, spoke intelligently, but really was pretty clueless as a leader"

Obviously the Log Cabinettes would use "clueless" to describe the guy who saved the economy and ended the ban on gays in the military

Is his name pronounced butt-gig or butt-pig?

R19 SAVED THE ECONOMY??? You watch too much manic. Go back to the short bus.

I am growing more and more convinced every day that we are living in the Matrix. The Dickensian names alone...

Bernie "made off" with people's money.

Anthony's "weiner" got him in trouble.

Someone named "Pecker" knows secrets about what many high ranking officials do with theirs.

Now a gay presidential candidate with the name "Booty gig."

Some alien is really fucking with our SIMS characters.

I would like to see him in the Senate.

As has been said, his problem is geography. He is unlikely to win a statewide election in Indiana.

If he was in a bluer state he could easily be running for Senator or Governor.

Surely he can win a House seat somewhere in Indiana?..

"A mayor of some no name city running for President wouldn't be taken any more seriously."

Remember me? I was the mayor of Wasilla and a major party nominee for VP, only a heartbeat away from the Oval Office.

Sarah Palin was the Governor of Alaska r26 (god help them).

Pete is cute but thirsty for attention, bless her heart. I guess he wanted his 15 minutes.....

[quote]Trump was unqualified and that has been a disaster. "Mayor Pete" is also unqualified and would also be disaster, although undoubtedly less so than Trump.

That wasn't R1's point though. R1 was asking why this woman was willing to ask such a blunt question of a young Democrat who is actually in public life, as an elected mayor, but she was not of a slimy, crude huckster like Trump, who had NO government service while at the same time having a proven record of violating the law, racial discrimination, and stunning incompetence at running things.

So, why DIDN'T she ask Trump that?

Until she quit, not even finishing one term, R27.

[quote]"A mayor of some no name city running for President wouldn't be taken any more seriously."

[quote]Remember me? I was the mayor of Wasilla and a major party nominee for VP, only a heartbeat away from the Oval Office.

There's a difference, of course, between a person putting their hat in the ring and asking to be selected by a party to be the presidential nominee, and a person being chosen, as a PR and vote-getting gimmick, by a nominee of a party to the presidency. Notice Sarah Palin never ran for president, she was chosen by some advisors to McCain.

I could maybe see him being a legit, out-of-left-field VP choice.

He really should move to another state and then run for office. There's nothing left for him in Indiana. I like him but this country isn't ready for a gay President. Maybe in 20-30 years, but not now.

Aww bless her heart for thinking she can be president....I’m guessing she has ulterior motives for this publicity.

I don’t agree r33. That doesn’t mean I’m supporting him, but people said the same thing about Obama, that we would never elect a black President. We heard we would never elect a woman — the popular vote proved that citizens were ready for that too.

If Pete builds a lot of momentum and can inspire people, he could actually win. But it’s way too soon to tell. He would need to get some serious media coverage within the next three to six months, then the window of opportunity will close for 2020 for Pete. Time will tell.

They always dig every morsel of dirt up on all Presidential candidates so as a gay man, I’m sure there are some bad, bad things he has done in the past. Think of all the drug fueled nights filled with cocaine, poppers and buttsex.....someone, somewhere has to have a picture.

Oh please r36, not every gay man has led a drug-fueled hedonistic life — though I do feel sorry for those gays.

Where's the "throwing shade" part, OP?

R37- I respectfully disagree. Although I’m an upstanding productive member of society now (age 47) every gay many I ever knew did lots of drugs/alcohol/group sex in their youth. It’s the lifestyle.

Well then, R39. I guess because you hang with a bunch of whores, that means all gay men are whores.

R39, I do agree it is very commonplace in gay culture. But it is also a seeeping generalization. Yes, I did the same, but I definitely know people who didn’t.

Got married this past June

With a name like "Buttplug" what would you expect?

I'm sorry, but I really don't want him to be president.

He ain't ready.

R40 - so are you telling me that you’re perfect and always have been?

There's a lot of space between being "perfect" and being a "drug/alcohol/group sex" fiend. But yes, I can honestly tell you that I did not spend my youth in drug/alcohol fueled orgies. I've never done any drugs, though I do drink alcohol (now, but rarely in my youth). But a couple of margaritas at dinner never led to me being the receiver of a bukkake or the like. I've been out since I was 23 and I've been partnered/married since I was 28. I had some random hookups during college and my twenties, but probably no more than my average straight counterpart. Then again, I've never lived the "lifestyle" as R39 calls it. My gay "lifestyle" consisted of being sexually and emotionally attracted to other men, not spending all my time in a sling with an "Open for Business" sign hanging from my nutsack. YMMV.

And let me be clear, I don't care if someone was a whore in their youth or in their mature years. It's not my place to judge. My motto has always been "Live and let live." I just wanted to counter R39's assumption that all gay men have been/are "drug/alcohol/group sex" maniacs.

I do like to suck cock, though. So if that makes me a whore, then so's your mother.

I can see a gay president in my lifetime. Just not quite yet.

I do assume that if Pete has aspirations for higher office, he is probably fairly clean. He has to have a staid and squeaky clean background, like Conor Lamb ⸺ now there is a candidate who the Republicans can't gather any dirt on.

The problem with moving from Indian, which he would have to do, is he then immediately becomes a carpetbagger. A gay carpetbagger, sounds like a slur but it's not.

I meant Indiana but omg is that where the name comes from? When will the PC police come for INDIANa??

He's witty. They only wrote "throw some shade" because he's gay though, underlining why he has no chance at becoming President.

R40 - I was a drugged-up alcoholic whore in my youth and now I’m just a plain old whore in my “mature years.” Thanks for not judging me....I’m with you - I think we can all get along ☮️ ✌️

Never took drugs. Drank socially. Never did orgies, had maybe three 3 ways. Never had an STD. Had lots of boyfriends. When I was 17, I became lovers with a handsome 29 year old married man who had 2 kids. We had a secret relationship as I went through college. Had my share of men, like most straight guys have their share of women.

[quote]So if that makes me a whore, then so's your mother.

Triggered.

R51 here didn't realize that was OP's own commentary. Whoops

That's some real amateur "shade."

Harvard grad, Rhodes Scholar, Afghan Vet...and we're arguing about drug-fueled sex parties.

Please respect the man and his desire to be a strong leader and man of character.

He is a future star in the Democratic Party and this is just the right path for him to take as Indiana is too much of a red state for him to win a state-wide office.

Worst name in politics, hands down.

Well, Hillary Clinton got elected to the Senate from New York, so there's that. I mean, no one ever accused her of being a native New Yorker.

I hope he packs his carpet bag and wins.

Where is the "shade"? All I see is irritating use of "conversation." Obama started, or at least accelerated, the overuse of "conversation." Thanks, Obama!

r21 is a complete moron, but no one ever accused conservatives of being too intellectual

Can he win over that AOC person’s demographic? Aren’t they anti-white and anti-gay? He should run as an Independent. Democrats have abandoned white gay men.

"Democrats have abandoned white gay men."

Silly logic from a freeper troll. Republicans hate gays, whether they are white or not.

"Aren’t they anti-white and anti-gay?"

Only according to trolls like you

R63 you are a moron. Republicans do not hate gays. Warped mythology. I know MANY very successful Republicans, gay and straight, and the straight ones could give a shit if someone is gay. There are likely many Democrats who hate gays, like your pals from the religion of peace. Why do you think Trump hates gays? Who do you think works in his hotels and restaurants? Trump lives in N.Y. and Florida, both areas simply crawling with homosexuals. Don't believe the media and haters who constantly harp that he hates this group, he hates that group. Prove how he hates gays. He does not hate any group. He is trying to protect the country against illegals, criminals, and terrorists. I am a Democrat and not a trumper, but I believe in the truth, not the wild ragings of wacky media people. Politics are ugly and full of lies.

[quote] Republicans do not hate gays.

It seems Republican policy might indicate otherwise.

My personal opinion is that he knows he's a longshot and he's prematurely putting his name out there to put himself in the mix for a Veep consideration.

[quote]He is trying to protect the country against illegals...I am a Democrat and not a trumper

Oh, my sides! We were rid of the trolls for a while here but, sigh, they seem to have come back, as transparent as always.

No one gives a shit how your Republican friends act toward gays in private. The political issue is that support a party that actively wants to make the rights and equality of gays with straights an optional matter under U.S. law. Their party wants to do away with the right to same-sex marriage. Need I go on? And your tired Muslim-baiting and race-baiting is no more incisive; any actual fundamentalist Muslim who "hates gays" is voting with the fundamentalist Baptists and Ultra-Orthodox Jews who also hate gays.

[quote]Trump lives in N.Y. and Florida, both areas simply crawling with homosexuals

Your choice of words is quite revealing. I don't hear, e.g., Rashida Tlaib or Alexandria O-C using that imagery.

One of the 12 Keys to the White House is charisma. Pete has it.

A small business man who was Georgia Governor, who?

Wait. the Governor of Arkansas...ARKANSAS?

A one term Senator from the South Side of Chicago...who?

This guy is going to snowball.

R68 is correct. I actually have a gift for recognizing underdogs. With luck and timing, Pete has the “right stuff” and I actually see greater potential in him than Beto, Kamala, etc. etc.

R64 is simply an asshole. Hey, asshole, I’ll believe what my mother fucking eyeballs show me, mmkay’? I believe Orange Marmalade hates almost every group that isn’t exactly like him because that’s what I’ve witnessed. I don’t need a Talking Head to explain it — I see Dump, he opens his mouth, he then affirms my opinion with his fuckery and assholery. You’re on the wrong site, sister. Now get the fuck out of here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I trust you can see yourself out.

R68, I’m just hoping Pete gets the right coverage at the right time, he just needs momentum, and there are several ways this could happen. Doing his little press tour is good, but he needs some event to bring more attention to him, and/or a short duet with a bigger star to give him more coverage. A lot of people like what they hear from him, and the normal Americans don’t give a fuck about his sexuality— remember, we “normal” citizens who aren’t bigots make a majority, so ANYthing is possible right now.

His book is out. Can't wait to get it.

I hope he pulls a Carter and blankets the US with campus visits.

The first time I saw Carter, he was at large table in my dorm cafeteria talking about his policies and Republican corruption.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

He’s for sanctuary cities, yes? I read that here. Is that true?

Maybe the time/momentum isn't "right" now for boot-edge-edge but if the morons of 4chan can help elect Trump, why can't this board/community get behind Pete and do the same??? Needs a good push.

r71, there is no such thing as a sanctuary city in the law.

There ARE cities that chose not to use their policing resources to assist the newly weaponized ICE.

And getting rid of ICE would mean the reinstatement of the UN-weaponized INS.

The INS did a great job for decades before Republicans fucked the department up.

😂 all of the armchair critics in this thread who think they know shit about politics!! I needed a good laugh....what a bunch of morons.

Goodbye r74.

Everyone be quiet! R74 is teaching us. He teaches us discernment. Do continue r74, while we bask in the glow of your wisdom and expertise, oh sage. I am but clay, and you, you are my potter.

There's no "shade" in pointing out you are younger than someone. Really, not everyone is hung up on age.

What’s his stance on sanctuary cities?

Sanctuary cities is a bullshit Republican issue. Tell Olga you failed.

It's a wide stance, R78.

I just blocked R74 and his comments prove he's the biggest moron of them all!

If he's still around for the Texas primary i'll vote for him

He could go all the way. R69 you are vile, low information, with poor listening skills and poor powers of observation. I know you dropped out of third grade. Perhaps It is time to finish up that GED. Or maybe you have a useless degree you cherish, like modern women's studies? R70 I love Jimmy Carter, but he was a terrible President. Sometimes a fine man with pretty words is not the best choice. See the previous president.

I am about equally impressed with Buttigieg's and Conor Lamb's resumes ⸺ Democratic, Ivy League-educated, military vets who have put their time in working for the federal government. Gives me hope that there are strong leaders from my generation, climbing up the ranks, ready to steer and lead in the future.

Buttigieg-Hickenlooper 2020!

R85, it rolls off the tongue!

I think he’s too far left. No thanks.

R87, what issues is he too far left on in your opinion?

I just see buttplug whenever I see his name.

You are speaking to the same person who said this r87.

[Quote]He should run as an Independent. Democrats have abandoned white gay men

Ooh, stalker. ^ That’s bizarre. Blocked.

Good for him for having the balls to be openly gay while carving out a political career. His husband is a lucky fella.

He needs to get out of Indiana.

R93, I agree. I think his husband should find a job in another state. Pete can use that as a reason for moving, then run for office.

Is that his real surname or did he take his husband's? There was a mistake made either way

Is the husband Ernie from my three sons?

I like his ambition.

[quote]Is that his real surname or did he take his husband's?

Must be his own. I think his background is Norwegian, at least that's how he made it sound on Morning Joe today. Said he can still read a paper in Norwegian, and also knows a bit of Farsi and (something else). He was very well spoken and makes a great impression.

His family background is Maltese; his father is from Malta, and his mother's family is whatever from Indiana. He supposedly learned Norwegian to read a Norwegian novel, and then got all into it.

Love Mayor Pete. He's part of the future of the Dem Party. Marvelous interview with NY Mag today.

If he leaves Indiana, he'll probably leave the hubby for a hot boytoy

That's impressive about learning Norwegian.

Watched him on Morning Joe today and he's wicked smart and articulate. Poised and self-confident without looking like a dick. Held his own against Joe's foolishness and even he came away looking impressed. Remember that practically no one knew who Obama was when he announced that he was running for president. Maybe 2020 isn't his year but he has a future in national politics. Wow.

I hate to tell you this, but soon there will be NO democratic party. Pelosi and Schumer are old, smelly, stupid, have one foot in the grave...they are surrounded by IDIOTS like Harris, Cortes, Booker, robert kennedy III, the Virginia governor, Hillary etc. This Indiana guy looks and sounds good; maybe he can begin a new party. Old school patriot democrats or something. The green movement and socialist movement will die. Sure there are media whores and loud tweeters and facebookers...when the dust settles, these clowns will be a paragraph and a cartoon in an online history book. Smarter people will not let Cortes, Omar and Rasheeda destroy this great nation. And if you don't think it's great, why does everyone want to come here? Other than free stuff of course.

I agree with R104. Gay people voting for far left candidates are FOOLS. And, you have no place on the far left side. They don’t want you.

Wonder how he and his husband met.

He's on Colbert tonight, Thursday, Valentine's Day, 2/14, in maybe a half-hour!

Right after DL Fave Bradley Cooper!

R83 what exactly got you in such a tizzy on r69? No idea what you’re blathering about. “Pretty words”???? If you’d care to elaborate on Pete’s use of Pretty Words not backed by measurable action, I’m all ears?

Yes r103, me too, I really like him. I did a little Googling on immigration and Pete, I am curious where he stands on that. Can’t remember where I read it, but he talked about intergenerational justice, he made a very compelling case for this, framing the tax burden being put on Millennials (and younger) with the #TaxScam, and of course, the environment. He’s a rock star.

I feel the same way, R84. There are some quality politicians on the horizon.

I wouldn't be so certain that Pete doesn't post here occasionally.

R110, if he can hack it and be thick-skinned enough to browse or post here, then I like him all that much more.

Here he is in uniform.

In Afghanistan.

Booty Call, Booty Gig

Booty Jig!

[quote]Republicans hate gays, whether they are white or not.

So does AOC, and her ilk of “progressive” Democrats.

R115 is among those GOP supporters who are triggered by strong Democratic women, just like Trump is:

Hillary, Nancy, Ruth, Kamala, Diane, Elizabeth, Kirsten and now Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

I’ve watched two of his interviews and I find him impressive. He’s also a doll, in the best sense.

HOW DARE YOU R115!

No, just kidding. Don’t post, let your vote do the talking. Yes, the far-left is absolutely homophobic. Vote them out.

I saw Pete Buttigieg on Late Nite. He seems at least to have a platform and he downplays the gay thing. That being said he's in the exploratory phase of the campaign to see if he can raise the money necessary to be President.

That being said and as someone has already alluded that last name of his does lend itself to ease of joking. Couldn't we have gay candidate with a last name like Smith, Jones, or even something a little more exotic and less pronounceable.

I mean people butcher my last name - it's Italian and people cannot understand the double c in it. It translates if you change the last letter to furrier and if you were to see me in the buff you'd understand why that's the family name.

What is “the gay thing”?

R120, his fondness for The Golden Girls.

Oh, so he’s “straight-acting”. I see. Well, I won’t for that.

I won’t vote for that.

I have blocked only a few rancid trolls, and none recently. R104 is skipped so make of it what yoy will.

Back to Pete. He definitely has a future in national politics. He impressed the ladies of The View and made Jake Tapper look like the old hack he has become, during last week's State Of The Union.

The Baby Boom generation, of which I am at the tail end (born 1964), is holding on for dear life but this 2020 election will finally be the death knell for those born in the 1940's who have dominated everthing for far too long (Hilary, Bill, the Bush brothers, Rush, Trump, Roger Stone, etc.)

Pete definitely has what it takes plus one major advantage: he'll outlive them.

Did anyone else read his comment about "trans woman of color" and think "I bet he reads DL!"

Oh and Nora O'Donnel is a charmless, overly ambitious horror. She is the main reason the CBS Morning Show's ratings and momentum FELL after Charlie Rose left, while the Today Show's ratings rebounded after Matt departed.

He's smart and has a future. He should try to get elected to Congress first. It's be easier to move into the VP spot from there.

I suspect that he was the "discreet" guy you met off Grndr who turned out to be an actual soldier, hot and cute to the point where you could not believe your luck.

I wonder how long he was with the husband before deciding to come out and how difficult the whole decision was.

Hm, it's so 'understated' it's not even there. I guess not all gays are witty.

Worse gay name ever!

Right now we have to get him over the 200 donor count in all 50 states.

Click the link and send him something.

No^.

I've seen a few interviews and think he'll end up being one of the front runners in the primaries if he runs. He has an authenticity, which is so important right now, that the others candidates lack. His messaging is on the right course and the other candidates, if they were smart, would take a few lessons from him.

Send him a small donation and become one of the 200 in your state.

Poppers, drugs and a sling? Where do I sign up?

Here's an interview and Q&A he did recently. It a little long but it's worth watching, imo.

"Couldn't we have gay candidate with a last name like Smith, Jones, or even something a little more exotic and less pronounceable."

Didn't people say the same thing about Obama?!

Btw, I just contributed to the campaign. Go Pete!!!!

I guess the 27 or so Dem. candidates are following the (original) Trump plan of getting some free advertising to polish-up your brand. Maybe get some pundit gigs, a TV show, write a book, free travel.

bumping

He has a nice voice. I would have examine how he stands on the issues, though.

I hope he's circumcised.

I eat piles and piles AND PILES of feces.

Mmm, mm!

I want him for my president so much.

I watched his interview on PBS Newshour. He’s clearly very intelligent. I’m actually impressed with the Democratic field so far. They are all flawed but at least the debates will be of substance and about competing ideas. Can’t believe that this is what it has come to...

Also, for some perspective, 15 years ago the GOP used a lot of anti-gay sentiment to get Gwb re-elected. To see an openly gay mayor from a super conservative state run for president is pretty remarkable.

I like him more and more with every interview I watch. I still don't know if most of America is ready for a gay President. However, enough people may be sick of the current administration for Buttigieg to squeak out a win if he were the nominee.

Buttigieg/Biden 2020?

[quote] I would have examine how he stands on the issues, though.

At least you didn't ask what his position was.

He'd be uncut as his father is from Europe.

He’s a millennial {r146}. Vers.

Beto/Buttigieg aka "Betobutt"

It’s pronounced “Boot-edge-EDGE”

I know, right?

But whatever you do click the ActBlue link and send his a minor donation so that he can make it to the debates.

And Buddah-jedge is more like it no matter what his website says.

Buddah-jedge is how he pronounces it.

He also accepts Buddah-judge.

He has zero gay voice in the clip at R136

Many DLers will claim he can't really be gay or that he's faking his voice.

r152, if he is truly a Masc4Masc he won't have gay voice.

Grrrrrrllllll, he don't need it.

He is very smart, he ain't ugly, he's married and he has a GREAT resume.

Support him.

I do R153

It's just that many of your fellow "Grrrrllll"-ers will make the claims I outlined above.

I think we would have seen accusations of Pete trying to cover up gay voice by now if people suspected it.

"I'M IMPRESSED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES." I am mentally deficient and lacking in common sense. I eat feces. The earth is flat. Look at the pretty lights.

I eat shit!

He's catty. I like that in a candidate.

I have seen nothing 'catty' in him.

He's like a Boy Scout with a solid CV.

He’s running for VP.

r159, I agree

HE is a weird green party supporter who flails his arms like a spaz windmill.

Donate to Pete. Here's his website.

I donated!

He was quite good on Pod Save America this morning.

Gotta link r165?

Silly episode title but it's very good.

[quote]Although I’m an upstanding productive member of society now (age 47) every gay many I ever knew did lots of drugs/alcohol/group sex in their youth. It’s the lifestyle.

Most gay men don't live the lifestyle of a chem-whore like you...appear to have experienced, but thanks for letting us know you are a filthy slut.

He's very sensible, judging by today's podcast.

1st thing he's focused on is democratic reform -- fixing the "skeleton" of the republic -- voting rights, national voting holiday, voting security, etc.

He's open to a new arrangement on the Supreme Court, perhaps adding term limits and rotation from the courts of appeals.

He wants people on the coasts to be more careful about talking with and to their fellow Americans, as it can needlessly alienating.

He's very concerned about climate change.

I've been dismissive of him for a while, but he makes a lot of sense. I see him as VP material right now, maybe presidential material. I was dismissive because I saw his running for DNC chair against Perez and Ellison as a cynical attention grab and dismissed him just because of that. But he sounds like a good man and a very smart man.

I'm not sure he's "progressive" in the way those on the far left want, but he does believe social democracy is the goal, it seems. He's a Bernie fan.

Look, you can be a gay presidential candidate.

You just can't be a gay presidential candidate named "Buttgag."

He appears to have a good head on his shoulders.

Good summary, R169, of why I like him too. But not enough of America is ready for a gay President right now. If he was straight he'd be my pick hands down. I think he'd win the primary and general in cakewalk. I think it'll take about 20 years until America is ready, sadly.

[quote]If he was straight he'd be my pick hands down.

This is why we hate us.

He's on CNN. With Jake Tapper. And they're spectacular.

He isn't ready, but he is bright and thoughtful. As mayor, he'll never become President. If he runs for Congress, and makes it to the Senate, he'd have a better chance. He'd also have a chance if he were elected governor. Those could also get him to VP and that would catapult him to contender for the top spot. He's got 20-25 years ahead of him to make good on that.

Talented people are used to hearing "you're not ready" and forging ahead anyway. They know they're ready.

He’s really great in this CNN town hall. He has a bright political future.

People who have only been Senators or Congresspersons, have zero experience running anything larger than their office, which is actually done by their chief of staff. At least mayors have ran a huge organization, which is what most cities are, lots of employees, budgets and local crises.

That doesn't mean a Senator or Congressperson can not be a good leader or that a mayor will be a great leader, I just don't think you should automatically discount the experience of being a mayor.

Well, Mayor is a better job than "Con Artist and Host of The Apprentice" anyway

Mayor would give him experience to run for governor. Mayor is executive over a much smaller operation than governor, unless you are talking about a city like New York or Chicago. As far as I'm concerned, Obama didn't have enough experience either. This is not the position for on-the-job training. Obama is a smart guy but he would have done a better job with more experience.

This guy gets it. He's way more presidential than the Orange Idiot and is sharp. You cannot deny he is well spoken and thoughtful.

I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. He’s more likely to get the VP spot though.

Anyone know anything about his husband? How will they handle public appearances?

I like Mayor Pete, and he is more genuine and smarter than most of the current field.

I think he's playing it right on positions. He's not going so far left, for example, he wants to field test medicare-for-all before going national, which i think is smart and will play a lot better with voters. It'll be tough but you never now what will happen.

I just sent his campaign $100

I can’t not support an openly gay man who is getting traction in his run for President

Too bad that gays don’t support gays like other minorities support their own kind

R172, I cannot STAND that you said he’d be your candidate if he were straight. The same was said about Obama!!! You suffer from a lack of imagination. DL Experts, I call upon you, aren’t the primaries our opportunity to vote for our favorite candidate without the risk being so great? Or do I have it backwards?

I definitely agree, he is not Progressive per se, but it’s like a new hybrid, it’s quite interesting actually. I would call him....a Conservative Progressive maybe? I like it, a lot. He has yet to say anything that horrified me, he has more raw talent than even Beto, so why can’t we support him? I really want to!

There are some lame people running for President. Pete B. Is NOT one of them.

I love how people like r175 think they have it all figured out. As if there isn't a conman with zero prior experience with public office in the White House right now. The rules have changed; come join the rest of us in 2019.

Why didn't he have backbone enough to change that ridiculous name before he went into politics?

He's the grown-up in the room!

r190, doesn't it show more backbone to not care what people think about your name?

Yes, totally agree r189, I cannot *fathom* why people don’t get that the old rules no longer apply. The spell that brought us this curse of a President will be the same spell that will give us raw talent beyond our wildest dreams. This primary will bring us some REAL talent, not a feeling of settling/compromising like last time.

He is unqualified and he must have a huge ego, that he will go ahead and run. At least he probably has a brain, education and some kind of good character but he should not run.

^^^A politician with a huge ego? You don't say!

I think he is exactly what is needed right now. A calming , logical voice of reason and really can reach across the aisle, especially the generational divide.. He almost gets me more excited than Obama did.

He can not win, even if he is what we need. Warren can not win. Gillibrand can not win and Booker can not win. They should step down.

Biden has a big head but he can not win, neither can Bernie, they should not be in the race.

You stupid at r192...MOST AMERICANS HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO PRONOUNCE THAT NAME. Come on, at least have a name that people can repeat!

r198, you're stupid. And you are proving that it takes a backbone to stick with your name instead of changing it because people are too dumb to know how to pronounce it

campaign slogan Buttigieg -You be the judge.!