The Buttigieg Boomlet

Pete Buttigieg seems really nice, bright and thoughtful, but VERY vague and carefully inoffensive. The income/wealth inequality gap, climate crisis, the cost, death, destruction, ineffectiveness and immorality of US foreign policy, the dismal quality of US health care, education, "justice" system, and infrastructure demand a President with bold ideas and the ability to lead towards needed change. President Bernie Sanders 2020!!!!

The reason why prospective Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigeg is rising so quickly in the polls is because he's intelligent, rational, experienced and can complete a sentence. Juxtaposed to mentally unstable Trump, People are CRAVING NORMAL !

Not an impressive ‘verticle’ leap on basketball court he’s on, but I’m sure it’s higher than the heights the current WH resident can ever achieve.

how snarky. What is it about the overuse of exclamation points that diminishes the subject of them? Maybe the writer can't relate to an honest candidate who is inspiring genuine interest.

Let go, you & I, as the dawn spreads against the sky, and once more the New York Times & the establishment Democrats it represents continue their never ending quest for the Great Capitalist Hope, that bright, articulate, attractive puppet candidate who will stop that dreadful old Socialist with his thick Noo Yawk accent. Where is their savior? Will next week finally bring The One? Or will their hearts be forever broken? As Fearless Leader says, Stay tuned . . . .

If you'd asked me a week ago if I thought Mayor Pete had a chance, I'd have laughed you out of the room. Today I say he may be the ONLY candidate under 75 who has a chance of becoming the 46th President. He's a candidate that can appeal to everybody-his youth appeals to millenials, he will obviously ppeal to the LGBT community, his faith will appeal to older and more conservative Democrats, he's signaled support for transitioning to Medicare for All, plus he's young and articulate. As a Bernie voter in 2016, Mayor Pete has my vote should he oficially enter the race, and if his crowd sizes are any indication, there's no reason why he shouldn't do so.

Wow, a genuinely bright, caring candidate, articulate, youthful, truthful. The anti-Trump. I noticed Mayor Pete when he was a guest on Meet the Press several weeks ago and I have to say, he is impressive. He may be a dark horse in the general field of Democratic candidates, but so was a certain Illinois senator who came out of the blue to win the Oval Office. Here's hoping he gets the attention from the media he deserves. He could go all the way.

Buttigieg is the opposite of a gimmicky or one-note flash in the pan. He is the only candidate laying out a credible vision of a post-Trump future. He is the only one who appeals both to many on the left AND those who think of themselves as moderate. He does this not by pretending to be different for different audiences, but by expressing his underlying values and his overarching vision so clearly and honestly that he commands respect even from people who disagree with him. Watch his appearance on the CNN Town Hall or at the Commonwealth Club in Silicon Valley. No matter how hard or detailed the question, he does not pivot or lander. He has a well thought out and complex answer.

Herman Cain. Please. Never, ever did I think "Wow this Cain guy resonates with me" How about comparing Mayor Pete to another guy with a funny name and a short resume: Barrack Obama. Mayor Pete strikes the same chord as then Senator Obama did when he adressed the Democratic convention. I am one of Pete Buttigieg's 65K donors and I hope he goes all the way.

He seems awful conservative-y. I'm not sure the left will be embracing him with so many of their favs from the past running.

“...mayor of South Bend, but the city has a population of just over 100,000 — hardly like leading New York or Los Angeles.” Give me a break. Of what city was Obama the mayor? Or did I miss that line in his bio?

To compare Pete ( I won’t attempt his last name) with Herman Caine or Pawlenty is not a fair comparison. This man is articulate , steady and very smart . What he says makes sense . He’s authentic and honest . Remember no drama Obama ? After Trump we need a solid person of good character. Now I’ll take this opportunity to contrast him with another new young fresh face who couldn’t be more opposite , Beto O’Rourke. Personally I think Beto is a hyperactive egomaniac with absolutely no clear policies . We don’t need another drama king played out , we need steady . Bring me Biden or Pete . My heart is with Elizabeth Warren but because New Jersey votes so late we probably won’t even have a chance to have our pick of everyone . We need to change our voting system . It’s stupid.

Nothing about the current surge of interest in Buttigieg is remotely related to the brief moments enjoyed by Cain or Pawlenty, two long-forgotten candidates who were widely recognized as mediocre at the time. Why is the New York Times consistently putting such a negative spin on each Democratic contender in turn, seeking out disgruntled former employees and political opponents and then making that the entire story. It is notable that they have been unable to do this so far for Mayor Pete, but in the next few days we can expect to see some negative quotes from whoever got the 20% of the vote against him. (Tip to fellow intrigued Democrats: Follow Pete's husband on Twitter - utterly charming!)

From the first word I heard him speak my gut said this one speaks an uncompromising truth, and that calmly, with conviction. No demagoguery or fanfare eating hot dogs and kissing babies. He felt GENUINE like someone that simply was driven my a moral compunction to use his mind and humanity to step up to defend what’s been left in tatters, our country. He’s my choice.

You can bet Trump's handlers sense trouble with Buttigieg and are already trying to find something to hang around Buttigieg's neck to try and weigh him down with. Well, good luck with that. Trump's lowered the bar so low, they've had to dig a hole down a dozen feet.

I would disagree that Pete hasn't been tested on the "national stage." In his exploratory tour, everywhere he speaks, the northeast, the south, the midwest, he packs rooms and creates more followers. Boomers love him, millennials love him and I would hope Gen Z does since he's young and charismatic. Just look how fast he's risen in the Iowa Caucus polls. If you hear him speak once, you're hooked and hope you've just seen the next generation of American politics. We are witnessing a movement.

He is so appealing and impressive—it really is hard to overstate!! Two issues: little national recognition, and perhaps age. But, if more people across the nation could experience his personality, thoughtfulness, clear policy ideas, and care for ordinary Americans, how fortunate the country might well be!!!

I have been following Mayor Pete for several years. While he did not win the election for Chair of the Democratic Party, he garnered a great deal of attention. Running for President will get his name out there. He is more than just bright; he is articulate and thoughtful. Perhaps running for Governor should be his next step, although winning in Indiana might be tough; if not that, a high profile cabinet position. Whatever he does, the Party should groom him to succeed. He is young, with good ideas and a bright future. In ten to twenty years his sexual orientation will be a total nonissue. This nation needs people like him: smart, educated, thoughtful, articulate, with big ideas of how to get things done.

I have lived in the South Bend community since the early '80s and can attest to the decaying city. When Mayor Pete was elected there was an immediate sense of, 'Wow, someone is in charge and knows what to do.' With Mayor Pete, the person you've been seeing on the stump is the person you would get as president. I would be very comfortable and reassured with him in that job.

Oh, boy. I too am impressed by the articulate presentation of Mayor Buttigieg and of course would support him over You-know-who. But can I ask this: can we envision a female mayor of a small city running for president—or anyone taking her seriously? Shouldn’t a president know from experience how to get things done in DC? How is that not a lesson from this past decade?

You say about 2012: "Remember Herman Cain? Or Tim Pawlenty? Both those men caught a spark, if not quite fire, during that long primary slog. Where are they now?" Herman Cain had sexual harassment allegations from 4 women. That did him in. "Pawlenty was boring, especially compared to his competitors." according to The Atlantic.

Talk about the antidote to Trump! An educated man who wants to listen and learn. He is unapologetic about his gayness and his faith. He wants to focus on the factors that got us to where we are, not to fall in the trap of focusing on Trump. I'm all in.

He is so appealing, intelligent, well-spoken, thoughtful!! Main drawback: no “national” recognition. One can only hope that changes!! No personal, political baggage! Utterly appealing for so many demographics! Absolutely a counter to the amoral, and Fascistic, administration now driving America in precisely the wrong direction!!

If he’s “catching fire” just wait till the debates.

Is he too mechanical, too cybernetic? Too boring? Or is that just Midwest?

Comparing to Herman Cain?! Hahahaha!

I think Mayor Pete, whose sole and modest governmental experience is serving as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is quite a stretch as far as qualifying for Presidential candidate is concerned. Also, while being gay is a non-issue as far as so many of us urban and Democratic voters are concerned, it may be a significant negative among non-urban and non-Democratic voters. (Not to mention the unending media debate over whether Mayor Pete's husband should be called "First Husband" or "First Spouse.") I am a life-long Democrat and I sincerely hope the grown-ups in the party can take charge and find an electable candidate who will appeal to the great majority of American voters, especially those who felt their needs were ignored in 2016. If open borders, free everything for everyone, reparations and rampant socialism are planks of the Democratic Party platform in 2020 we are certainly doomed to another Trump term.

I don’t know enough about Pete Buttigieg yet but so far I like what I see. I wonder if he should run for Congress before he aims for the presidency though. To be honest I will vote for whomever runs against Trump. We can’t take another 4 years of him.

Please. No more boomlets. Just give us summaries - and a link for the details - on the candidate's positions. As you note, 2020 boomlets are much like what occurred in 2016. Do not reprise that, please. I would like to expect more, much more, from the "paper of record"; but I am beginning to give up that expectation, unfortunately.

I'm was all in for Bernie in 2016 and I still have the utmost respect for him for bringing on the revolution. I trust Bernie. But I do like what I see of Mayor Pete. He's refreshing. I like his energy. He seems trustworthy too. He's a very close second to Bernie in my book.