My introduction to Pete Buttigieg began with me googling the pronunciation of his name as it had come up earlier in conversation that evening (By the way, for those curious, it’s pronounced like Peter without the “R”). I watched a video as he introduced himself and spoke briefly on a few of his ideas. I was hooked. That night I watched an hour of YouTube videos, and with each interview I gained more respect for this man and his achievements. His accomplishments are astounding! He is a Veteran who has spent time in Afghanistan, speaks seven languages, attended Harvard and then Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship, and is currently finishing his second term as mayor of South Bend, Indiana. I have heard him speak in person four times, and each time I am more impressed with his thoughtful ways.
His plans and solutions to problems we are facing as a country are detail oriented and pragmatic. Two examples one should look into are The Douglass Plan and Medicare For All Who Want It. While many of his competitors are criticizing the current administration, he chooses to change the channel and instead focus on us. He knows politics is personal as evidenced by his marriage, which was only made possible by one vote in the Supreme Court.
He is a servant leader and he leads by example. His calm demeanor, his eloquent and thoughtful approach to addressing issues, and his willingness to work for the people and not the party are all reasons I will vote for Pete Buttigieg as the Democratic nominee
5
As a highly educated man and a brave combat veteran, Mayor Pete articulates a very open and inclusive societal viewpoint in his campaign. Paradoxically, his handling of race relations in his hometown remains quite worrisome.
In 2012, Mayor Pete fired his African American Police Chief Darryl Boykins, around the time when a protest march was going to be held in South Bend about Trayvon Martin’s tragic murder in Florida. Mr. Boykins was widely admired in the community and was also popular in a somewhat racially divided police force. It was alleged that Mr. Boykins was trying to illegally tape conversations of certain members of the police force to expose racial bias against the African Americans. Interestingly, Mayor Pete never released these taped conversations - this action by the Mayor may conceivably be construed as obfuscation. Just Saying!
This year, Eric Logan, a 54 year old African American man and a father of seven was fatally shot by a white police officer, in a parking lot, under very questionable circumstances. The police officer did not turn on his dashboard and body camera at time of the shooting. Mayor Pete was, of course, very contrite and conciliatory yet under his mayoralty, South Bend’s Police Force is 90% white while African Americans and Latinos constitute almost 37% of South Bend’s population.
Is Mayor Pete just “Tone Deaf” about race relations or is he just interested to become the first gay president of our country ??
Something to think about!
Tim Ryan is 46 and from Ohio, which he has represented in Congress since 2003. He isn't quite so young, has far more experience than Pete, and has more of the centrist appeal that would help win the general election. I'm not sure why Pete's campaign has been so much more successful. Perhaps because voting for a gay man and pairing him with a black VP would be a virtue signaling slam dunk.
My sister and I pray every day that the extraterrestrial beings (humans' Gods) that visited Greece thousands of years ago to impart advanced knowledges and guide it into a democracy return and visit your federal officials in Washington, D.C. to impart reason, compassion, dignity, empathism, intelligence and respect for law and order. If your government continues to destroy all that is decent in this world, we believe that there will come a time, soon we hope, that our gods will smite the wrongdoers and take control of your country. That has happened many times over the course of history to many countries. Your United States of America is not exempt from the wrath of the Gods. What happens on Earth affects all in the universe into infinity.
Untie that tight knot, Sir Frank! Get with the Pete program. Feel the Buttigieg. Your instincts about who would be the polar, antimatter opposite of the raving lunatic in the White House are spot on. You've found him.
But it isn't age, Name it. It's the gay. It has to be. And yes, I'm afraid of that, too. But I can remember my parents telling me the wisdom back wen was we'd never elect a Roman Catholic -- until it happened. Then, never a black man, until it happened. Then, never a woman. until Hillary got more votes than any man in history, including her opponent.
We won't know till we know. For this 64-year-old, Mayor Pete represents a shrewd investment in our future. Approach him like Warren Buffet would. My bets are that his bets would be with this wicked smart, wicked good candidate for President.
3
Throughout my 67 years I've worn many hats. Journalist. Police officer. Prosecutor. Judge. And while I am prohibited from endorsing any candidate in a partisan race (although I have been elected as a Republican district attorney) I find Mayor Pete particularly interesting. I started college in South Bend and know it well. It is much "larger" than 100,000 due to its proximity to the Chicago market, its manufacturing and educational institutions and geography. Mayor Pete stands out as a contrast to many stereotypes but I've known scores of politicians and have worked with them, interviewed them, dined with them and argued with them. I have seldom seen anyone like this guy. He admits mistakes. He says he doesn't know all the answers but seems willing to look for the data and best practices to attack problems. When he talks he talks to you, not at or above or around you. There is a certain genuineness here as he describes things, including his own intersections with faith and his sexual orientation. I don't agree with him on all that I've heard but as I make my own decision for the coming year (which is and will remain public) I will say that I want to hear more. I am not sure that the nation is ready to accept a married, gay president but maybe being the calm, intelligent mayor of a city of 100,000 who admits his mistakes and demonstrates humility and vulnerability is what we need to start the process of bringing us together. We could do worse.
104
I think Biden is tainted by 2 factors: his age and Ukraine. Even if there's nothing to the latter, Trump has succeeded in announcing that he will scream Ukraine! in '20 like he screamed Emails! against Hillary! in '16 and I think Biden is now too old to fight him off. Sanders is also too old and his heart attack will tell many voters that a vote for him is a vote for his running mate. So I predict a Warren - Buttigieg Democratic ticket. I agree with Frank that Buttigieg would have been better off running for a Congressional seat in '20 to better prepare for a '24 run, but VP would be even better if we Dems can beat Trump who will cheat in the '20 race much worse than he did in '16.
20
This is ageist, and therefore discriminatory. A smart 37 year old is better than an incompetent brainless 73 year old any day of the week. If Mayor Pete is capable, then vote for him. That's it. The minimum age to be president is 35 for a reason - because it was determined that at 35, one is capable of carrying out those duties.
57
My problem with Mayor Pete is this:
After eight years of a charismatic, highly intelligent, well-educated, hardworking and extremely competent Black man in office -- the reaction was Trump!
God only knows what the reaction would be after eight years of a man who was charismatic, highly intelligent, well-educated, hardworking and extremely competent - and Gay!
12
"In 2016, I visited and spent many hours with him in South Bend, then wrote a column with the headline 'The First Gay President?' I was looking at least a decade into the future, after he’d extended his résumé…"
That's what we said about Obama right up until we elected him "First Black President." While he was still delivering the keynote in Boston I said, "I'm going to vote for that man for president one day." I thought it'd be after I'd voted for Harold Ford.
There's a reason the Founders set the age requirement at 35. A dozen signers of the Declaration of Independence were 35 or younger.
Thomas Jefferson was 33.
No, the average person is not presidential timber at 37, but Pete Buttigieg is no average person.
What would we get from a 42-year-old Buttigieg? One more term as mayor of 100,000? A run for governor or senator not having solved all South Bend's problems? A LOSS that leaves him looking like…Beto O'Rourke? A WIN that leaves him a first termer with little accomplishment in that position?
Every president but the current one admits they weren't prepared for some of what it thrust upon them—but that being in the job is the only thing that could.
Cory Booker, my senator, wasn't ready when he was still mayor of Newark. Big city—De Blasio? No. Giuliani? Never.
Pete is.
Who wasn't an agonizingly unsafe bet? Hillary. Kerry. Gore. Shall I go on?
I hear you. But I'm knot-free.
We can't make the next presidency about a president, we have to make it about our country.
56
"I’d be a lot more comfortable ... if he had a better record on race..." I would like to hear you say this in slightly more human terms, Frank.
10
The reality is, being gay will cost him. The other reality is that, while smart and well-meaning, he does not have sufficient governing experience to be President. Look what happened in 2016.
5
I’d vote for Pete B for a second even though I can’t spell his last name. Dems need a young centrist to go against Trump. Pete would be perfect for the role. Never mind his age - it’s irrelevant.
36
I am a moderate Republican and I think he’d be terrific. I agree his youth worries me a bit (likely a reflection of my middle age), but his obvious intelligence, thoughtfulness on key issues and propensity to bring people together rather than drive them apart makes him quite compelling in my mind.
47
I don't care if Pete doesn't have years and years of experience. What I know is that he will surround himself with brilliant people who have the experience and expertise he lacks on any given subject, and he will be able to think critically about their advice, and then make informed decisions to carry us forward. One doesn't have to be the most experienced to be President; one needs to be exceptionally intelligent and have little ego. Pete.
53
Mayors/governors have a hard time getting elected as President, while those in the house and senate have a much easier time. Why?
Mayors and governors have to deal with day to day issues, constantly being scrutinized and judged on their record. No one is going to please everyone/be perfect all the time. Look at Guliani and the others. By the time they finished flailing on their performance and record no one was interested.
But the House and Senate, many voters don't even know who represents their area. Until trump elevated attacks and name calling to an art form and the house and senate spent so much time fighting him, supporting him, or trying to avoid saying anything, they were able to go about their supposed business, quietly, unobserved, casting their votes. If/when one of them decided to run for president, there wasn't much out there in public about them. And Trump is so crazy I think if he had held any office he wouldn't have gotten any further because he can't do anything in moderation.
There is no perfect candidate. No one is going to satisfy everyone all the time and whose every view is going to align with your own. trump claims he is the chosen one, but some of his people don't care for him.. They're just afraid to say it.
So vote for the person whose values and views most closely align with your own and stop looking for the perfect candidate to descend from the sky.
15
Of all the candidate names mentioned there is one unfortunate absence: Tulsi Gabbard. I'm disappointed she hasn't been able to gain prominence, especially over Harris. I feel she embodies various found in other candidates including Mayor Pete.
5
It only took Edmund Muskie one tearful breakdown over an insult to his wife to blow his campaign for the presidency.
1
So we can elect a black man to the Presidency but we cannot elect a homosexual? What about a confirmed bachelor or an aging spinster? What about a Muslim or a Jew? Or a Buddhist or a Shinto?
Are we so hidebound that we can't elect anyone who isn't married, who doesn't go to Church.....
15
Buttigieg's age doesn't bother me in the slightest. All you have to see to prove that age doesn't necessarily equate to wisdom is the idiot in the White House right now. Some people have a natural wisdom about them, and I think Buttigieg is a perfect example. He's got my vote.
36
Frank Bruni for President!
2
How about a Buttigieg/Harris ticket. Darn, I would vote for Kermit the Frog over that human wreck there now !
9
He's great. He's not too young; get over it. Die hards will not vote for any of them, but at least, he's a dude from the midwest, that's gonna maybe get a few who are scared of the dark-skinned witch or the injun. (Whom I wholeheartedly endorse as well.) The Dem playing field is so awesome it's like choosing between Cream and Led Zeppelin and Yes and The Who as the greatest rock band ever. Get any one of them elected and assemble a historic cabinet.
15
Yes so much at stake, so much fear, so much to be fearful of..
What ifs ..if onlys ..The negatives speak to that fear..there is not an algorithm for choosing a President...there is the right, or wrong person for the moment.. I believe he has IT..people listen when he speaks..he is inspiring, and not in the Elmer Gantry speak of Elizabeth Warren, but something quiet...his quiet respectful listening..he is nuanced and wise. Wisdom does not always come with age ..we see this evidence everywhere, including the obvious, and sometimes it belies age...his early writings indicate a deep well..and hearing him..listening to him now, a deep well..we have plenty of shallow sprouters..seemingly more alike than different Yes, he is a stand apart, and of legal age..When Pete speaks I hear inclusivity..not policy positions to rally the masses of one tribe, against the other. We need to look at a broader constituency than our front yards..we need to think and care about the middle, the climate, about all that has been put to risk by the fool on the hill.
..I'm in..and yes I have a knot in my stomach...a great big knot..as any thinking person does. We are, precariously perched.
13
The author is very short of logic. He likes how Pete thinks, and the maturity of his answers, and his demeanor. Better than all the rest, even. But, then, he stumbles over his age. Well, hell, I would pick a person who understands the job -- regardless of age -- over older persons who don't. That seems very basic to me. Secondly, there is a reason why businesses hire younger people over older people. Thirdly, the author implies that youngness means immaturity, but disproves it himself -- in this case -- with his examples of how Pete outthinks his opponents, and does so without ruffling feathers.
I read this article at first thinking that the author had been hired to plant seeds of doubt among the un-discerning (a form of propaganda). But I settled on the conclusion that the author can't think well.
I don't know which candidate I will vote for yet, other than being totally certain it will not be Trump. But the idea that Pete's age will enter into my selection process is simply absurd. Look at how the candidates think! Do they truly understand this country's issues, or are they re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?
11
As Mayor Buttigieg has pointed out, he probably would not be "the first gay president."
206
His age and experience are not problems for me. He is preternaturally AWARE of the issues and all the nuances connected with them. The man knows how to inspire and how to lead--AND he knows the practical uses of data and intelligence. He understands the human aspect of how policy affects people. Pete Buttigieg is the oddest politician ever because he is so much an UN-politician. And yet, he well understands the game that has to play out. Every day I pray for his safety and for him to be our nominee. Since it seems we always have to mention Mr. Buttigieg's orientation, I guess the rest of the candidates are openly heterosexual. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
31
Respectfully disagree. I’ve served 4 presidents starting with Reagan, 2 Rs 2 Ds and am an Army vet. Pete is my guy. He’s ready to be commander in chief. He understands the economy, our planet and people. He is courageous, compassionate and will surround himself with good people. He knows he doesn’t have all the answers on race. Frankly no politician does. He is a healer and Obama proved many wrong when conventional wisdom fretted over this country’s “readiness” to elect a black president. Substitute “gay” for “black.” I’m a 60 year old 100% comfortable with a 39 year old President Pete. This fit, young, handsome, monogamist, articulate, spiritual, thoughtful MidWesterner cuts a most striking contrast to the incumbent. Though I will support with enthusiasm whoever is the D nominee, I hope it’s Pete.
44
Yeah, he's so imperfect, Mayor Pete. Whip smart, articulate, and in Biden's description of Obama, Pete's "clean".
Except he's too young. Except he's, you know, gay. Except he's had his problems as mayor. He probably can't garner the African-American vote. Or suburban women. Or those white, angry, old, left-behind guys who adore trump.
Oh, if we only had a perfect candidate. And who might that be? After frump, snail slime would be a perfect candidate.
The republicans can dish up to the American voters all manner of bozos, from the Saint, through the dumb and dumber Bushes, and then their slate of losing candidates, Romney, McCain and the zoo that helped frump get the last nomination.
None of those republicans was anywhere near perfect, let alone smart, well-informed, articulate, and with some sort of vision for the country that didn't include sticking it to the poor and giving lots of our national treasure to the rich.
Nah, a guy like Pete is so vulnerable. He hasn't got amazing incomparable wisdom like frump.
Except that he does.
24
So, Frank, Democrats should pick the candidate who talks the talk, rather than the one who walks the walk (Warren)?
12
Since when is age the guarantee of deep wisdom, culture, decency, or class? Are we forgetting the daily eye-, mind- and soul-scorching assault inflicted on us is by a man of 73 in the white house? Psychology 101 tells us that an old age means regressing to the primary narcissistic state. And we have its perhaps worst avatar in the current president of the US. France elected a 38-year Macron in 2017 since no elderlies with their vast “wisdom” could rival the electricity and excitement generated by the strapping “young” man. Yes, we can too.
13
What intrinsically is Mr. Bruni’s objection to Mayor Pete’s age? If it’s lack of wisdom, Mr Bruni proves that wrong.
11
So the race card is on the table and if it is between Pete or Donald you would expect this time around that the colored population would be able to see a difference. I hope the Democrats would make the Supreme Court and all the other courts a major differentiator regardless of who they nominate.
5
It's not about choice of candidates as much as it is voter turnout. Unfortunately Democratic viters, especially African Americans and young voters, have a history of not turning out unless their motivated for personal reasons.
3
I would not worry about Pete. If the next president is a Democrat and not a total fool, he will be on the cabinet, perhaps the Secretary of Homeland Secretary of Education. After 8 years he will be the right age to run for president and win.
8
Mr. Bruni, Follow your instincts. They are good. Run a full page story with color pictures about Pete! Tell the world you want this talented guy to be your President! Do it! Don't take him out like you and your paper took out Hillary Clinton.
21
Not going to lie - I am infatuated with him. He is so intelligent, so articulate, so common-sensical, so realistically moderate, on everything except climate change, which is an actual emergency. Besides being young, I fear the electorate has a significant percentage who will not vote for him because he is gay. This kills me, because he is the Anti-Trump, opposite in all ways. we need an Anti-Trump, to put out the dumpster fire we are at this moment
13
When the media hyped the fact this young man could speak fluently 7 languages without ever having lived in any of the countries where those languages are spoken, I was certainly surprised. When he reeled off 2 sentences (full of mistakes) in Italian and then in French, I was shocked at the media's naiveté.
Since then, I have watched dozen of puffpieces, read endless articles extolling the virtues of a young guy whose résumé might impress an HR manager looking for an up-and-coming employee - but for President? This is ridiculous.
He got 8,515 votes to be elected mayor of a town of 100,000 inhabitants. He ran for Indiana State Treasurer and lost by 27%. He didn't get a single vote for DNC Chair. So, naturally, he's running for President.
This is some kind of celebrity/influencer invention: a guy whose sole qualification to run for President is because he came out as gay 3 years ago. It's not enough. There are out gay politicians who might be serious contenders to run the federal government (Maloney, Polis) but Buttigieg is not one of them.
We have a tyrant in the White House. Now is not the time to try to prove one's wokeness on social media by supporting an unqualified candidate solely because he is gay. There is no other reason to support him because he has no other qualifications. Let him run for Congress or Governor statewide and show his chops.
7
This editorial seems to be written as the "greatest hits" of everything white, middle class males, generally of the Republican/Evangelical/Christian Axis have been touting all our lives. That is how we got Trump. This writer seems completely incapable of thinking beyond the orthodox. Sad, especially since he is himself a gay man who has found success in a white, straight male, dominated world. What to do? Ignore him. And, when you get the chance, try to teach him something new and modern. The millenials are the ones who will lead us out of this quagmire because they have the most to lose. Listen to THEM.
6
Picky, picky, picky! I like Pete.
11
Yes we need someone like Trump who screeched invective and promised everything most promises forgotten and just lied and lied and lied more. Yes that worked put well for American as the Trump tantrums continue. God forbid an American Presidential candidate come across as thoughtful and reflective. We Meicans don't cotten of intellectuals we loves the Trump He lies from the hip. Real Manly gets us men all riled up and the ladies swooning. MAGA Trump even has our Blue eyed white Jesus anointing him the chosen one.
1
Frank. "Yadda, yadda, yadda".
Get on with what's important, every candidates vision for our country.
3
Oh, HOW I would love to see Pete Buttigieg in a debate with Donald Trump!
19
Buttigieg is flawless in my estimation, but not electable in 2020. Because he's too young. Because he's gay. He could be King of California or the Prime Minister of NY, but Ohio and Pennsylvania wouldn't go for it, much less Texas, Missouri, Florida. The evangelicals will vote in a satanical NY hustler married 3 times, but not a gay Christian. Yes, the pendulum swings from Obama to Trump, but not back to Pete. I wish. Maybe in 8 yrs.
4
I studied each leading candidate. I watched their campaign launch speeches, I read their policies, and I track social media patterns. And after all that, I am 100% convinced that Pete Buttigieg is the unifying leader we need to begin healing our divided country -- regardless of age. I literally sleep better at night, because he gives me hope.
24
I get your point. Buttigieg in 2024 makes perfect sense. Possibly with Biden as the presidential candidate in 2020 Buttigieg could be VP - if the Democrats are willing to play the long game and stand for two white guys on the ticket in 2020. That would certainly give him a lot more national experience and exposure which would make a 2024 run feasible. Given Biden's age, I see him as a one-term president, and such would make for a generational transformation by 2024. He might also help a Warren candidacy keep the message of same from sounding too frighteningly progressive to the general public who may rather keep the devil we know in Trump (assuming he's not impeached), instead of making a radical shift. The article on Vermont's cautionary experiment with single payer health care may also put a damper on that idea too. See: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/opinion/bernie-sanders-single-payer.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
Of course there is that pesky detail of winning the 2020 nomination, much less the general election in the first place, and presuming that Trump will go quietly into the night, should he lose.
Stay tuned for further developments.
4
I am 71 and have no problem electing a president in his late 30s.
If he has an achilles heal, it is not of his own making.
Sadly and tragically, I don't believe this country is ready for a a gay president, no matter what his qualifications .
I wish I were wrong . For him and for all of us.
3
"He routinely steers clear of extremes..." like "environmental issues". The climate crisis is extreme? Absolutely an extreme issue and lets steer clear of that one. I'm very quickly getting ready to steer clear of this paper.
6
Imagine a focus group being presented with the views of our candidates, without them being identified. I truly believe Mayor Pete's pragmatic progressivism would get a lot of head nods. It's only when you put a 37 year-old face to this vision that gets folks saying "yeah, just too young. sorry." It's reverse ageism, and I'm not buying it. Buttigieg is the anti-Trump and has the ability to begin a healing process, and course correction, this country desperately needs.
12
Mr. Bruni, your article smacks of ageism. Pete Buttigieg is the best candidate when you take age out of the equation. He’s a moderate who can appeal to pretty much everyone but most of Trump’s base. What other candidate has his very broad experience and personality? Read up on the guy and what he studied in college and as a Rhodes Scholar, then write about how his age does NOT factor into his ability to be president. Those things need to be highlighted, instead.
Do not underestimate him.
7
Take a closer look at the photo accompanying the article. Buttigieg looks absolutely miserable and he's all by himself. Where are his supporters? Except for an American flag doesn't the background seem awfully dark and forbidding?. Buttigieg is in way over his head and he should consider dropping out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race now while there's still time.
2
Justin Trudeau is catching some well-deserved flak for some obviously racist and boorish behavior in his "youth." In spite of that, I doubt there are too many of our neighbors to the North who lay awake at night worrying that their country is in grave danger because it is led by a relatively young person. One might draw a similar conclusion about Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand.
6
A man who served in battle is not too young in my book.
12
Trump is 73 or 74. Yet he behaves like a juvenile. The number of birthdays you've lived through don't tell the whole story, not by a long shot.
10
I still can't shake the feeling that the Democrats are in for a brokered convention next summer with some compromise candidate no one likes being selected to run. Mayor Pete might make a halfway decent Vice Presidential candidate but he's not ready for prime time yet.
2
@sharon5101
Snap out of it.
Biden is in the middle of a political face plant.
The sun set on Bernie.
Elizabeth Warren has stolen the show with a breakout performance.
Get ready for the November 3 2020 Blue Wave.
8
Polished talk is not the only criterion to be president of America. Sometimes there is a need to speak in an unpolished way when you are an American President. That president is like Trump, Truman, Roosevelt, Johnson like personalities. So, Buttigieg is out and Trump is in.
1
@Alex E
The Trump Titanic has entered Iceberg Harbor.
It's all over for the Scofflaw-In-Chief.
5
Buttigieg is almost agonizingly perfect, and that is the problem.
He is a veteran, a brilliant Rhodes Scholar, highly articulate and well-spoken, down-to-earth, poised, handsome and charming.
Many Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Life is very much a stressful and chaotic one of survival. The gilded gates of Oxford and time to contemplate the higher meaning of complex texts? Most Americans cannot even fathom such an experience, much less appreciate it.
Buttigieg is a young philosopher king. In many ways, he reminds me of a young Bill Clinton, in the best possible sense.
The problem is that much of America doesn't want a philosopher king. While the media denounces Trump's endless antics, many Americans feel that Trump speaks their patois: stream-of-consciousness venting against enemies real and/or imagined, which paradoxically, appeals to people who are used to living paycheck-to-paycheck with their backs against the wall.
Therein lies Trump's appeal: he is terribly imperfect. And in a very imperfect, chaotic, and messy world, the agonizingly resplendent perfection of Buttigieg, is most ironically, and most unfairly, and life is sometimes very unfair, an Achilles Heel in 2020.
5
Mr Bruni you never fail to see to the core. And as far as Mr Shapiro no doubt he listens, but he is far from the bulk of voters that count in getting a win. I don’t believe Buttigieg raises the required ‘excitement’ among working class average voters. Personally I have one additional concern with Buttigieg above all of yours and that is that he has attracted too much money period and from high flying donors. To me that’s a red flag. My preference would be for candidates to be assessed purely on their message, their positions on critical matters, yes healthcare, yes gun regulations, Yes education, all that concern the average person and not high minded concepts that are attractive to the comfortable elite. Frankly I feel since it is the Democratic Party that sets the requirements for qualifying as a candidate it is the party who should be raising the money and apportioning it equally to the candidates who qualify based ONLY on the number of supporters each one of them has. The money being raised is obscene and in my opinion betrays the very ideal of a democracy.
5
Pete Buttigieg DOES looks "promising," but we haven't done real well electing people who haven't demonstrated the complexities and pressured of the presidency.
I'd rather see Buttigieg be a governor or in the senate for awhile, and watch how he does as a ploitician rather than as a (Promising) candidate.
4
Let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. No candidate is perfect and clutching at one's pearls over the perceived weakness of a candidate just fosters that meme. Mr. Buttigieg would make a fine president, but he will need a seasoned VP who knows how DC works or he'll go the way of Jimmy Carter, another fine man who got eaten by the sharks.
There are several dem candidates that can be good presidents. The big issue now is will we have a fair and open election, or will China, Ukraine and Bill Barr be in our voting booths tipping the process to the crooks? trump will weaponize the presidency and the Justice Department to re-elect himself. Do not doubt that for a minute.
6
As you said, Mayor Pete is a “champion of the sensible” and is best equipped to build a team to make the “balanced” decisions on the issues of the day ... health care, immigration, climate, trade with China, etc. However, I feel the big win with President Pete will be his elevation of US leadership in the reimagination and transformation of global democracy/capitalism which is crucial to the restoration of a stable and prosperous future. I can’t see any other candidate having the vision, intellect or energy to manage that task.
14
Don't count out Amy Klobuchar. Once Biden realizes that he is toast, he could throw his support behind her to get the moderates that have been in his camp.
3
@HCM and by the way, she might catch on with voters from her neighboring state, Iowa.
1
This sadly disappointing column only gives ammunition to the anti-anything-but-white brigade. Pete Buttigieg is smart, articulate, ethical, and an excellent candidate for the presidency. It appears to be so gratuitous that Mr. Bruni would focus on the possible negatives about Mayor Pete's candidacy instead of on all the positives. Let the campaign teams worry about perceptions, and let the readers have solid information upon which to make an intelligent choice.
Anyone would be better than Trump!
10
He is my candidate. I will ONLY vote for him. Period. Are you listening DP?
5
So disappointing...even now, Frank would have the perfect be the enemy of the very, very good.
3
For your first 3 paragraphs, before you said "raised real money", I could have sworn you were talking about Amy Klobuchar. She prides herself on her midwest, middle of the road, sensible, reasonable - and at times - bipartisan approach. I like her, but don't think she's dynamic enough for the nomination.
I share your enthusiasm for Mayor Pete (will they call him President Pete one day?) but don't see him breaking through within the next 10 years. He's the one candidate with undeniable stardom ahead for all the reasons you mentioned. The Dems are lucky to have him.
1
Pete is without question the most erudite of the Democratic nominees. But the folks who voted for Trump don't like that. There is a huge anti-intellectual, anti-elitist sentiment among many of them. Pete comes across as a privileged, over-educated man with not a lot of experience under his belt. And that doesn't even approach the problem of his homosexuality.
I overheard a conversation recently among folks standing in line at a church for free food. A White woman was excoriated Trump, mostly on the grounds of his failure to take action on the climate crisis. A Hispanic man listened to her reasoning and then said,
"I don't care. I like him!" A whole lot of people do not vote according to reason---they vote by gut feelings. I don't think that Pete has the power or charisma or whatever it takes to win over the voters that the Dems need to defeat Trump. Obama had it. Trump had it.
I think ORourke has it and I'm sorry to see how he has been so sorely overlooked in the media, including this article.
For my money, Warren is the only one who can move the mentality of the masses enough to win the election.
3
America needs to start thinking about the role of the president as akin to a CEO. We need to de-mystify the position and shred any memos that protect him or her from criminal prosecution.
1
The democratic party is in the MIDST of a presidential primary. This is the time that policy positions are articulated, ideas are exposed to (hopefully constructive) criticism. Mayor Pete is valuable in the extreme for his ability to think critically (and nimbly) and put his policy prescriptions out in the public forum.
Many others in the current democratic lineup are also doing a service for their party and country by telling the electorate truthfully where they stand on policy positions, demonstrate their comportment and ability to communicate, and show us their understanding of the very real problems that our country faces at this moment.
The loudest and most strident voices in this group are not the only voices to heed. Think back to the last republican primary for a model of how NOT to run a party nominating process. Examine the character of the candidates carefully, look at their records of service or lack thereof and put the most qualified person on the ballot for the general election.
My mom was very fond of saying "The Truth Will Out", words to live by. We are currently living with the failures of both parties to appreciate that wisdom.
2
Buttigieg is indeed an impressive young man, but he isn't ready to be President in 2020 and as a country we're not ready for an openly gay President yet.
He is also the mayor of a college town that has just over 1% of the population of New York City, so a little more seasoning is definitely in order. Time is on his side and I think he would make a fine President. But not yet.
5
I think two of the most electable candidates and probably deeply capable future chief executives are not on this list. I'm thinking of Montana's Governor Steve Bullock and Colorado's Senator William Bennett. Both bright, strong, creative, compassionate men from the heartland with deep records of accomplishment. They are just about the right age, political moderates poised to take back the presidency if given the chance. But they won't get the chance this time. Too bad.
3
It's unrealistic to have so many specific criteria for a candidate. If you have so many issues with Buttigieg's weaknesses and how he doesn't fit your criteria exactly (i.a. too young), maybe look at the other candidates who fit four out of the five things on your list. Bruni's argument on extremes is unclear to me. Steering clear of extremes is playing it safe in my opinion, or a sign of a moderate (sometimes slightly conservative) candidate. it Buttigieg is Bruni's choice, maybe Bruni should focus on his strengths rather than bring him further down by highlighting his lack of electability.
7
Really, its time to be brutally honest about the political system in America. It doesn't represent the American citizen. The elected members of both parties pander rather than instill true democratic values of the republic for which they have been elected to represent. Rather than ask their electorate what they want and why that is the essence of their life in America they instead belch out ideologies of utopia which are impossible to sustain. Their platforms are not about truth but instead are filled with degenerate belief systems. They whip up a frenzy of tribal animosity with the intent to divide and mislead the citizenry. Their interest is self loathing and their bidding is to the ultra power elite who treat the voters as their personal indentured slaves to carry out their debauched craven greed. As a voter we must demand loyal representation by people who know that commitment to the beliefs of the public is their first and only order of duty and for the establishment of an American republic founded on a Democratic constitution. Both parties will have to be committed to compromise and a dialogue of truth for this country to once again see its future destiny of ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
@JLC
The 'under God', 'in god we trust' etc. ideology is one of the biggest scams in US history advanced by Christian Nationalists, the same people who got us Trump, Pence, etc.
The US constitution was revolutionary because our founding fathers established the separation between religion and government.
May we soon, as a nation, find our true American values again.... E Pluribus Unum.
6
Never let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
8
Hmmmm...I can't imagine him not in the White House.
14
I reluctantly tuned in to the last debate and immediately noticed some guy moving and speaking like a real person. Pete who?...Boot edge edge? I liked him...a lot! But then I thought "no way. A gay mayor"?! My Democratic insecurity took over like Catholic guilt. Then I thought again and asked myself "Wasn't I saying four years ago there was no way a narcissistic, unethical blowhard would be President."?
12
"Pete Buttigieg is the ideal Democratic candidate in many ways, but he’s awfully young." I would say imperfections are inevitable. And Mayor Pete is not perfect. If he's the nominee, he's likely to win. Once in the WH, he will look more & more mature.
"None of his fellow contenders for the nomination speaks off the cuff in such gorgeously composed paragraphs" That's a rare gift. Very few have it, or come to the forefront with it. Mayor Pete arrived with it. So, don't throw that away. You know, sometimes what you wished for may come. And it's Mayor Pete. Make him president Pete Buttigieg. He deserves it. He's an unusually serious, exceptionally gifted & very sincere man.
I consider him a great gift to America, nay the greatest gift to humanity, when so many things look so dark, with global warming, ISIS, rising totalitarianism around the world. Take him. This is our chance. If you vote for him that in itself is great public service.
Sorry for going overboard. Forgive me. I'm not gay, nor white.
24
The agony is not the imperfections in Pete or any of the other candidates, for whom all of us here in the "choir" will vote.
The agony is the voting bloc who stay home because they just could bring themselves to do it. I keep thinking of those two barbers in Minneapolis interviewed by the NYT, two Obama voters who just could not get excited about Hillary skipped voting. The 80,000 such non-voting voters across three states bear responsibility for Individual-1.
The key for Democrats seems to be enthusiasm, not a damning flaw. My worry for Pete are the non-white voters and women who see "white guy" and decide they aren't excited. For Elizabeth Warren, it's the Democrat who would never vote for Trump, but "just couldn't see the point" in voting for a woman. For Warren and Sanders, a swath of voters might skip voting "'cause both candidates just too old." And so on.
"And anyway, my vote doesn't make a difference." For some us in red states, that's partially true; we only make a difference in showing the rest of the world how to get more votes and lose the race. But who knew PA would be a swing state?
The deplorable base (safe to call them that, at this point) will turn out. You people reading this—a few million in the case of this column, a few dozen in the case of this comment—will turn out.
The groups with terrible turnout, will YOU finally show up to vote, even as the GOP puts obstacles in your way? You had better do it, as it may be your last chance.
5
I have a suggestion for everyone to check the ages of our founding fathers in response to the comments made in this otherwise well written article.
I will vote for Pete.
12
@CKM
Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
American revolutionary spy Nathan Hale was executed by the British when he was 21.
After his military seizure of half of the known world, Alexander the Great was 33 when he died.
Age is just a number.
5
Your column about Mayor Pete Buttigieg aligns with my thinking and apprehensions as an alternative to our current leadership. Then it occurred to me that Buttigieg is as qualified or more than Donald Trump ever was. So if this country could elect such a unqualified candidate as Trump to the highest office, why not someone who has all of the abilities and more to close the divides and heal the wounds that our current leader has beset upon us?
12
37 or flip the numbers to 73, Trump vs mayor Pete. Some of us are old souls and are wise beyond their years, others never achieve wisdom no matter how old they are. Vote mayor Pete, he can do it, I know he can!
12
Buttigieg is the closest to a perfect candidate that I've seen in my lifetime. I have no problem visualizing Pete around a conference table with the likes of Macron, Trudeau, Jacinda Ardern or the several other 30-something leaders.
I do have a problem with 70+ year old POTUSs. This is not at all helpful to the betterment of America. Pete's a good person and a great candidate. Get over your hesitancy about his age. Buttigieg is exactly what America and the world needs right now.
17
Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the right candidate for this time in our country. What do we want in a President ? Number one he has class. Pete Buttigieg will always make us proud to be Americans. Number two he listens and thinks before he talks. An example. When Buttigieg came out with his healthcare plan it was followed by numerous data based articles in the bibliography. His consultant experience trained him to research facts before making policy. Number three. He’s smart as hell and obviously well read. Number four he has the experience of being a combat veteran and seeing war up close. Number five, he knows who he is and never backs away from being openly gay. That’s true integrity. I could go on and on. His maturity is beyond his 37 years. I can easily see him on the stage debating Trump. Trump would look so small against Buttigieg. Hopefully voters will give him a look. He’s the real deal.
7
Democrats who have been elected president in recent years share a certain fact: it is their first run for the presidency (Carter, Clinton, Obama). Experience doesn't produce victory: Mondale, Gore, Kerry, H. Clinton. "Those who don't learn from mistakes in the past..." Think about it.
8
Frank,
Mayor Pete may not meet your expectations for "perfect," but his blazing intelligence, thoughtful responses to the nation's problems, and humble nature still add up to the best candidate of them all. He is smart of enough to seek help from those who know more about a particular issue than he does and to listen to their advice. I truly believe, despite is age of just 37 years, that his decisions would reflect the wisdom of a man who knows what he knows, and knows what he doesn't. Watch more closely -- Pete doesn't raise his fist and yell, because he doesn't have to. He's my man. Miracles still happen.
24
@Ed Kerry
I wholeheartedly agree with your comment.
Thank you.
The top three contenders are difficult to be elected, owing to different reasons.
9
The headline. It's a total non-sequitur to the text. Agonizing? Age as an "imperfection? The three septuagenarians polling above him are all capable and I would vote for any of them. But to me, the issue is not age, it's elect-ability.
If his own constituents can recognize the talents of this brilliant young gay man and re-elect him with nearly 80% of the vote, I think America is ready. Buttigieg's messages all center around the values we share, always positive and inspirational. Just like JFK, RFK, MLK, and BHO (yes, I'm that old, myself).
In contrast to the headline, Mr. Bruni is rather effusive. Is there a tongue in your cheek, Sir?
6
@Michael Brown: I think Frank Bruni agonizes because he shares the vulnerability he writes around.
2
Buttigieg is my pick. I hope he gets the nomination.
19
Buttigieg's political experience is mayor of a 5 stoplight town. He needs to run for Indiana governor or for a senate seat, then get back to us on the highest, most powerful national elected office.
Even then, I'm leery of former altar boys that careen from one son culture ladder step to another, academic doors on auto open, a career spent swaddled in near all-male environments and so little awareness in his professional and certainly professional life of all that half the population that is female endures.
4
"I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."
Remember Ronald Reagan's sly humor during the 1984 presidential debates against his Democratic opponent Walter Mondale? Pete has to turn this on its head against Trump if he's to win.
Bruni is spot on about all those contenders. At our last meeting of the local Democratic Town Committee, I asked those in attendance who they supported, but started the conversation myself. Bruni could have taken the words right out of my mouth.
I was impressed with everyone I heard at the second debate and would vote for any of them over Trump. But then I analyzed the weaknesses of the leading contenders, wailing that the nominee could again win by millions of votes, but still lose in the Electoral College. (And, yes, I cited Bernie's age BEFORE his heart attack!)
My solution? If you give your vote to Pete or any of the others during the primary, then vote for the eventual Democratic Party candidate. Don't be distracted by third parties. We don't have runoff voting yet and we don't form coalition governments.
We're stuck with an imperfect system which gave us two very imperfect Presidents in 2000 and 2016. Until we become a true democracy, we need to be radically militant. This is not the strategy that Pete espouses, but it is the one which will allow him or another Democrat to undo the damage inflicted upon America and the rest of the world.
2
I am less concerned about Pete Buttigieg's ability as a candidate than I am about his husband's ability to endure the slings and arrows coming his way. He'd do well to speak to Michele Obama about the whole grace under fire thing.
2
@BC
Have you seen Chasten's media presence? He'll do fine.
6
@Eye by the Sea
I avoid social media like the plague so I'll have to take your word for it. It is reassuring to hear though. Thanks
As a gay man of a certain age I clearly remember the bad old days and I don't really trust society's new found acceptance. The world is every bit as ugly and stupid as it has ever been. I have a lot of faith in the generations coming up but honey, Auntie is going to worry about you kids. Just accept it.
1
Frank, this column appears to be about your problems, not Pete's.
18
I'm reluctant to even pose the query on the chance that it intimates a lack of awareness on my part.... but is the fact that Mayor Pete is polling so incredibly low (practically negative!) among prospective African-American and other Black voters correlated in ANY way to a potential bias in those communities against homosexuality? I've heard this anecdotally, but have not yet had to occasion to ask friends and associates. And if there is, would this be readily admitted? I guess it's either a faith-based or societal assumption....and maybe it's WAY off base. But I wonder...and I worry. Pete's my choice...and a rather clear one for me. But he can NOT be elected without strong support from these communities. If that's the case... what chance does he have? Hoping my worries are, at the heart of it all, non-issues. Thoughts?
2
Yes, the Democrats need to reach out to the Republicans and find common ground, because that worked out so well for Obama.
10
More than any past election, this one feels like it's being decided by the media and their willingness to distribute airtime. We are told that Biden, Harris, Warren, and Sanders are our main choices. It's debatable whether Buttigieg should appear in that list. But we rarely hear anything about Booker, Bennett, Hickenlooper (RIP), Inslee, Sestak, etc, and then consider them unserious candidates because they have so little name recognition.
6
@Bryan Young: Don't hold your breath waiting for the media to popularize a candidate who proposes to ban prescription drug advertising.
3
One word: gay. A very large segment of the American population will not be able to get over that. I would like to think they could but I do not have strong hopes for it. Right now the GOP still has within their platform the overturning of gay marriage. SCOTUS will debate whether someone can be fired for being gay. I think if marriage is overturned and SCOTUS decides against the LGBTQ community, you will see many republicans frown and shrug but not speak out very forcefully. I doubt if even your own friend and colleague David Brooks would have your back. It is not until someone realizes that a close friend or relative is gay that they come around. Until then, the views of their churches and communities preside and it is nearly impossible for people to break out of those constraints. I know this from visiting my beloved inlaws in Wisconsin, lovely people who love us but who are driven by community standards, whether that is how you decorate your home, what food you eat, what sports you love, and what people to accept.
6
More than any past election, this one feels like it's being decided by the media and their willingness to distribute airtime. We are told that Biden, Harris, Warren, and Sanders are our main choices. It's debatable whether Buttigieg should appear in that list. But we rarely hear anything about Booker, Bennett, Hickenlooper (RIP), Inslee, Sestak, etc, and then consider them unserious candidates because they have so little name recognition.
5
More than any past election, this one feels like it's being decided by the media and their willingness to distribute airtime. We are told that Biden, Harris, Warren, and Sanders are our main choices. It's debatable whether Buttigieg should appear in that list. But we rarely hear anything about Booker, Bennett, Hickenlooper (RIP), Inslee, Sestak, etc, and then consider them unserious candidates because they have so little name recognition.
1
Is the New York Times's job to re-elect Trump while doing your best to not let anybody catch on? If so, you're doing a great job of it. It seems half of the incredibly talented and smart op-ed writers of the Times have devoted themselves to sowing doubt about each and every major contender for the Democratic nomination. And when they're not laying out each candidate's particular vulnerabilities, they attack the whole group as too far to the left.
Given how threatened your entire institution is by the current administration, I cannot understand why you are not fighting harder to take it out. Why write all these articles, which can only serve to dismay loyal Democrats and imbue doubt in moderates, when you could be working with them?
This article is basically all about how "I like all the candidates, but . . . ." Are you kidding me? Get over yourself, Mr. Bruni. Candidates will never be perfect, and they'll never be perfectly electable. I know that, and I'm seventeen. When I vote in March, I will not concern myself with your laundry list of complaints. I am going to do the honorable thing -- pick a candidate, advocate their cause with pride and intensity, then put my full efforts behind whoever gets the nomination. Defeating Trump is what's important. Not your petty objections.
2360
@Patrick Cullinan To Patrick Cullinan - BRAVO!! BRAVO!! Let's hope Mr. Bruni reads your comments. Well said. And, Mr. Bruni, get a grip - we don't care about a knot in your stomach. Mr. Cullinan's comments are much more poignant than Mr. Bruni's article.
338
@Patrick Cullinan
Bravo, Mr. Cullinan. I'm clapping for you and your generation. Go get 'em..
289
@Patrick Cullinan The NYT sunk Hillary with its constant harping on the Comey letter. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
287
Pete's age and relative lack of experience aren't holding him back. Right now, he is holding himself back.
For the moment he seems content to build his brand and position himself as the perfect VP selection for somebody like Joe Biden. Pete needs to decide whether he thinks he can win and really go for it, even if that means making some enemies along the way.
Unfortunately, I think he calculated that he can't, and his best path to the White House runs through the VP mansion. Perhaps the right play on the grand political chessboard. It would also cure his "lack of experience" problem, but unfortunately I think it highlights his biggest flaw.
Pete can come across as a resume padder. Perfect on paper, but divorced from the real world. Pete wants to be identified as Midwestern, religious, gay, veteran, etc. All true, but the label he most prominently displays is that of the cerebral child of two college professors. Not a bad label! But not exactly a man of the people.
7
If only we had a country full of reasonable adults, who vote based on character, intelligence, ability to lead, decency and all the other traits we claim to admire. In such a country, Buttiegieg would be a shoe-in. Sadly, we live in a country where many people pride themselves on not being political, on not paying a lot of attention to what our leaders are doing and who are bigoted.
I don't know if Buttiegieg can win in such an environment. My solution: nominate him for VP. He then gets more national exposure and experience and will be ready to be president in a few years. As he is sensible, he will surely understand the wisdom of this.
4
Well, compare them all--as well as just about anyone off the street--with, say, Reagan the liar of Contra fame, Nixon the crook of Watergate and secretly hijacking LBJ's VN PeaceTalks, Bush/Cheney of the lies that got us into the Iraq War, and then this, current, brazen crook and con man. And the Republican Party wriggles on in that slime, and gets by with it. Democracy and even decency are, indeed, very fragile things among humanity. And the worst of it all is that millions of "Christians" buy it.
7
Americans threw their support in the last election to a mentally challenged, hate-fostering, lying, misogynist game show host. They willingly overlooked his age, his business failures, his flagrant adultery, his racism as well his deeply flawed, checkered past. If Pete Buttigieg's downsides are being young and gay, I, for one, can accept that.
21
Why can't the NYT and its many contributors accept the basic fact that the Two-Party System is a complete faiure? What could be more evident in this upcoming farce of an election? The USA is not ruled by one party or another's political agenda. Instead Big Money rules and all are compelled to do its bidding, however invidious to human interests.
246
@Tournachonadar
"Instead Big Money rules and all are compelled to do its bidding,"
Hyperbole, anyone? Yes, the power elite and corporate interests dominate public policy, political parties, and legislative agendas, but that does mean that ALL are compelled to do its bidding.
You know that the billionaire class would have apoplexy if Warren or Sanders became president. They'd be quite content, though, with a President Biden who has had their backs and, even recently, told a group of wealthy donors that nothing would change for them if he were elected!
15
@Tournachonadar Sounds like you've found your mission in life.
You can probably get into your Delorean and set the clock to 1776..and then tell Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the others how this country should be designed.
This is really quite simple. If you think there is a need for a 3rd party candidate, raise the money and organize to get that person viable. The media isn't going to play along, so you're going to need someone with really really deep pockets to finance it (Even Tom Steyer's $100 million isn't enough..considering the media gave Trump nearly $3 billion worth of free coverage in 2016).
Even then..you might get a Jill Stein just enough votes in MI, OH, WI and PA to defeat the Democrat candidate for President by just 77,000 votes..and then be blamed for Orange Man Bad occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
You'll lose all your friends and America's left will blame you for everything that's wrong in America.
Perot had the best shot at it, but he did it as a moderate Independent which you can't do successfully. The moment you have a good idea on the left, the Democrat will steal that idea. The moment you have a good idea that resonates with the right, The Republican will steal that idea.
You might not like it, but the system was built with the Bell Curve and the Natural Law of Physics in mind. Ideology typically disburses evenly across a spectrum..so left vs. right with the real fight being the middle..is how this was designed.
Thank you Founding Fathers.
12
@Tournachonadar
Elizabeth Warren has fought Big Money and she will continue to do so from the White House.
14
Let's take a time out.
For the last 20 years, haven't we been reminded that America is diverse and becoming more so every day? Aren't we supposed strive to spread that diversity across the spectrum of our society?
Your solution is to elect another white, with all of the white privilege he was born into, to be our next President? I'll wait until a proven fighter shows up. Someone with scars of battle and decades of wisdom. Call me when Hillary announces.
80
@Mike To you and other naysayers, BOGUS. Please take time to follow link to read Shapiro’s article in the New Republic. Pete has wisdom to know that he wouldn’t be managing the country, and beyond, on his own. The position isn’t about age, it’s about intellectual and emotional intelligence, both of which Pete Buttigieg has.
59
@Mike
That worked out so well last time, it's almost like we haven't learned anything from 2016...
31
@Mike South Bend is not a white privileged city. He was a successful student, leader for his peers, and he went to war in Afghanistan. Since when is Success a privilege?
57
I was so proud of my country on the night that Obama was elected. For the first time in my life I had actually gathered the people around me that I love to watch an election night unfold. My pride wasn't because America had elected a proven leader, or even one that I expected to be particularly progressive or effective (although it was apparent that he was an intelligent man who was probably capable of doing the job). It was because enough white people were able to set aside whatever they had to set aside and vote for a black man.
I would feel exactly the same if we elected an openly gay man (or anything but a straight white male Christian, provided they were not an obvious fool). But I just can't believe that an America that recently elected a misogynistic, bigoted fool is anywhere near voting for anyone from the LGBTQ community.
337
@Steve G
That’s exactly the kind of thinking that put Biden in the lead, an experienced politico that nobody can dislike but who is clearly past his prime and who absolutely nobody can actually get excited about - a recipe for four more years of Trump!
35
@Steve G Our better selves are ready. I still believe it's possible to have a President Buttigieg in 2021.
41
@Steve G oh I think we are more than ready. Just keep in mind as far as the Presidential election goes the pendulum always makes wide swings. That is why we got Trump and I knew we would. So now from Trump the wide swing will be to Pete Buttigieg perfect justice for all Trump's antigay policies and all his hate and bigotry. Plus Pete is fantastic and in Obama's league.
37
Please stop all this waste of time and energy.
America is NOT ready to elect a gay president.
As smart as he is, I hope he will pull out of the race at the appropriate time and avoid the monumental mistake of being nominated.
Opinion of an old experienced (elite) gay man and all his younger gay friends.
5
Agree largely with your reasoning, but really, he is the only candidate who is really authentic and intelligent.
If the Democrats nominate Warren, then their fate is sealed.
4 more years of Trump. At the end of those 4 years, the world will have radically changed, America will be so diminished as to be unrecognizable and control of global warming will be out of reach.
Humans will be come the next dinosaurs.
Let's hope Pete nails the nomination.
6
From a black, straight female way down south in Texas, Mayor Pete would be an AWESOME President. He’s just what America needs right now.
348
@Plumeria From a white suburban female bany boomer in PA I agree with you 100%. President Obama is my favorite President and Pete's Intelligence and integrity reminds me of him.
21
@Plumeria
A WOMAN president and more women in all the upper levels of U.S. society is still what America needs and has needed for decades.
That the GOP selected Trump and now Democrats are dithering between a couple of old men ready to kick the bucket and an inexperienced gay guy is just so revoltingly ancient misogynist. Doubtless, the identity politics of those Dem men likely puts a smile on the face of the PC crowd: 2 Catholics and a Jew.
None of that is unique.
America will be AWESOME, mature even, when we elect for president a female, agnostic, unmarried and with no kids president...maybe even an of-color lesbian.
3
A "better" record on race...? I think Frank is looking for a "perfect" record on race - and perfection is too high a standard in today's world.
131
He may be young, but from what I've read so far he would not be stuck in the mindset that he is perfect, the smartest, knows everything, has unmatched wisdom, is always right, needs no advice and ignores any given. He probably doesn't spend much time thinking and bragging about being good looking, taking credit for others' accomplishments, and running his mouth off without thinking first. I could go on...
6
What Pete lacks in age and experience he makes up for with intelligence and the ability to listen to reason. He will make an amazing president!
8
If a embodiment of the seven deadly sins can be President, so can a young good man like Mayor Pete.
8
How does the saying go, that people don't remember what you do or say, they remember how you make them feel?
It's pretty clear that I feel pretty terrible at the moment and the only candidate that speaks from a truly authentic place of public service is Pete Buttigieg. He makes me feel engaged and hopeful.
As usual, the Democrats and the media are looking to whiteboard out their "ideal" candidate based on all the false narratives and meaningless categorizations that limit and inevitably degrade the process to a low common denominator. The last two Democratic presidents had flaws, but geez could they hold your attention and make you believe in something bigger than yourself. Even Trump, in his self-serving and morally caustic way had the same appeal to his electorate.
6
It's a sad thing when having a solid resumé is now "elitist".
6
it isn't his resume that's elitist - it's his massive Wall St financial backing.
3
The projection of human nature onto physics is false and infantile. We really don't need any more respect paid to the stupid practice of belief without substantiation.
I recognize that Pete has some interesting things to say, but why hasn't anyone really dug into what he has accomplished in South Bend, a small city of 100,000 flush on the border of Michigan. Pete was first elected 8 years ago in 2011.
I checked on city-data.com in respect to relative statistics about South Bend and found this astonishing details, to wit:
Population 102,000. Median income $36,000 vs Indiana $52,000. Median House cost $77,000. Percentage total of people in poverty 25% (individually 40% of blacks, and 24% of hispanics live in poverty etc.).
More striking is the crime statistics, one of the worst in the country, with the crime index rate at 577 versus an average of 280 for the United States.
So Frank, these are the statistics that you feel are worthy enough for Pete to be a presidential candidate? If he couldn't clean up South Bend after 8 years then what can we expect of him as POTUS irrespective of his young age?
We need a strong individual to be our next President who has the background and stats needed to be able to convert our darkest hour in the US with Trump as president. I don't need to even consider someone who can't even mop up the mess in a city after 8 years. By the way, who can?
7
It would certainly help if pundits like you, Mr Bruni, didn’t feed the corrupt GOP negative talking points with your columns. Enough of tearing apart every decent Democratic candidate like a frog in a biology class dissection. We don’t need you to tell us what’s wrong with these candidates. We need you and the rest of the country to focus on one thing - what is RIGHT with them. That’s it. What is right and good and healing for the nation.
Stop talking about his age, his sexual orientation - who cares?!! - and start putting positive light on strong candidates. We need our media to frame this election differently. We are all sick sick sick of what Trump has done to this country. Mayor Pete gives us hope that there still are decent, level-headed people in politics. Focus, please, on that and only that. Age, sex, race, gender - they are all irrelevant when you only have a choice between good and evil.
I beg you. Start now to right this ship- not help them sink it any further!
3
"My wish for a young candidate didn’t mean a 37-year-old one. There’s much wisdom in this life that’s accrued only with the passage of years." Then again, some young fools grow up to be old fools. Exhibit A: the current occupant of the White House.
4
The slogans practically write themselves: He's like Obama, only whiter and gayer!
We don't need another faux-centrist right wing identity politics Pelosi-esque cipher.
This "hyper-articulate Hoosier" is yet another centrist, warmongering, neo-liberal clown propped up by establishment polls that over-sample older democratic voters with rotary telephones and faded "I'm with her" stickers on the backs of their sport utility vehicles.
Mayor Pete sound like someone who's been groomed from day one with a ready made bullet list designed to slide him into the political arena at the right time.
With Democrats like these is it any wonder that the Trumps and Nixon's of this world win.
What is his record and what are his positions? Apparently, the author did not consider it important to report on much less analyze those.
5
Nominee Pete Buttegieg would make toast of Trump on a debate stage and on the campaign trail. He would make Trump look like the ignorant, crazed old sociopath he is. Anyone I know who listens to Mayor Pete likes him. As nominee where he would have the limelight and millions more Americans got to hear him, he would would win, especially if he had Kamala Harris as his running mate.
5
As a commentary on our system, look at the line of succession from the president -- Pence (scary religious zealot), Pelosi (old), Grassley (totally incompetent), Pompeo (a Trump wanna-be) --- and then it gets worse!
1
The Times keeps publishing op-eds about how Democrats need to stop tearing down candidates. I'm sure Mr. Bruni probably even agrees with this. So why is he running a column that tries to pick apart such an excellent candidate for such picayune reasons?
8
First, Mayor Pete will do no harm. Age is a number. Frank, shame on you.
5
So much agonizing, Frank. Just vote D!
3
It’s only agonizing to Bruni because he has been a major promoter of Buttigieg from very early on. For the rest of us he is one one of many strong contenders who just doesn’t happen to be our first choice ( and “our” obviously doesn’t include the many fawning supporters commenting in this column).
3
Why-oh-why can’t you columnists use your reach to help Steve Bullock increase his support? He is nearly everything you mentioned on your list (he’s not from an industrial Midwest town). For the life of me, I cannot figure out why he cannot gain traction…maybe because he’s too normal? Not far enough left? Too boring? Just a regular, logical, intelligent, honest guy – exactly the type of guy who could beat Trump, yet he can barely even register in the polls. If there could be some kind of ‘intervention’ by ‘people with a following’ (ahem, you and your ilk), maybe he could gain enough steam and have a chance to meet the polling and funding requirements to get on the debate stage. He’s the guy. He can take Trump. (By the way, I don’t work for him, I just recognize an obvious choice when I see it).
2
Oh, how could any candidate who is less than perfect ever defeat trump?
I understand your point, Frank, I really do. And isn't it strange and marvelous how trump's imperfections vanish into insignificance when we (or our anticipation of the reaction of other voters) look at the imperfections of a Democratic candidate?
To flip the saying from Jesus, how can we remove the log upon which our neighbor is impaled when there is a speck in our own eye?
Republicans forgive every imperfection to unite behind the guy (even an insane, incompetent but generally useful idiot) who gives them what they want.
The losers in the next election will be the ones who fail to unite and show up, choosing to lose heart in imperfection. Oh, he's so young...if only....
3
I don't think any African American in their right mind would vote for Pete. He has done a dismal job of handling policing and race relations in his small town. If he cannot even handle a small town, how can he run a country?
6
Interesting rhetorical exercise in praising with faint damnation.
Intellectually I can’t figure out how anyone can proclaim themselves a Christian but other than that he’s the smartest and best spoken
Buttigieg understands that people are more than two-dimesnional cut-outs, and he understands that out country needs to pull out of the vitriol and 'gasoline-on-the-fire ' rhetoric. Its a different tactic than nearly every other candidate, and it comes from the heart. As for his age- don't judget too quickly. A man who came out as gay, served in the military, and has accomplishe significant achievements at a young age, a person wise beyond his years. Thats better than just passing time for a few decades. Ultimately, people want somone who they trust, who understands tehir issues, and can sympathize with their situation. We'd be lucky to have him.
5
Pete Buttigieg/Stacey Abrams Ticket is my vote.
4
With this column, Bruni also points out the reasons Democratic contenders are so "vulnerable".
Republican voters smoothly glide over the potholes and bumps of their candidates - riding high in their monster trucks with gigantic air filled tires. You can't feel a vulnerability if your sights aren't set on finding them.
Columnists like Bruni (and debate moderators, and reporters), when talking about Democratic candidates pull out the magnifying glasses and examine every minor pothole and tiny bump to nit pick on.
They did the same to Al Gore, thereby ushering in Dubaya. Now, with a "man" far worse than Dubaya, they still have their elitist microscopes out and looking for everything to dislike about the entire field of Democratic contenders.
They're going to nitpick their way to ensuring another 4 years of the trump carnival.
3
All the Democratic contenders are brilliant people. They make most of the GOPers in Congress look like 2d grade drop outs. We need these people to run for the Senate in the near future and we need more like them to step up and run for office at the state level.
4
I would love to see Warren pick Mayor Pete as her running mate in 2020.
What a great ticket that would be! Strong in the Midwest and policy oriented.
And just imagining Buttigieg getting on a debate stage with Mike Pence gives me happy stomach butterflies.
4
I long for the day that Democrats get beyond this horrible "box ticking" for "people like me." I faced plenty of discrimination in my lifetime and longing for something better at times --I'm Jewish, female, orphaned at a young age, grew up barely middle class--yet I don't feel the need to find a person just like me to be president. I also don't think a person just like me is going to do the best for people just like me or necessarily understand people like me. Pull up your big girl/boy panties people and look at the individual running! I loved President Obama, not because he was just like me but because he was just like who I'd want to be-- a person of talent, intelligence, grace, patience and empathy.
I'm certainly not a Republican as I find their expressed ethos repugnant. But I can't be a typical Democrat, I'm sad to say, as I don't see people as symbols but as individuals. This blind "box ticking" is as pathetic and as exclusionary as white supremacy to my mind. "Our president shouldn't be white, or male, or Christian, or straight or too short or too tall or freckled or else they can't represent me". Really superficial silliness. Silly but tragic.
6
Groom Buttigieg for the next election; VP this time.
He will make an excellent President.
1
Get over it. Buttigieg is good, more than good enough. If the guy was 17, it wouldn't matter. Substance is what matters, and he has it.
5
“Trump has a way of doing it. My party has a way of doing it. And it misses the need for a certain humility about the good and evil we’re each capable of.”
I'm sorry, but that's frankly a false equivalency. A man in a big pick up truck passed me while blaring an air horn and giving me the finger. He had an enormous Trump flag on his truck. Why did he resort to this cruelty? I guess because I was under 40 and driving a Prius.
This is what Trump has set loose upon our country.
5
OMG, does this article represent the quivering, dithering, chronic, "tight-knot-in-the-stomach", "my depression is setting in" anxiety that characterizes the national Democratic media or what? They actively, neurotically seek the negatives wherever they may be found, no matter the overwhelming positives. Are you kidding me: All the Democratic candidates are "agonizingly unsafe bets"?! Jeez, Frank, if you need a "safe bet" to calm your nerves, get a Golden Retriever and quit writing from a place of fear. It makes Democrats seem like insecure little girls (apologies to little girls).
3
I am sure Pete is a worthy person but he is NOT a leading contender.
He like Harris and a few others is the fevered dream for a 'centrist'; aka anybody but Bernie or Warren.
And let's all put on our electoral blinkers and pretend an openly gay man will do well in all those Red States.
Get real.
3
Political talent, I guess. Can't run the 3rd largest town in Indiana. Seems to be a racist, or someone who can't come to terms with his feelings about people of color. Also, he takes corporate money and is in cahoots with the DNC "leadership." Somewhat arrogant. Thanks, I'll pass.
4
He fired a Black police chief. End of story. Whether he had good reason for doing so, doesn't matter. Many good Democratic candidates see their campaigns die in South Carolina, and he'll be one more.
3
If the democractic candidates want to beat Trump then all except Pete drop out AND THEN SUPPORT HIM!!!!
4
As with any hiring decision, we aren't choosing a POTUS just for what s/he brings to the table at noon on January 21, 2021. Pete Buttigieg is only going to get smarter, wiser, and more able to get things done. By 2028, after eight years in the White House, I'll bet money he'll be a world changer. Imagining Biden or some of these other folks in the White House 2028 is what puts a tight knot in my stomach.
2
Buttigieg Harris 2024. Make it happen!
1
Buttigieg needs to be vice president and get some federal experience under his belt. then he will be ready to be president. If you want a contrast to Trump, and an energizing and inspiring ticket that will get youth turnout, I think Warren and Buttigieg make a great ticket. You cannot use the same playbook against this president, he already knows all the plays. You have to bob and weave.
1
I know you are trying to regain the Presidency but honestly with Candidates like that do you really believe you can?
I definitely don't think of Pete Buttigieg as the ideal candidate. He doesn't inspire me, and I am going to vote for whomever is on the ballot. The candidate needs to inspire the 90M people who didn't vote to come out and see this candidate as different. The main think about Mr. Buttigieg is he is awfully close to the money, and I think candidates hiring former Goldman Sachs executives as their policy directors does not at all resonate with me. He is also a white man, and I'm sorry, but I'm ready for something different. As a gay woman that's my feeling.
1
Put Buttigieg in as Veep, so he can take over from whoever is president, when needed, then run for president the next go round.
176
@SES - Also, it would make a record setting, must-watch VP debate in 2020, assuming Pence is still on the ticket.
15
@SES Yes!!! Absolutely! I've been saying this all along! Say, Biden & Buttigieg? That would absolutely get us the Midwest and Independent votes we need to win, as well as Democratic! Let's not waste Buttigieg's talent, intellect & willingness to serve.
12
@SES If this wasn't a rebuilding term, I'd agree, but I think we are going to need someone who has actual higher level experience to repair our damaged bureacracies - like Castro. Mayor Pete has only been a Mayor.
Pete Buttigieg gives me hope for a better future....I respect him immensely. There is no perfect age to "lead". He has the qualifications, intellect and dignity to lead this county.
7
When will the Democratic Punditry cease demanding perfection as a prerequisite for their support?
We don’t need perfection. We need competence, adherence to the Constitution, and a functioning moral compass.
ANY of the current Democratic contenders will do. They all deserve our support.
Let the primary process play out. Let the voters become more acquainted with the candidates. There’s a lot to like there. Stop quibbling and nitpicking about less-than-perfection. Good enough is pretty great.
5
Agreed! Although I can’t help thinking that we’d rather nominate and elect a gay white man than an older woman.
1
Try harder then. The candidate who amasses a majority of the delegates will reap the nomination. It may not be Harris OR Buttigieg.
Toss those identity politics onto the ash heap where they belong. Think of these candidates as potential Cabinet members if that makes it easier. Buttigieg as Secretary of Defense? Warren at Treasury? Wow. Dynamite. Think of any of them hitting the campaign trail supporting their former opponents. Does that get you excited? It should.
1
@Max: Trump thinks from the gut, and so do his voters.
Mayor Pete's approach to our partisan differences is admirable, but he fails to address the much greater issue. It's not about guns, climate change, immigration, etc., where we can have widely opposite views. Rather, it's overwhelmingly a moral issue. The president has not the slightest concept of right or wrong, and everything he does in office is self-serving, without the slightest interest in the country's welfare, or for that matter, any other person besides himself.
1
I share Bruni's concerns about Mayor Pete's age. Thirty something is simply too young. The sweet spot age-wise is about 50-65, old enough to have experienced enough ups and downs of life and accumulated some wisdom, and young enough to have enough vigor to handle the challenges of the office. That said, I don't get why Cory Booker hasn't risen further in the polls. He's bright, articulate, has a track record as Mayor of Newark, and Senator from New Jersey, and is the right age.
3
I agree! Booker is impressive. He really shone in the last debate.
3
Being thoughtful and well-spoken is all well and good, but continuing to placate the right wing and Republican Party in the hopes they will reform or come to their senses is a non-starter. They do not accept the legitimacy of their opposition or the Constitution and the rule of law, except when they’re in power and use it a a cudgel to take away the rights of others and force their ‘way of life’ on everyone else. I am reminded of Munich and Neville Chamberlain, or the vain attempts by the Clinton Administration to stop Serbia from slaughtering Muslims in Bosnia. Time to stand up and stop them.
8
An egomaniacal, 73-year-old man too full of himself to ask for input from an entire State Department before saying yes to another despot is getting allies killed right this very minute and you are worried about age and experience? I don't mean to insult you because I admire you, but IT'S BRAINPOWER AND CHARACTER, STUPID. Pete has both.
11
Ah yes I agree, plans spanning multiple years into the future should definitely be decided by people with maybe 15 years left.
1
@K: Psychiatrists classify Trump as an "extreme present hedonist" who lives only in a narrow time frame centered on now.
Get honest, Frank. Pete would be a shoe in, if only the electoral college was ready for a gay president: I’m surprised and not surprised you can say that.
3
I like Pete. Anyone that's been around working and living will be vulnerable in this spastic age of social media and self-proclaimed moralists that believe they decide who and what is good or bad.
Obama won the presidency because he hadn't done anything; only a year in the senate and no business or legal experience. It was why he ran at that moment. Perhaps that's why AOC gets so much attention - hasn't done anything until entering Congress. I have little respect for one that gets the coveted 'ring' in politics without any real experience. But, in this day and age, those are the most likely 'teflon' coated candidates. Shame.
I, for one, would absolutely relish a televised debate between the thoughtful, wise, likable,educated Pete B and the ill-mannered, insincere, rambling and uninformed current occupant of the oval office. Mayor Pete would wipe the floor with him.
6
I think he would as you say, wipe the floor with him. But is America ready for a young gay president? Think about the divisive of that move. The evangelical right will throw a hissy fit and make this election into a morality contest. Many of his base would buy into that and vote out of homophobia this time around as many voted around general xenophobia last time around.
2
The so-called evangelical right have lost all moral authority they ever may have enjoyed by supporting the serial philandering, thrice married, meretricious current occupant of the White House.
True Christians they are not.
2
Buttigeig seems like such a long shot. Young, Gay and politically inexperienced. All he has going for him is that he's brilliant, articulate, good hearted and obviously committed to making this country a better place for all of us.
It reminds me of someone else...a young Black senator with a foreign sounding name.
Should we try this Hope and Change thing one more time? I willing.
9
And Pete’s a vet as well. He might go over better than anyone thinks. He’s damn smart and likable. And Obviously not a corrupt career political.
3
I think Buttigieg is the Adlai Stevenson of this race. You know. Every thinking American would vote for him, but that's not enough. As a Midwesterner, let me say that he doesn't sound like a Midwesterner. I like him, but he's not going to catch fire.
4
I doubt he could get re-elected in Indiana.
4
And yet Pence stands one short step from the Oval Office.
I doubt Pence could be elected dogcatcher in his hometown.
2
Buttigieg is perfect. He stands above Warren who is proving to be not only pedantic, but very clumsy personally. She seems to be socially completely at a loss, cannot understand people or what they might commiserate with. Point in case her pregnancy fiasco. It is entirely a plausible one, but if she cannot, or her completely useless campaign strategists cannot keep track of her previous statements, then she will lose us the elections. It is not about her arguments being plausible, they are, but she appears like a serial teller of little lies in an effort to connect. You see Trump never tells the truth and struts it, so in effect he is truthful about his lies, and hence he can connect with his voters. You just cannot lie and win... I really it is time we stood behind someone very young and not yet jaded by the corrupt political system. Go Pete!
4
Pete is truly the only candidate who gives me hope for a better day. His calm, rational, intelligent, and caring way of thinking and speaking makes me think we can salvage something out of this horrid mess we are in.
5
We elected a 74 year old racist reality star that has failed in business. I'll take the young, intelligent Mayor from a smallish town that actually has had to run things and deal with people he doesn't pay.
8
May I suggest for Pres Nancy Pellosi and Mayor Pete for VP.
"But I just can't believe that an America that recently elected a misogynistic, bigoted fool is anywhere near voting for anyone from the LGBTQ community."
That realistic opinion by a commentator in this forum speaks volumes. As compelling and competent as Mayor Pete is, imagine how ugly it will become when Trump begins his smear campaign to attack the Mayor's character in an effort to maintain his solidly homophobic andpowerful Evangelical base.
2
@Realist : Pete has lived a very charmed life. He will founder on Trump.
1
I am an older (approaching 80) white guy. Pete passes all the criteria one could ask... and you’re gonna let him hang out to dry because he is currently 37? Might I remind you he is past the age requirement... as if age is truly important. He’s got my vote hands down .
10
Hey, Frank, trying to get Trump re-elected? There are no perfect candidates anywhere. Not even Obama was. So grow up.
8
I like Pete Buttigieg and I like Amy Klobuchar. They're both articulate and seemingly level-headed and unflappable--like Obama. This is what I'm looking for in a President. And although I sympathize with Sanders' and Warren's platforms to a certain extent, I'm pretty sure the American electorate is not yet ready to go there. And Joe Biden? At one time I thought he was the best candidate to go up against Trump...but not so much any more. Not quick enough on his feet these days, and although his son may not have done anything illegal...well, $50,000 a month sounds fishy to those of us just trying to keep our heads above water. I'd love to see a Klobuchar-Buttigieg or Buttigieg-Klobuchar ticket: two level-headed midwesterners.
7
"If he had a better record on race." Mr. Bruni, I'm a black man, a veteran (20 years in the Navy), and a firm supporter of Mayor Pete. I would strongly recommend that you read Pete's Douglass Plan (https://peteforamerica.com/policies/douglass-plan/) which is, in my opinion, the most thoughtful and concrete racial equity plan ever put forth by a candidate.
Frankly, I find your remark on Mayor Pete's "record" on race to be silly and beneath your usual skill as a writer and thinker. What efforts on race do you want him to have? Snap his fingers and make all of our racial divisions disappear? I always become a little angry when a successful white man like yourself thinks that he can tell another white person how to "reach out" to African Americans, or any other minority group. Do us a favor and please focus on the issues and policies a candidate is pushing, not the chimeric dreams of us all sitting around a drum circle and singing Kumbaya. Mayor Pete is the most dynamic and forward thinking candidate to seek the nomination in at least the last 50 years. Give him a chance before you do the usual pundit dance on his head.
11
Pete is a neophyte. And a bit of a lightweight. Nice guy but not ready to be president.
2
But look who won last time! He wasn’t a nice guy, not even a lightweight intellectually or morally, trailed by ethical and financial failings, with no experience in government or law or the military and unable to speak honestly or coherently.Maybe Pete should at least be given a decent chance. Let’s see what happens when the primaries start before dismissing him.
1
James Madison Jr. (VA) (1751 – 1836) Age: 36 in 1787 when he authored the Constitution
Alexander Hamilton was 30 in the same year.
Lafayette was 19 when he filled up a boat, sailed across the Atlantic, and joined the Revolution.
Jefferson was 33 at the time.
So lay off Mayor Pete. Honestly, seems like you are trying to discredit him where none is warranted.
5
I’m voting for Pete!
5
I agree mostly with Bruni here. The answer seems clear--a Warren/Buttigieg ticket.....I strongly believe Buttigieg can prove himself as VP then Warren can pass the baton.
3
What gets my goat is that nearly everyone buys into the meme gay = progressive. Even the Economist ran with it. I predict he would be more concerned that the military industrial complex get its usual cut of the federal budget rather than fixing our broken health-care system.
On a lighter note, he and his husband will adopt two boys and name them Wallace and Theodore. Chasten will eventually learn jive.
1
Trump and his predecessors in the Oval Office have turned the Executive Branch of our government into "first among equals" much to the detriment of the Republic. Even still to pretend that Warren could point her finger and her policies would be come law is ridiculous. We could elect her without fear of creeping socialism though I personally would not object to a little creep.
Warren/Buttigieg 2020
2
Martin Luther King Jr. Was 39 years old when he was killed. Was he too young to do all of the things he did for human rights?
6
Once upon a time, I too might have fussed about the thin experience base of a youngish mayor running for President. But then came Obama, who jumped from State legislature to brief service in the Senate to the White House, where he guided the US out of serious economic crisis. And then came Trump, a dishonest, failed businessman, whose fortune comes from cheating people, and who is pig ignorant about public affairs. On that scale, Buttigeig looks pretty darn good. Maybe he will fill VP slot for someone like Warren. He definitely looks to have a future.
5
I'm hoping for a Warren/Mayor Pete ticket.
4
Look, this country is currently being held hostage by an uneducated unstable unscrupulous coward. I don't care how old he is; I don't care where or if he prays; I don't care what he eats for breakfast. I'm not interested in dating the next President. I'm interested in his or her ability to protect our Constitution and lead; justly, judiciously and sanely. There is no magic number. Let's get focused on the future.
6
Biden’s a foreign policy expert!
Pete might be a good fit for a cabinet position. Our country must first reestablish itself on the world stage.
2
I think Pete is ready now. And we are ready for him. He will bring in so many good and wise people to work with him and advise him, and he will be listening to their experienced counsel. He won't be relying solely on his own great and unmatched wisdom. I do not think his age alone should disqualify him. Emmanuel Macron? Jacinda Adren? Justin Trudeau? (Greta Thunberg?)
7
“Do we round up all of the good people, hope it’s more than 51 percent, come together and crush the bad people?”
Yes, that’s exactly what we do. Rally the poor people, people of color, and everyone else who is preyed upon by our system and take power away from those who currently run our politics and our economy. Rhetoric about everyone getting along—the stuff we hear from mayor Pete and elite media yakers like Bruni—is really an expression of anxiety about the possibility that current power relationships could be undermined. We don’t want poor people and brown people to actually take power and bend the state to their interests. We want everyone to be a little bit nicer, maybe support some small, token policy changes of the sort that comprise mayor Pete’s platform, but leave power relationships fundamentally as they are.
Bleh. White people.
2
My personal analysis of the top five Democratic candidates (in alphabetical order):
Biden: Way better than trump.
Buttigieg: Way better than trump.
Harris: Way better than trump.
Sanders: Way better than trump.
Warren: Way better than trump.
trump is a despicable human being and a nightmare of a president. Why help him get re-elected by putting these way-better individuals in the microscope looking for flaws? Look hard enough and you will surely find an ugly tree or two in Yosemite. That doesn’t change the fact that it is among the most beautiful places on the planet.
6
So, you offer undiluted praise of Buttigieg. His only fault is his age?? Isn't that just a tad Agist? Clearly he is not only the most articulate, most reasoned, and probably smartest candidate on the dais. If you want to worry about something, worry about what he'd do with his life AFTER he's president before he's 40.
3
Bruni underestimates the appeal of Buttigieg. I would vote for him tomorrow and so would my husband who is an independent. But this is beside the point. Every non-Trump supporter must vote for the Democratic nominee, whomever that may be.
6
Don't forget that the VP is another way to bring in the demographics Democrats will need to win the White House. I like Elizabeth Warren's chances with a Midwesterner like Sherrod Brown, the Democratic senator from Ohio, for Vice President. Like Warren, he's a champion for the "working man" and I think can win over many in the "industrial Midwest." I was disappointed when he decided not to run on his own.
Buttigieg is, in my view, the best hope for the Democrats. Like Obama, his willingness to toil in the grey areas of issues is not really the same as a bland centrism for the sake of compromise but, as Frank Bruni points out, it is where progress is likely to occur (even if incrementally).
He is fundamentally the opposite of Trump, and I believe that if he became more visible to people who, so far, have not really been playing close attention, this very quality would win back some of the Democratic voters who stayed home last time. He is the candidate most likely to win back anyone who chose Trump last time and now realizes their colossal error.
His youth might not be such a grave damper, since with youth there is generally the possibility to grow. Especially with respect to racial issues, voters will recognize that missteps are more likely to be instructive to him than they would be to someone whose worldview was forged decades ago.
And I don't subscribe to the view that the hallmarks of elitism will play against him. The consequences of the boorish anti-intellectualism-- in fact, the functional illiteracy-of the current President-- are becoming clearer. The buffer that has insulated our foreign and economic policies has totally frayed, and this will become even more apparent in the coming days.
5
I‘ve followed Pete since before he announced and have supported him since then. He is extremely knowledgeable, articulate, astute, sees the big picture, masters the small details, really listens to people - and has a great sense of humor! His personal integrity, work ethic, values, discipline, personal and professional experiences (education, military service, experience as mayor and more) all combine to make him a formidable candidate, in my opinion. I am truly surprised that he hasn’t gotten more traction - I’m assuming it’s because people have judged him because of his age or sexual orientation and haven’t really listened to him or researched what he has had to say.
Frank, I’m surprised you’re obsessing about his chronological age. Really? Keep in mind that the majority of people probably spend a fair amount of time in their 20s dating or hooking up or being married or in long-term relationships, having kids, finding themselves, etc. Pete spent that time educating himself, being involved in his community, working in various capacities, pursuing a military career, being politically active and becoming a mayor and easily winning a second term because of his success at doing that. Only much later (in his 30s) did he devote more time to his personal/emotional/sexual development - which seems like a really smart, healthy way to do your life!
Listen to what Pete has to say - verbally and in writing and in multiple contexts. His age and how he looks will seem less important.
7
It is true Pete is younger than other candidates. Interestingly, he demonstrates more maturity, thoughtfulness, leadership, intellect, humility, compassion, hope and civility than any other candidate. Pete is the first candidate in my 53yo life that I have EVER been excited about, donated to, and will volunteer for. Age discrimination is not acceptable. We need to vote for the best most capable leader for our country. It is about time we have a young energetic president- look at Canada, look at New Zealand. Pete restores my faith in politics becoming about the people again rather than about the politicians. #PeteButtigiegforPresident
6
I think this particular 39 year old Rhodes scholar veteran with governing experience is not even in the same universe as what we are currently subjected to in the white house.
I would love it if Mayor Pete were the nominee.
6
He's too young. Period. And a majority of the men in this country will not vote for a woman let alone a gay man standing arms around his husband. Certain parts of the electorate are progressive, but I don't think the US will be ready for that for at least 10 to 20 years -- when the last of us old guys die off.
2
And let me just add to my previous comment that this "box ticking" mentality turns off the other side just as intensely as their blind categorization turns us off. Why is that important? Our country needs to find common ground if we are to go on, if we are to continue to try to form a more perfect union. You can't hate the other side's intransigence and knuckle-headedness if you have plenty of your own.
3
I don't think Americans want anyone who wants open borders and other progressive nonsense. Delaney makes the most sense of all the current candidates. Don't be surprised if Bloomberg hops into the mix.
2
Thomas Jefferson was 22 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. James Monroe was 24 years old when he was elected to the Senate and became the head of the Democratic-Republican party (forerunner of the Democratic Party). James Madison was 25 years old when he was a member of the Continental Congress. John Adams was 41 years old in 1776; George Washington was 44. Maybe it isn't the years in the man but the man in the years.
7
All irrelevant. A ham sandwich will beat Trump in 2020, assuming, of course, that the election isn't rigged, which is the central question.
1
Trump is viewed as a vigilante by many, if not most of his electorate. He isn't, but that doesn't matter; perception trumps (pun intended) reality. DEMS need a candidate who's viewed as aggressively moderate, even if he isn't.
1
i oppose ageism on either end. Pete has the best heart and mind i've seen from all the candidates. He'd be the best antidote to the current horror.
4
Beto and Pete...like fine wine...need more time in the bottle to blossom to their full potential.
2
I think Bruni is correct -- Pete is eloquent, balanced on issues, aspirational and inspirational, intelligent, quick witted, and strategic.
Everything you know who is not, as well as his Dem challengers.
I don't get the no black vote thing, though. Police/Black shootings are tough issues, and to withhold support for making tough decisions that you may not embrace - seems like a one issue voter -- and we have so many issues to tackle.
1
Oh, the agonizing hand wringing of Those Who Know. Oh, the agonizing age-ism of the Pundits of "Diversity". Oh, the agonizing pain of an Elite Education (perhaps evidence of actually knowing something?) Phooey. I think it likely that Mayor Pete would win going away against Trump. Americans are smarter than you think.
1
Frank sure knows how to dig around the edges of the news and find something relatively unimportant. It seems almost as if it is a distraction.
1
Like many here, I find Pete to be the top Democratic candidate seeking the presidency. He is calm and non-combative, extremely brilliant and articulate, innovative and a leader. I wish he had a few more years on him, too, but then I ask myself, “why?”. Because it looks better on paper? 42 instead of 37? One thing I would like to see is a better clarification of his racial attitudes and behavior. That might bring more insight to this “young” man.
1
Elizabeth Warren/Pete Buttigieg ticket. That way, in eight years, at the ripe old age of 45, he can run for, and win, the presidency.
1
Mayor Pete is my pick. Of course I live in Washington State so whatever I think doesn’t matter.
3
Far too many Democrats especially Democratic pundits return to the recurring theme of a "safe" bet. We have the biggest "unsafe" bet occupying the White House at the moment. People don't want safe they want someone who promises them a better future, even going so far as to vote for one who lies about it.
2
In all other regards, I am a big fan - but Mayor Pete has not moved the needle one iota towards building African American support. The South Carolina poll had him at 2% for AA support!! His Douglass Plan didn't catch fire - not sure why. This deficiency cannot be overcome w/o some serious redirection. I hope he can pull it off.
5
Pete Buttigieg was born and raised in South Bend. It is a city of 100,000 people, 26.6% of whom are Black. He is 37 years old, a two-term mayor, and admittedly has no idea about the lives and thoughts of his black constituents. We don't need to elect another grown man who, "Has a lot to learn," about his fellow Americans.
3
Indeed, none of the leading contenders is electable. None of them should run for president. The only Democratic runner who has the "right stuff" is Cory Booker. There would be poetic justice in his becoming the next president and cleansing the country from the malignancy of his predecessor. Mark my words!
1
Come next November I'm voting for the Democrat. If a rutabaga wins the primary I'm voting for the vegetable. I mean the root vegetable just to be clear.
That said; The first time I heard Buttigieg speak my instinct was that this is the guy. Wicked smart, well spoken, impressive CV and willing to actually answer a direct question without pivoting. Then I started to over think it. He's young, he's gay his name is too hard to spell blah blah blah.
I think we need to be bold. Half measures and more of the same are not going to get our government back. Yeah he could use a bit more seasoning but I think he can make his case to middle America. I want to see him on a debate stage with Trump. The contrast between the two might be enough to convince a lot of voters.
4
Time to write Mayor Pete another $20 check. I know it's simplistic, but in my book he puts all the other candidates to shame.
4
Your basic contention is that Pete is too young. Really?! That sounds awfully familiar to the contention that Bernie is too old. Sounds like an ageist argument to me. Ideas should stand on their own regardless of the age of the person whose mouth they come out of. That seems like it should be the ideal.
Especially now more than ever in America.
Andrew Yang is a far better candidate. And 'Mayor Pete' keeps stealing his ideas...
Pete Buttigieg is an elitist's idea of an elitist President, with a calculated resume for high office; too calculated. He's too young, inexperienced and oddly for the long run, his soaring rhetoric doesn't seem backed up by policy ideas. When he first introduced himself to the national public, he stated that he wanted people to first get to know his values - to which Andrew Yang, who now has over 150 stated policies 'The policies ARE the values...!'
4
Pete's the only Democratic candidate who would not be a disaster. End of story.
4
You just made the case for Klobuchar. Good article
3
The tight knot is because the stakes are so high. Age doesn't always give wisdom. Look at our current President. Pete himself says no one can really be ready to take on the Presidency. I think all we can do it try to get someone in there who has the brains and the ability to get things done, while hopefully providing leadership. Pete checks those boxes well. His age doesn't concern me. If he gets the nomination, it will be a choice between an corrupt, incompetent egomaniac or someone with excellent decision making skills, natural and earned talents, solid morality and a will to serve. That's an easy one.
4
You write: "But I have the damnedest time imagining him in the White House"--just what we thought about Trump.
And, given that people grew up earlier a couple hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson was 33 in 1776, James Madison was 18, Alexander Hamilton 20. Thirty-seven sounds mature to me.
3
If you want change you have to go for it. Voting for the same old gets you the same old. Ask the Trump voter. They wanted change and they got it.
1
To win in 2020 the Democratic Party needs to win the Midwest. The only candidate with a prayer of bringing back white, working-class voters is Biden. Like him or not, pure enough for you, young enough for you, or not, that's the reality. Do you and other Time's opinion writers want to beat Trump? If so, do some electoral counting on the ground.
Well said, Mr. Bruni. If Buttigieg were ten years older and a governor instead of a mayor, he would be darned near perfect.
I believe Justin Trudeau was elected PM of Canada at age 41.
2
I submit that your problem imagining Pete Buttigieg in the WH is just that, your problem, not his. I was impressed beyond belief the first time I saw and heard him being interviewed. The intelligence, the charm, the crystal-clear presence of a good soul. My first impression has not since wavered.
While I don’t think he goes as far as I would like on some issues, I actually believe in him, and that is like a magic potion these days. He is only the second presidential candidate to whom I will donate money, the first being Obama in 2008.
Teddy Roosevelt was 42 upon election, JFK was 43. Not bad company. I’d say Pete’s greatest weakness is his lack of experience dealing with the vipers in DC.
4
Buttigieg has one asset that no other candidate has. His humility, intellect, and humanness will allow him to attract highly qualified, very experienced people to support a government he heads. He seems very able to take advice from any qualified source. While he is open minded, he's not a pansy who will accept as final the word of the last person he hears on a subject. He's old enough to have experienced much in his life that prepares him to face with confidence the travails he will inherit. And, most of all, unlike our current president and some of the other democratic candidates, he will read and seriously consider what his experts tell him and prepare, prepare, prepare. I don't agree at all with his religious beliefs, but he is not outspoken about them and I have no concern that he will be a spokesperson for the threat of American Theocracy. Biden carries far too much baggage. Bernie's health and sometimes extremism is a risk. Warren seems to be too progressive for the moderates of both parties that really drive the boat. Harris is mercurial and her history in San Francisco raises questions. Buttigieg must provide a plausible explanation for the dissatisfaction South Bend African Americans have for him; is it just that the black community, perhaps more evangelical that the average, can't get over the fact that he is openly homosexual? Any of the 11 candidates still standing would be ok, but Pete seems to have the best combination of qualities.
5
I did not even need to read this column by Bruni. The intro statement says it all. All the Democratic candidates are imperfect. Duh! Compared to the raving maniac that holds the position now, they are outstanding. I'm so tired of the Democratic negativity. We haven't learned a thing from the last election.
1
I like Mayor Pete. Btw the first sign of being old is remarking how young your new GP is!
2
Stop with the identity politics. People could care less about the age or sexual orientation of politicians. You know who cares about that’s stuff? Opinion writers who are looking for some way put down or prop up candidates. If America isn’t in love with Buttigieg as planned by the big money donors and party leader behind him it is because being a nice looking white guy is no longer enough. America does not like him because:
1) Buttigieg worked as a consultant for Purdue Pharma (opioid crisis Purdue Pharma) and when asked about it he dismissed it said he wasn’t following the news about them.
2)He has no history fighting for the things people want in this country.
3)He has a (very short) history as a mayor of a small city. A city where he could Not bring people together and a period where he succumbed to the whims of whomever his rich racist donors wanted fired and fired a black police chief who had recorded phone calls of racist cops targeting him.
America could care less about his age or who Buttigieg chooses to sleep with. We care that he has no backbone and that all he seems to care about are his big money donors and Pete. Stop trying to sell him to us. Trump would stomp all over him and the Americans people aren’t interested in Trump or Buttigieg’s brands of politics.
4
Relax...Pete is up for the challenge.
3
Warren/Buttigieg or Sanders/Buttigieg would be electrifying for the Dems. Or, if we’re capitulating to the old guard, Biden/Buttigieg.
mayor pete needs more experience- a national run for
Senator- or, maybe, House.
And that would give us a chance to get used to a gay guy-
and his partner. we will, likely, be more ready for him in
the future.
1
It doesn't take a Midwesterner to win the Midwest. Hillary Clinton lost not because of her geographic roots, but because she wasn't a strong enough candidate. She's from Chicago. Bill Clinton -- the man from Hope, Arkansas -- won the Midwest because he had impeccable political skills. His Southern roots were no handicap. If Pete Buttigieg manages to win, it will be because of his steadiness and brilliance, not because he's from South Bend.
2
Why is everyone ignoring Cory Booker??? He was the mayor of a large city that is mostly black, so he knows a lot about the struggles of poor and working class people. He is articulate. Why aren't people considering him?
2
Thank you for your column Mr. Bruni, like so many it is good. And because of you and the comments, I’m all In. Pete 2020.
4
I would love to see Buttigieg debate Trump on the issues. Trump would not be able to keep up. Mayor Pete is my favorite amongst the candidates. We have a year to go before we vote, plenty of time for people to wake up to the fact that Pete would do a great job. Young, strong, smart. If he were to win the nomination, would not the black citizens in this country rather have Pete there than Trump? Trump is nothing but a racist, misogynistic, deranged maniac. Pete can actually talk in complete sentences, he makes sense. We gave Obama a chance, and Obama was elected twice. Why not give Mayor Pete a chance to show us what he can do for America?
3
I support Mayor Pete, despite the fact that he is not perfect and I don't support all of his positions. NOBODY is going to be my perfect candidate or anyone else's. The sadness of this column, and of the 2020 election, is that despite Trump's criminality, unconstitutional and dangerous behavior, and virtually everything about him that is vile, we keep telling each other we need the perfect candidate to beat him. If this is true, then the US is in far worse straits than we can imagine. Think about that - we'd re-elect the worst human being ever to hold the office over someone who's far more intelligent and decent, just because he's young (and come on, Bruni, you're also concerned because he's gay, admit it. I don't care if you're gay or straight yourself, you're concerned Trump would win because Pete is gay).
3
"But I have the damnedest time imagining him in the White House in 2021"
And many (most?) of us had a darn difficult time imagining Trump in the White House in 2017.
2
Frank first extols Mayor Pete for his message - which is anti ideological purity - only to then complain that the candidate is himself is too imperfect; all the while oblivious to the contradiction. None of the candidates are perfect. A quest for one who is shall be a fools errand.
1
I really like Pete Buttigieg. But I can see a debate stage where Trump crassly insults Mayor Pete for being gay, and appeals to the electorate with coarse gay slurs. Pete Buttigieg better have a good idea how to deflect those insults and turn them into a humorous discourse contrasting his class, character and competence vs Trump's lack thereof.
3
I like Mayor Pete and think that he would be a good president but I haven't the faith that he could win the election because I fear most people are too prejudiced to allow him consideration. It is too easy to say "He is too young" or "He hasn't the experience one needs to be President" or "He hasn't truly been tested", which covers any illegitimate bias they harbor.
That he wasn't aware of these obvious issues brings into question his judgement. If he had waited four or eight years to make his move, sought a Vice Presidential role, made an explicit argument that acknowledged his deficiencies but that he had the temperament and desire to move us from this time to another better era. At this moment more than any other he could make the argument that he is a man of faith and conviction that is truthful even in the face of ruin and it is this kind of person that needs to become the president to return our standing in the world.
We have forgotten why we seek a morally righteous, truthful person to be President and it is primarily that we needn't wonder if he is acting true to his word. Trump never demonstrated an ounce of honesty and here we are on the verge of thousands of Kurds being slaughtered and we don't know if it's because of some business opportunity that benefits Trump or if they have some damning evidence of his work in Turkey. First and foremost the Presidency demands a person of honor and Pete could convincingly be that person.
Frank, Along with many other thoughtful voters, I will vote for a slab of bacon if that is the democratic nominee - anyone rather than the ________,____________, ____________, (choose your own descriptor) person who holds the office.
If you actually want to see one of these candidates elected and truly feel it is of vital importance, you might be better off writing columns about their strengths and keep your tortured musings about their flaws to your private journals.
This article does nothing but add more sticks to the coming fire of advertising that will be bought with Trump's $250m (and growing) war chest, all of which will be in the form of negative advertising.
3
Let me start this by saying I think Mayor Pete's possibly the best choice on the presidential ticket in either position (pres or veep).
Now let me point out the verbiage that Mayor Pete will have to face when running against the Republican slime machine. If one can't come up with the words, one lacks historical knowledge. Every gay slur that has ever been created will find its way into some tweet or another.
Is this right? no! (a Watergate reference seems fitting).
Will it happen? Absolutely.
Will it matter? Unfortunately, probably.
1
Mayor Pete, a vanity project funded by fatcats on the coasts, primarily NYC, LA and SF. Featuring a padded resume. Warrior Pete, posing in camo', fondling a rifle, uttering nonsense alluding to fields of fire - he was a reservist in the navy, sitting in a bunker tracing financial networks. Onward Christian soldiers. Pot-hole Pete, gassing on about grabbing a shovel and going to work.
He is a soon to be ex-mayor, with a mediocre record. South Bend: Minority income is well below the average, as is poverty among a large percentage of those folks, who constitute 47% of the city. The public schools are sub-par. The police force is at odds with Mayor Pete. His schtick as a mayor doesn't hold-up under any manner of scrutiny.
Three other candidates were mayors: Booker, Castro and Gabbard, their records far outshine Mayor Pete, as do their post-mayoral careers.
Mayor Pete does have a talent for meaningless erudition. And he knows some phrases in languages he doesn't actually speak. He does not appear to be fluent in any language other than English. His French is atrocious.
Mayor Pete's age: Julian Castro is 45, Tulsi Gabbard 38. Both were mayors. Gabbard also served in the military and is a sitting congresswoman. Castro was a cabinet member in the Obama administration.
Mayor Pete is essentially running on a Selfie platform, a mayor of symbolism, and his constituency is one of ego and self-love.
4
Forget Prez. He will make a fine Demo VP running mate to articulately counterbalance the unwarranted fear and loathing that will be assiduously drummed up and hammered into the public's mind by the Twitter-in-Chief, his Russian friends, the big bucks GOP political machinery and the Internet alt-right all targeting whoever emerges as the Demo candidate.
Disrupt the division. Get Pete (or who ever emerges) to pick Kasich (or Haley, or Condi Rice) as their running mate. Reach across the isle. Run to the center on a message of unity. Focus on PA, OH, MI and WI.
1
Just a reminder to the writer that Alexander Hamilton was 30 years old at the time of the Constitutional Convention.
1
The answer to your dilemma? A Warren/Buttigieg ticket (in that order).
2
@dave Well said!
1
Mayor Pete for Elizabeth Warren’s VP, and 2024 or 28 pres nominee. Biden for secy of state, Kampala Harris for Attny General, Bernie for eminent sage. Klobachar might be a good health and human services czar, Castro or Booker at HUD. Wang an interesting economic advisor.
Pete will make a brilliant president. Get something for your stomach.
4
Have you considered Andrew Yang. He is in his 40s; is a trailblazing person of color; has the most positive and forward looking agenda with no negative energy; he is Christian; he has raised real money and continues to do better; and he consistently polls in the top 5 or 6, doing better than Senators Booker, Klobuchar and Harris. Why do you ignore him, Frank? Can you not take a young Asian businessman seriously?
2
President Kennedy was in his 30s and Catholic. Voters got over both hurdles. Mayor Pete would be much better than Trump. And nothing ages a man more than being President. He is a portrayal of decency and youthfulness. The country needs both. At the very least, he would make a good vice president to a President in his or her seventies. The country wouldn't have to worry about the President's health with a youthful decent intelligent vice president to step in if needed.
1
I share Bruni's concern about Pete's age, but it's a MINOR concern. And when taken against the sum of his strengths, it becomes even more minor. Age is kind of a relative thing. As a high school teacher, I've known 13 year-olds who possess greater understanding, self-knowledge, and wisdom than many a 73-year-old. It sure appears to me that Pete has packed at least as much life experience into his relatively few years as any of the other candidates.
2
I see Pete Buttigieg's age as an asset, not a liability. Why? Because he has proven that he is someone who is eager to learn what he doesn't know and absorbs information quickly. How do I know this? Look at his accomplishments already. He wanted to read a book by a certain author whose books were only published in Norwegian, so he learned the language. He learned how to play multiple instruments, he is a Rhodes scholar.
At his relatively young age, just think about his capacity to learn even more. I am confident that as a life-long learner, he will apply himself to quickly learn what he needs to and even anticipate what he might need to learn in the future to be prepared for whatever comes up.
Also, as I read today, MLK was only 39 when he was assassinated. Think of all he accomplished in his time on Earth.
Trump has proven that age is just a number. He could live to 150 and never know as much as Pete Buttigieg knows right now.
1
Right with you on this Mr. Bruni. Thanks for your dependable insight. I hope I get the chance to vote for him.
1
It’s certainly true that all the major Democratic candidates have crucial weaknesses. But there’s one candidate who has all the strengths and none of the weaknesses: Steve Bullock, the governor of Montana. He is a genuine progressive, has executive experience, and is the only Democratic candidate who has proven that he can win in red states. He’s also the only Democratic candidate that right-wing Trump supporters won’t hate. In fact, they’ll like him. All of America will like him if they just get to see who he is. Of all the candidates, he has the best chance of defeating Trump, and he can do what you say Buttigieg wants to do: unite Americans and not divide us into two hostile camps. Frank, you should interview Bullock and write about him. I’m convinced that once Democratic voters see that they really do have a winning choice with no fatal weaknesses, they’ll vote for Bullock in the primaries and then we really will easily and happily defeat Trump.
2
Hmm, if only there were some way for two politicians to be yoked together in a way that balances out each other’s flaws while potentially allowing the younger one more training while providing the older one greater appeal to a certain part of the country.
Nope, can’t think of it. Guess it’s hopeless.
(Warren/Buttigieg 2020)
1
Mr. Bruni hits the nail on the head with this piece. I have been impressed with Mayor Buttigieg from the start, but am also concerned with his age and wish he were in his 40's rather than his 30's. I ask myself can he energize and lead older Americans who have been around blocks he hasn't even seen? However, has VP Biden been around too many blocks to learn a new route to the future? While he is articulate and fluent when speaking off the cuff, he has been light on specifics in his plans and this places him at a disadvantage when compared to Sen. Warren. But, his plans will not frighten most mainstream voters, and his mid-west roots potentially allows him to connect with those swing voters. Biden, Warren and Buttigieg are each vastly superior to Trump in character, ability, compassion and intelligence, each presents real challenges to Trump but each also presents weaknesses that Trump can exploit. Hopefully, the Dems primary process will allow the electorate to become more comfortable with these candidates because ultimately it is up to the voters to remove Trump from the WH and start the healing of America. All Americans must recognize the importance of this matter, express their opinion and vote!
I've been "all in" for Mayor Pete since January when he began promoting "Shortest Way Home," one of the best memoirs, political or otherwise, I've ever read (written clearly and authentically in his own voice) and began discussing the formation of an exploratory committee. It is his authenticity and his openness that holds such strong appeal for me -- as well as his pragmatic progressivism (I don't see a clear path to "Medicare for All" without the steps Mayor Pete proposes as the way to get there, for instance) as well as his positions on almost everything, which align with my own. Pete is smart enough to admit to what he doesn't know and to surround himself with expert advisors (evident every time he rolls out another thoughtful, detailed policy proposal), and the fact that he is an accomplished musician married to a former theatre teaching artist bodes well for the positive holistic and economic affects for which the arts are well-known and documented. His youth? Great! Being gay? Not a problem -- for me or for my friends who are of all genders, ages, and sexual preferences. Imagine though, what it would be to have someone in the Oval Office with Pete's openness: i.e., a President with nothing to hide. The contrast is breathtaking. Plus, someone who can speak in complete sentences, absorb and handle complexities, and who has remained calm, steady, and adult through some of the most vicious attacks leveled at any candidate in the race. Intelligence? Humility? I'm in.
1
At this point, any Democratic nominee is going to be (at best) the second choice of at least 75% of the rest of us. It's worth keeping this in mind. Pete is mine.
I like him for most of the reasons cited by Bruni. And I am not at all troubled by his age. I am a little bit concerned at his lack of larger governmental experience, though this is possibly a blessing. I do think he is the most inspirational of the entire field.
I just like someone else a little better - Warren. I like her policy specificity, and her ability to explain both why, and how, in great (perhaps excruciating) detail, so anyone can understand.
Good article.
I agree with all analysis within this article.
But, Mr. Buttigieg is extremely unlikely to grace the White House soon.
If the Times is writing articles about an electorate not yet ready for a woman President, which, they have written,
you can bet the article about the gay man with a Husband, making Buttigieg, a male, the wife in the relationship, who is unelectable by the US electorate is next.
Wait, that is what this article is.
I was also initially concerned about Pete Buttigieg's age and limited political experience. Then I watched him in the debates and checked his website for his policies and all my concerns evaporated. He is extremely smart, articulate, has integrity, charisma and the courage to speak his mind. Also, I believe his policy ideas would appeal to a wide range of voters and have a good chance of being implemented. I can definitely see him as president since he would learn the role quickly, choose highly qualified advisors and actually listen and respect their opinions. In addition, I bet, unlike the current occupant of White House he has actually read and understands the Constitution!
1
"None of his fellow contenders for the nomination speaks off the cuff in such gorgeously composed paragraphs."
That statement isn't accurate. Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris both are highly intelligent and have experience and successful careers behind them. Pete lacks both.
1
Obama was only 43 when he was elected for his 1st term. Also, if you're just looking at chronological age, you're missing the boat. We have a 73-yr old toddler in the WH at the moment, and many of Buttigieg's fellow candidates are also doing a poor job of "acting their age". What I want is emotional and intelligent maturity, and that has nothing to do with the number associated with one's age.
3
Correct me if I'm wrong. I might be.
The only VIce Presidents elected Prez in his right were John Adams (1796), GHW Bush (1988) & Nixon (1968 --running against a sitting Veep).
The only Senators elected Prez ran against other Senators.
Pete is uncontaminated by those offices.
I really like the fact that out of all the candidates, I slip onto a true listening mode when Pete is speaking. I’m probably not in the minority on this. Trump has something similar except only nonsense fills the air when he speaks as opposed to Pete’s reasoning which tracks mine so closely. It’s this tracking so closely that makes listening to Pete so easy, like listening to myself almost to the point of experiencing deja vu. I find myself thinking “yes, I completely agree Pete and in the same manner in almost those same words which I know I have contemplated in that same exact way back when I actually thought about stuff.” The guy has a way of reminding me of my own best thoughts, the core my best self.
1
While I now would consider the 37 year old version of myself grossly in the dark even though a major awakening was burgeoning (one into non-duality,) I have always considered myself the most late of bloomers, while my colleagues and friends seemed to handle existence in a more successful manner. In the end, this old turtle managed to be walking further ahead a decade or more into that winding trail.
I feel that Buttigieg has dealt with what he saw around him and within him--whether it was his burning secret desire for the same sex, the hope and comfort that religion may bring, the raw aspects of war, or the essential intellectual observations of what it means to be a human being within the body politic--with a keen and thorough perception.
While Chogyam Trungpa wrote that "to be a spiritual warrior, one must have a broken heart; without a broken heart and the sense of tenderness and vulnerability, your warriorship is un-trustworthy," I believe that Pete has dealt with that, however measured, in his small span of life.
As a candidate, he brings a much needed regard away from the histrionics of a current president and partisan politics and towards a nuanced, balanced approach to governing. He will also bring a most thoughtful process to decisions affecting our democracy, our fellow human beings in the world, and to the defense of Earth itself.
Lets go away from labels and move to message and elect someone to not only move our country forward, but also bring us together.
3
I remember very well the feeling that it was too soon for Obama in the lead up to the 2008 election. I thought he needed another term in the senate, a few more years of tempering. Thankfully I couldn't have been more wrong.
3
I agree with your hopes & fears about Mayor Pete (which is why I think he's VP material) but disagree about my favorite, Warren.
First, in the 2016 campaigns, both Trump supporters and Sanders supporters shared two things: a profound distrust of the Establishment that had been ignoring their concerns, and an inchoate desire for change —deep, structural change. Trump of course had no desire or competence for helping those people, and Sanders would have run into a Republican stone wall. But the discontents are still there.
Second, I learned an important lesson for successful negotiating: No one will ever offer you more than you're asking for. Next spring and summer, it will be a lot easier for Warren to pivot back towards the center than it will be for Trump to move away from his beloved Base.
Third, all of her famous Plans will have to go through House, Senate & Supreme Court, at which point they will be a lot different. As Reagan said, "If I can get 80% of what I want, I'll take the deal."
Electability, dear Democrat, electability. And a little strategy to peel away some of Trump’s ardent supporters would help. Trump has two hard line constituencies. Those who want never ending lower taxes (the rich) and those who distain immigration and are fearful of it ( the white males and females who have been on the losing side of globalism). And he is a master at playing both of them. From my vantage point, as amateurish as it may be, unless the Democratic nominee can peel away a portion of any of these two constituencies, he or she has very little chance of winning, principally because these two constituencies show up to vote at a much higher rate than others.
I don’t see any Democrat presently in the field capable of peeling away some of these dedicated voters. The rich are a lost cause because no one will ever be able to get their support for the tax increases that will be required to level the playing field. Greed rules among that crowd. This leaves the anti immigration crowd. And this will require the Democrats to admit that immigration must be tackled in some fashion. None of the Democrats offer anything close to it presently.
And with all admiration and due respect to Mayor Pete, a “let’s form a circle and sing kumbaya together” platform is not in the cards in this election. That train left the station when Trump was elected. As unfortunate as it may be, it’s now warfare.
Unless someone else steps in, our nightmare will continue. It’ll be Trump.
1
@DJ Tell me, please: Who thought Trump was "electable" in 2015?
2
Mayor Pete is dreaming if if he thinks America's divisions can be healed. Evangelicals will never accept him and that's a big chunk of the electorate. He will also learn the hard way that the Congress is an equal arm of government. I suggest he run for the 2028 election with more credentials than he currently has. Making nice speeches is no guarantee of getting anything done. That being said I like the guy and the new Dem President should give him a cabinet post.
2
@D Marcot Those Evangelicals won't vote for any Democrat, so what's the difference?
Ideally, Mayor Pete would be older when running for president. BUT I have yet to hear anyone older than him among the Democratic candidates who speaks with common sense, humility and desire to unify. Sanders and Warren have been stoking class warfare and their proposals to offer Medicare for all and eliminating ALL student debts are irresponsible. Harris still is trying to find out who she is and why she is running. Biden seems to look back more than look forward. Just as I don't understand Trump supporters, I can't understand Sanders supporters. Do we really need an 80 y/o man running this country?
@Sadie Class warfare has existed for a longtime in this country; Bernie and Warren, unlike Mayor Pete, are trying to alleviate this problem my making this an economically fair society. Why are so many Democrats so blind to this?
2
He speaks as a president. They all speak as candidates.
Yes, this country is exhausted. We don’t need another exhausting president. Pete’s demeanor is so refreshing. Despite being the youngest, he acts like the only “statesman” in the room.
3
This column demonstrates yet again what a skilled commentator Frank Bruni is. Instead of simply writing a laudatory piece about the admirable Pete Buttigieg, he put the word, "imperfection" in his column title, thus gaining not just "agree with you, Frank" responses, but impassioned responses defending Buttigieg. Frank Bruni decided it was worth copping criticism for an apparent lack of faith, in order to inspire energy and debate. I wish I could vote for Mayor Pete; I'm glad I can subscribe to NYT and read Frank Bruni's columns.
1
Pete is a remarkable man... and when compared to POTUS he approaches sainthood.
2
Sorry, but Mayor Pete couldn't stand up for his black police chief when the chief discovered racist messages to and from several white officers way back in 2010. Instead, he lawyered up, fired the chief, and the messages are STILL SECRET 9 years later. More importantly, black officers became more scarce, not more numerous. Pete blinked in his first real test.
3
Buttigieg’s background is scary—Harvard, McKinsey, war. What a combination of privilege, exploitation, managerialism, emperialism, and violence! Just what the world needs, more of the same old rubbish.
And why on earth is he so obscenely ambitious? As shown above, he’s just another complete nobody from a huge mess of them. What makes him think he’s anybody, the tin pot mayor of a tin pot town? That’s the really scary bit about Pete.
3
Mr. Bruno, Really, is there such a thing as a perfect candidate or a perfect human? No!
Pete got me the first time I heard him speak...he is confident, intelligent, claiming and he captured my attention 100% which is not easy as I’m certified ADD.
Why worry about his age when he is the complete package?
#Pete2020
2
Amy Klobachar is from the Midwest. We never hear about her because the media chooses NOT to talk about her. After Biden, she is my only other choice.
6
I don’t know. He lost me when he claimed he didn’t know who Alfred E. Neuman is. Shouldn’t a supposedly brilliant Rhodes scholar know this?
2
Yes! Long live Alfred E.
2
"Too young? Do not confuse age with maturity or political vision. Go ask James Madison and Alexander Hamilton about that."
https://www.press-citizen.com/story/opinion/2019/09/20/buttigieg-best-candidate-represent-our-better-angels-president/2389123001/
Frank:Between your previous column in which you expressed fear about impeachment and this one confessing your reticence about Buttigieg despite your admiration of him, I'm starting to think that you're a guy who's scared of his own shadow. Man up, dude. Advocate, don't hesitate!
2
I have not seen such glowing reports since 1960 when the press said the same things about JFK. You know the youthful, inexperienced President the Russians ran rings around. To show his toughness he intervened in a civil war in Vietnam and killed 58,000 Americans.
3
I think Mayor Pete is a narcissist - a very nice one, I grant you. But his ego is way too big for his own good. How does he even dare to think he has the experience and wisdom to be president? The latest occupant had neither and we see where that has gotten us. Character is important. I would argue it's everything. A covert narcissist is one who doesn't constantly tell you he's great. No a covert narcissist just collects admirers because he's so good or smart or whatever. But it's still all about him. The way he handled the 1000 homes in a1000 days showed that very clearly - he treated blacks horrendously. Blacks will come around to Warren once they get how much she is on their side and how much her programs will help them.
1
Thoroughly not impressed. He is highly articulate but his words, compared to his actions, seem like whipped cream: sweet but not very filling. His record on race is deplorable and he throws veiled shots at the entire field after he fell on his face during the shooting in South Bend. I cannot tell by the way he talks that his experiences have given him any insight or wisdom into life other than a few pithy phrases. Bill Clinton won a Rhodes Scholarship and when he talked, I felt he got it. I don't see that at all in Buttigieg; I see a person who has such blind ambition that he has done things merely to check boxes on his way to the big prize. If he wins the nomination, all of this becomes moot. If he becomes President, this will be a problem again.
3
In a month I will be 81 years old and, like Mr. Bruni, I love Pete Buttigieg's gifts of logic and critical thinking. However, his age gives me no qualms. Maybe Mr. Bruni suffers from reverse ageism. Ugh indeed.
3
I guess we can rule out Jesus Christ as a leader based on his age... For some people, age is not a factor.
1
Do you also think the best candidate for rape counselor is the person who recommends the rape victim reaches out to her rapist for the good of the community?
The republican voter has been telling my family that we are not really American because of my prior zip code and my family members skin color and origins for the past 30 years.
Then in 2016 they elect the guy who quadruples down on all the hate they can dig up and they still love him for exactly this reason.
I've heard their message loud and clear and any Democratic candidate who takes up your mantra of 'save the hate filled white rural people who despise you' isn't getting my vote in the Democratic primary.
1
Frank,
Your opinion saddens me. You seem to forget that people still work hard to achieve these “elitist mile markers” like attending an Ivy League and you don’t seem to recall his military experience.
I’ve met plenty of 18 year olds that are much wiser than their 58 year old counterparts.
At the risk of sounding like you’re bringing out the worst in me, this is a weak minded argument that seemly wasn’t well thought out.
Yours truly,
Progressive Pete supporter in the industrial Midwest
1
Faith Mr.Bruni,Faith.
Say what you want.. America will not elect a gay President- at least not in the next 20 years..
2
Mayor Pete? You've got to be kidding!
2
I think Warren/Buttigieg would be a good combination and give Buttigieg some time to look more presidential. That's my 16-year plan...
@Steve Warren/Booker is a much better ticket. I can't see a Warren/Buttigieg ticket appealing enough to Black voters.
1
Three words. BARACK. HUSSEIN. OBAMA. Was he the ideal candidate?
When the supreme court is poised to hear arguments regarding LGBTQ rights then we are still too far away from electing a talent such as Buttigieg.
Oh, nice one, Frank. "...tight knot in my stomach." From you, of all people, giving the green light to go ahead and let your emo belly overrule your well-founded admiration and cogent arguments for Buttigieg.
2
Pete's age is of little concern to me because if we're lucky enough to elect him as our next President he will surround himself with the best advisors this country has. And do you know why? Because the best will flock to him to work with him to put this Country back together. You will see the greatest this Country has to offer wanting to be apart of his administration. To be apart of history!
3
Buttigieg's military record has been subject to a good deal of false information on social media and comments in spaces like this. Pete was not just a desk jockey and he DID receive medals himself, albeit standard ones for service. According to military documents, he served in “an imminent danger pay area” where he worked to disrupt the flow of money among terrorist organizations as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the field he was assigned to watch out for ambushes and explosive devices along the roads and make sure the vehicle was guarded. Though, yes, he was not engaged in direct combat. Moreover, as a former intelligence officer he would bring a far greater understanding of foreign policy issues than other candidates. According to the documents, Buttigieg represented ATFC at “high level briefings,” and “coordinated intelligence sharing and targeting deconfliction” methods with multiple organizations. Military officials say Buttigieg received standard medals and decorations for a member who served overseas in the war on terror, such as the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for service in a combat zone, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and citations for rifle and pistol marksmanship.
Too many "elitist mile markers"?!? It may be that intelligence and achievement are negatives in current politics, but, man, remember when they were positives?
4
While I do admire Mayor Pete for many of the reasons Bruni articulates, I have come to see him as a centrist who is much too cautious is his political aspirations. I have been a strong Bernie supporter since 2016 and am now endorsing Warren. While after too many years of Trump, someone appealing to a civil tone and a downplaying of partisanship is appealing, it is not enough to fix the entrenched problems of this country. Bruni's article also reenforces the mild centrism of many of the "liberal" writers to the Op/Ed section at NYT. If he is not a progressive, fine, but Bruni doesn't seem to take the progressive candidates within the party or their (many) supporters seriously. Just adding together the support for Warren and Sanders shows how the appeal of a progressive candidate has captivated so many potential democratic voters.
2
Frank, 37 is just a number. (Was JFK more "mature" at 43?) If we've learned one thing about the Trump show, it's that character really matters. Character includes respect for others, empathy, the ability to sort through complex problems and reduce them to their essentials. Character also means the ability to admit that you came up short in certain challenges. Mayor Pete has all of this. (Yes, his admission of failure with the racial divide in South Bend was a virtue.) He has character, and if enough Americans think that matters he'll win.
3
I was born and lived most of my life in South Bend. Mayor Pete’s family bought their groceries at my grandpa’s grocery store. The town is really cool now. I think I may move home.
Mayor Pete is thoughtful and he hasn’t overwhelmed us with EXACTLY how to fix things. He knows that too much specificity is dangerous. When a candidate says I promise I am going to “build a wall” it becomes an absolute and leaves no room for bipartisanship. It creates a political tug-of-war.
A “this is the only option” attitude is closed minded and shuts the door to multiple creative solutions.
We need the brightest and best as well as the creative and flexible.
4
Sadly, very sadly you’re correct - Trump is going to win.
Buttigieg - Sanders. Seems to be the ideal combination.
Mr. Bruni, remember how much this country loves the young. It may be a plus for Pete.
1
Sometimes the moment comes to the candidate rather than the candidate icking the moment. Folks were saying the same things as you in 2007 regarding Barack Obama; or in 1959 about JFK. Would they have been better and even more accomplished Presidents with a term or two more in lesser office ? We'll never know. Compare the "ugh" factors you suffer with Mayor Pete with the "ugh" factors applying to those "in line" ahead of him: Biden is not the same good old Joe: Warren and Sanders are both running versions of the Trump playbook -- everything bad that's happened to you is "their" fault - except they replace undocumented immigrants with big business. (A lot of voters work in big business.) Harris doesn't know who she is or means to be yet. I'd rather borrow Trump's campaign song than his campaigning style: Listen to Mick Jagger: You can't always get what you want....but you just might find you get what you need.
3
One question? How old was Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the "Declaration of Independence"? I think the answer is 33 years.
1
Does “Mayor Pete” (I cringe every time I see that moniker. It seems so Sesame Street’ish when I’m looking for a strong trump opponent, but I guess that’s just me.) have the political chops to get things done in the face of unyielding opposition? To me that was Obama’s weakness. I don’t think we need to follow trump’s example of unfettered lying and organized crime tactics but we do need someone who knows how to play the game. Obama’s couple of years in the Senate and cerebral view of the fray are to similar to Pete’s. Not enough chops to get things done. I, too, think we need to give Klobuchar a better look.
I'm one of those who thinks Pete needs a little seasoning, but imperfect? We're all imperfect. It's what we do with our imperfections that matter.
Accentuate your strengths. Minimize your weaknesses.
Remember that context drives perception ,and what appears to be a weakness may be a strength in another situation.
Above all this, understand that compared to Trump, Pete and the rest of the field look like actual stable geniuses. -- thegamesmenplay.com
He's not the first candidate to be a risky and unsafe bet. Think JFK, younger than any elected president and first Catholic to be elected. Think Barack Obama (the risk speaks for itself). Both excited and impressed us before -- and after -- being elected, but, like Mr. Bruni, our stomachs churned because we feared not that they were not ready for the office but that the country was not ready to elect them. The fears were not unwarranted, but taking the risk was not unwarranted either.
1
I think he would surround himself with more experienced people and would listen, consider and make rational, intelligent decisions in the best interests of the country.
4
Read through the comments on this or any piece about Buttigieg, and try to find the people who dislike the man or his policies. There are a very few, but they're rare (much more numerous are the "he's too young/it's too soon" commenters). I think it's amazing how much people like this guy. I really hope that I get to vote for him, and not as a running mate.
12
Ageism...well, I use it against Biden and Saunders. I am worried about senility (Regan syndrome). Why am I not worried about Buttigieg's age? Because of his intelligence and demonstrated ability to learn on the spot. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. His message is new and clear and he would blow Trump off the stage in a debate. And, if elected he is smart enough to know what he doesn't know and surround himself with people who do know who would complement his strengths.
12
Buttigieg = Obama, Part 2
No thanks.
Give me someone who will FIGHT for the systemic change this country needs, not a reasonable sounding middle of the roader, another conciliatory type.
Also, I took note that Buttigieg rushed over to Israel to give the Netanyahu gov't a pat on the back as Israel soldiers were shooting Palestinian protestors. Buttigieg will genuflect to every traditional power source in the country. Think Wall Street has anything to worry about from Buttigieg? Think again.
5
@John H.: I want to see how Tom Steyer plays his intimate knowledge of how interest rate policy is played by hedge funds.
IMHO... Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg would be a strong 2020 Dem ticket.
And, so would Mitt Romney and Nikki Haley... if the GOP could wake up, show some backbone & integrity and ditch Crazy and Corrupt Trump and his boot licking sycophants.
4
I'd take a brilliant, kind and caring 37 year old any day, over the idiotic and cruel 73 year old currently occupying the office.
10
Sorry, Frank. It's not his age, it's his sexuality. This country has made lots of progress in the last decade with respect to acceptance of gay lifestyles and even of same-sex marriage. But my sense is that the concept of a gay president is, at the present time, something that would play only in our coastal urban centers. Which is not where the winner of our next election is going to be determined. I really do wish I were wrong about this but a society that would even consider electing a misogynistic slime-ball like The Donald is not about to chuck him out in favor of an uncloseted gay man.
9
@stu freeman: Trump is macho, and macho is the face the US wants to present to the world.
1
@stu freeman : Really? His being gay seems to have played well in a small post industrial city in Indiana. Hmmm...
Think about Ireland.
The photo accompanying this article isn't terribly flattering. Couldn't Frank Bruni find a better picture of Pete Buttigieg to reinforce his argument that he's the ideal presidential candidate for the 2020 race?
So he's young and gay, close your eyes and listen to what is being said, then ask yourself if this is what you want in a president.
5
Come on Frank, you are better than this. The NYT is not your personal blog, save this stuff for brunch!
3
Experience? Age? Mayor Pete has more political experience than that WH miscreant had when elected as well as tons more ethics and intelligence.
I always said a "B Squared" (Biden/Buttigieg) ticket would be great, but the progressives would reel at a all man ticket and others at Mayor Pete's gayness.
1
@jayelle This progressive would balk because of the mushy centrism this ticket would embrace. Warren/Booker is the dream ticket!
The foolish optimist within me imagines that Mayor Pete's same sex partner will become a non-issue. Trump was a serial predator, and habitual fabulist that his supporters easily overlook. His rants echo their own racist bias. That is their comfort zone. Mine is a plea for intelligent speech. Who he loves is of no importance. As for the holier than thou types, who preach high and mighty states rights, gun ownership and racial and religious bigotry, that is more acceptable?
3
Frank, your fears are ruining the credibility of your columns. You fear impeachment, you fear Buttigieg's age, you fear his "elitist mile markers," you fear the population of South Bend. You say he is "crucially weak." Enough. Make up your mind. He is so much better than any of the Dem candidates. More articulate, more military, more globalist, more religious, more Midwest, more centrist, more sensible, more likely to unite. So what if he's gay. Americans elected the least qualified presidential candidate...probably ever. We can't afford to wait until he adds four more years to his age or another 0 to South Bend's population. I am 69 years old. Buttigieg has been my choice from the beginning.
8
Frank, Frank, Frank. Maybe you don’t write the titles for your columns but “Agonizing Imperfections” perfectly captures the extreme vulnerability of the Democratic Party. While we obsess over perfection and argue how many woke angels can dance on the head of a pin, Republicans are getting their candidates elected. So you’re looking for an older person with no history of racial insensitivity and fewer “elitist mile markers”? Love your columns but good grief, man, listen to yourself!
3
Mr. Bruni - Just stop! Stop with the he/she is great, smart, etc followed by "but, but, but." All of the Democratic candidates are so much better in virtually every respect than is the current disgrace in the white house. Who are you trying to help here?
1
"the need to pull America out of its partisan death spiral and rediscover the common ground, civic grace and cultural glue that have been lost"
When progressivism is at one end and Nazis are at the other, "common ground" and "cultural glue" are meaningless, and the middle way, as John Adams said, is no way at all.
We don't need to rediscover common ground with despicable people. We simply have to WIN. We have to win on climate change, we have to win on science, we have to win on justice for black lives, we have to win on gun control, we have to win on LGBTQ rights, because we are RIGHT on those issues, and we are running out of time. I'm tired of progressives reaching out a hand to those who want to drag us kicking and screaming back into the past, just so we can come to some sort of stalemate as the toxin of authoritarianism speeds through the nation's veins and the entire world burns. I want us to play to win. I want us to stand up and ROAR.
If we go down in blazing defeat and destruction, so be it. But by god, we should go down FIGHTING for what we believe and for what we know is right. The other side will do no less.
1
I wish some of these pundits would consider writing about Tulsi Gabbard an independent army veteran with a good head on her shoulder.
3
FRANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stop your ruminating and get with the reality:
It is either Donald Trump again or ________________
chose one from below
Bernie Sanders
Elizabeth Warren
Joe Biden
Pete Buttigieg
One of the other 20 also running but not really with the radar
Forgive me if I'm wrong (TRUST ME, I'm not) any of the possible choices that are not Donald Trump are 10 BILLION times preferable to the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, so get with the program and stop worrying about anything other than which candidate has the best chance of getting elected. Warts and all, all are going to get my vote and should get yours.
1
Hands down a 37 year old Buttigieg against the 73 year old madman . No contest.
2
Mr. Buttigieg, as much as I respect and admire what you have done up there in South Bend, America doesn’t need more liberal religion, it needs a great deal less religion — and, unfortunately, you aren’t the candidate to bring that about.
2
Biden and Buttigieg in 2020; Buttigieg and someone in 2024!
If the Democrats want to lose in 2020, they should nominate a gay, a black, a black woman, or a Muslim.
Why? We live in a reactionary country.
And the Dems can't simply wish that fact away.
2
Pete Buttigieg's age isn't a bug... it's a feature. I love the idea that he'll likely be around to answer to the policies his administration undertakes. He's the polar opposite of Donald Trump in many ways but one in particular; Trump thinks he's always the smartest guy in the room, but seldom is. Buttigieg is often the smartest guy in the room, but doesn't want to be. Unlike the current Commander in Chief, I trust Buttigieg to surround himself with smart, imminently qualified people to dig us out of this mess. Mayor Pete has my vote!
5
Frank, if you were trying to firm up the support for Mayor Pete, you did it you crafty devil. Read the comments and I think your knot will go away.
3
i enjoy that mr. bruni is proceeding methodically through the chocolate box of democrat candidates, taking a half bite through each and then appraising both the sweetness of their milky coating and the spice of their inner nougat.
but he seems to be struggling with a peculiarly contemporary question: "should i vote for the person i want to win, or the person i think other people will want to win?"
analogy: "should i date the person i find really attractive, or the person i think other people will find attractive?"
analogy: "should i eat the food that will not upset my stomach, or the food that i think will not upset the stomach of other diners?"
you get the idea. surprisingly, many marriages have been forged, and foundered, on the second principle. so many divorce courts hear the same complaint: "yes, your honor, she's a spendthrift, slouch and slattern, but she was the class valedictorian!"
voting seems to have devolved into liking what you think other people will like. it's the triumph of the social media mentality. we have a "Family Feud" episode where everyone is guessing what anonymous strangers will choose in answer to a question.
hey, democrats! strap on your rubber diapers and get some grit. vote for the candidate who speaks to you and your values. tyranny is about what the dear leader thinks, socialism is about what other people think -- you live in a democracy. in a democracy, voting is a prayer, not a wager.
2
More and more I think he’s the one
6
Get a grip Bruni! Mayor Pete is our best hope in a field of ancients, hacks and light weights.
4
"But I have the damnedest time imagining him in the White House in 2021, and that’s depressing the hell out of me."
Well, is that his fault, or do you need to work on your imagination?
6
Frank, I agree with everything you said about Buttigieg´s formidable talents. While his age is not a talent, I think it is an incredible advantage. The School Strike movement is just one indication that the world needs to be led- must be led- by the most courageous and brilliant young of the world. Buttigieg very well may be one of them. We need to trust those young people since they must deal with and fix the disasters (climate change, economic inequality/bondage, nationalism/populism/nativism etc...) that their elders left to them. I can easily see Buttigieg in the White House.
5
@Reader
Hooray, Reader! Me, too.
1
He'd be such a great choice for a running mate. Puts him in the pipeline and gives him 4-8 years of age and Washington experience for a run at the top job.
3
Donald Trump was 70 when he took the oath of office. So much for the wisdom that accrues with age.
4
I think, if one is going to say those over seventy should not be disqualified from running for President because of their age, those under forty should be granted the same opportunity. And if Indiana or any other red state offered Democrats like Mayor Pete a chance to display skills that would be useful on the national stage, no doubt we would have many more candidates like him. Eliminating talented women and men from areas of the country where their party affiliation is as good as a loss, means that we may be throwing away great leaders because they can't demonstrate their capacity on larger stages.
That Mayor Pete has been able to raise so much money, command so much attention and move so high in the polls with only his small town, municipal experience in elective office by which to judge him, already proves he has the potential to be a great President. The real problem is that Americans are not particularly good at choosing great Presidents.
That is what puts a pit in my stomach. And I suspect Mr. Burni's as well.
5
I would be very pleased to have Pete run as Vice President with Joe Biden. We need Joe to win the election for so many reasons and we do not want to waste Pete's potential.
1
@Sama It would certainly balance the ticket, age-demo wise.
1
Do you know what the media's worst sin is with regard to the presidential campaign coverage? Not so much acting as if they can predict accurately how over 150 million people will vote, when like predictions have proved wrong so often in the past, as characterizing the election as a game of speculation, based more on personalities and polls than on issues. Let's see a column on what Mr. Bruni likes or dislikes about Buttigieg's - or any other candidate's - positions on matters of real import to the country. How we all weigh those may actually decide who wins, and who wins will remain unknown until we all have actually voted.
7
I understand why people want to play it safe. Playing it safe brought us Hillary Clinton, and by extension, Donald Trump. In 2008, we did not play it safe, and that resulted in Barack Obama's election. I choose not to support Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders because they are too far left. I am not supporting Kamala Harris because she has not clearly told us who she is, what she stands for, and why she wants to be President.
I like Joe Biden and Mayor Pete. Mayor Pete for the reasons stated in this column, and Biden because having read his policy proposals, I find them to be sensible and more in accord with my views on the issues.
Having said all that, I will be supporting the democratic nominee, whoever that may be. Everything is at stake in the coming election. That is a pledge that all of us should make.
5
Makes no sense. With this crop of candidates, they don’t come any safer than Biden.
2
Being the US President is nominally equivalent to being a CEO. If the average age of a CEO is 60 (Korn Ferry) and the Standard Deviation is 4 years (UC Santa Barbara) then Mayor Pete would sit in the rarefied atmosphere of the 99th percentile should he become the next President.
Should we fear this Outlier ? It’s my thinking that this whip smart newcomer would leverage the wisdom of his more seasoned Cabinet members and be and become an extraordinary POTUS. The real question is how the voters see him.
6
@Bricks: And the Congress is a board of directors, if they ever get their heads screwed back on.
Imperfections...of course we all have them. It is being aware of them and working toward improvement that is important. I believe Pete has demonstrated this sense of self awareness and find him to be the most genuine and clear thinking candidate of the democratic field. All are imperfect and we need to get behind one and get to work.
This article made me make another donation to the Pete Buttigieg campaign.
5
The fact that Buttigieg "steers clear" of extremes is a clever way of saying that he feels running on issues like debt-free college, full Medicare For All, and a commitment to a Green New Deal would be unpopular and cost him a General Election fight (It wouldn't, he'll be decried as a socialist by the GOP no matter what he was to run on).
Barack Obama ran on a very similar "non-extreme progressive" platform in 2008 and his moderation led to a slower economic recovery, the longterm continuation of the war in Afghanistan, and a sharp increase in healthcare premiums under the Affordable Care Act, a compromise bill that does little to actually combat the core of America's deep issues with providing high quality, affordable healthcare to its citizens.
Campaigning as a moderate does not mean big progressive agenda items will magically appear after January 20th. If somebody like Buttigieg ends up in the Oval Office, you can expect another polished-looking liberal administration covering up a deep lack of progressive accomplishment with aggrandizing speeches and empty promises of "renewed prosperity".
2
@Declan: Taxing people a fraction of their income to fund projects and services of general public benefit is socialism. The public sectors of mixed economies are inherently socialistic, and they are not competently managed by people who deny that.
1
@Steve Bolger
As a socialist, I'm fully aware of this and would advocate for more education about the fact that some of the most beneficial projects this nation has ever instituted for its citizens have been socialistic and redistributive in nature.
3
Dear Frank: I think we need to discard the labels that society has forced upon us and look at the human being, regardless of their age, etc and focus on their integrity, decency and compassion and willingness to bring us together to accomplish higher goals for us and this planet. That is who Mayor Pete is: his generation has everything at stake: our democracy, our planet's climate change and pollution, and global cooperation and peace. He has my vote and he will win in 2020.
6
I like much of what he says. He is very intelligent and I even sent money into him. But I think he should strive to serve a term or two in the Senate before going for the big chair. However if he gets the nomination, I will vote for him.
2
We are ALL vulnerable, so there's no need to single Pete out in that light. Because only he has the power to change things. Pete is young in years, though he speaks more maturely and eloquently and knowledgeably and rationally than any other candidate...and we NEED young (a solid candidate does not need scars of suffering but rather clarity and vision). Pete is insanely intelligent...and smart enough to know - far more than any other candidate - that extremes are not going to win an election. Pete is calm and un-rattled yet strong in his will and in his intention when he speaks cogently about what we need in order for change to occur. And Pete is honest yet sincere...which is simply a rarity in politics. I remain hopeful and will do whatever i can to support Pete. We all need him.
6
Health care reform, education reform, tackling income inequality ,a capitalist system that has taken the workforce for granted and the rise of technology in the work environment are not going to be solved by an articulate mr nice guy. These issues have not been well addressed in the past and thus we have Trump. Thomas Frank and others have written about how Democrats have moved to the right and how the middle class has consistently voted against its best interests. Elizabeth Warren seems to be the only one with a well thought out plan. Too liberal for the same group that has consistently voted for people who do not have their best interests in mind. Too liberal so they claim they will still vote for Trump. Other than tariffs and tax cuts for some,what is his plan?
I think Cory Booker is more similar to Buttigieg than is often acknowledged. Booker's call to "radical empathy" mirror's Buttigieg's appeal to better angels rather than better people, and his academic credentials and expository prowess are on the same level as those of Buttigieg. In their focus on unity and ability to project a down to earth thoughtfulness, they are perhaps the most Obamaesque candidates in the current field. But it is far from clear that a sense of enlightened unity is what the most engaged voters want right now. And I think we all know which individual is largely responsible for that.
1
Mayor Pete seems to be the most articulate and reasonable candidate I have heard during my long lifetime. It is unfortunate that his age and sexuality may be a bar to his advancement in 2020. If he doesn’t make it next year, I wouldn’t write him off in the future. He seems like a rare talent.
3
I've been all-in for Mayor Pete since the spring, when I sat gape-jawed as he was grilled by the panel on Morning Joe, and not only hit every question out of the park effortlessly, but actually transformed the way I think about many of the critical issues of the day. The standing ovation he received at his Fox News town hall demonstrated an amazing ability to reach across the aisle and bring people together. I was excited and motivated by Obama in 2008, but find Buttigieg's far-reaching ideas even more intellectually salient and substantive.
Let's face it: there are existential threats afoot today that older leaders don't have the capacity to deal with -- in fact, they represent the mindset that created many of those problems. These times require someone completely different, who nonetheless respects and embodies the best of our traditions and values. That is Mayor Pete. With a powerfully appealing VP candidate like Stacy Abrams of Georgia, he can go all the way.
13
Candidates for office, no matter the echelon, need a base that is a significant percent of the electoral demographic profile.
Gallup estimates 4.5% of Citizens as LGBT, 5.1% women and 3.9% men. That's an absurdly high bar to electoral success, especially with a 0% support from African-Americans.
And Gore lost to Bush in several states, including his home state of Tennessee, with an orthodox Jew as his running mate. BTW, Jews make up about 2.5% of the population.
The demographic front runner in the current election cycle, on the Democratic side, is Elizabeth Warren.
1
Sometimes I wish we could run a Justice League approach -- like the Democratic nominee would be 4 people -- Warren, Buttigieg, Harris and Booker and they would work together to run the country. I think each of them has great strengths and none of them gives me that feeling in my gut that they can win. But I would like to see Bernie and Biden bow out and let those 4 engage so we can see who is the strongest. Age is not just a number. Bernie and Biden and the President are too old for the job and Mayor Pete may be too young but at least it won't kill him. It's time to start Marie Kondoing the candidates, and for me those are the 4 that should remain in the drawer.
1
I usually agree with you, Frank, but this 73-year-old sees Buttigieg's age as an advantage. He is young enough to see the long view and old enough to understand where he is in life. He has proven himself wise enough to ask for advice and help when he needs it, to understand the big picture and to be able to think several steps ahead. Yes, it would be nice if South Bend was bigger, if he could "wait five years," and a bunch of other "ifs." (Here's one: "if he wasn't gay," the only part of him not "straight out of central casting.") But: we are here now, in these times and circumstances, and of the candidates our flawed nominating process offers us, my bet on the most capable and electable ones rides on Mayor Pete and Cory Booker. I don't care about gender, color or religion (or lack of same) as much as I do about defeating Trump and his cancerous crew and standing up to and answering his fetid attacks during and after the campaign. Of course, I will vote for anyone over the ignorant and evil Trump, but I see these two as my best choices.
3
Hillary was a “flawed” candidate too and see where that for democrats. Democrats need a pure candidate to run without any Blemishes so that they can feel pure when they pull the lever. Know any smart infants (as opposed to dumb infants like Trump).
His age doesn't worry me a bit. He is the exact opposite of the lying con man currently defecating all over the Constitution. And he's the only candidate pushing a unifying message, which is exactly what the country needs. I'll vote for whoever the dems nominate - but I hope it's Mayor Pete.
9
Buttigieg is a corporate Democrat. Why that escapes people oooohing and ahhhing about him like Bruni is beyond me. Yes, he's smart but so is Warren and the rest of them. Mayor Pete sounds suspiciously like Obama when he first ran. Hope and change.....well how did that work out? That was a phony promise that never came true. No thanks, I'm done with Democrats who enable the corporate state we've had since 2000. Warren/Abrams 2020!!!
1
mayor pete is excellent. as are booker, harris, warren. I can't imagine that the American electorate wants trump sneering, racist mug in their face until 2025. hoping not, at least...
1
Mr Bruni, you or the opinion editor should have disclosed you're gay (as already disclosed elsewhere) and 54 years old to add context to your opinion. You may assume readers know already but most won't. It's important to place what you say about Mr Buttigieg in context. Cheers.
Most know.
Yes, Buttigieg is very appealing in so many ways, however Americans will not accept a sexually active homosexual man in the White House at this time. Let him serve as a Congressman, Senator, Governor, or Cabinet Member for the next 20 years. Gauge his leadership and effectiveness. By 2040 the US may be open to the idea of a gay man as chief Executive.
Shakespeare said it best...
Any of the Democratic candidates compared to this disgraced and disgraceful President is...
"Hyperion to a satyr."
Hamlet, Act I, Scene 2
1
This household is a Pete household.
7
He's not a Fascist, he's not a populist, and he's not a sociopath. Good enough for me.
7
And with all your speculation about who might be popular among the public, you say that Warren won’t win the white working class from which she herself came, but you think white working class folks are going to support a homosexual man with a husband in the White House? They’d be more likely to support Warren or a certain Asian-American who likes math (because they misheard he likes meth.)
2
Really? It’s hard to see Buttigieg in the White House?? After Trump anyone can be in the White House, Buttigieg, Warren, Harris, that rat I saw this morning in the subway or a monkey, or a cockroach or a pig. Oh wait there’s a pig in the White House right now. No offense to pigs of course but you get my point. So what a blessing it would be to have someone as smart as Buttigieg there.
4
Hey Bruni!!
This guy is fabulous.
If a 37 year old can run a town and run a family and handle the daily vagaries of campaigning and come out shining and articulate your argument that his young age is worrisome is dumb and dumber. If he got to debate trump he would exsanguinate his lips and voice box. Trump would be dumbfounded and in the dust . Trump our bone spur dummie King. Pete has this cuz he fought in wars. Did you fight Bruni??
His age is a plus in this geriatric world of woe. If he doesn’t win presidency and a woman does then please he must be Secretary of Defense.
3
People said Obama was too young. There are plenty of mentally ill incompetent older candidates we just don't know well enough.
Thoughtful piece.
Oh, Frank. Fallen for the “electability” trap, eh? Did you write this opinion piece to have a thousand readers work to convince you that it’s ok to vote outside of your ageist comfort zone? Well done if that’s your purpose. Stop the blathering and finally support the candidate whom you fully describe as demonstrating presidential leadership in ways that lead, measure, inspire, and brings us to our better selves (starting with the person always in your reach).
2
Frank, you are an impressively articulate writer and just a very smart human being but you’re off base on this one. Pete’s got it all. Hands down. Please, let’s not have the NYT take down another Dem candidate like what happened in the last election cycle. Stupidity wins the day for the Republicans while Democrats nit pick over every last thing.
5
I asked my spouse, who is a Warren supporter, if he would vote for Buttigieg should he earn the nomination. Without skipping a beat, he said, "Absolutely, but to be fair, I would vote for the Taco Bell chihuahua over Trump."
Seriously, though, he said he thinks Pete would be a fine president, but he'd like to see him serve at least a few years in a more senior elected position first.
1
Columns like this one won't help Mayor Pete. Time to get on board, Frank.
5
This is not a great mystery. Mr. Bruni is not a journalist, he's a hack. Like all hacks, he knows what pleases his masters, and acts accordingly.
By the way, all those of you who are shocked--shocked, I tell you--that Mr. Bruni should lend his questionable talents to the undermining of a Democratic Presidential candidate when he did this to Senator Bernie Sanders over and over and over and over again in 2016. NOW you're outraged?
Give me a break. You're all laughable.
1
Pete Buttigieg is the antiTump. See it, Believe it. Act accordingly.
7
Why is it that Mr. Bruin feels compelled to mention that Mr. Buttigieg is gay? Why does he not mention the sexual preferences of every candidate?
2
Would love to see him carve up the fool in the white house in a debate!
3
Oh, age smage. He reminds me of what Lincoln would have been like. I would love to live in Pete’s America where smarts and decency are a common thread. Imagine what that would be like?
Pete, you give me hope and that’s something that’s painfully missing, slipping further and further away every single day.
4
Its worth noting that the African American community (the backbone of the party!) is notoriously homophobic.
2
Frank has a crush on Pete.
1
Come back, Hillary! None of the Dem candidates have your experience, guts, and balls. Pete is too young, too stiff a public speaker, and too bland.
1
“But, ugh, that age. My wish for a young candidate didn’t mean a 37-year-old one. There’s much wisdom in this life that’s accrued only with the passage of years, and he’d be better off.”
Mr. Bruni, this is one of the few times that I find myself strongly disagreeing with your premise. While growing old is guaranteed, the attainment of wisdom seems to be optional for most folks. Take the current occupant in the Oval Office. How many years does he have on Pete Buttigieg? Despite the number of years he has racked up, Trump still possesses the wisdom of a toddler. And I think this can be said for a lot of aging people we know. Instead of learning lessons from past mistakes, or gaining insight into this journey called life, many people simply allow themselves to age into an older, more inflexible version of their younger selves.
Not only will the next president be tasked with cleaning up the devastation left behind by the current administration, but they will also bear the responsibility of uniting a divided nation, restoring America’s credibility, and relighting the beacon of freedom and democracy that has grown dim.
Pete Buttigieg has my confidence that he can steer this nation back on course. And I would be proud to have him as president. rump and many of the current aging relics serving in Congress have proven through their behavior and actions that wisdom does not always run parallel with accumulated years.
6
Frank Bruni should get over the fact that, for perhaps the first time in his life, there's a really viable Democratic presidential candidate who's younger than Bruni is. That's what middle age is: You see younger people start shining in their careers.
I'm almost 80 years old, and I am not afraid of having a terrifically well-qualified, personable--and blessedly well-spoken--Democratic nominee for President, who just happens only to be entering middle age. Buttigieg's only real disadvantage, for Bruni and other, is that he's not yet 40 years old?
Consider, please, the alternative: Donald Trump.
There is no comparison between Buttigieg and Trump--Buttigieg wins on every measure, and the public would know that and vote for him.
Have a bit of faith in our people, Mr. Bruni, and don't be afraid to support good candidates, be they Elizabeth Warren or Pete Buttigieg!
7
I disagree. We need someone young enough to still have their idealism intact, who has a stake in the future (climate change) and who is connected enough to younger generations to be able to imagine what the future holds. What is "experience" anyway - experience in politics? Clearly, that is not a requirement for voters. Some people are more mature in life earlier than other people, based on their life experiences. You can't generalize. And sometimes, too much experience, too many years in politics, can be a detriment. Also, everyone said the exact same thing about Obama.
5
It’s interesting that people think heterosexuals will not vote for a homosexual but homosexuals are expected to vote for heterosexuals. Think about that.
257
@Andre: Much depends on what people think God thinks about sex.
3
@Andre The whole (non-)issue is a red herring. The people for whom this is a line in the sand won't vote for any Democrat; and nearly all live in solid red states anyway, so their vote won't influence the outcome of the election. I think the election -- and re-election -- of an African-American was a far higher bar in these here United States.
8
@Andre : I don't want to think about anyone's sex life at work or in public places.
2
I think you are overlooking Kamala Harris. She has all the gravitas that you want. And it is only in the crazy world of media reporting on politicians that she has sent "mixed signals." She has not wanted to pinned down to details that might change with more information. We are very clear on where she stands. And as someone who was a prosecutor who also made real reforms to the way it operated while she was there, I think she has the same perspective about healing divisions that Pete Buttigieg does, but minus the white male privilege. If you have not heard Senator Harris talk about healing and bringing the country together, I submit that you are not listening to her, you are reading other people's reports (like yours) on what she is saying. Senator Harris also has demonstrated that she knows how to handle a bully. That will be crucial in this contest.
"...extremes aren’t where the most progress is usually made or where healing is likeliest to happen."
I'm afraid that in the current political climate only extremes are heard. With Obama we had 8 years of preemptive compromise and healing gambits, but it barely budged the discourse. What the Left needs now is someone who will fight for it like McConnell and Trump fight for the Right. Only after both ends of the spectrum have had their turn at extremism will there be any chance at real compromise and healing.
@Andrew Dabrowski: The US needs to understand that politics is a Hilbert Space of a conceptually unlimited number of dimensions. US politics is frozen in one dimension and dyslexic about it to boot.
@Steve Bolger Well, to put my point in your language, currently only a single half-line of that Hilbert space is admissible: from the center to the extreme right. My point is we need to add the other half-line towards the extreme left. After establishing one full dimension, we can then work on the other Aleph_0.
If Pete Buttigieg were the Democratic nominee, I would vote for him. I agree with much of what Frank Bruni said. However, there are legitimate reasons why Buttigieg doesn't appeal to black voters. I believe it's realted to the following statement by social science researcher Brene' Brown: "Empathy is incompatible with shame and judgment."
Empathy allows people to hear and consider information their biases otherwise block out. As such, it is essential to unimpaired critical thinking.
While Buttigieg certainly has empathy toward many groups, he lacks empathy toward others. When he established his task force that led to his 1,000 homes in a 1,000 days policy, he failed to include any members from the communities that were to be impacted, which were members of racial minority groups and the most impoverished. After enacting his policy, he was willing to hear and consider those voices and referred to it as "healthy pressure." The problem is that receiving such information after the fact isn't the same as hearing it before enacting policies.
I was hopeful that he had learned from that experience. However, he then commented on the voting rights of peoiple convicted of felonies. Look up disfranchisement or disenfranchisement, which is the revocation of the right to vote of a person or group of people, or through practices, prevention of a person exercising the right to vote. Buttigieg is gay. The LGBTQ community is one group disenfranchised by bias within the criminal system.
1
My Dad is a huge Fox News junkie and ardent Republican. Even HE likes Pete Buttigeig, which gives me hope that Mayor Pete is someone who can transcend party lines. I have never heard my Dad talk even remotely favourably of any Democrat in a very, very long time. I can't imagine him speaking the same way about Warren, Biden or Sanders. This gives me a glimmer of hope that Mayor Pete can actually win this thing!
12
Of course they're vulnerable, they want to control us and tell us what to do as opposed to the Republicans who offer freedom, both economic and social. I see no reason to vote for any one of these open-border socialists.
3
"I’d be a lot more comfortable if there were an additional zero in that population figure, if he had a better record on race, and if there weren’t quite so many elitist mile markers on his journey to this point." - Have you read his book? Pete and one person cannot solve the entire issues with race and his actions and steps to acknowledge this is far beyond any of the current candidates. What's wrong with the elitist mile markers? He also came from a family of professors (trust me that may sound elitist until you see an actual professors paycheck) so he worked incredibly hard and is smart and get into great schools and landed a great job that he then realized wasn't a good fit for him because he wanted to actually help people, so he joins the army. HIs experience in the elitist world is a complete benefit, he gets it. In his book he states how shocked he was to realize that basically no one at Harvard had even gone to the military. The president of NZ is younger than Pete, the constitution sets up clear markers of what they deemed appropriate to run and he fits them all.
6
Age can and often does bring wisdom, yet in many ways it’s also just a number. If a candidate consistently exudes and exemplifies striking intelligence, moral decency, dedication and hard work, natural affability, emotional equanimity, political moderation, graceful eloquence, as well as a desire to lead, then isn’t such an array of excellent human qualities enough reason for him or her to taken seriously and to be considered viable?
2
Seems to me that your concerns are similar to the ones about Obama, previous to the Iowa Caucus. (Except for the comment about Black voter support. In Obama's case, the concern was about the ability to win significant white voter support). Let's see how these candidates do in the first few primaries/caucuses. Before we become too concerned, let's see how voters respond to them.
4
This article is so much more positive than the headline. So many thoughts come to mind that many others have said before, but Pete Buttigieg has well thoughout ideas, he is not rehashing the tired ideas from old, tired and past their prime politicians. Baby-boomer era politics are what got us to a place where *45 got "within cheating distance of the White House", and won. The other Democrat hopefuls have started to parrot what Pete has been saying since launching his campaign a mere 6 months ago. As an almost 60 y/o recovering Republican, I am more hopeful about my future and the future of my children and their children than I have been for years. Let's start reading some positive articles about Pete Buttigieg from the awesome New York Times.
4
@Robin Comfort: Faith-based politics gave us a government of charlatans. There is no hope for reason to prevail where people cling to beliefs that are not and never will be substantiated.
Pete's terrific--but he's not ready yet.
More and more, I'm hoping for a Warren/Booker ticket. We need a passionate, first-rate HEAD (brain) as POTUS. Someone who has thought long and hard about how to mend and equalize this nation. Someone who has survived poverty and thrived. Compassionate, yet objective.
But to balance this, we need a HEART VP. Corey Booker exudes the warmth and kindness we all long for. And he best balances Warren: woman/man; white/black; old/young; brain/heart.
We need Pete somewhere in the cabinet, yes, and he will have his day. But not in 2020. For once, for pity's sake, the Democrats need to take the long view! Pete, for the good of the country, please take a step back. If humility is your strength, show it now!
1
When someone shows the temperment, judgement, ideas, and intellect needed to bring the nation together, it seems a bit petty to argue "I wish he was five years older."
Buttigieg reminds me more of Bobby Kennedy than anyone who has run in the more than 50 years since. We missed the opportunity for RFK to be President. We shouldn't miss the opportunity for Pete -- even those who would like him to be five years older.
5
Dear Frank Bruni: You know that if you could wake up to a President -elect Buttigieg in 2020 you would be thrilled, relieved and glad that your fellow citizens righted the ship of state. So would I. Let's work toward that.
6
Buttigieg's past includes a variety of life experiences that make him the ideal candidate. One characteristic that you failed to notice is his intent listening skills. A true leader knows how to listen well, analyze what he hears, consult experts who know more about topics and then own his decisions and actions. Besides that, as a reader of history and literature, he has background knowledge that many others do not have. As speaker of multiple languages, he understands how culture is involved in communicating with people other countries. I've listened to just about every video of him and read every article about him. He is the calm, thoughtful, intellectual. responsive leader that this country needs, especially now. There are many Republicans and Independents who are happily putting every effort they can into making that happen. He's a uniter. I was a Republican until I changed to Democrat with the takeover of Trump. I didn't vote party, just the candidate. I voted for Gore and Obama. With Buttigieg's youth and experience come the energy and determination to create a future that we can all be proud of.
9
OK. A reading of this article and almost all the laudatory letters light some hope in me to see him on the campaign trail running against Trump and whoever the willing generic woman he finds to replace Pence.
Pete is by far the class of the field.
Just one thing has bothered me. His mostly jacketless costume. It bothers me. I mean, it doesn't convey a down to earth, regular guy image or a hard at work look. Given his short stature and youthful countenance, it comes across looking like his mother just ironed it (including the crisply ironed folded up sleeves) and now he's ready to take his seat at the kids' table.
He looks fine in a whole suit and ready to be taken seriously as a potential President. Jim Jordan may need this costume, Pete doesn't.
2
He's a young white male Christian vet. He had the courage to come out of the closet and admit that he's gay in 2015 at the age of 33 while running for for reelection.
You may get past his lack of experience- he's young! Though his record as mayor of a small town in the mid-west may be more of a challenge for some to ignore. He's intelligent, articulate, with a polished and well rehearsed stage presence.
He's humble and sincerely believes he's qualified to be the most powerful human being on the planet. It's also important to know that he learned how to speak Norwegian while sitting on the toilet.
He isn't Donald Trump.
Mayor Pete for President- 2030.
2
I also wanted to recommend your comment, but Buttigieg 2030 makes it difficult for me. Also I'm still hoping for a Harris>Buttigieg 2020 ticket, but could be happy with Buttigieg top of any ticket.
Did you mean to type 2030 or 2020? I ask because your comment is very supportive of Pete Buttigieg and wondered if you mean to suggest he should be ten years older, or the country needs another ten years before electing an openly gay man? Or it's just a typo? The keys are so small on mobile devices I make a lot of typos.
1
Why do you continue to overlook Cory Booker?
4
@Lisa Romano too closeted
Amy Klobuchar...midwestern, moderate, woman, young. Why is she being ignored?
6
@Monroe MD Let's not forget experienced!
Frumpy.
The notion that age brings wisdom is refuted daily by your current President.
11
Stop chasing perfection Frank, it’s not out there.
6
Lot's of "thinkers" doubted a black man could win or be a successful president; that worked out pretty good. Experience is an issue but he is extremely talented.
3
What about Booker? Doesn’t he mostly check those boxes?
2
One thing is to become the mayor of a small city, quite another, to win a national election in which millions vote. Unfortunately, In the Fall of 2020, Buttigieg's homosexuality could well prove a stumbling block to many a voter who, otherwise, would find his policies appealing The U.S. has not quite yet overcome its judaeo-christian taboos; by the way, Islam also disapproves of homosexuality. In brief, a key factor in the multifaceted religious culture of the country stands in Mr. Buttigieg's way. He will have to judge just how progressive and secular the nation has become to determine if he really has a serious chance of winning the Presidency.
1
I suggest a re-reading of the first three paragraphs of this article with Andrew Yang in mind. It looks to me as if he fits all the criteria Bruni mentions for an ideal candidate.
What would it take to convince you that he’s the best choice to beat Trump? My logic is this: _all_ of us Democrats would pick Yang over Trump in the general election, right? And Yang also has demonstrated support of Republicans and independents - they’re switching their registrations Democrat to vote for him in the primary! Can Pete (or Biden or Warren) say that?
If your mind’s not made up yet, take a look at his website (https://www.yang2020.com/policies/); he’s got concise but detailed descriptions of more than a hundred policy positions, each with defined goals and statements about what he would do as president toward achieving them.
If he doesn’t make it to the White House, let’s make sure whoever does has proposals that are as wide-ranging and even half as well-articulated as these.
5
The easiest way to raise money for Democratic primaries is to be the Republican's choice to run against in the general election.
1
You forget a candidate from the Midwest who's also less far to the left than many others, has more years of wisdom, and also has current D.C. experience: Amy Klobuchar.
Why aren't you giving her candidacy another look?
5
I expected to see Amy Klobuchar's name instead of Pete's at the end of the 4th paragraph. The thought that Pete Buttigieg is going to carry the Midwest is just laughable. I'm quite sure, however, that Amy Klobuchar can. If columnists like Frank Bruni, who I actually admire very much, gave five minutes once in awhile to Klobuchar, she'd be polling far above her 2 or 3 percent. I've always admired her long game, and as Sanders becomes ill, as Harris tanks, and as Biden looks like he's becoming a non-factor, there's plenty of room to change the current polling numbers. You want a smart Midwesterner who can also play the piano? Call Amy.
4
I ‘m usually with you, Frank, but I am sick and tired of this baseless position that 37 is too young —especially in light of the absolute pig who holds the office now. Surely that alone should clue you in that age has little to do with ability to perform the job.
I’d also like to remind you that the Constitution requires minimal age of 35. Not 45. Not 55. Thirty-five. The Founding Fathers deemed that number a good one so why can’t you?
As many commenters have pointed out, Pete displays more than enough intelligence, maturity, tact, grace, humility, curiosity, and class to do a great job.
Enough hand-wringing. You aren’t helping.
9
I really hope I'm not an ageist, but I'm getting really tired of politicians and judges holding on to positions until they drop. It's not as if retirement means watching soap operas and waiting for the mail to arrive for these people. I'd love to be as in demand and busy as they would be in retirement. Why can't they focus on the future and mentor the next generation? Bring the next generation into the fold.
I can't understand the reaction from Pelosi or sour puss Claire McCaskill to AOC for example. They paved the way for AOC and whether they like it or not AOC is part of their legacy. I think it would be better if they took the attitude of a university professor who champions a student not because they agree on everything, but because the student is committed and they back up their argument with facts. We need to learn how to age more gracefully in this country. Perhaps I mean with more dignity and composure. Being threatened by youth and making any effort to put it down is the easiest way to look old and tired. I think Hilary Clinton should have picked Cory Booker or Joaquin Castro as VP running mate. The best way to look young and vibrant is to stand next to young and vibrant people. And remain standing. I hope I don't have to explain that? Aging ballerinas have known that all along.
I can't believe that people could elect Trump, who has zero experience with foreign relations, zero experience in government, and let's face it, little experience as a "successful" business man. (He has more bankruptcies than brick and mortar stores.) Yet, say that Buttigieg is too young or inexperienced? Too white, too privileged? We cant' elect a gay man, yet we elected a man with very questionable morals? Come on....
I decided to listen to "Mayor Pete's" CNN Town hall with skepticism about how a 37 year old could possibly have enough knowledge about the country, our people, and our issues. Just two minutes into his talk, I found an articulate, intelligent, and mature individual who has insights into where we, as a country, need to go to close the huge chasm of hate and disrespect in our country. It was a breath of fresh air, and I felt hopeful for the first time since Trump was elected. Buttigieg is exactly the kind of leader I want for this country. I don't see him as too young, because his intelligence is mature beyond his years. If people would take time to listen to him, I think they would change their minds.
Instead they currently cling to Warren, who is too white, too privileged, too female, too old, and too screechy, and far too Leftist to be elected.
Instead, I am very afraid we will have 4 more years of the unstable, grandiose narcissistic "bully" in the White House because the Dem's can't get it together.
7
Why not simply administer a test on Constitutional Law, Economics, Foreign Policy, American History and Civil Rights to all Presidential candidates? That way, at least we'd know who has the best grasp of governing the Nation and avoid the dangers of electing a corrupt carnival barker.
1
It is absolutely ludicrous to even consider Mayor Pete as the presidential nominee. Yes, he is the best speaker of the Democratic group and is very impressive. But as a gay ally for over 50 years, my reality is that a gay man cannot get elected in America in 2020. This is a homophobic country with homophobic religions. There are TWENTY-NINE states where an employer can legally fire an employee for being gay. Seems to me we should work on that travesty rather than wasting time on a candidate who can't win either the nomination or the presidency.
3
@AACNY ---Right. Republicans fall in line where Democrats have to fall in love. However, the chances of Republicans nominating a gay or lesbian for president are roughly one hundred million to one. When Republicans nominate a gay candidate for national office, you get back to me.
1
Americans have a special place in their hearts for novelty - Obama made the most of this, challenging voters to ratify his optimistic vision: 'only in America could someone with a name like mine...etc', and then came Trump, tapping into the same desire for the new - a boldly greedy 'winner' who was going to share his secret of success for the price of a measly vote. Of all the current candidates running for the Democratic nomination, Buttigieg definitely has the greatest allure of 'the new' - a not insignificant asset in running against a candidate who's idea of 'winning' turns out to be making everyone but himself a loser.
4
Mía Farrow tweeted recently that she raised a son who thought and performed well beyond his years. The same could be said of Buttigieg. He is in good company with the founding fathers.
When I hear him speak, I don’t think of his age, or his Party. I think of the Founding Fathers. True renaissance men who believed in this ‘great experiment’, where Party affiliation was inconsequential, but where vision and ideas were the ticket in.
There is nothing I would like to see more than a Buttigieg-Trump debate. Nothing. The narcissist Trump would likely relish it. A rational Trump would try to avoid it.
Too young? Hardly. I’m far more concerned with this authoritarian drift than I am about a candidate’s age. Go Mayor Pete!
5
The problem with Mayor Pete is that he’s a center-right candidate in a center-left party whose soul is firmly on the left. We’ve had forty years, more or less, of center-right politics in this country and I, for one, am tired of it. I’m tired of politicians invoking god. I’m tired of the adulation heaped on the military. And I’m tired of stories about the political opinions of truckers in Midwestern diners. We need an affirmed leftist because this country has gone far off the rails coddling elites at the expense of everything else. Yes, Mayor Pete is smart, thoughtful, and sincere, but the rhetoric of bringing people together—code for I’m a white male who won’t be threatening to the racists—is empty. The past ten years should have made that clear. We’re in a fight to save this country, and progressivism, not watered down centrism, is the answer.
2
If Elizabeth Warren could sound more like the capitalist she says she is, I believe she'd be invincible. Pete is excellent, but with his young age, he'd need a heck of a lot more Camelot than he brings with him.
2
I believe it was Lincoln who said that if you “look for what is wrong, you will surely find it.”
I’m not looking to elect perfection. I want to vote for the integrity, intelligence, and optimism that is Pete Buttigieg.
7
Really, Mr. Bruni? After the obvious support financially, intellectually, etc. of millions of Americans who can see Mayor Pete representing us, are you really going to go to age discrimination!!!!
Mayor Pete has a more impressive resumé than almost all the yahoos that are currently running our country. His intelligence is not to be questioned. There don't seem to be any skeletons in his closet. His views on God and Country seem to represent what American values are. And you are going to shore up a GOP talking point?
And what IS your issue with his age? Are we not all looking for the next generations to take their seats at the table? Look at how many years the experiences they now have will be able to be used to re-knit the fabric of our nation, our values and our democracy after the thrashing of "old men".
I am 72...and I would vote for his as our candidate in a heartbeat. I am sorry that you wrote this column.
6
All I want in a President is someone who's a smarter and better person than I am. This man checks all the boxes.
4
Pete’s youth means he has a long term view of the issues. He has experience solving real problems in South Bend. He has the stamina and energy to manage the long hours and drain of the job. And he has the temperament and thoughtfulness that will allow us to regain our standing around the world.
5
Frank Bruni, you're 54. so you're qualified (in your analysis), by age. I'm 75 -- right there with the top three, so vote for me! Silly, right? Argument dismissed. Look at the issues, please, the policies. The day age (any age), race, gender, and sexual orientation leave the conversation is the day journalists will finally have grown up, no matter THEIR age.
4
The possibility of the election of such an apparently capable and decent young man to lead the country gives me great hope for the future. Unfortunately, I dread the vile effluvium that the Republican hate machine will pump into its email and social media streams as it inevitably attacks his sexuality should he be nominated. His honesty and integrity may be his downfall.
3
I prefer a young, thoughtful person governing the country than a corrupt, foolish businessman only out to increase his brand. Trump’s ideas about running the country are the same as my drunken uncle — incoherent slogans. Even though Mayor Pete is young and lacks experience, look at that buffoon in the White House now. Mayor Pete would think through issues, and surround himself with smart people upon whom he can lean, and not appoint a bunch of yes-men eager to crush foes.
7
He is human. We must find room in the public square to meet and accept and understand each other as we are, which is to say flawed. As things stand we expect unrealistic perfection. Consequently, those who show their genuine face fall victim to shame, false feelings of inadequacy, or public scorn, but those who are shameless, truly inadequate, and impervious to scorn appear like the stronger candidates when they are just facades.
3
It's so simple to be a Republican voter - just focus on what you want, either low taxes or white supremacy. And with the current occupant of the WH you get both in one package. No perfection tests required, just focus and click. Not so with Dems. Nope, we have to pick our candidates apart. The GOP doesn't have to do anything, we do it for them. It never ceases to amaze me how the GOP can get away with bloody constitutional murder, yet somehow it's always the Dems who are killing the country. I think it comes down to this - we're just not smart enough to sustain true democracy.
8
It's shocking how much energy Dems are putting into a field of Septuagenarians and how little they puts into a 37 year old. What happened to the time when progressive = young, handsome and well-spoken? I'll tell you what, the greedy, power hunger Baby Boomers who have refused to let go of their cold, dysfunctional generational grip on power, that's what. Liberal economic theory- Baby Boomers, Mass Incarceration = Baby Boomers, Gross Economic Inequality = Baby Boomers. I'm so sick and tired of how much the Dems are looking to "experience" when, we have a crafty, peachy, trainwreck careering towards destroying our entire way of life. To think that people actually thought Bernie Sanders would survive a second campaign was simply delusional. Biden's campaign is on life support and if you don't think Warren is one slip and fall away from a hip fracture, you need therapy. I'll take imperfect and rational versus deeply flawed and crazy any day.
9
Who cares if he’s young. Older politicians haven’t done anything for us and continue to wreck everything. I’ll gladly take a chance on the younger guy. Why would we want an 80 year old fogey as our leader?
6
I love listening to Pete Buttigieg but think that our hopes actually lie with another candidate of similar leanings - Steve Bullock, the Governor of Montana. Measured, pragmatic, progressive, experienced. He won reelection in a red state that went solidly for Trump in 2016. He has been able to pass progressive policies in a legislature that is 2/3 Republican i.e.) Medicaid expansion. I am worried about the viability of our top runners and I think we'll see some interesting things in February on who actually breaks out. I love listening to Pete Buttigieg but think that our hopes lie with another candidate of similar leanings - Steve Bullock, the Governor of Montana. Measured, pragmatic, progressive, experienced. He won reelection in a red state that went solidly for Trump in 2016. He has been able to pass progressive policies in a legislature that is 2/3 Republican, i.e.,) Medicaid expansion. I am worried about the viability of our top runners, and I think we'll see some exciting things in February on who breaks out.
1
Buttigieg is my first choice. Amy Klobuchar , my second. I think either candidate will bring us a much needed respite from the exhaustion of trump’s charade as president. Biden also brings that same calmness, but I do feel he is too old to run. He will be a very important resource for any Democratic President.
Buttigieg brings an elegant intelligence to this primary season, he reminds us of the importance of thoughtful responses. Sen. Klobuchar brings a very easy, down-to-earth presence to the discourse. All the current candidates will be very good choices as Cabinet secretaries. They all bring an expertise and capability that is sorely lacking in the current joke of an administration.
6
Three points:
1) "Electability" is not real. If it were, we would not have elected Obama or Trump.
2) What matters is the "lighting in a bottle" factor that elicits passion. Pete has it and none of the other Democratic candidates do.
3) I volunteer for Pete was asked to sign a "Rules of the Road" pledge (as are all who work on his campaign). We pledge to conduct ourselves with respect, belonging, truth, teamwork, boldness, responsibility, substance, discipline, excellence, and joy. These values shape him and his campaign. He truly inspires me to be a better person. Imagine that.
7
Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he was elected, Kennedy was 43. Just sayin'.
3
This article is what is extremely frustrating. Mayor Pete is as perfect as Obama, W, Bill Clinton, and Kennedy were at the same point. This arrogance that some of us have the we are smart enough to see this candidate’s greatness, but everyone else isn’t is what is maddening.
By the way...you want your perfect candidate. She is Amy Klobuchar for all the reasons you state. Maybe if you feel so strong about this you can use your clout at the paper to cover her one/tenth as much as Warren or Sanders, the Times’ chosen ones.
7
@Thinking
Good Thinking.
Imagine this: Klobuchar/Buttigieg
2
@Know/Comment - Trump would run over them both like a Monster Truck Rally. And I can't imagine a Klobuchar/Buttigieg ticket on their first day in office after a full blown Trump meltdown of everything in sight; whoever takes office on January 20, 2021 will need to be a stellar administrative genius with unlimited energy and an ability to mobilize thousands of new government employees; that describes Andrew Yang; the sitting Senators should go back to doing the jobs they wanted, ran for, and won and stop their ego campaigns.
@signalfire
I'm sure Klobuchar and Buttigieg are smart enough to take office on January 20, 2020, and also smart enough to enlist the right Cabinet members and executives to make the transition and clean up Trump's disastrous mess.
1
Why continue the constant references to Buttigieg as “gay”? Surely we have moved past defining people by their sexuality. It’s demeaning and marginalizes people who are so described.
6
Pete has much more relevant political experience than Donald Trump had in 2016.
Pete has much more relevant military experience than Donald Trump had in 2016.
I'm not the least bit worried about Pete releasing his taxes.
I'm not the least bit worried about Pete paying hush money to cover up an illicit sexual relation.
I'm not the least bit worried about Pete cowering to Vladimir Putin and Russia.
Seems to me, Pete's only mistake in life was choosing Harvard over Indiana University.
3
In 8 more years, Buttigieg will be that much older, and Middle America may be more willing to accept the first gay president and the first "First Guy" married to a guy. I don't think now is his time.
3
Oh man, Frank, I totally agree with you. The candidates are either too week, too old, or too young. The Dems must get behind someone with a strong spine and a good mind. Buttigieg would do but he is too young. We may end up loosing this one because there really aren't any outstanding candidates.
1
Ever heard of Andrew Yang? He's also under 50 and he explains complex topics pretty well.
4
Jack Kennedy was 43, remember. It's not a likely thing, but it's not undoable.
1
Mayor Pete has been my choice from the first day I heard him speak. Theres a lot of Obama in him.
5
So in essence the only reason you can think of, and say over and over in this article, not to full heartedly embrace Pete, is his age? That’s weak.
4
As a Canadian watching from the outside, I marvel (and despair) at the seemingly endless ability of Democrats to shoot themselves in the foot. Mr Bruni has no difficulties articulating Pete Buttigieg’s extraordinary qualities. He also wisely concludes that Mr. Buttigieg would make an excellent President. Then he does what Democrats seem almost programmed to do; he undercuts Mr. Buttigieg because he is less than perfect. A word of advice from an empathetic Canuck: If you would like a competent, articulate, smart, kind, reasonable President, then stop looking for ways to diminish your most excellent candidate in the name of “balance” and support that candidate enthusiastically. In other words, break with your old habits. From where this observer sits, those habits have not served you well.
9
Mr. Bruni, there is the argument that goes along the lines somewhat of: Don’t fault the young for their wanting change, fault the elders who have not brought it about.
3
The relentless ageism in this piece is astounding. It's the antithesis of democracy: everyone has a voice, regardless of age, sex, ability or sexual orientation. Any American can inspire a movement and represent the country. No demographic feature changes that.
1
Mayor Pete has this 64 years-old’s vote, hands down.
7
I wish Amy Kobochar gained more momentum because she fulfills the criteria that Buttigieg lacks. She’s older, more experienced and from the Midwest.
6
What is agonizing about imperfection?
2
What Bruni sees as his weakness is in fact his strength - that he has not been polluted by "business as usual" which is what those 5,10 or 20 years of "experience" will bring him.
This moment has chosen him. Hopefully Americans will too.
Pete 2020
3
He’s not charismatic. No chance. Case closed.
4
We and do better than the mediocre Mayor of the fourth largest city in Indiana.
4
Mr. Bruni - Perhaps it's time to sit down with Mayor Pete again for a one on one interview? I'd love to read your thoughts on if he's ready after that.
1
I remember a wonderful fellow named Barack Obama. He had many fine qualities. He was loaded with vision.
The Republicans did everything they could to destroy him. Not to work with him--to destroy him. Republicans don't have an alternate 'vision.' They're only interested in serving their corporate overlords. They have no ethics. They will make mince meat out of Mayor Pete.
What on earth makes you think Mayor Pete will fare any better than Obama did? Mayor Pete is just one of many Democratic candidates who thinks the cult of personality and soaring rhetoric is enough. It's not enough anymore.
Most of the Democrats appear to want to be president mostly because they want to be president. They want to fix our 'outlook.' They want us all to get along again, like people think we used to.
Dream on.
Elizabeth Warren focuses on policy. Is she going to wax poetic about policy? Is she going to make people's hearts go pit-a-pat? Doubtful. It's most likely that she's going to wag her finger at people and scream "wake up, we have problems here." Then, she's going to present actual proposals, big proposals, not little 'can't we all just get along' proposals.
Mayor Pete? Barack Obama all over again. Hope and Change.
5
@CF: The Republicans backed the wet behind the ears Obama until the moment he won the nomination.
39 is too young to be cynical enough to see through US politics.
2
I love Pete and based on the current field of Democrats he's miles better than anyone running. I also don't think the slightly right of center independents who elect Presidents in this country will vote for a gay man or Warren.
I will hold my nose and vote for Warren if it comes to that but I really think she is unelectable.
I still hold out hope that Mike Bloomberg will join the race. He's clearly head and shoulders above the field. Moderate, smart and the kind of person who can rebuild our government institutions.
2
There is a saying in sports such as soccer, "if they're good enough, then they are old enough." There is obviously a discussion to be had about whether somebody has enough experience for the job, just as there is a discussion to be had about whether somebody who is too old or still has enough vitality for a very draining role.
1
Mayo Pete is bland, uninspiring, and speaks mainly in platitudes. he is trying to channel Obama's rhetoric and he is a ghost of Obama when it comes to speaking.
the most specific he can get is to tell people he likes some of Sander's and Warren's plans but thinks we can do them without upsetting or alienating anyone. how to do this he obviously doesn't go into, because he really doesn't know how.
The guy is the mayonnaise of this campaign. soft bland and easily forgotten about in the face of more interesting options.
6
He's like a 2018 bottle of Pinot Noir from Oregon.
We don't really know what we have in that bottle because it's too young.
Sure there's a lot of potential based on the weather and rain and hope around the grape harvest, but until you let this thing ferment for another 8-12 years, you don't know if it's a $4.00 bottle that'll end up at Trader Joe's or a $400 bottle sold at Bobby Van's.
2
This guy is the real deal and the rest of the country needs to catch on and quick. He could eat Elizabeth Warren for lunch. Love this guy and hope he makes it to the WH. I am in.
5
One of the things I do not care for with Mayor Pete is the false equivalence he has fed into when comparing the Trump-led Republican Party and the Democratic Party: both sides do it.
Sure, there are some activities both sides do. Thing is, there are usually differences in kind and in degree. Many Democrats do worry about Republicans but often see a misguided impulse instead of evil, with exceptions for those advocating assault and murder. Our leaders do not say that as a movement they are evil or trying to destroy the republic.
Many Republicans worry about Democrats as a movement being evil and actively working for their downfall, which we are not.
One side is more fact-based and evidence-based. It's not the Republicans. If we want to return to common ground, civic grace and cultural glue, we need Republicans to start being fact-based again. I honestly don't see that happening for years at least.
1
What are we waiting for?!
The older folks aren't making matters better. We have nothing to lose, and vectoring to a period of political moderation is key right now. Military veteran, former McKinsey consultant, Mayor of South Bend, thoughtful and a moderate.
WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!?!?!
4
A country that wouldn't elect a woman, is now going to elect a young gay man? I don't think so.
The case currently before the Supreme Court, where the administration is defending the right of states to discriminate against LGBTQ people in employment and other areas, is telling.
About half the states want to continue to be able to do so. Picking a candidate who is gay, even though he is from one of these retrograde states, is politically suicidal.
Don't get me wrong. I'm gay myself - gay enough and old enough to know how deep the conscious and unconscious bias goes.
5
No candidate is perfect. Witness the insanity of our current president, yet he won the election. More than anything, people want something to believe in, and they will vote for ideas they embrace in spite of the flaws of the messenger, whatever you perceive them to be.
The question of age is overblown. Age is no inoculation against poor judgment. The Constitution requires that a candidate be 35, and that's good enough for me. There are old souls and 73-year old fools. I think it's quite reasonable to replace the latter with the former.
4
@Socrates
Thank you Frank Bruni and welcome back Socrates! My family and I would also vote for Buttigieg on a wink and a prayer.
2
Mayor Pete as an impressive career, but his appeal is that he is an inoffensive, non-controversial, neoliberal blank slate. His support among black voters is microscopic. He'll make a fine cabinet secretary but he simply does not energize any voters outside of his highly specific, upper-middle class professional base.
3
Pete is brilliant, temperate and wise; he reads and is a learner. He will have those same attributes at 50, but our country needs those qualities now to offset the horror the last three years have brought us by a man who has none of them.
Why are Americans swayed by an ignorant bully? Why do so many admire ruthlessness and cruelty? I believe the answers lie in the fact that those have not made it in America think those who have had advantages they lack always gained them them through "luck," as if being born white was something they did themselves.
Like it or not, I think it needs to be Warren/Booker this time with Buttigieg saving the planet as Secretary of State, president in 2028. Warren really needs to slow herself down a bit and speak from her heart to all people and how she will help, not hard sell. All candidates need to stop beating specifics of health care to death and simply reassure the public that a fair system will be put in place but it will take a little time. All should beat the drum on lowering taxes for the middle class, working class, and poor and raise them on the rich, especially the filthy rich, a term that should be hollered from rooftops.
1
Buttigieg will become President when pigs fly. It just won't happen (not that it shouldn't or couldn't in a different universe). What's Bruni got against Warren? She's our best hope though not our only hope; there seem to be many acceptable Democrats currently running.
1
So we're looking for perfection now?
2
Granted, Pete may not have all the experience we would wish for in our president. But what he does have is a willingness to listen, to welcome advice, to make decisions based on understanding all sides of an issue. His cabinet will be made up of experts - not corporate shills. You will never hear “I know more than the [fill in the blank] ...” him. He's thoughtful, educated and articulate. He’s experienced what it’s like to be an “other”. Mayor Pete is everything we need in a President right now.
3
At 6% in the polls more or less tied with Kamala Harris, Mr. Buttigieg cannot reasonably be characterized as a "leading" contender.
1
In some recent Iowa polls he’s in the double digits, in a virtual tie with (and in one case even ahead of) Sanders
Anyone who graduated from Harvard & Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar -and then joined the U.S. Navy isn't an elitist.
8
Wow, Frank -- two swears in one paragraph!
And since when is 37 too young, or as the headline would have us believe, an "agonizing imperfection"?
If I could vote it would be for the young Rhodes scholar. The age of the dinosaurs has not panned out well.
3
Mayor Pete is perfect for me. Smart, moral, sound and rational, real life experience, and a dog rescuer on top of everything. I keep waiting for America to catch on.
5
While I can understand your concerns over these weaknesses you perceive, you also make a convincing argument for him being the best possible candidate at this time. We cannot let the perfect get in the way of the good and frankly he’s the closest to perfect I’ve seen on this field or any primary field in my (admittedly short) lifetime. We can’t wait for some mystical perfect candidate to come save us all, we must pick the best of the candidates that we have and for that reason I will be voting for Pete Buttigieg #StudentsForPete #WinTheEra #PeteButtigieg2020
5
Calm down, Frank. Mayor Pete is older than his years.
3
Frank, Well stated and thoughtful piece, per usual.
"...a tight knot in your stomach" is precisely what Putin and Tweety want you to suffer, along with the rest of us, so breathe deeply, compartmentalize, and "keep calm and carry on".
Bear in mind what Hillary stated to Judy Woodruff on PBS yesterday, which is that, "Putin is the happiest person on the planet right now." She's correct, and that should remain our motivation to persevere on all fronts to bring Tweety and his entire administration to justice, either by supporting the HR in their impeachment investigation, and/or voting for Dems against every GOP candidate on all Federal, state and local ballots in 2020.
Talented as Pete B. is, the primary goal for the Dems remains to defeat Tweety, or any GOP presidential nominee, in 2020 - period. This is the same for all US Senate and US HR candidates as well.
A Dem sweep in the 2020 election would defeat Putin, defeat Tweety and send a clear message from voters to the GOP.
God Bless the United States of America!
2
Young energetic military service proud respectful mayor
Old blockading criminal draft dodger obstinate insulting bankrupt real estate developer
That’s a tough choice???
3
He just may be too good and too intelligent for the average American. Sad.
6
@Lorne Berkovitz I should have added in the same way the Adlai Stevenson was too good. More often than it should the question comes up, "Who would you rather have a beer with"? Really!! What a stupid way to choose a President or Prime Minister.
I am completely done with men, all white men with one exception, running the country. Talk about identity politics. Of course those same white men will accuse women of playing the “gender” card, as if men have not been doing so since the founding of the country. It is time to vote HER in. Mayor Pete would be a good VP on the ticket.
2
Maybe you have difficulty imagining Buttigieg as president because you, like so many others, have really become accustomed to just his opposite. Buttigieg is intelligent, he does indeed speak beautifully and coherently, he seems to be an honest person, and he discusses policy and programs that help people. None of these characteristics are found in the current occupant of the White House. You would think that the most dishonest, corrupt president in history, Donald Trump, could be defeated by almost any living, breathing human being. But here we are faced with the possibility that Trump could easily be reelected.
3
Mayor Pete is the perfect VP candidate. Imagine the vice presidential debate.
In America if you throw enough VICIOUS PROPAGANDA around, you can elect even a rusty tin can for president, e.g. trump. (Americans are very easily frightened by ads.)
"That" not only leaves Buttigieg, it leaves Amy Klobuchar and a couple of others. You are implicitly saying we need another white male in office. It is time for a change.
2
There's a group of voters who can't back Warren because she's a liberal. There are voters who can't see past Harris' color because we've been there, done that. The front three are old (like me) and don't we need young blood. But everything is against Buttigieg except mentioning he's gay. The Supreme Court is deciding if we can or cannot hire or fire Him for that alone. And if they could, maybe reverse his Spouses' Federal rights. Biden stands there and brags how he turned Obama on that topic not many years ago. But Times' followers can't say it that a part of Dems and a bigger part of the general voting electorate male, female, people of color or religion can't see past that. I can. I will but I won't get the chance. Vote anyway.
1
Its all about timing. Sen Daschel told Sen. Obama that his time was 2008 and if he missed it and Hillary won (likely against a Republican following W), his next chance would be 2016 after two full terms of a Dem. president - meaning that Obama's time may be never if not 2008. JFK almost took the '56 VP nomination but his dad told him to pass because Stevenson was a sure loser, the loss would be blamed on the Catholic kid and the Kennedy's family's political future might be lost, as well (JFK demurred).
The point being, Mayor Pete's time may be now: he has trouble in S. Bend; Indiana is conservative and neither the Gov. nor US Senate seat may be open to him; his local problems may make even a House seat hard to win. If he's not the nominee or the VP nominee, he may be done for a long time.
Its harsh to say a 37 year old is hitting his ceiling but national politics is a cold and unforgiving business. Many a talented person has gone "one and done".
4
“Talented yet vulnerable”?
I’ve never quite heard of such a description for a pack of circus Klowns pretending that they are qualified to run the world’s premier superpower.
2
Teacher Elizabeth (Pres.) and Mayor Pete (VP) get my vote.
2
If there had not been Obama, I'd be all in for Pete Buttigieg. As everyone knows who hears him speak, he is eloquent and intelligent and thoughtful and compassionate too. I am impressed by Pete Buttigieg.
But my family's life did not get much or any better under Obama and the seas continued to rise and those on Wall Street did well for themselves and drones continued to fly.
No, I'll vote for the one I most trust to change this broken world. That's not Buttigieg.
4
Amy Klobuchar. Experience, right age, NRA grade F from a hunting state like Minnesota. Actually passes legislation. Granted, not exciting speaker, but understands where we have been and able to expand where President Obama left off. Hoping for an Iowa surprise.
5
Let's be honest here and reduce Frank's dilemma into the simplest of terms. Buttigieg is openly gay, married, has a husband. Distressing, too, is the fact that Pete can field almost every question posed and hit it out of the ball park with intelligent eloquence. Distressing because his proven credentials cannot be reconciled with his sexuality. He is, despite his youth, the shiniest star in the Democratic firmament, and yet remains a dark horse in the minds of those who should know better, sadly because he is openly and proudly gay. The great irony is that the grossly inept, clearly corrupt Trump ,a misogynist, a self declared private parts grabbing heterosexual, gets among much of the electorate a straight pass. How ridiculous and what a price to pay to see our Constitution in shreds. Imagine the political consequences if there had been a Hollywood Access tape of Buttigieg declaring his predatory sexual instincts. The fault does not lie with Buttigieg but with voters who continue to assume inelectability of a candidate due to his or her sexuality.
2
Frank, I love, love, love mayor Pete! I too have been struggling about who has my vote. If I were to vote based on who I think would be the best person for this country in general, it would be him. However, right now, as far as uniting the country, Pete is not the one. Why? Because there are too many haters so angry a gay guy got elected, we’ll be as polarized as ever. I want to believe that Pete could unite, through his smarts, empathy, moderation. But, people who hate for a single issue, will hate Mayor Pete to the core. Yes, he will bring out the vote of younger voters, it’s easy for him to inspire others. Yes, he will bring out the gay vote. He will bring out most people who voted for Barack. But will he bring out the white, blue collar workers? Will he bring out the extremely religious? Will he bring out the white men? And what about the otherwise democrat voters who are black, Hispanic and very religious? I’d be shocked. But again, I’m conflicted. His youth does not worry me one bit. If he were a misogynist, a bigot, a religious zealot, a cheat, if he were unethical, had no empathy (all attributes of The Groper), THEN I’d worry. If I were voting with my heart, I’m with Mayor Pete. I need help from those who are also struggling.
There is such a thing as 'wisdom' and there is such a thing as people who are precociously wise. From all indications, Pete qualifies for both.
The 'leader of the free world' (position now vacant) needs to be wise. The present usurper, CurrentOccupant, is devoid of this characteristic and, from all indications, every other positive human attribute.
1
Mr. Bruni, perhaps that knot in your stomach has nothing to do with the mayor's age. As a gay journalist, it must be nearly impossible to put in writing what really worries you - and I understand, because I'm in the same boat as you.
You and I both worry that America just won't put a gay person like us in the White House. We've experienced too much discrimination ourselves to believe it could really happen. But didn't we have the same concern about Obama? Until he got elected twice.
Truth is, there are millions of Americans who would never vote for a gay candidate, but those people are already committed to Trump anyway, no matter who the Dems nominate. Electing Pete would be a beacon of hope for a generation of young gay folks, as Obama was for African Americans.
3
He’s the smartest and best candidate. But I find the way in which both in this column (as a “gay candidate”) and in his own campaign (regular emails for Chasten, and T-shirts acclaiming the “First Gentleman”) I have a deadly feeling of déjà vu all over again. Will we Dems never learn that identity politics play directly against the electoral map, and straight into GOP hands? It doesn’t make any difference how much urban centers cheer; we will lose the general with this strategy. That how Hillary rebounded off her “glass ceiling” while Trump’s (utterly con-job) message of “I hear you” won. Obama did not win because he was a candidate of color; he won despite that, because he did not remotely play that end of the deck. If you see the history of his first campaign, it is powerfully clear that he won on a message of hope, not a message of identity, even as the blind DNC reacted to Hillary’s loss with an initial attempt to anoint Ellison as the new putative head. (“A candidate of color worked last time! Let’s try a woman! Oops, that didn’t fly! Back to race!”) To quote the song, “When will they ever learn?” Identity politics have left and will continue to leave the Dems continuing to shout virtuously from the sidelines. In our electoral map, only a message of listening to voters will win.
Mr. Bruni, I'm glad to hear your only concern about Mayor Pete is age. That's exactly what makes him so attractive to me as a potential great President.
2
There is a certain truth to everything Frank says. I'm a South Bend native--long since moved away--but Pete arouses my hopes in an indescribable way. You are right, I think, about the pitfalls between him and the nomination. But I think that, if nominated, he could overcome those hesitations; and he could perhaps, by his youth and humility and ability to articulate, overcome the thug in the White House, who has brought us not only to a constitutional crisis but to a place where hatred of each other is the new normal.
479
@graygrandma
I agree. He's the only candidate who has the qualities that I loved in President Obama.
26
@graygrandma Stop with the identity politics. People could care less about the age or sexual orientation of politicians. You know who cares about that stuff? Opinion writers who are looking for some way put down or prop up candidates. If America isn’t in love with Buttigieg as planned by the big money donors and party leader behind him it is because being a nice looking white guy is no longer enough. America does not like him because:
1) Buttigieg worked as a consultant for Purdue Pharma (opioid crisis Purdue Pharma) and when asked about it he dismissed it said he wasn’t following the news about them.
2)He has no history fighting for the things people want in this country.
3)He has a (very short) history as a mayor of a small city. A city where he could Not bring people together and a period where he succumbed to the whims of whomever his rich racist donors wanted fired and fired a black police chief who had recorded phone calls of racist cops targeting him.
America could care less about his age or who Buttigieg chooses to sleep with. We care that he has no backbone and that all he seems to care about are his big money donors and Pete. Stop trying to sell him to us. Trump would stomp all over him and the Americans people aren’t interested in Trump or Buttigieg’s brands of politics.
1
I took note of the following two statements in this piece:
-"someone who was effortlessly fluent in, and respectful of, religion without buying into the divisively censorious strains of it;" and
-"He routinely steers clear of extremes."
Yet on numerous occasions Buttigieg has lectured people of religious conviction who support President Trump as somehow not being faithful to those convictions. Disrespectful, divisive, extreme.
1