UPDATE: As they say, timing is everything. A scant three hours after I publicly endorsed Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend suspended his race. I still think he has the right stuff. But this just isn’t the right time.
As I’ve closely followed the Democratic debates, townhalls, and interviews these past several months, my path to decision has been long and winding. At various times, I have been most inclined toward Harris, O’Rourke, Inslee, Bullock, Biden, Buttigieg, Warren, and Klobuchar. In fact, I’ve contributed a little money to many of these campaigns.
My considerations have not been driven by ideology. There may be a gap between policy positions held by Warren and Castro on one hand and Biden and Klobuchar on the other, but the chasm is not wide. Each is an intelligent, progressive, compassionate leader. Any one of them would make an outstanding president.
Like most Democrats, my primary concern is electability. My strong secondary concern is whether a candidate can help Democratic senate candidates in those states where we must prevail in order to flip the Senate.
It would be fair to say that I’ve been looking for an inspirational pragmatist. I’ve found that candidate in Mayor Pete Buttigieg. But it wasn’t an easily reached decision. And there are others about whom I was – and remain – enthusiastic.
In candor, I was less than thrilled when I first learned that Pete Buttigieg had thrown his hat in the ring. A great many quality candidates had already announced, and it seemed that this very young mayor with a hard-to-pronounce name from a city smaller than Boise was tilting at windmills. I saw him as someone who would further crowd an already crowded field and did not expect him to have staying power.
As time went by – I found myself increasingly and unexpectedly impressed by his energy, intelligence, focus, and exceptional ability to think on his feet. Time and time again he demonstrated rare political chops.
The first time I took serious note of Mayor Pete was when he was interviewed at length on Morning Joe on MSNBC. The ease and eloquence with which he responded to myriad questions posed by the Morning Joe crew impressed me. His responses were deeply thoughtful, substantive, non-evasive and complete. I decided to give him a closer look. As I did, I grew increasingly appreciative of his decidedly civil approach to governing, even if – as to specific policy positions – I aligned more closely with another candidate. And I came to see that, underneath his warm affability, this guy was tough as nails.
Some say that the Mayor’s relative lack of political experience compared to that of many of his competitors is a detriment. No doubt he would benefit from more time in the political barrel. But he has demonstrated the temperament a president needs – calm, cool, and resolute. I expect he would assemble a first-rate cabinet and staff, people with subject matter expertise who are committed to the facts, stating the truth, and scrupulously adhering to the rule of law. Mayor Pete shines not only because he is wicked smart but because he knows what he doesn’t know. He impresses me as one who can quickly absorb and synthesize a vast amount of advice and information, readily get up to speed, and make sound judgments on the most complex of issues.
Some pundits have made much of the fact that Mayor Pete does not yet enjoy the same level of support among people of color as do others in the race. I have researched his record, read his Douglas Plan, and welcomed his publicly stated commitment to work like hell to earn this support. As a member of a marginalized community, though not one defined by the color of his skin, I believe he has tremendous potential to do so. I also think his willingness to talk openly about the importance of faith in his life will help mightily in this regard.
Many have asked if this country is ready to elect a gay president. Over time, I’ve grown convinced that – just as Americans in 2008 gave the lie to the myth we would not elect a black president – so too will Americans elect a gay candidate who has exceptional communication skills, a prodigious work ethic, and a compelling, healing, optimistic message. As Mayor Pete has said, “[t]he American people understand that the 2020 election is not about my life – it’s about (their lives). If I have the right answers to how I can make your life better, all of the other stuff fades away.” Some candidates transcend the conventional wisdom. I believe Mayor Pete is such an individual.
Recently, the editorial board of “The State,” the daily paper in Columbia, South Carolina endorsed Buttigieg noting that “history doesn’t lie.” The endorsement, which I found compelling, read in part:
“During the last half-century, the Democratic Party has only won the presidency when it has resisted the temptation to pick status-quo nominees and shown the courage to choose centrist outsiders with fresh, optimistic messages. Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama prevailed in part because they understood the values of real-world America. All three successfully connected with voters by tapping into the sensibilities of average Americans. Buttigieg has gained that needed perspective during his eight years leading South Bend, a Midwestern city that had to reinvent itself and cast aside a Rust Belt image. And Buttigieg’s policies also reflect that essential connection to everyday Americans.”
I agree with this editorial assessment and embrace the power of generational change. Mayor Pete has been unsparing in his criticism of the incumbent while steadfastly asserting a message of unity and inclusion, not waiting until the general election to reach out beyond the Democratic base. He wisely takes pains to appeal to independents and “future former Republicans.” He has “that essential connection to everyday Americans.”
As I’ve said many times, I will not only vote for – but enthusiastically support – the Democratic nominee. But since I have one vote in the nominating process, I will cast it for the person I think will not only beat Trump but best help our down ballot candidates. And, as luck would have it, that is the same person I believe would make the best president. Mayor Pete inspires me, and I believe he has the “right stuff” not only to win the election, but to be a great president and heal the deep divide in our nation.
