'Outsider' Buttigieg plays a skillful inside game, positioning himself for the future

[Zorro]

Over Mexican food one recent evening, Pete Buttigieg told war stories from his presidential run to a small group of senators — including one who would have been an implausible dinner companion 18 months ago. At the table was Amy Klobuchar, his archnemesis on the campaign, who shared her own memories from the trail. The conversation was good-natured, according to a participant.

It wasn’t the first time this year that Buttigieg had broken bread with Klobuchar. In March, Klobuchar joined Buttigieg for lunch and a dog walk, according to an aide with knowledge of the event — a far cry from the days of trading bitter insults on live television. “I wish everyone was as perfect as you, Pete,” Klobuchar said mockingly in one debate last year. “But let me tell you what it’s like to be in the arena.”

Six months into his tenure as President Biden’s transportation secretary, Buttigieg has not only entered the arena, he is standing at center court and schmoozing with players on both teams. A former South Bend, Ind. mayor who embraced the outsider mantle as a candidate, Buttigieg has quickly morphed into a quintessential Washington insider. He has used his position at the center of the high-stakes infrastructure talks to mend old rifts, strengthen existing friendships and build new alliances.

His smooth debut has taken on greater significance as Democrats confront tough questions about the future of the party leadership. Biden says he intends to run for reelection, but as he nears his 79th birthday, that is no sure bet for many Democrats. Vice President Harris, Biden’s heir apparent, has had a rocky first few months on the job, prompting some Democrats to question her ability to pick up the baton.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/buttigieg-transportation-politics/2021/08/13/4ad67328-fb78-11eb-9c0e-97e29906a970_story.html

I have no doubt Buttigieg will be a major player in national politics over the next quarter century.

[cilla4progress]

1. Definitely noticing this

about him.

He exudes competence and charisma.

[bahboo]

2. I was REALLY impressed with him during the primaries....

will be fun to see what his future holds...

[Skittles]

3. I find him impressive NOW

his segments on TV, calmly reciting the facts - priceless!

[Moebym]

4. I have long admired Sec'y. Buttigieg and know he will make a fine president one day

But I'm not sure where this idea that VP Harris had a "rocky first few months" came from. I know there were rumors of infighting amongst her staff and talk about how she had no clear direction or was spreading herself too thin, but is there any merit to these allegations or is it just the media trying to stir up drama?