Why Buttigieg and Warren are surging

[left-of-center2012]

Let me suggest four reasons Warren and Buttigieg are surging while Sanders is drifting down in the back and almost everyone else (but California Sen. Kamala D. Harris who clocks in with 7 percent) is virtually invisible.

First, after 2½ years of listening to an ignorant ― a proudly ignorant ― president who plays to the lowest common denominator and has zero grasp of policy, Democrats (who take governing seriously) were just waiting for a supersmart, articulate, knowledgeable and informed candidate (or two). Warren has not only policies for virtually every issue but also a command of the facts that her policies aim to address. Buttigieg, his opponents claim, doesn’t have too many in-depth policies, but he has positions on just about everything, can speak fluently (in Norwegian, no less) about issues of the day and sounds very much like a brainy Rhodes Scholar.

Second, both Warren and Buttigieg have found a way to talk about faith, something the left hasn’t done for years. They defend Christian faith insofar as it inspires one to greet the stranger, care for the sick, tend to the elderly, etc. Warren loves to recite Matthew 25:31-40; Buttigieg expresses the same sentiment. (“When I think about where most of Scripture points me, it is toward defending the poor, and the immigrant, and the stranger, and the prisoner, and the outcast, and those who are left behind by the way society works,” he says. “And what we have now is this exaltation of wealth and power, almost for its own sake, that in my reading of Scripture couldn’t be more contrary to the message of Christianity.”)

After watching a cruel, racist bully in the White House become the focus of the evangelical right’s adulation (verging on idolatry), Democrats are delighted to recapture the moral high ground.

Third, Warren and Buttigieg are not gloom and doom candidates. Buttigieg’s preternatural calm is soothing and reassuring; Warren’s peppiness and conviction that fundamental changes can be made (We can do this!) provide a relief from the cloud of Trump that has hung over our politics. Buttigieg promises to “change the channel” (please, take the remote!), and Warren bubbles with excitement as she describes her latest policy designed to level the playing field for average Americans. These are audaciously optimistic candidates.

Finally, better than most other candidates, they’ve used free media to their advantage. For a while, Buttigieg seemed to be on every cable TV show and at every town hall. Warren ... will go almost anywhere and sign autographs and take pictures until the last person leaves. Not only do they maximize their audience by opening themselves up to questions, but they also convey confidence and energy in doing so.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/06/10/why-buttigieg-warren-are-surging/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5bc04b5a5002

[mtnsnake]

1. I think either one of them will eventually surpass Biden in the polls

It's just a matter of time now.

[DownriverDem]

30. I hope not

Biden/Harris would be a great ticket. Beating trump is all that matters.

[Quackers]

2. I'm kinda surprised Pete's numbers haven't went up on DU in a while. Nt

[bigbrother05]

3. Is that the ticket?

A seasoned pro and young protégé. As comforting as Joe is, Warren/Buttigieg would exude thoughtful progressivism.

Just thinking of the debates makes me chuckle.

[customerserviceguy]

7. Face it

You wanna see Pete take on Pence!

[catbyte]

12. Not to be overly PC, but as an Ojibwe, can we please stop with the Pocahontas bullshit?

It makes me sick. Thank you.

[question everything]

15. +1

[demmiblue]

16. It is not overly PC, imo, to take issue with repeating Trump's slurs.

And school marm.

[customerserviceguy]

35. Your issue is also with the media

Just about every time I see a picture of Sen. Warren, she's shaking a finger at somebody or something.

When I see pictures of the others, they're not doing that, with the occasional exception of Bernie Sanders.

[IronLionZion]

34. It would be fun to see Pete take down Pence

[BigOleDummy]

17. Anyone here can tell you..

.. or ,hell just go look at my other posts, that I've been saying Warren/Buttigieg is and has been my dream ticket from the moment mayor Pete entered the race. Love this guy but my love and admiration for Ms. Warren knows no bounds. The OP states my reasons far more articulately than I can but everything L-O-C said and more. What more you ask? Glad to tell you. BOTH of them are FIGHTERS! Neither one will let our chump-in-chief and his more pious than thou v.p. get away from any misstep or stupid remark. Both of them are fearless and have the inner strength of conviction we as a party sometimes lack. Yes, we have an abundance of good candidates but the cream always rises to the top.

This is NOT the time to "play it safe" we and our Nation are in peril and these two have multiple plans to right our listing ship of state.

[DownriverDem]

31. Be Honest

The Dems have to beat trump by winning the Electoral College. The Dems have to appeal to a lot of different folks. Who will appeal to the fly over states?

[MBS]

4. I agree on all points. n/t

[Mike Nelson]

5. I like them both...

… agree with all your points... they are relating to people off and on camera, which will be important in the early primaries. They don't seem afraid of any question; they have direct answers. And, their "stock" answers seem spontaneous.

[DownriverDem]

32. The real question is

can they win the electoral college? It's not who I like or who you like. It's who can beat trump.

[hedda_foil]

38. Certainly. But I'm becoming increasingly convinced Biden can't.

[marylandblue]

6. I have 5th reason, that also explains Sanders in 2016 vs. now

People are hungry for fundamental change. The old ways just are not working for too many. It became a big problem because too many leaders and pundits didn't know it was problem. Sanders 2016 insurgent campaign tapped into this and so went further than anyone else thought he could.

In 2020, he has competition from two other people talking about fundamental change. Both are smarter, more personable and better politicians than he is. So they are gaining while he sinks.

The 2020 primary will be about whether we think something fundamental is amiss (Buttigieg or Warren) vs. whether we just need to get rid of Trump to get back on course (Biden).

[BlueWI]

39. Agreed.

It takes an exceptional campaign to win and to shift the narrative towards future progress.

It sounds like too many are giving up on everything except beating Trump. A winning campaign needs a better message than just being the not-Trump party. And is there anyone here who doesn't want to win?

[zentrum]

8. Both excellent.

[comradebillyboy]

9. Warren has gotten a lot better at campaigning. It shows.

[TeamPooka]

29. and Mayor Pete has a lot of natural talent in interviews that just shines through and people want

eloquence, dignity and depth again.

[sacto95834]

10. Interesting Points

Can't argue against any of the points made above.

I will say I am more surprised by the surge Elizabeth Warren is getting. She isn't as gifted a politician as Mayor Pete who seems to say just the right thing at the right time; truly a gift. Also he has that likability that you cannot teach or buy. Helps that he's young and happy.

That said, Elizabeth Warren is more of a policy wonk. She seems to have a plan for just about everything....in a good way. I just didn't think the public would latch onto that. But it seems to be working for her. Also, she is authentic. She probably makes a terrible poker player - when some topic angers her, like the Hyde Amendment, there is no mistaking her anger and conviction that the poor and under-represented women are the ones who suffer. Win or loose the Democrats are better off with her having run.

Finally, I agree, these two seem to use scripture in a good way. I can't say remember any Democrat being as effective.

Wonder if they would be as effective if the Orange Thing wasn't POTUS.

Cheers!

[Honeycombe8]

36. Exactly my views, too. nt

[BlueWI]

40. She's an attorney - she can mask her feelings too I would guess.

Is there some advantage gained or reason to masque anger on the intentional abridgement of choice for poor women via the Hyde Amendment? It's about time to see some conviction and less calculation in our politics.

[cannabis_flower]

13. I think the problem for Biden is...

that when Sanders (or Warren) eventually are eliminated I seriously doubt most of their supporters will gravitate to Biden. Many of Sanders supporters wanted Warren to run last time. I was one of those. If Warren were to drop out, I might go back to Bernie or one of the others, but not Biden who I sincerely wished Obama hadn't picked.

[Locrian]

21. right there with you - my feelings exactly

[Doreen]

14. Obviously I have Biden.

I have liked him so far but as I once stated I might change my mind and I have beeng wandering into the undecided list again. My first chices were ( in order ) Biden, Harris, Warren, then Buttigieg. It has maybe changed to ( in order ) Warren, Buttigieg, oo Biden. Just watching and listening has shed light and it is to early to make a permanent decision.

[padfun]

19. I am about exactly where you are it as far as order.

And for me, all four of those candidates are neck and neck so it wont take too much for me to bounce around.

[Doreen]

20. Yeah, it is not to hard to make a different choice.

I am just waiting it out. I am probably going to go from Biden to undecided.

[question everything]

18. Still interesting. While many look at Biden and Sanders as "old"

Warren will turn 70 on June 22.

Biden is 76; Sanders is 77.

[crazytown]

41. Warren is the most youthful, energetic 70 year old I've ever seen.

There was that video where Warren lead an interviewer on a merry chase running for an NYC subway train.

[patphil]

22. They're both very dynamic, energetic speakers

People are impressed with their knowledge and sincerity.

[Butterflylady]

27. Just like Sanders last primary.

Someone new and exciting, not the same, well you know what I mean. But when it came to stepping in that voting booth, well you know the end of that story. Those impressive crowds did not turn into primary votes.

[lagomorph777]

23. In the latest CNN/Des Moines Register poll, Warren + Buttigieg beat Biden

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/08/politics/iowa-poll-2020-biden-sanders-warren-buttigieg-harris/index.html

Biden is at 24%
Warren is at 15% and Buttigieg at 14% (29% combined)

[bullwinkle428]

24. Thanks for highlighting my two favorite candidates!

[renate]

25. they're my two favorites by far

And although Elizabeth Warren is about to be (or is?) 70, she has the energy of someone 40 years younger. I'd say 50 and mean it, but that sounds like hyperbole.

[crazytown]

43. Running for a subway train

An interesting interview; before the Mueller report was released.

[LibFarmer]

26. Either one will make a fine POTUS nt

[Eliot Rosewater]

28. I am a Kamala person all the way, having said that I am getting to like Warren more and more

everyday, I love Pete also.

WARREN is kicking ass though.

[womanofthehills]

45. Same here - I love all three

[MRDAWG]

33. They are great but won't beat Trump...............

easy to call them Socialists

[left-of-center2012]

37. Buttigieg a Socialists ?

Now that's laughable.

[ecstatic]

42. Warren is surging because she's not holding back

from fear of what anyone else will say. She's LEADING and others are following on all the important issues, such as impeachment, the electoral college, etc. That's refreshing.

Pete is surging because he's smart, but more importantly, he's an excellent communicator.

For the others to catch up, it's crucial that they stop holding back. Let it all hang out! For example, Kamala Harris has been criticized for saying 1 thing to 1 audience then being more cautious in front of another audience (on the topics of weed, reparations, etc). I get why she might do that, but that's simply not going to work in 2020. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and let the chips fall where they may.

[BlueWI]

44. Perfect!

The more Democrats taking this approach, the more we win elections!