Why I'm switching from Warren to Buttigieg ...it was hard t do

[LeftTurn3623]

This has been a real struggle but I have fallen victim to the media and nonstop talk that Warren & Sanders can not win a general election. I love Warren and she was awesome last night. I'm closer aligned to her polices (& Sanders) then anyone else on the stage. If I could wave a magic wand I would wave her into office because I think she would make massive change.

With that said, I do have concerns because Warren is already painted as a fringe candidate and extreme candidate. Which I believe these labels are false and more Americans align with her polices. But perception is reality ... specially in politics.

Pete Buttigieg is an amazing individual. I have never seen anyone as quick witted and speak so well in my life. This guy is an special talent. He is amazing to watch preform. He does have a more media "mainstream" policy so he cannot be labeled fringe.

He has a very unifying tone. He is a fresh face to the political scene and does not have that insider voting history to use against him. He would be able to bring young people to vote and I think he gives us the best chance to beat Trump.

Yes, I'm falling into picking the best candidate to beat Trump. A lot of people will say that is Biden but I disagree. I believe we need a candidate that can excite the American people. Young people to turn out and vote. Someone who can speak to youth and older voters. Someone who with their words can unite people. To inspire people. Want to give money & time. Knock on doors. I do not think Biden is that candidate.

People will try and use the experience subject against Buttigieg. But I actually do not think that is even a high issue when it comes to voters. Specially not younger voters. Besides Buttigieg answers that question so well. And when you hear him talk because he is so highly educated and speaks so clearly you think he knows every subject like he has been studying it for 30 years.

Chris Matthews interviewing Buttigieg after the debate even asked his age and said its stunning at Buttigieg wealth of knowledge is extraordinary (paraphrasing). The experience will be a nonissue to voters. Just listen to the interview.

Link to interview:

I still think Obama was the greatest politician giving speeches I have ever heard. But Buttigieg is the best at being asked direct questions and responding I have ever heard.

I still love Warren. I would still be very happy with Warren and I would support Biden, Harris, Sanders with all my heart. Really anyone on that stage last night. But I do think Buttigieg gives us the best chance to beat Trump plus still gives us the excitement to want to vote for a candidate.

[amuse bouche]

1. Me too.I love how calm and quick thinking he is

I'm in love with his big brain

[Demsrule86]

2. First, welcome to DU...and secondly. I know this is a profound change and all for you, but you

need not justify your decision. I would not choose Buttigeig myself in a primary. I find he lacks experience. Vote blue no matter who.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. Good catch !

[Demsrule86]

8. Thanks Laura!

[Ninga]

3. I understand and respect people's choices. Last night was an impressive night for Buttigieg and

Booker, and Klobuchar and Harris. Sen Warren and Sanders answers were solid. I worry about Biden. But in the end, it will be the voice of the voters.

[LeftTurn3623]

5. Sen Warren was really good last night also

She makes it so hard : (

[in2herbs]

4. While I don't think he's experienced enough to be president I always thought he'd make a good

SOS until the other day when he was quoted as saying that he would send American troops into Mexico. While he may think his reasoning for this decision is good, IMO it is never a good decision to send troops into Mexico whether its to protect Americans in Mexico or to help them with their own civil disruptions.

[Quackers]

32. What about if it was a treaty obligation? nt

[in2herbs]

41. Of course if the US had such a treaty with Mexico it would have to be followed, but to my knowledge

we don't have one and never have and IMO it would be contrary to our interests if we entered into a treaty of this sort and I don't believe that Mexico would ever agree just like I don't think that Canada would ever agree to such a treaty.

[Quackers]

44. Then you should really take a look at what he said.

"There is a scenario where we could have security cooperation," Buttigieg said, adding, “I’d only order American troops into conflict if American lives were on the line and if it was necessary to meet treaty obligations.”


https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/fact-checking-fifth-democratic-debate-atlanta-n1087581

[not_the_one]

43. Isolation is not the answer.

The whole issue at the American/Mexican border is all about immigration. And I will be the first to insist that, at least for the foreseeable future, we should NOT be a country with open borders.

This is not some far-flung country half way around the planet, or some country we can see far in the distance, from our front porch, this is right next door, in spitting distance. We will address it, one way or another. Voluntarily would be the best option.

Why are all those people fleeing their own countries? Economics, and corruption/violence, especially drug cartels.

We can sit back and let corporations handle it. That has worked SOOOO well so far, so why give it up?

There aren't that many American jobs left that they can export.

The only other influence that can be leveraged is governmental/military. If troops are sent to support the Mexican people in an effective, well thought out plan (yes, I know that "effective", "well thought out" and "military" are oxymoronic - a word a just made up), the Mexican people would be our friends and supporters, forever. It would help us, and help them.

Although it flies against many of our worst assumptions, based on misuse by authoritarians, dictators, and our OWN military mistakes, "military" doesn't have to be nothing more than a necessary evil.

Again, isolation is NOT the answer. We can either talk the talk, followed up by walking the walk, or we can admit that we are NOTHING BUT talk, and suffer the consequences.

Mayor Pete is willing to, at least, bring up the issue so it can be addressed. I have no problem with that.

[redstateblues]

7. Mayor Pete's inability to garner support from POC

Will be his Waterloo this time around.

[AZ8theist]

9. While I certainly respect your choice....

I have a question:
You state that Warren is portrayed a "fringe" and "extreme" candidate. Yet, Mayor Pete is openly gay...
Do you not realize the level of homophobia in America today? An openly gay candidate will be VILIFIED by the Reich wing in a general.
As EXTREME.
I only point this out to clarify the reality in this dumb-ass country we live in.....Repukes will push GAYS, GUNS, and GOD until you want to stick a screwdriver in your own eye.
While we on the left are intelligent, and the majority of Doturd supporters have IQ's that match their shoe sizes, unfortunately a substantial portion of the population will ABHOR a gay candidate, much the same as the knuckle-draggers were delighted to "beat that bitch" in 2016.
Don't get me wrong, if Pete gets the nomination I will knock on doors, donate the maximum, and work MY ASS OFF to get him elected. (vote blue no matter who), I just wanted to point out some reality here.
Nothing personal.
Welcome aboard to DU.

[efhmc]

10. I agree aand cannot possibly see a gay person winning at this time.

As an avowed feminist, I think that EW cannot win because she has a vagina and the US is still deeply misogynistic.

[cwydro]

25. Sooo...in your opinion, no women and no gay people need apply - correct?

I remember when so many thought there was no way Obama could win because he was black.

This kind of thinking baffles me.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. Yeah, I live in Seattle, and I find myself forgetting this from time to time.

It's a sad reality of much of the rest of the country.

[LeftTurn3623]

14. I have considered it

My thinking on the gay issue is that the people that wouldn't vote for Pete because he is gay are the same people that wouldn't vote for any Democratic candidate.

But I do think there are independents & middle of the road Republicans that feel betrayed by their own party would not have an issue about a gay candidate. Plus he uses religion very well to help with those voters. But the scare tactics of socialism would scare those voters away.

At least I hope as a country we are past this. Maybe I'm wrong.

I think the bigger issue for Pete is bringing people of color out to vote. There is no doubt that is a current issue he would need to work on. He will need to grow some support to get the nomination. But if he did gets the nomination he would need to bring in a VP candidate that could help grow that support.

[radical noodle]

20. That's my feeling about it as well

We're not going to get those voters under any circumstances.

[Blue_true]

34. I tend to agree with the key point that you made.

Except with African Americans and Democratic Party leaning Hispanics. He will have some works there to get turnout. But if he picks a sound Black or Hispanic VP, that will certainly help.

My view is that his issues getting African American vote in diverse states will undo him in the primary.

I don't know why Joe was a bit off last night, but my money is still on him to win the nomination. Joe comes off really solid in person to person style settings, not so good on a debate stage with 9 or whatever people talking over eachother.

[JudyM]

37. The rethugs are priming the socialist fear mongering. I don't buy it. We just need to keep

educating voters that it’s not a dirty word, not to mention that it’s an oversimplification to the point of being erroneous.

[Cosmocat]

12. Agree with all that you say

I like EW A LOT, too.

The other thing about Pete is that while he is unifying, he also is as good as anyone, on par with Bernie, in taking it to the Rs, and beyond that his ideas to reform government so it is not as subject to the non-stop gas lighting of the conservative movement.

[ritapria]

13. Yours views are very thoughtful and well-expressed

I have genuine concern that Mayor Pete has the requisite experience to be an effective President …..I am also worried that Trump will defeat him owing to his sexual preference ...This is deeply unfair to him ...He is a brilliant young man with a very bright future but I don't think it is his time …….

[cwydro]

23. I wish people could get away from saying "preference."

It is a sexual orientation. There’s no “preference” about it.

Many of us growing up and struggling with what we recognized about ourselves would have “preferred” to be straight. I no longer feel that way, but I know so, so many who felt that way for years and years.

It is NOT a choice.

[not_the_one]

42. YES! Words matter.

The only people who have a "preference" are bisexuals.

And there are a LOT more of them than we are led to believe....

The rest of us are hardwired, one way or the other.

[LAS14]

15. I share a lot of your sentiments, but inability to fire up the POC in our party seems like a really.

...serious drawback. Not only because of the objective problem of getting out the vote, but because it may actually give validity to their complaint that we don't pay attention until it's time to vote. How can we ignore his abysmal poll numbers in that sector?

[marlakay]

38. I am white so really have no say

But I don’t blame any African Americans for having issues with our country and how they have been treated.

Time and time again politicians say they will help, but what do they do? Like Harris said last night most pay attention right before voting time. If that was me being used for my vote I would be angry.

[world wide wally]

16. Our #1 priority has to be beating the orange menace.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. Half the Dems feel that way! At least the poll I saw months

ago. Best I remember, this group demographic included more college educated and more self described moderates.

Anxious to see more current poll data... especially since trump gas gotten worse.

[crazytown]

17. I guess Warren's #1 issue, corruption, was not yours.

Pete is a lightweight on fighting the influence of money on politics.

[LeftTurn3623]

22. No - that is why I like Warren so much

[SKKY]

18. I'm close. Very, very close. Mayor Pete is legit AF...

...and if he can overcome his "issues" with African-american voters, I'm all in.

[BannonsLiver]

19. Looks like you're going to be 0 for 2.

And on a side note, look at all the Warren supporters jumping ship. You were so confident a month ago.

[cwydro]

26. I think a lot of people are probably like me; they have two or even three, they like evenly.

I have Warren and Buttigieg neck and neck, but I also like Harris. I’m not going to change my preference every time one or the other does better in a debate.

So the OP probably was feeling that both were close in his/her opinion for some time. Really no need for the snark.

[Celerity]

24. welcome aboard!

[MBS]

35. This especially:

YES!

I still think Obama was the greatest politician giving speeches I have ever heard. But Buttigieg is the best at being asked direct questions and responding I have ever heard.

Plus Pete has excellent judgment, emotional maturity and moral centeredness and a wisdom beyond his years. The next president is going to face an unprecedented crisis, or, rather crises - situation after thorny situation where wisdom and judgment and emotional centeredness (not to mention stamina and smarts ) will be sorely, urgently needed.

We have a lot of talented candidates, most of whom bring to the race good intentions, impressive resumes, and/or interesting ideas. They all contribute importantly to the conversation.
But in the end, we are not choosing a policy or a resume or strategy - we are choosing a president, a job that is so much more than a set of policies, so much more than "getting things done." Now more than ever, at this most dangerous time in our country's history, the job requires vision, and a certain temperament, and (see above) wisdom.
Of all the candidates, Pete is the one I'd be most reassured to know is taking that 3 AM phone call.Of all the candidates, it's Pete that I see not just as a good campaigner, or great debater, but as president.

[Celerity]

36. this is why I support him as well, great post

[LeftTurn3623]

46. very well said

[kennetha]

27. Mayor Pete is okay

But Amy is GREAT!

Think about another switch.

[LeftTurn3623]

28. lol

I do like Amy also

[thegoose]

29. He really has a chance

Just as the Trump Humpers wanted to get as far away from the "uppity" guy in the White House, we need to get as far away as we can from that bloated orange corrupt piece of shit.

[Bleacher Creature]

30. I like him, but his problem with POC is a monumental problem. NT

[Joinfortmill]

31. I live Mayor Pete

He reminds me of Obama. I'm hearing many Black voters are having problems with Mayor Pete being gay. I hope the get over it, and soon.

[kennetha]

33. Not likely

Especially not black southern Christians.

Their attitudes toward homosexuality are as ingrained as are those of white evangelical Protestants.

The Democratic Party doesn’t just consist of coastal urban socially progressive elites.

[mvd]

39. I really think he would have been a good DNC chair. Not my first choice..

for President but we have a lot of strong candidates. I do think he has potential. I was with Warren and now back to undecided. I think Warren could be the strongest candidate against Trump, but the more I look at things, I still align most with Sanders politically. He polls fine against Trump and they will call any Democrat/liberal a socialist. They are that far right. I have time to think about it.

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. Perceived "excitement" and large raucous crowds didn't win the last primary, and it won't win...

this one. Trust me on that.

[Pompoy]

45. The most important thing is Democratic turnout

When you are talking elect ability, the thing that I believe counts more than anything, is turnout by blacks in the swing states that will decide the election.
Of course you still have to keep in mind the people that would throw a fit over an establishment Democrat when considering turnout.

I have donated to Warren's campaign, she is my hero, but those swing states are where it's at. This election is too important, you have to be careful, can't afford to shoot for the moon at this point. I'm motivated and inspired enough by normal.