I love all our candidates. Truly love cory booker and elizabeth warren,

[honeylady]

but Mayor Pete has captured my enthusiasm. I don't know if he could win the primaries because of being gay and married, but I am sure he could beat Donald Trump in the general.

He is so authentic, real, honest, competent, intelligent, ethical and as far as we know, no skeletons in his closet.

[elleng]

1. I like Cory a lot too, and Pete a LOT!

and awaiting VP Biden.

[Ohiogal]

2. I would be proud

to vote for any of them.

[True Dough]

3. "I don't know if he could win the primaries because of being gay and married"

Yet you know you find his words, ideas and demeanor compelling, right? That's what really counts! Look at how his popularity is growing. It's an incredible trajectory.

Many of his supporters express doubt based on how Mayor Pete's sexual orientation might be a point of attack for the evangelicals/bigots or because he doesn't have federal experience. And yet they know there's something special about this person who exudes leadership qualities.

Go with your instincts. You won't regret it!

[msongs]

4. lage chunks of the democratic coalition are not particularly gay - friendly ya know nt

[True Dough]

5. "large chunks"

Sounds rather alarmist. What do you figure constitutes "large chunks"? 10% maybe? I think that might be a little high. But, even so, it doesn't intimidate me and it's not stopping Mayor Pete's growing wave of support.

[Celerity]

6. +1

He can overcome the casual homophobia. All he needs to do is be seen and heard and keep on being the brilliant person he is.

[True Dough]

7. Without a doubt!

Pete for America!!!!

[madville]

10. He'll have a tough time getting into double digits across the Southeast and up into Appalachia

South Carolina polling will be a good indicator as the primary goes on

[True Dough]

11. That may be true

But each candidate will have pockets of the country where there's little support. We'll not be deterred!

[David__77]

13. I'd estimate that figure as 30%.

That doesn't include just those who are consciously opposed to anti-discrimination legislation, for instance. It includes those who have a significant level of discomfort with homosexuality - who might have a big problem should one of their children tell them that they're gay, for instance.

Marriage rights are great. I don't think that the culture has yet been basically transformed on the matter of heterosexism.

[True Dough]

14. It's interesting that a Bernie supporter and a Biden supporter see homophobia as a big barrier

for Mayor Pete.

Meanwhile, I see Bernie as unable to win moderate/undecided voters due to the "socialism" label, which will haunt him among a much larger percentage of America's population, IMO. He's already divisive enough within the Democratic party, which is quite clear if you read many, many threads here on the DU.

[David__77]

15. I didn't say that.

And I certainly didn't mean to cite the influence of heterosexism as a reason not to support Buttigieg. I think that Buttigieg would win the votes of a lot of people who aren't comfortable with homosexuality. I'm certainly not anti-Buttigieg.

[True Dough]

17. I wasn't suggesting that you're anti-Buttigieg

Just noting that people who support other candidates seem to perceive the homophobia backlash as a bigger obstacle nationally than people who are supporters of Mayor Pete.

I too believe Pete is more than capable of persuading many people who are uncertain of having a gay POTUS that he can do the job exceedingly well regardless.

[David__77]

19. Understood.

I don't know that the presence of antigay viewpoints is a big obstacle to winning votes.

[True Dough]

20. It exists, but I believe it isn't significant enough

to cast aside Mayor Pete's numerous leadership qualities out of concern over it. The homophobes will only make up a relatively small fraction of voters, IMO.

[David__77]

21. That last part, I'm not sure about.

We've all got our own understandings of what constitutes antigay or homophobe, etc. I think that there are plenty of voters who would assert that "gay or lesbian relations" is "morally wrong" (http://www.gallup.com/file/poll/191909/160526MoralAcceptability.pdf?utm_source=link_newsv9&utm_campaign=item_191903&utm_medium=copy). I think that there are also many who might assert that they are "morally acceptable," and still be uncomfortable with homosexuality, or with the idea of their child being gay, for instance.

I think things are going in the right direction definitely. I also don't want to underestimate the extent of anti-homosexuality viewpoints. I've seen the evolution in viewpoints, including in my own mother who is a Democrat - I think that evolution is still playing out forcefully, and further transformation is occurring with new generations coming onto the stage.

[WeekiWater]

16. I just about agree with your assessment as outlined.

I might have even put a bit higher of a percentage on it.

[David__77]

18. I say that as a gay man in California.

Maybe if a I lived in a different part of the country, a different figure would have occurred to me.

That said, I don't think that the presence of heterosexism is a good reason not to vote for Buttigieg. I do think that some people might make the argument that it is a good reason.

[sandensea]

8. It's good to support a party so many great choices

Beats the goose-stepping clown car our GOPee friends always have to sift through.

[Kentonio]

12. Amen to that!

[Drunken Irishman]

9. All but Tulsi.

[Green Line]

22. Just a reminder to Warren fans

Our governor is a Republican, he would appoint a new senator.

[Iggo]

24. Thanks for the reminder.

See you on the other side!

[rzemanfl]

25. Interesting. I will wash socks and think about that. n/t

[Iggo]

23. I like 'em all.

I'm pro Dem-candidate this cycle.

Up the Dems.

[katmondoo]

26. They are all so good, I love everyone of them