What People Are Saying About Mayor Pete’s Debate Performance
And the beauty of it is he didn't shrink from the challenges. He stood up to them. And better than that, he took the moment higher. - Andrew Gillum
Of all the candidates onstage, he spoke most directly to the anger that many Americans seem to feel at the way religion has been co-opted by the Trump administration, at odds with the faith they deeply hold. - The Atlantic
CNN: New Day With Alisyn Camerota and John Berman
Alisyn Camerota: He has a fluency with speaking about religion in a way that not all candidates do.
Bakari Sellers: There were also a lot of people when Pete Buttigieg said that answer also screaming and jumping and saying their amens. I would argue that the Democratic Party is a little bit more conservative on religion than people give it credit for, especially the base of the party, in particular African Americans. [...]
There are a lot of people who are sick and tired of Republicans thinking that GOP stands for God's only party. That's simply not the case. And Pete Buttigieg is handling that. When you have individuals out there like the Jerry Falwells of the world and the Franklin Grahams of the world and Mr. Two Corinthians himself, the President of the United States, and then you have someone who's very sobering in Pete Buttigieg, you see that there is a clear difference.
Sarah Isgur: [The answer on South Bend] was not only a good tone overall, but so perfect for him. It felt sincere. I saw one focus group where out of the whole debate--you know we like contrast, we like the fight..Voters said that the biggest moment of the debate was that moment. I think they said that it was because it was so sincere, it was so unusual for a politician to say, "yeah, I didn't do it."
CNN: Post Democratic Debate Coverage
David Axelrod: When you look back at the last three Democratic presidents who were elected -- Carter, Clinton, and Obama -- they were very comfortable talking about their faith, quoting scripture. And that, from a cultural standpoint, is important. [...]
He showed genuine angst and remorse about both the failures of the programs that he put in place and the loss of life and the suffering that's going on in South Bend -- and I think that was an important moment for him.
The Atlantic: Pete Buttigieg Takes Aim at Religious Hypocrisy
Buttigieg’s knack for speaking in the language of God makes him exceptional within his generation, but it may also be a strength in reaching the swing voters and voters of color whom Democrats so badly need. Of all the candidates onstage, he spoke most directly to the anger that many Americans seem to feel at the way religion has been co-opted by the Trump administration, at odds with the faith they deeply hold. [...]
On the debate stage, Buttigieg gave voice to a view that has become common among Democratic voters: Many of Trump’s policies, along with his conduct as president, do not reflect Christian values.
Washington Post: Power Up
Buttigieg did something novel: Admit some fault...Humility is okay. And when talking about other issues like free college and health care, he managed to offer bold ideas but emphasize realism.
CNN: New Day With Alisyn Camerota and John Berman
David Gregory: I think that he is singularly impressive as someone who can-- the depth of his intelligence. You know, Chris Matthews made this observation the other day that every question he's asked it seems like he just answered it yesterday, because he just seemed so present in that moment. I think that's real skill. I think it's something that Barack Obama had in big measure. And again, that contrast came through.
Andrew Gillum: I couldn't agree with you more as it relates to mayor Pete. He's been through a rough week. And the beauty of it is he didn't shrink from the challenges. He stood up to them. And better than that, he took the moment higher. He recognized what was going on in his own community, but also painted a picture that I think every American could relate to and see themselves in.
FOX 11 LA: Debate Forum
Undecided Voter: There was another moment here and that was when Buttigieg was talking about race and the issue he was dealing with in the city...I mean that was for me a lot more powerful because it seemed a lot more sincere than the canned remark that Kamala Harris had to basically take responsibility for what’s going on. That’s what we need in our next leader.
Undecided Voter: He did it very eloquently, he seemed, like you said, very sincere and he took the responsibility -- it’s my city, my town, I made a mistake.
Undecided Voter: All told I feel like Buttigieg was able to maintain, you can characterize it as a calm, but it’s really he’s committed to his values. He knows what he wants to say. He knows what his issues are and he’s going to give you the same answer every time and there’s a consistency to the way he approaches policy that, I think, is something we should be looking for perhaps.
POLITICO: Playbook
He seems to embrace progressive theories, while pointing out their practical challenges. He doesn't shout, and he's even. He doesn't get too high, or too low.
One of the most powerful yet understated moments of last night's debate in Miami was when Buttigieg was asked about the police shooting in South Bend.
CNN: Buttigieg connects on police issue
David Axelrod: Once again, he took responsibility for his failure as mayor to fully address the underlying issues. But he also spoke of the incident in very human terms; of the man who was killed, his family and the impact on his community.
MSNBC: MSNBC Live
Lawrence O’Donnell: I think Buttigieg has something to teach all of them, which is humility. It's the hardest thing for a politician to pull off, cause you're saying, "look, I'm the greatest. I should be president." But he has humility, and he-- when you got into the question of the police controversy in his town, he said, "look, I haven't gotten this done yet [...]”
On Twitter:
Glenn Kirschner @glennkirschner2: That caught my attention as well. Mayor Pete chose to serve in the military and was deployed to a combat zone. Those are important and formative experiences for someone who aspires to be commander-in-chief of our armed forces.
March For Our Lives @AMarch4OurLives: Gun violence – including suicide – is a public health epidemic, especially for our veterans. Thanks @PeteButtigieg for discussing your plan to institute universal background checks and ban assault rifles at the #DemocraticDebate2020
Amir Talai @AmirTalai Mayor Pete was the only person to mention voting rights tonight. A fundamental issue that the Democratic Party as a whole continues to ignore, and it drives me absolutely crazy. #DemDebate2
Daniel Strauss @DanielStrauss4: This was a pretty important point in Buttigieg's campaign so far. There was no apologizing, no excuses, he just owned it. It was a "buck stops with me" moment.
Jen Psaki @jrpsaki: If anyone is teaching media training classes for how to speak in english about complicated topics on television--@PeteButtigieg is masterful at it. never mentions bills, never mentions DC garbely gook.
Steve Grossman @SteveGrossmanMA: Mayor @PeteButtigieg showed tonight that straight talk, common sense Midwestern values, bold solutions, and a 21st century vision for the future make him the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump. #DemDebate2 #PeteForAmerica #PeteButtigieg
Radley Balko @RadleyBalko Missed the first half of the debate, but I just watched Buttigieg’s answer on policing in South Bend. It’s a rare and impressive thing for a politician to be willing to admit a mistake, and to show some humility.
Musadiq Bidar @Bidar411 In Des Moines, Lu Ann, a healthcare data analyst said she liked @PeteButtigieg and thought his answers were "very smooth" and "had depth" - she felt he was only one who had substance and added Mayor Pete could bring "a new generation of leadership"
Zach Wahls @ZachWahls: It was only four years ago that this country legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and tonight an openly gay candidate delivered a top performance in a debate to become President of the United States. Great closing statement from Mayor @PeteButtigieg.
Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈@cmclymer: Pete Buttigieg not only had the most powerful moment of the night but one of the most extraordinary moments I've seen in any debate ever. That was incredible, and it was just straightforward honesty. #DemDebate2
Brady @Bradybuzz: .@PeteButtigieg nailed it 👇 #DemDebate #EndGunViolence
Beyond Carbon @BeyondCarbon Pete Buttigieg focused on how Midwestern states and cities are facing the climate crisis now— and are leading the way with critical solutions:
Carla Marinucci @cmarinucci: The consensus among very engaged members of the 900-member Rossmoor Democrats is clear: Show of hands among several hundred shows them enthusiastically split between @KamalaHarris and @PeteButtigieg as #DemDebate winners, with @JoeBiden as close third. No one else even close.
Joshua Short @JoshuaShortWNDU Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the most searched candidate in Iowa on @Google following Thursday night’s debate.
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