What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg’s Dominant Debate Performance
“Shining” … “Buttigieg has had the strongest night. Everything else is debatable” … “@PeteButtigieg’s answers on Syria were the most powerful part of the debate so far.” … “This has been @PeteButtigieg’s best #DemDebate performance so far” … “Empathetic, smart and spot on” … “Reasonable and rational” … “@PeteButtigieg is showing that he has another gear tonight” … “Hitting this out of the park”
Newtown Action @NewtownAction: 3) We agree w/ @PeteButtigieg that we are close to passing a ban on assault weapons. We now have 213 cosponsors for #HR1296 & we need 5 more to pass the ban in the House of Representatives. It's up to us to elect Senators & a new President who will pass the ban. #DemDebate
Chris Cillizza @cillizzaCNN: Buttigieg is dominating the debate. Best performance I've seen with possible exception of Kamala Harris in 1st debate
Carla Marinucci @cmarinucci: A very good night for @PeteButtigieg, with strong, impassioned arguments on national defense -- reminds about his own deployment, effectively counters @TulsiGabbard re: need for reliable American presence to protect allies in the Mideast #DemDebate
Van Jones @VanJones68: Mayor @PeteButtigieg is showing that he has another gear tonight. #PistolPete
Luke Bronin @MayorBronin: .@PeteButtigieg’s answers on Syria were the most powerful part of the debate so far.
Chris Jansing @ChrisJansing: Pete Buttigieg with the credibility of someone who has been there, making a forceful case for his ability to navigate an increasingly dangerous world. Probably his best debate night
Noah Rothman @NoahCRothman: Buttigieg has had the strongest night. Everything else is debatable.
Jon Ralston @RalstonReports: Mayor Pete is not only doing well, but consistently in four-shot with Bernie, Biden and Warren. As if he is a frontrunner, too.
Luke Bronin @MayorBronin: .@PeteButtigieg’s answers on Syria demonstrate the power of having a veteran in office. Someone who’s served. Someone who knows that our allies put their lives on the line with us. Someone who knows our country is stronger when allies and enemies alike know we’ll keep our word.
Meredith Kelly @meredithk27: Despite Senators & a VP being on the stage, this foreign policy conversation is really benefiting Mayor Pete. Talking about what the American flag on his uniform used to mean to allies and enemies - before Trump - brings the point home. #DemDebate
Molly McKew @MollyMcKew: So far only @PeteButtigieg has articulated any kind of foundational vision for America in the world. The rest of this is just memes.
Frank Luntz @FrankLuntz: This has been @PeteButtigieg’s best #DemDebate performance so far. While other candidates tried to out-left and anti-Trump each other, Mayor Pete came across as reasonable and rational.
Eli Stokols @EliStokols: Strong @PeteButtigieg moment on Syria — he went beyond criticizing Trump’s policy or Gabbard’s position and offered a clear explanation about why the US selling out our allies matters to our own long-term security.
Tal Kopan @TalKopan: Going on attack seems to be working better for Buttigieg than just about any other candidate onstage.
Chris Wilson @chriswilsonDC: Am I right that Buttigieg is the first to ever mention on stage that the Saudis heinously murdered a journalist?
Lorraine Ali @LorraineAli: Mayor Pete's words about the importance of US keeping its word w the Kurds are empathetic, smart and spot on. I say that as an American and an Iraqi. #DemDebate
Peter Fox @thatpeterfox: Mayor Pete. That’s the tweet.
Elex Michaelson @elex_michaelson: .@PeteButtigieg delivering forceful answers tonight. His most effective performance to date. Highlighting the most appealing parts of his bio--veteran, Midwesterner, non-Washingtonian--and showing why that matters in terms of policy.
David Catanese @davecatanese: This is the first night of this campaign I thought: Buttigieg could actually win this thing. Outside chance still + a lot needs to happen. But yeah.
Michael Novogratz @Novogratz: Mayor Pete shining.
Derek McGinty @mcgintyman.@PeteButtigieg may be a small town mayor...but hes looking good on foriegn policy. #DemDebate
Nicholas Kristof @NickKristof: In that foreign policy discussion, the only candidates who seemed credible and ready to receive a 3 a.m. phone call were Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg. The others would be better than Trump, yes, but it's not their strength.
Matt Lewis @MattKLewis: I don't pretend to know how this exchange plays on the left, but...Pete Buttigieg is winning this debate. #DemDebate
Rep. Casey Weinstein @CaseyforOhio: Feeling PRETTY DAMN GOOD about my
@PeteButtigieg endorsement right now.
Adam Wren @adamwren: On the trail, @PeteButtigieg is fond of running metaphors, comparing the race to a marathon. In past debates, it's been like he's drafting in the middle of the pack, careful not to stand out; tonight, he's laying down his kick.
