Pete Buttigieg Makes His Case for the 2020 Presidential Race

We’re now in the thick of the early race for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination. Back in 2016, seemingly an Orwellian lifetime ago, we had Hillary and Bernie. I was definitely Bernie, thinking that Hillary was not a very good candidate–good as she was on policy. This year, we have an embarrassment of riches among the candidates, among them the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg (the Maltese name is pronounced Bood-eh-judge more or less).

Let me back up to 2016 a minute with my “If only Biden had run…” (Chanted plaintively with a wistful gaze in my eyes.) Oh, Joe… With a deep sigh, I return to 2019. Biden has yet to announce, and the longer he waits, the less enamored I become as I hear other candidates talk, develop personal narratives, display (in varying degrees) substantial charisma. (And yeah, spout pandering platitudes that are as changeable as the spring wind here in Chicago.)

I leave it to you to judge Buttigieg for yourself, based on his fantastic Town Hall appearance on CNN last week at SXSW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRRjQdRUuHs

He’s good. He’s more than good. He’s the real deal. More substance than Beto, more straightforward and clear-spoken than Elizabeth Warren (who I completely admire and adore). Down-to-earth and calm but pulls no punches. He’s already made the cut for the first debate. And I can’t wait to see him spar with the entire field.

Can he win in November 2020 against the Orange Man? I suck in my breath and say…maybe. In the end, I think he would be an outstanding VP candidate to an older (Biden? Klobuchar?) candidate, primed and ready for 2028.