He's risen to the top 4 which is pretty amazing for the a mayor from a smallish city.
He's certainly one of the smartest candidates in this crowded field and he interviews and debates well. He would be the first president since Bush to have military experience and his was in intelligence.
Whether America is ready for a gay president or vice-president is the question. It was said we weren't ready for an African-American president either and that worked out pretty good in my opinion.
I sent Pete $250, because whether or not he wins the nomination, I want his voice and that of his generation to be heard from. I am proud to have co-chaired the campaign for the very first gay person ever elected to public office in the US. Giving to the first presidential candidate in history is something I never thought I would experience.
I sent Bernie $1000 in 2016 and Beto the same for his Senate race in 2018. But neither will be getting my vote or cash this time around. Nor will Joe Biden, someone else who should just get out of the way. It is time for younger leadership, at least that is what this old geezer thinks.
I know that in distant years past, when no one got a majority of delegates, they've had multiple rounds of voting at the convention until someone does. But how exactly they narrow it down, I'm not really sure. That hasn't happened in a very long time though, and I doubt it will this year either. If someone were to go in leading but just a little short, they'd probably be able to make some deals to get it done.
As for Congress, the two parties are SO FAR apart these days that I'm not sure what the answer is. A president who could LEAD on compromise legislation would have a huge impact, but that certainly isn't going to be the case with Trump.
I know that in distant years past, when no one got a majority of delegates, they've had multiple rounds of voting at the convention until someone does. But how exactly they narrow it down, I'm not really sure. That hasn't happened in a very long time though, and I doubt it will this year either. If someone were to go in leading but just a little short, they'd probably be able to make some deals to get it done.
As for Congress, the two parties are SO FAR apart these days that I'm not sure what the answer is. A president who could LEAD on compromise legislation would have a huge impact, but that certainly isn't going to be the case with Trump.
Thx Bear. I understand the field will thin down very rapidly but how do you get to the point of going to the convention without a candidate? And if that should happen how would a candidate be decided?
Congress has been dysfunctional for a long time because of both sides. But that is not the reasoning we should be using to allow it to continue. Congress has to start doing it's job and not just passing everything over to the courts. Congress is supposed to be the strongest branch of the govt. and the judiciary the least. We have taken that and turned it around.
The answer, of course, is both sides have to work together and pass motions that the people can all support that are in the best interest for our entire country.
We have not seen Congress doing it's job for a long time and we have been witnessing the judiciary overreaching their responsibilities.
Furball I've heard good things about Yang and he has already qualified for the first debates but at this point I have difficulty imagining him as a serious candidate. OTOH Republicans didnt probably think Trump was either and we know how that turned out.
Although 21Dems are technically in the race, at this point I think only 6 or 7 are legit.
Buz in theory the Democratic Convention could be deadlocked but despite the number of candidates, the field will likely narrow very rapidly. Iowa and NH will probably cut it by half or more and I'll bet there wont be more than 3 or 4 left after Super Tuesday, March 3.
Btw Congress has been disfunctional for a long time.
Anyway its nice to have a political discussion without it going all to hell.
Fact check: Trump and the Republicans were in the majority in Congress for the first two years of his presidency. So it was impossible for the Democrats to obstruct them. The only people they have to blame are themselves.
Not their fault that Ryan can't keep house like Pelosi.
I'm not 100% sure about exactly how the Democratic Convention works, but from what I understand I think the Dems will go to the convention without a candidate since there are so many nominees running. No one will get a majority. If that's the case it goes to the delegates and I think, if there is nothing huge going to happen between now and then, the delegates will vote Biden in. It will be Biden/Trump.
I am disappointed with how our government has been working on both sides of the aisle.It saddens me. But I cannot and will not ever forgive the Dems for their obstruction and resist during the Trump years. Especially since they have the congress, ground our government to a halt. Not coming up with policy but just fighting Trump. We need legislation not fighting. Immigration to me is huge and nothing is being done at all. There is just no platform the Dems have taken and moved on.
I love this country and it shouldn't make such a big difference which party is in office. The changes they are talking about are mostly unacceptable to me. I believe in law and I am a Constitutionalist.
I have been a true Independent in the past, voted for Obama (twice) and voted for Trump. Could not do Hilary and still feel that way. But I did vote for Bill and thought he did a good job.
We are so far away from those days and those politics, it's just a shame.
What I am glad about that this blog has finally had a conversation about how different people in our community feel instead of it being a place for sex ads. I hope we see more of it.
Whoever you all decide to support I hope you do it with you conscience and your heart.
God Bless America!
Buz I know Pete came out as mayor but his time in the military likely pushed back the whole coming out process.
Personally I would prefer to see a fresh face as the Dem nominee. I like a number of them but if Mayor Pete is still a contender when TX votes March 3, he'll get my vote. I do not want to be on the wrong side of history.
Buz interesting hypothetical on Trump. I likely would have been excited about a gay Trump at first , until he showed his true colors. In reality though, as currently composed the Republican Party would not nominate an openly gay person and especially not a gay man. The religious right would freak out and nix it.
As far as Dems go, the field is huge but Joe Biden has at least a 50% chance to be the nominee. If he had entered earlier, there likely would be a much smaller field.
I totally agree with Bear that the term socialist has been over used and misunderstood. However the candidates have brought that on themselves, altho they are walking it back now.
Mayor Pete came out late but after he ran for mayor. I thank him for his service and coming out is a very personal thing and I would hate to think it was politicized at all.
Furball did make an interesting observation that if you go to Mayor Pete's website there still is no policy there. Personally I think that is a rather smart position. If you listen to his speeches however, he is very left leaning and supporting a lot of free stuff, without explanation of how we will pay for it. Obviously! higher taxes, and that will have to go further than just the rich.
Furball also brought up a very interesting candidate Andrew Yang. Certainly interesting ideas and some of which actually make a lot of sense. But some really don't. (just an opinion)
There are a lot of fine people out there trying to be our President. I hope the press and media gives them all a fair chance. And that the public does their due diligence and find out exactly who is who.
That my friends I think is a lot to ask...
Buzbuz........I said I think because I'm not sure. I haven't heard him endorse it where as I have heard it from cory Booker and Kamala Harris, and beto and the rest. It's very possible I missed it.
BearinFw like i said i really only care about policy. Gender, race, sexuality none of that is important at all. For instance let's use a hypothetical, if President Trump were gay but still did everything like he has would you feel the same way?
As far as the green new deal goes I saw it when it was released and aoc came out saying it was a rough draft, in the months it's been out we haven't seen anything new come out about it. Just people defending it as a "bold" idea. So then we ask alright how are you going to make it work? We get slammed for not having enough vision. In the plan aoc wants to get rid of planes, cars, and cow farts. On top of that wants to pay all American citizens a monthly income whether they want to work or not. If we did make policy based off of the ignorant green deal she proposed we would likely destroy our country. Most businesses would close up or flee our country to save their livelihood from impossible regulations. That's not because someone is out there fearmongering her idea. What she published was there for the public to read and can still be found easily. I've read it myself it is stupid not bold.
Hey Bear! Good to see your post. I think it's cool that a gay man has come this far, and that many of his interviews his sexuality had not even been raised. That's refreshing. I like him, and I follow his husband's twitter feed. His feed is pretty funny. For sure if Mayor Pete gains traction--in this field of 21!--then you know the right will start making it a thing.
Trevor Noah last month had fun at Buttigieg's expense--and it was well founded joke. Not sure if you caught the piece:
[video]http://youtu.be/Cf-F2l4I0zI[/video]
In short, if the above link does not work, Noah makes light of Buttigieg in that the women running for president have an arsenal of specific policies at their campaign websites, while Beuttigieg's site has zero policy items. I checked today, and his campaign's site still has no policy ideas posted. It's a legitimate point, and at some point he's going to have to put ink to paper.
It's amazing though that there are 21 candidates. There are a lot of them that I like and a lot of interesting ideas. It will be a fascinating to see how the candidates start peeling off as time goes by. It's a drag as only a handful of candidates the press will/can cover--and then who decides who/what gets covered? Some candidates, not for lack of being capable and potentially formidable, will see their candidacy whither only as it can never get enough media oxygen.
As an aside Bear, what do you think of Andrew Yang? He's fun as heck to listen to and a funny guy too. If you ever get the chance you should listen to his interview of Freakonomics Radio.
It's interesting to see here that the S word had been ascribed to Mayor Pete (cue the pearl clutching), which is somewhat ironical only in that one of the poster's is likely a big beneficiary of our government's current socialist policies.
I suppose what is "socialist" depends on your point of view. I dont think any of the Dem candidates, with the possible exception of Bernie, are really socialist. Thats being used as a politically derogatory term that we will be hearing a lot this year regardless of nominee.
Pete came out a bit late in life but he had a very understandable reason. He was in the military, which is not a gay friendly place.
Sorry Doankyl but he is a total socialist. He father was a practicing Marxist and that's where Mayor Pete got much of his beliefs. He is very well spoken and sounds moderate but you have to check his proposed policies and agendas, they are very left.
Am very proud that a gay man got this far. It's a wonderful thing to see in our society and a great step. Just because he is gay however does not mean that he deserves our vote. It's America, and the laws that have come a long way to give us our freedoms, not Mayor Pete.
I also suggest that you check his record as mayor. It's a little spotty. At 37 years old and being mayor for the past 8 years, Mayor Pete just came out as gay 4 years ago. Was mostly elected while he was still in the closet. Not taking opinion on that just observing all the facts.
I think we can all agree that it is a remarkable step forward that a gay man is running for the highest office in our great country. But we have to decide if this particular gay man is the right PERSON for the job.
Cmon even you conservative gay guys should have just a little pride or do you totally not give a shit about gay community and history. Pete is the first openly gay man EVER to make a serious bid for a major party presidential nomination. This is an historic moment for gay America. I would hope you could appreciate that fact even though you know you wont vote for him. Its a degree of acceptance that none of us who are older would have even dreamed could happen.
I think a lot of Americans dont understand the Green New Deal and that isnt an accident as Trump is trying to get out front defining it. The vast majority of Democrats, however, consider it as goals rather than policy. Actual policies would have to be hashed out and legislated. And nobody is going to take your car or ban air travel. Why do people even want to believe such nonsense?
Not a fan of Pete personally, dont really care if he's gay or straight. Only worry about his polcies.
But with that being said I'm pretty sure he's one of the closer to moderates running.......I dont think he has endorsed the socialist ideology of the far left yet. But I think he did endorse the green new deal(not sure on that will have to research) and that is scary
Its not fair or reality to just label all Democrats socialists. Its the equivalent of calling all Republicans right-wing kooks. I like Buttegieg. Hes smart (Rhodes Scholar), is a veteran (served in afghanistan), has practical experience actually running a government. Hes fearless and not afraid to think big. And Im very proud that we have an openly gay man setting a good example for our nation and young people.
He talks well, and has a great presence. But does it really matter if you are a gay socialist or a straight socialist. His policies are going to be what affects our country not who he sleeps with.
But thanks this is the first time I've seen an actual blog issue posted here that can be discussed and just not another sex ad...
He's certainly one of the smartest candidates in this crowded field and he interviews and debates well. He would be the first president since Bush to have military experience and his was in intelligence.
Whether America is ready for a gay president or vice-president is the question. It was said we weren't ready for an African-American president either and that worked out pretty good in my opinion.
I sent Pete $250, because whether or not he wins the nomination, I want his voice and that of his generation to be heard from. I am proud to have co-chaired the campaign for the very first gay person ever elected to public office in the US. Giving to the first presidential candidate in history is something I never thought I would experience.
I sent Bernie $1000 in 2016 and Beto the same for his Senate race in 2018. But neither will be getting my vote or cash this time around. Nor will Joe Biden, someone else who should just get out of the way. It is time for younger leadership, at least that is what this old geezer thinks.
As for Congress, the two parties are SO FAR apart these days that I'm not sure what the answer is. A president who could LEAD on compromise legislation would have a huge impact, but that certainly isn't going to be the case with Trump.
As for Congress, the two parties are SO FAR apart these days that I'm not sure what the answer is. A president who could LEAD on compromise legislation would have a huge impact, but that certainly isn't going to be the case with Trump.
Congress has been dysfunctional for a long time because of both sides. But that is not the reasoning we should be using to allow it to continue. Congress has to start doing it's job and not just passing everything over to the courts. Congress is supposed to be the strongest branch of the govt. and the judiciary the least. We have taken that and turned it around.
The answer, of course, is both sides have to work together and pass motions that the people can all support that are in the best interest for our entire country.
We have not seen Congress doing it's job for a long time and we have been witnessing the judiciary overreaching their responsibilities.
Although 21Dems are technically in the race, at this point I think only 6 or 7 are legit.
Btw Congress has been disfunctional for a long time.
Anyway its nice to have a political discussion without it going all to hell.
Not their fault that Ryan can't keep house like Pelosi.
I am disappointed with how our government has been working on both sides of the aisle.It saddens me. But I cannot and will not ever forgive the Dems for their obstruction and resist during the Trump years. Especially since they have the congress, ground our government to a halt. Not coming up with policy but just fighting Trump. We need legislation not fighting. Immigration to me is huge and nothing is being done at all. There is just no platform the Dems have taken and moved on.
I love this country and it shouldn't make such a big difference which party is in office. The changes they are talking about are mostly unacceptable to me. I believe in law and I am a Constitutionalist.
I have been a true Independent in the past, voted for Obama (twice) and voted for Trump. Could not do Hilary and still feel that way. But I did vote for Bill and thought he did a good job.
We are so far away from those days and those politics, it's just a shame.
What I am glad about that this blog has finally had a conversation about how different people in our community feel instead of it being a place for sex ads. I hope we see more of it.
Whoever you all decide to support I hope you do it with you conscience and your heart.
God Bless America!
Personally I would prefer to see a fresh face as the Dem nominee. I like a number of them but if Mayor Pete is still a contender when TX votes March 3, he'll get my vote. I do not want to be on the wrong side of history.
Buz interesting hypothetical on Trump. I likely would have been excited about a gay Trump at first , until he showed his true colors. In reality though, as currently composed the Republican Party would not nominate an openly gay person and especially not a gay man. The religious right would freak out and nix it.
As far as Dems go, the field is huge but Joe Biden has at least a 50% chance to be the nominee. If he had entered earlier, there likely would be a much smaller field.
Mayor Pete came out late but after he ran for mayor. I thank him for his service and coming out is a very personal thing and I would hate to think it was politicized at all.
Furball did make an interesting observation that if you go to Mayor Pete's website there still is no policy there. Personally I think that is a rather smart position. If you listen to his speeches however, he is very left leaning and supporting a lot of free stuff, without explanation of how we will pay for it. Obviously! higher taxes, and that will have to go further than just the rich.
Furball also brought up a very interesting candidate Andrew Yang. Certainly interesting ideas and some of which actually make a lot of sense. But some really don't. (just an opinion)
There are a lot of fine people out there trying to be our President. I hope the press and media gives them all a fair chance. And that the public does their due diligence and find out exactly who is who.
That my friends I think is a lot to ask...
BearinFw like i said i really only care about policy. Gender, race, sexuality none of that is important at all. For instance let's use a hypothetical, if President Trump were gay but still did everything like he has would you feel the same way?
As far as the green new deal goes I saw it when it was released and aoc came out saying it was a rough draft, in the months it's been out we haven't seen anything new come out about it. Just people defending it as a "bold" idea. So then we ask alright how are you going to make it work? We get slammed for not having enough vision. In the plan aoc wants to get rid of planes, cars, and cow farts. On top of that wants to pay all American citizens a monthly income whether they want to work or not. If we did make policy based off of the ignorant green deal she proposed we would likely destroy our country. Most businesses would close up or flee our country to save their livelihood from impossible regulations. That's not because someone is out there fearmongering her idea. What she published was there for the public to read and can still be found easily. I've read it myself it is stupid not bold.
Trevor Noah last month had fun at Buttigieg's expense--and it was well founded joke. Not sure if you caught the piece:
[video]http://youtu.be/Cf-F2l4I0zI[/video]
In short, if the above link does not work, Noah makes light of Buttigieg in that the women running for president have an arsenal of specific policies at their campaign websites, while Beuttigieg's site has zero policy items. I checked today, and his campaign's site still has no policy ideas posted. It's a legitimate point, and at some point he's going to have to put ink to paper.
It's amazing though that there are 21 candidates. There are a lot of them that I like and a lot of interesting ideas. It will be a fascinating to see how the candidates start peeling off as time goes by. It's a drag as only a handful of candidates the press will/can cover--and then who decides who/what gets covered? Some candidates, not for lack of being capable and potentially formidable, will see their candidacy whither only as it can never get enough media oxygen.
As an aside Bear, what do you think of Andrew Yang? He's fun as heck to listen to and a funny guy too. If you ever get the chance you should listen to his interview of Freakonomics Radio.
It's interesting to see here that the S word had been ascribed to Mayor Pete (cue the pearl clutching), which is somewhat ironical only in that one of the poster's is likely a big beneficiary of our government's current socialist policies.
Pete came out a bit late in life but he had a very understandable reason. He was in the military, which is not a gay friendly place.
Am very proud that a gay man got this far. It's a wonderful thing to see in our society and a great step. Just because he is gay however does not mean that he deserves our vote. It's America, and the laws that have come a long way to give us our freedoms, not Mayor Pete.
I also suggest that you check his record as mayor. It's a little spotty. At 37 years old and being mayor for the past 8 years, Mayor Pete just came out as gay 4 years ago. Was mostly elected while he was still in the closet. Not taking opinion on that just observing all the facts.
I think we can all agree that it is a remarkable step forward that a gay man is running for the highest office in our great country. But we have to decide if this particular gay man is the right PERSON for the job.
But with that being said I'm pretty sure he's one of the closer to moderates running.......I dont think he has endorsed the socialist ideology of the far left yet. But I think he did endorse the green new deal(not sure on that will have to research) and that is scary
But thanks this is the first time I've seen an actual blog issue posted here that can be discussed and just not another sex ad...