Pete Buttigieg's ideas are starting to intrigue black voters. Their support is another matter.

[TexasTowelie]

As the path forward in the 2020 presidential campaign starts to narrow, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has been trying to find support in the one segment of the Democratic base he can't seem to reach: people of color.

He's likely struggling for a variety of reasons. He's young and lacks national experience. Acceptance of marriage equality and LGBTQ rights among African Americans and Latinos is growing, but isn’t as high as among other groups. That could be a challenge for the openly gay Democrat. And there have been a lot of questions about his handling of the South Bend police shooting last month in which a white officer killed a black man he said was wielding a knife.

IndyStar interviews at last week’s National Urban League conference, with leaders and attendees from across the country, offer a glimpse at the struggle Buttigieg is having to gain traction.

Some like his ideas but think he's not ready to take on President Donald Trump. Others think he's not done enough to stand out in a large field of candidates, many with much broader experiences and proven records. Several indicated he has to do more to earn the trust of African Americans and Latinos.

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/07/28/mayor-pete-buttigieg-black-voters-attention-vote-is-another-matter/1796294001/

[BlackballRepublicans]

1. Pete needs experience

Mayor Pete is a really smart guy with a bright political future. Really glad he's a Democrat. We need a President with more knowledge and experience to undo all of the harm done by the Trump Administration.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I like Pete, but I agree with you that the the lack of experience is a factor as to whether he

is electable in a general election. There are several candidates that would benefit by having him on the ticket if Pete is willing to serve as VP.

Welcome to DU.

[lillypaddle]

13. and Beto has tons of experience?

Please.

[TexasTowelie]

14. Six years in Congress and six years on the El Paso city council.

Beto was also on the Armed Services and Veteran Affairs committees in Congress. Pete has no federal experience whatsoever.

Please.

[lillypaddle]

15. Well, I honestly didn't know that

He doesn't act like he has that experience. But I'm glad he gets his teeth cleaned and nose hair clipped, and that he wants to share that with us.

That was snotty. Listen, at first I was quite smitten with Beto, and while the punk band, skateboarding, and air drums appealed to my old hippie sensibilities, his jumping around on top of tables and flailing his arms just didn't ring "seriously heavy" enough to me for a presidential candidate.

And while I'm at it, in the interest of full disclosure, I have a potty mouth unequaled by many (except in front of my granddaughter), but I am really not cool with some of these presidential candidates using "fuck" and "shit". I get that they're disgusted with trump, but can you see Obama saying those things? It just lacks class and doesn't set a good example for our kids/grandkids.

I will support and vote blue no matter what. I'm still undecided. Thanks for the information, I should have googled before spouting off.

[TexasTowelie]

16. No, I can't see President Obama using that type of language

and if he had the Republicans would have definitely tried to take advantage of it. However, the profanity police won't be what decides this election. While I don't care for the language, we know that the incumbent doesn't have an issue using it so on that issue I would consider it to be a draw.

I think that the kids and grandkids are going to be more influenced by the language used by the parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles than by a presidential candidate or the president himself. I have an aunt that used the "n-word" at my grandmother's funeral (in front of young children). I'm certain that my grandmother was tossing in her grave because she did a better job raising her six children than what that one aunt conveyed. I never heard my mother, my other aunt, or two of my uncles use profanity or derogatory terms. The final uncle who was a Korean War veteran and poorly educated did use them, but at least he knew better than to use them at a funeral.

There was also more to the social media experiences than was reported. Beto was holding a conversation with the barber, but instead the only thing that came from the coverage was a lame joke about getting his ear hair clipped. I blame that on the media rather than on Beto. As far as the media coverage of his dental visit, it was a mistake. However, I believe that every one of the candidates has made mistakes since they hit the campaign trail so I consider it to be a nothing-burger. You are welcome to have your own opinions, but I really hope that you are paying more attention to what the candidates are saying instead of focusing on something so trivial and inconsequential.

FWIW, at least Beto has crossed the 15% threshold in one state so he will be awarded delegates to the national convention. Buttigieg has not shown that strength in any state so he will receive zero delegates unless he suddenly receives new interest.

[Indygram]

5. I agree, too inexperienced and I just find him boring

He needs to work with someone on public speaking. His voice is too monotone and lacks emotion. Every time I have tried to listen to him it's like the teacher from Charlie Brown and I tune him out. That speech style has never been able to hold my attention. I need changes in tone to show emotion or a speaker loses me. I think that's why there are some candidates over the years that I just can't even listen to. It was the same way for me with both Gore and Kerry. Those kinds of candidates that are touted as being such "intellectuals" just are not very good at really connecting with voters in the way needed to win. If he can overcome that style then he may have more luck in the future. I think the recent press reports are right, though, he seems to be fizzling out.

[DesertRat]

7. Ahem

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=214260

[Indygram]

8. Ironically, it was that very post I was responding to that reminded me

why I don't care for Buttigieg and inspired me to share those sentiments.

[DesertRat]

9. And maybe some posts here remind people

of why they don't care for Beto and are inspired to share those sentiments.

[Indygram]

10. Nice try...but no cigar

I came out of over a decade of lurking to post only because I was inspired by Beto. I started posting positive threads about him and rarely posted on any other threads. I began to see the same few people show up on every single thread always making the same very negative and quite rude remarks that were quite obviously posted only to get a reaction. After I noticed a pattern it was at that point where I began to form negative impressions of some other candidates and made mention of it.

[gopiscrap]

12. welcome to DU

[PatrickforO]

3. You know, I appreciated his honest answer in the last debate to Rachel's hard question.

Buttigieg really does have a fine career in public service ahead of him. He is articulate, has good ideas and lacks only experience.

But, then, so did Obama and he was elected and did great.

[redstateblues]

4. Mayor Pete is no Obama

[Indygram]

6. Agreed...Obama was so successful for one reason and one reason only

His message of hope resonated, gave people something to believe in and inspired people.

The only one in the race that is running that same way is actually Beto O'Rourke, which is probably why so many of the people who worked on Obama's campaigns are working for Beto.

[samnsara]

11. im watching him on headliners.....OMG Im so impresed!!

...donated. Not much but i want a bumper sticker!