Trump Allies Take Aim at Buttigieg's Sexuality

[RandySF]

Allies of President Trump have sharply focused attention on the sexual identity of presidential contender Pete Buttigieg in recent days, questioning in stark terms whether Americans are ready for a gay candidate who kisses his husband onstage,” the Washington Post reports.

“The attacks are prompting blunt responses from Buttigieg’s allies and even his Democratic rivals, who call the remarks inappropriate and offensive. The exchanges were ignited by radio host Rush Limbaugh, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump last week and who framed his comments as an ostensible analysis of how Democrats feel.”



https://politicalwire.com/2020/02/14/trump-allies-take-aim-at-buttigiegs-sexuality/

[Gothmog]

1. This is a stupid attack by trump

Democrats do not care if Mayor Pete is gay. These attacks may actually help Mayor Pete in the Democratic Primary

[RandySF]

3. And it gives Pete to address it now instead of October

And it gives Pete the opportunity to address it now instead of October.

[hangaleft]

7. Unfortunately, this tactic will work

It’s repulsive and it’s reprehensible. But it’s a reality that if Pete is our nominee, Trump will make his sexuality an issue and it *will* suppress the vote for Pete. That caucus goer in Iowa who wanted to change her vote wasn’t an aberration. She doesn’t represent a large segment of Democratic voters, but she represents enough that in a close election could cost us the presidency, and with other qualified candidates available, that’s a chance we can’t afford to take with our democracy hanging by a thread.

[cwydro]

8. People said that about a black candidate too.

So I call bs.

[hangaleft]

9. Was democracy and our freedom on the line in 2008?

No.

Different times, different circumstances.

We can’t afford to roll the dice with our republic at risk of completing its nosedive into fascist authoritarianism.

You want to call bs, that’s your right. I don’t want to take unnecessary risks with a candidate who is certain to be slurred and damaged because of his personal life.

[cwydro]

11. You do you.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

17. How is Warren any better in that way?

The attack will be are Americans ready for a female president? We aren't any safer running a woman.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

18. I actually think there more people biased against women

then gay men. Women rank dead last in scheme of things. Minority men are above women in conservative minds. This is not something I want to be true because I am a woman. It just seems like that is the way this world has been set up.

Hillary probably had more experience than any man who ever ran for president. We ran her against a total dipshit of a man and look what we got out of that.

[squirecam]

20. I think the socialist and anti capitalist

Views are more dangerous then the gay bashing that would occur. I’d take Mayor Pete over both Sanders and Warren.

[hangaleft]

22. Warren is neither a socialist nor an anti-capitalist

In fact, she’s made it quite clear that she’s a capitalist.

[William769]

31. being Gay has nothing to do with personal life

It is who he is. A African American can't stop being black. A woman can't stop being a woman & so on.

As a Gay man and a human being, I find your post utterly repulsive.

Enjoy your short stay on DU.

[hangaleft]

33. I didn't mean to imply that being gay is a choice

I simply meant it’s nobody’s business and should have no place in our politics.

Which means you should be basing YOUR choice of a presidential candidate on his or her positions on the issues before us and his or her electability. Not because he is or isn’t gay. Or is a man or a woman. Or a Catholic, Protestant or Jew. Etc.

[Gothmog]

19. I fear that it may work in the general but we are still in the primary

I am not supporting Mayor Pete for other reasons but we as Democrats do not give a darn about his sexual orientation.

[hangaleft]

23. I don't disagree (with a small caveat)

That caveat being that there are homophobes in the Democratic Party, too, although their numbers are minuscule compared to the other side.

One need look no further than the Iowa caucus goer who wanted to change her vote when she learned that Pete was gay. She is, of course, the exception, not the rule. But we can’t make sweeping declarations that no Democrat would consider Pete’s sexual orientation to be a factor in his or her decision whether to vote for Pete.

At this point, Pete would be my third choice, and I would certainly vote for him in the general if he got the nod. But the pukes would undoubtedly make Pete’s sexual orientation an issue if he becomes our nominee. And, unfortunately, to some narrow minded voters (like that Iowa caucus goer), that will cost Pete votes.

[FreeState]

25. Nope n/t

[Chemisse]

28. Yes it will work, this time around.

But will inoculate people so it won't be such an issue in the future. He's forging new terrain.

[hangaleft]

29. No doubt about it

Pete’s a young guy and will be a force to be reckoned with in future presidential campaigns.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

2. There are LGBTQ who claim to be Republicans.....HYPICRITES.

Plus, getting more Democrats to VOTE and get elected.

[B Stieg]

4. Been expecting this...

no heart right on up to the end. Rot in hell, Rush.

[MineralMan]

5. Just the beginning of that sort of thing from Trump supporters.

It's going to get much, much worse, I'm sure.

However, it might end up helping Mayor Pete among Democratic primary voters, who might react by supporting him even more fervently.

I don't know. I do know that Republicans are going to attack every Democrat with the worst possible sorts of statements. It's going to be very, very ugly, and it's starting right now.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. As if I needed any more reasons to loathe the republican party......they just handed it to me. n/t

[brush]

10. Not a surprise. We all had to know somewhere inside the repugs were going to do this.

The question is, is it going to peel away voters?

[cwydro]

12. I really don't think so.

Those who would be against a gay candidate aren’t going to vote Dem anyway.

[k2qb3]

32. Are we pretending Pete's trouble with the black vote is about something else?

Because it isn't.

It might not be a problem in the general, in the swing states.

It's a big problem in the southern primaries.

[bearsfootball516]

13. Doubt it. Democrats and Independents don't care.

The only people that care are Republicans who weren’t going to vote for him anyway.

[Corgigal]

36. That's how I think.

Surprise, said no one.

[RandySF]

14. It's actually a great opportunity for Pete.

[brush]

15. You could be right, this can be an opportunity to get this issue done and over with.

[Laelth]

16. This will backfire.

Most Americans are done with homophobia, I think.

-Laelth

[gembaby1]

21. Quite the gall

Since this is a man (Trump) who has been in trouble with his ‘sexuality’ more times than I can count.

[Zolorp]

24. They're shooting their ammo too early.

This will backfire on them if he is nominated because the attacks are coming way too early.

[Midnightwalk]

26. The right response is

Who cares what a bunch of hypocrites who support a pervert like trump think. The guy hung around with Epstein and lusts after his daughter.

Throw in a jesus wept to win over the evangelicals.

Buttigieg could hopefully say it better.

[doc03]

27. I heard Devin Nunez was prowling around South Bend this last week. They will do their

best to find some guy from high school or where ever accusing him of sexual assault. If they can't find someone they will buy someone.
A very good friend of mine that is a staunch Democrat said he just couldn't vote for him.

[Tarc]

30. According to the Bernie-critics here, doesn't this rule out Buttigieg as a viable candidate?

We've been hearing a lot lately that Republicans can make a lot of hay with a "Bernie is a socialist!" attack if he were the nominee, so...

Sorry Pete, guess it's time to drop out.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. I don't listen to the Bernie-critics and you shouldn't either.

And it is NOT time for him to drop out.

[ooky]

35. Dems should take aim at Trump having

sex with himself.

[sheshe2]

37. The party of pedophiles...

Oh and Jimmy Jordan, that boys wrestling team? Oh wait, who was that bathroom guy? Their guys were/are perverts.

And here we have them having a problem with a gay man who happens to be a Democrat running for President.

You Rock Mayor Pete.

WTF?

Kind of weird how the GOP targets gay men and not women so much. Sharice Davids is a junior Congress critter, openly gay. Our MA AG Maura Healey was the first elected openly gay Attorney General. Brava! Perhaps it is because they are all old white men uncomfortable with who they are.

Just a thought.

[BeyondGeography]

38. Elizabeth Warren responds

Link to tweet