Watching @PeteButtigieg refuse to step into traps laid for him by standard shallow media

[In It to Win It]

Steve Silberman
@stevesilberman

Watching @PeteButtigieg refuse to step into traps laid for him by standard shallow media framing of complex issues is a beautiful thing. [via @LadyRaynbow]

Link to tweet

[mucifer]

1. It should be headline news EVERYWHERE about the 10 yo denied an abortion and not this crap

Thanks for posting!

[Ocelot II]

2. He's so sharp!

I would never want to be opposite him in a one-on-one debate; he'd eat my lunch.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. Absolutely. His replies cut to the heart of the matter with clear, reasonable explanations.

[SWBTATTReg]

34. Ha ha heh...he is certainly sharp as a whip, if I ever ran across him, I'd just give him my

lunch in advance!! Ha ha heh.

I did support him when he was a presidential contender, and I would support him in a heartbeat again.

[Totally Tunsie]

3. Looks like Chris Wallace took the shade that

"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" at face value. Why was he questioning the Secretary of Transportation about his views on abortion? Unless the questions concerned interstate travel, why would PB be the one on the hotseat?

[Ocelot II]

6. At some point interstate travel might become an issue, since some states

want to make it impossible for women needing an abortion to travel to other states.

[Totally Tunsie]

9. I understand that, but looking at the portion of the interview

contained in the OP, it doesn't appear as though THAT was the focus of CW's questions...more like he wanted PB's personal opinion of abortion itself.

[Ocelot II]

10. Oh, of course he was playing gotcha, trying to get an opinion

on a controversial topic having nothing to do with Buttigieg's job, maybe to trap him into a statement to be used against him later. Because that's what they do. Pete is too smart to get caught in such an obvious trap, though.

[Totally Tunsie]

12. Certainly seems that way, doesn't it?

I've never liked/trusted Chris Wallace, and this is just another smarmy move on his part.

Pete Buttigieg will have every opportunity to answer such overriding questions when he is running for President.

[ShazzieB]

41. Agreed, on Chris Wallace.

I think Chris Wallace is marginally less horrible than a number of other Fox "News" personalities. But that, my friends, is a pretty low bar!

Pete was brilliant, as usual. He is SO good at this sort of thing.

[appmanga]

74. There was a time...

...when Chris Wallace was a serious journalist and damn good at being that.

[summer_in_TX]

70. Alternate possibility.

Chris Wallace knew from past experience that Secretary Pete would have an excellent answer that would make it clear for some.

He was giving Pete the opportunity to shine, knowing he would.

[plimsoll]

56. If they agree to call them

Fugitive Slut Acts*, it will be the most refreshingly honest legislating from the GOP in a long time.

*Appologies, I find it offensive too, but I'm pretty sure the GOP is thinking in those terms.

[flor-de-jasmim]

14. Whatever the reason, I'm glad Pete got a chance to provide a model answer for others!

[Totally Tunsie]

15. That he did.

[Hekate]

58. Another layer you might consider is that Pete & Chasten used IVF & a surrogate to beget their twins

By its very nature, IVF results in failed and/or discarded zygotes. When RWNJs define personhood as commencing with a fertilized egg, a slippery slope is created for people who want to have babies but require IVF to do so.

[misanthrope]

67. Because the excerpt is from a 2019 FOX News town hall

but apparently a lot of folks have already forgotten about it. I remember it well because I was so impressed with it at the time.

[BlueIdaho]

4. Pete is gaining valuable experience

Dealing with the snake pit of the DC media crowd. I agree with President Biden, Pete is the likely future of the Democratic party.

[CottonBear]

13. Secretary Pete was my Gen Z kiddo's fave candidate during the primaries.

He is so darned smart and has so much diverse experience, including active military service.

I think he’s amazing.

[SoFloDenny]

22. And this Boomer's fave candidate during the primaries...

Although I am perfectly happy with Joe's performance as president; one of the best in my lifetime.

[CottonBear]

24. I'm also pleased with Biden's performance as President.

Secretary Pete is getting excellent federal level experience in his cabinet position. He’s so young and smart. I believe that he’ll be our President in the future.

[NH Ethylene]

45. He was mine too during the primaries.

He is a rising star. He did need experience and I am so happy he is getting it in the Biden administration.

[onetexan]

77. Yup, and given how young he is, he's got a long career ahead of him

I'm hoping he w be our next Macron or Trudeau. We can certainly use a great unifying figure like him.

[FreeState]

47. I know several life long GOP members who liked him

While they didn’t agree with everything they saw someone they could agree with enough that they would vote for him over TFG.

He was my choice too - and I’m sure he will run again. We should be so lucky if he wins.

[peggysue2]

7. Boom!

Buttigieg gives the perfect answer to the question of late-term abortions without hesitation of hiccup. This is the boogie-man question that gets thrown out there with every debate. It's meant to stop the conversations cold. Buttigieg provides the template, clearly, directly that yes, even the tragedy and heartache of a late-term abortion rests with the mother, family and physician. An then provides the crystal clear reasoning.

Bravo!

[ShazzieB]

48. Yes, it was perfect!

The very best part is at the end:

"...that decision is not going to be made any better, medically or morally, because the government is dictating how that decision should be made."

That's the bottom line: the question isn't really what's "okay" at what stage of pregnancy. The question is, WHO gets to decide? And the answer is not "the government."

The more I read about forced birthers, the more I've come to realize that they think scads of women would be running around having abortions at the very last possible moment if there weren't laws in place to prevent it. And that's actually the last thing ANYBODY wants to do. An unwanted pregnancy is just that: unwanted, and a woman who wants to terminate typically doesn't want to wait any longer than she has to. They want to get it over with, so they can get on with their lives, not walk around being pregnant for months and months just for the hell of it. Late abortions happen because the woman was planning on having the baby but life threw them a curve ball.

Yes, there are freak exceptions, but they are just that: freak exceptions, which means they are VERY few and far between. Making public policy based on freak exceptions is just plain stupid.

[Wounded Bear]

8. If only the RW fanatics would listen to reasonable talk like that...

to Pete!

[MyOwnPeace]

50. But, but......

they don't UNDERSTAND 'reasonable talk' - they're used to their 'leader' being a babbling idiot!

[Wounded Bear]

53. Indeed! nt

[Cracklin Charlie]

11. He is so good at this.

He was several steps ahead of Chris in this exchange.

[Qutzupalotl]

16. Pete would make an excellent press secretary.

That would be a thing of beauty to behold.

[Ocelot II]

37. He certainly would!

[MLAA]

17. He nailed it. I think has presidential potential.

[crickets]

18. Well done, Pete!

This is a masterful example of how to handle the gotcha questions about late term abortion.
It restores respect and compassion for women going through such a traumatic experience, while forcefully refuting the misinformation loaded in the question.

[Blue Owl]

19. Pete is the sharpest tool in the shed

What a contrast to the sounds that MTG and Boebert make…

[renate]

61. Exactly! But he doesn't come off as condescending at all

Even though he is so obviously SO SMART.

[Roy Rolling]

20. Pete is King

The Hunter gets captured by the prey.

[yaesu]

21. The is no real MSM in this country, just biased infotainment. nt

[AlexSFCA]

23. it's by far the beast answer to the question I've seen

women who had every intention to carry to term making the impossible choice in third trimester. It’s absolutely brilliant way to shut rwnjs favorite question and with surgical precision at that.

[dchill]

25. Chris Wallace - the new face of CNN. Congratulations.

[Boomerproud]

29. Goodbye CNN.

[W_HAMILTON]

63. I was about to say, where the hell was Chris Wallace where he got to ask these sorts of questions?

I thought after the CNN online service that he was supposed to spearhead FAILED miserably, he would just be reduced to more of a talking head role rather than an interviewer, because that's what he's been the few times I've seen him on CNN lately. Being ""one of the most reasonable at Fox""" still means you are more biased than most *actual* journalists.

[Celerity]

71. This was from a Fox News town hall in New Hampshire, May 20, 2019

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16885063

[W_HAMILTON]

73. Thank you for that context!

[KPN]

26. Man do I hate that privileged arrogant little

sniveling prick Chris Wallace. He’d be a nobody without his daddy.

With that off my chest … Pete Buttigieg for President 2028!

[azureblue]

30. And Chris

with that "I think I understand what he said, but I'm not sure, so I better not show it on TV" look.

[Martin Eden]

27. I'd like to see Mayor Pete become President Pete

Hopefully in my lifetime (I'm 64).

[yellowdogintexas]

60. same here re: my lifetime (I am 74) nt

[Martin Eden]

65. +1

Reason for hope sustains us.

[EndlessWire]

28. Ah, Secretary Pete...

I follow both Pete and Chasten's IG accounts. They have shared life with their kiddos, which I greatly appreciate. Pete is going to turn out to be our greatest Secretary of Transportation; he is/was definitely Presidential material, and I hope to live long enough to get to vote for him.

He seems to have a real zest for his family and his job. He is just plain fun. It's nice to be able to follow a nice family where you don't have to brace yourself for a negative experience. I really appreciate the occasional glimpse into a well balanced family, and I always wonder where he will appear next. Planes, trains and automobiles, Pete, and G-d bless ya.

[Auggie]

31. K&R

[gulliver]

32. He never disappoints

Really, really glad he's on our side.

[Buckeyeblue]

33. That's a great answer. One of the best I've ever heard.

I remember the outrage caused by the lies Republicans told about "partial birth abortions." No one took a step back and said, these aren't done whimsically. They are always done out of dire needs. But that's how the Republicans work. They create a problem that doesn't exist and them attempt to solve it with a tyrannical solution. Thus always pushing their agenda forward.

[Habibi]

35. I agree! Secretary Pete is excellent at breaking down

these issues and giving his audience a chance to consider things differently. I think he will make an incredible president one day.

[MontanaMama]

36. The most important line in that exchange is

the last one: “ …the government dictating how that decision should be made”. This should give everyone pause, imho.

[LittleGirl]

38. That was two years ago

And rings true still today.
Pete is from my hometown and I can’t wait to vote for him someday.

[mopinko]

39. if he could just teach that 2 step to the rest of the party,

that'd be great.

[Cozmo]

40. This is how all democratic politicians need to answer MSM, thoughtfully and with purpose

Otherwise they leave themselves open to having their words used against them and this happens far too much!

[Cozmo]

42. How does Chris Wallace feel he has a right to question the decisions made regarding any abortion

MSM tell me that

[kacekwl]

43. Great answer.

Also the only answer.

[NoMoreRepugs]

44. Is Chris Wallace's middle name really "Zero?"

[duckworth969]

46. Damn Pete, that was impressive

Respect for the man went up several notches for me, wow…

[SleeplessinSoCal]

49. Wish he'd asked him what to do about a rogue SCOTUS.

His marriage is in jeopardy.

[DallasNE]

51. Why Is Wallace Even Asking The TRANSPORTATION Secretary

That question? It makes no sense other than throwing out gotcha . It is a fair area for the HHS Secretary but not Transportation..

[In It to Win It]

68. ...

[Celerity]

72. Because this was from May 20th, 2019, in New Hampshire, at a Fox News townhall

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16885063

[Grins]

52. The "Five words"...

“So, just to be clear…”

And then the strawman is formed. Good work, Pete.

[Picaro]

54. Great answer.

The government have to stay out of personal business. it is literally none of their business. Nunya.

[Skittles]

55. Pete really is outstanding

he knows how to play their fucked-up game

[turbinetree]

57. Chris Wallace.....

is such an ass......

[bluboid]

59. Pete's response to the traps set by Chris Wallace is BRILLIANT!!!

Thank you, Pete!

[tblue37]

62. Remember when he responded to a question about Trump's tweets by saying,

"I don't care."

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2019/05/20/mayor-pete-buttigieg-president-trump-tweets-dont-care/3740774002/

[Joinfortmill]

64. Pete is just brilliant. Calling out Chris Wallace's dumb ass question. Well done!

[Cha]

66. Rt💕TY & Pete Buttigieg!

Save Our Democracy💙 in 2022 & 2024!

[budkin]

69. Pete will be president someday

No doubt.

[uponit7771]

75. K&R,

[CTyankee]

76. My stepdaughter is a rabbi in NY (Long Island) and she is strongly pro-choice as a tenet of her

faith. I love that she is a strong voice for abortion rights, as is her congregation. She works with rabbis across the country who unite in their religious defense of the pro-choice (and pro-woman) rights.

[bdamomma]

78. +100000

Thanks Secretary Buttigieg.