Mayor Pete Responds to Iowa Woman Who Was Horrified to Learn He's Gay

[brooklynite]

Mediaite

2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg responded to a clip of an Iowa Caucus woman who pulled her support for the former South Bend mayor after learning he was gay, during an appearance on The View Thursday.

In the viral video, which was captured during the Iowa Caucuses, the woman asked, “Are you saying that he has the same-sex partner? Pete? Are you kidding?… Then I don’t want anybody like that in the White House. So can I have my card back?”

Upon being asked about the video, Buttigieg said, “What I want her to know is that I’m running to be her president too.”

“Of course, I wish she was able to see that my love is the same as her love for those that she cares about, that my marriage means as much to me as hers if she’s married,” he continued. “But if she can’t see that, and even if because she can’t see that she won’t vote for me, I am still, if I am elected president, going to get up in the morning and try to make the best decisions for her and the people that she loves, as I will work to serve every American, whether they supported me or not.”

[LakeArenal]

1. Pete is the better human.

[SWBTATTReg]

5. Absolutely! nt

[DENVERPOPS]

37. Of course he is,

it makes no difference that he is gay, however it does make a difference that THEIR favorite president is a child molesting, rapist, with a number of professional whores as his mistresses, even while he is married.

How the F*** do they "rationalize" that ?????????????????

Stupidity/ignorance should be painful.............

[LakeArenal]

39. I'm guessing someone who was going to vote Pete is a not a trumper.

Bigots are not all trumpers. Some actually are religious bigots not necessarily Repubs.

[DENVERPOPS]

48. Few and far between..... n/c

[maxsolomon]

78. Sex Workers.

Judge not!

[grantcart]

69. +1

[MineralMan]

2. Good response, Pete!

[scheming daemons]

3. Fantastic answer.

[krissey]

4. What an awesome answer. Very good.

[democrank]

6. What a mature, healing response.

I really, really like this man.

[MyOwnPeace]

7. I was wondering.........

about how well prepared she really was to be casting a vote for the person to lead our country. You have to be on the short side of information if you did not know that about "Mayor Pete."

What's probably more concerning is that most American voters are as ill-prepared in deciding who to vote for when they enter the voting booth.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

10. I wonder if she was a Republican rat fucker

I can't believe there's any Democrat who doesn't know about Pete's orientation.

[James48]

17. Yes- there are people who don't know.

There are millions of Americans, and I would think millions of Democrats, who don’t know Mayor Pete’s orientation. its not a topic that has been brought up, any more than Bernie’s orientation, or Liz’s orientation. It isn’t a secret, but it isn’t the main focus - thank goodness, of Pete’s campaign.

And yes, there are going to be people who cannot deal with that idea. Not everyone is accepting- several Religious faiths are now being torn by the internal debate of how they deal with this issue.

I welcome Pete’s candidacy, but let’s at least acknowledge that there are people who will have an issue with it.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

23. Not so much the fact that she didn't know

Most Democrats wouldn't have a problem with the fact that Pete is gay.

[lunatica]

26. He was deliberately up front with being gay and married from the beginning

He held nothing back and has talked about it a lot in various interviews.

The woman is ignorant and Willfully uninformed. I see no reason to give her a pass.

[Rebl2]

66. I agree

It’s been talked about before. Does she not read or listen to the news?

[shawn703]

64. I'd like to hear the pretzel logic those people use

To justify a vote for an adulterer and rapist over a gay man in a loving and committed relationship.

[at140]

29. In fairness to that lady,

Last edited Thu Feb 6, 2020, 11:58 PM - Edit history (1)

you don't see mayor Pete's orientation talked about much if at all on media.
So, unless one is a political junkie, like most of us here are, many people are not
aware of his personal life details.

[FreeState]

53. Orientation

People prefer flavors of ice cream. It’s orientation. A gay person might prefer they were straight.

[cwydro]

54. It's not a "preference."

Can’t believe I still see that here.

[at140]

58. Fixed it!

Sorry about using incorrect terminology.
I am certainly not an expert on LGBTQ terminology.

[CaptYossarian]

31. I'll expand on your theory:

She may be a Republican who wanted to "educate" the Democratic voters who didn't know he was gay by making a big deal out of this.

She may be egocentric in thinking everyone's as bigoted as she is and wanted to skew the results of the other 49 states.

[DENVERPOPS]

47. Good call

That is my guess.............

[defacto7]

52. +100

[aggiesal]

44. My questions to her would be ...

Why would being gay matter?
Why should she need to know that?

Being President is about ideas and policies.
If you agree with his ideas and policies, you're pulling
your vote because he's gay?

[SMC22307]

55. She went "not in the Bible" or "in the Bible" per the video.

Bible. Bible. Bible. That will be her reply to any questions posed.

[MyOwnPeace]

60. I REALLY like the way

you posted those questions! You've done a great job of going deeper into the issue in a very clear way.

Looking back at my post in this thread, I was simply questioning the research, thought, and consideration that went into the initial "vote" for Pete. If she had done research - if she likes his positions on issues important to her - and had a good grasp of his background and qualifications for the position - how could she have missed his orientation/relationship position?

But you bring up a very basic and divisive question: Why would being gay matter?

It fits in with a history of divisive questions:

Why would being Catholic matter? (Kennedy)
Why would being Afro-American matter? (Obama)
Why would being handicapped matter? (Roosevelt)

They are all things that we as Americans have had do ask, debate, and resolve to move forward to make our country the place that we, as Democrats, believe it should be. And we know that there are still tons of voters out there that do not go that deep into thinking about their vote!

And your last statement: Being President is about ideas and policies. AMEN!!!!!!
Isn't that what this is all supposed to be about? Everything else is, well (DAMN, I hate to say it this way!), FAKE NEWS!!!!

If there are those that choose their candidate NOT based on those basic issues, that gives us a challenge: how do we defeat those making uninformed or bad decisions about who should lead our country?

Actually, it's pretty simple:

1. Nominate someone who believes in the ideas and policies of the Democratic Party's ideals.
2. Support the hell out of that person.
3. GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!!!

[dewsgirl]

8. I really, really like him.

[bluewater]

9. Well said.

[spooky3]

11. Bigotry is ugly, no matter what form it takes. Unfortunately, the target

isn't always free to call it out in a direct and forceful way, especially not when running for office (see Obama and Hillary Clinton and others before him). The rest of us must.

This was a very good response, aside from that unfair limitation.

[napi21]

12. It was a god answer and he better keep it on he tip of his toung because he's going to get the same

complaints from almost all every southern state. I didn't realize just how alive & well racism, sexism & anti gay attitudes are in the South. I grew up in PA, but over the last 33 years we've lived in SC. Tx, & Ga. All of those prejudices aree still strong & I don't see it going away any time soon.

[LaurenOlimina]

13. Great answer.

[joost5]

14. Hat tip. K&R

<3

[Dem2theMax]

15. Fantastic answer.

I know his isn't the name that appears at the end of my post. But I would be more than happy to check the box next to his name. He's the real deal.

[phandancer917]

16. And THIS...

...is why his avatar in in my posts.

I have been so freaking impressed with Pete Buttigieg since I first heard him speak.

We all win when LOVE Triumphs!!!

[denem]

18. Class

[ramen]

19. Wavering NH voter here.. I really wonder about this.

On the one hand, this is exactly what we need in the white house for demeanor and approach to disagreement, and I think he is an excellent candidate. On the other, this woman's reaction about his sexuality would probably be pretty common in a lot of the states we absolutely need to win. Buttegieg supporters, any ideas on a path to victory for him?

[radical noodle]

41. We thought people wouldn't vote for a black man too

At this point, almost everyone has a gay friend or relative that has opened the door to acceptance. He did well in rural areas of Iowa as well as the suburbs.

Like some others here, I tend to doubt that any Iowan didn't know he was gay if they knew enough about him to vote for him. He's had Chasten with him much of the time, and he's been there what... a year? He traveled extensively there. I just find it hard to believe that she really didn't know if she voted for him. I'm suspicious.

As for a path to victory, I think he has is very strategy-oriented so probably figured out a possible path for winning. I can't pretend to guess what that might be at this point, but I like him and he's my first choice right now. He's the total opposite of trump in personality and moral compass.

[Collimator]

43. "Buttegieg supporters, any ideas on a path to victory for him?"

I wish that I knew. All I can think of is time to give everyone a chance to grow and change.

I am going to take a positive stance and assert that this country and its democracy will survive Trump's time in office. There are a lot of young people coming of voting age.

No matter how slow some of them may be to get started, they WILL leave their mark on this nation and its culture. Acceptance of diversity regarding sexuality is part of their ethos.

During the 2008 campaign season, I worked as a customer service rep for a leading wireless carrier. A customer called about overages incurred while working for a candidate. I asked which candidate and he hesitated a moment before saying "Obama."

Perhaps he was afraid that I would get snippy or something, but I shared my excitement. The man responded by saying that he had a six year old son and before Obama, he didn't think that we would have a black president even in his son's lifetime.

Things do change unexpectedly at times.

I think that it was in 2004 that the television drama, House featured an episode with a black presidential candidate. At one point, House left off being his snarky self and had an honest conversation with his patient. House said something like, "You know you can't win.", though not unkindly.

The politician/patient responded, "You think winning is the point?" The character was running to put the idea of a black person as president out into the world. Frankly, I think that is what the producers of Deep Impact were doing in 1998 when they cast Morgan Freeman as the president in their film. Not one line of dialogue was devoted to mentioning the President's race. He just was-- a black man and a president.

Eight years after that movie and four years after that TV show--it really did happen. Right now it seems like a dream. But at least Trump and Graham and company haven't come out and called Buttegieg a queer in public discourse. We just have to listen out for dog whistles.

As for that lady on the news. That made me sad. But Buttegieg's composure and measured response makes me proud.

[grantcart]

72. I have talked with dozens of voters in AZ and not one gives a damn

Yesterday talked with 2 low information Trump voters that don't like his demeanour.

Told them about Pete. Liked what they heard. Then told them he was gay. They didn't care.

The 30 % that won't vote for a gay candidate were never going to vote for a Democrat any way.

Right wing AZ?

Just voted for Sinema, an openly bisexual anti war radical over McSally who had impressive veteran credentials.

At least in the West people don't care about your private life.

[ramen]

77. That is encouraging to hear.

Thanks for having the tough conversations with those folks, too.

[MarianJack]

20. I like Mayor Pete,...

...but I just don't think that he's ready for prime time quite yet.

RESIST!

[mr_lebowski]

27. That was a pretty prime time answer if you ask me ... (nt)

[CaptYossarian]

36. I think he's more ready than ignorant people like her.

I'm really glad he is out. The GOP would try to impeach him from day one if he wasn't. They have a problem with non-issues like that.

Treason is okay, but forms of intercourse aren't.

Apparently, the Evil-gelicals think their Republicans were all created from immaculate conceptions (even 6' tall turtles). Ask them if Mary had a headache--go on, I dare ya.

**If Joseph and Mary were husband and wife, why was she still a virgin? Or was Jesus born out of wedlock?**

[PatSeg]

21. Excellent response!

[amuse bouche]

22. I enjoyed his appearance on The View.

He is a very measured and gracious human

His calm intelligence reminds me of Obama

[AlexSFCA]

24. Voting for him in CA primary

He has charisma that is matched only by Obama.

[LeftTurn3623]

25. I really like Pete!

What a great answer. He has a town hall tonight on CNN. I cant wait to watch

[sandensea]

28. This is Pete's biggest obstacle, sadly

As much as most of us here on DU would approve of - and look forward to - seeing the U.S. elect its first openly gay president, the timing is probablyjust too premature.

Pete's ahead of his time.

[mr_lebowski]

32. Sadly have to agree ... I think people would accept it in a VP though

I think the biggest sticking point would be the idea of there being a 'First Man' of the USA ... the spouse of the POTUS is a MUCH more high-profile position than that the spouse of the VP. Everyone knows Melania, Michelle, Laura, Nancy, Barb, etc.

If you asked average people the name of the VP's wives ... they'd likely struggle. Hell I bet 50% of the public couldn't even tell you Mike Pence is the VP. In fact I don't even remember his wife's name. She's just "Mother".

Thus I think a lot less people would be uptight about Pete as VP.

Of course I would LOVE to vote for Pete as POTUS, but I think VP for someone else might be his ceiling as things now stand in this country.

[sandensea]

34. +1

[Mopar151]

49. He does'nt look like The Gipper

And we know that Ronald Regan was'nt George Gipp. Mrs Middle America is still getting used to the idea that gay people are, in fact, the same species as she, and worship a God of Equal Majesty. To then, expose to her the utter moral bankruptcy from which the foundational "Values" and propriety she beleives in grow. Erma was right, dear. The grass does grow greener over the leach field.

But it's the old drunk on the sewer truck, and the wise farmer, who know the truth. Bullshit can only grow roses with fresh air, sunlight, and care. The sewer man's kid is a computer engineer (true!) whose childhood training in determining cow shit from chocolate pie is crucial to his professional success. Information management is the family trade.....
The farmer may smell like the barn, butyou know what? Experience and knowledge is how he handles tons of bullshit, every day, without pissing off the neighbors. His boy works up to the airport (Senior A&P for charter jet service)( also 100% fact) ' cuz they set great store in "bullshit control" over there, and readin off the right page is why he ain't workin' at the Speedi-lube.

This is all to much to bear, for our poor dear lady. She has relied on the "judgement" of those who use the propiety she's been taught to see as morals against her, HARD! Calling a livestock harvesting technique for amoral manipulators "The One True Light Of God!" dosen't make it a farthing less evil. The old timers know calling a shit pit a bubbling spring of purity don't make it smell a bit less!

[ecstatic]

57. I think so too... I think the US has made a lot of progress,

but I can picture a huge fallout if he were to kiss his husband or something. There's still way too much homophobia.

[sandensea]

68. True.

And then there's the question of his last name.

We've all read and/or heard the puerile jokes being made by Rethugs about Pete's last name. Regardless of ridiculous we think those are, that locker room humor would have a major impact in the general.

People are people.

[grantcart]

73. AZ just elected an openly bisexual woman against a vet with an impressive

war record.

The 30 percent who aren't going to vote for a gay aren't going to vote for a Democrat anyway

[sandensea]

74. It's still too much of a risk - against what's still a fairly popular president (such as he is)

Pete's just ahead of his time, that's all.

[grantcart]

76. Lol how definitive

Your framing is ridiculous. You speak as if he is running against a field of 55 year olds who have similar professional standing.

If you have a generic poll and ask voters which would be more disqualifying: running for President at 78 years of age or running in your prime and being gay, I believe that the former would be much more disqualifying.

But this is settled at the ballot box and if he wins both Iowa and NH ( especially with two near by Senators in the race) then he will have proven the point.

I have talked with dozens of voters and without revealing my preference asked about Pete. Not one conservative or Republican said that being Gay would influence them.

Most of them prefer Klobuchar.

I don't think he will get the nomination bought his weakest point is his minimal work experience not his sexual orientation.

With Warren's decline (and I like her) I am guessing that the person most likely to win is Bloomberg. He just pulled a massive crowd in Phoenix

[Progress_Dem]

30. Great answer!!

I do feel for Mayor Pete if he is our nominee. The attacks from the right over his sexuality will be brutal and ugly. And the worse will come from those who call themselves religious.

[Mopar151]

50. The thing that the Heinous Bastards hate the most? The MOST?

Is that Pete is playing the brilliant Better Man Defense. Our friend H2OMan can far better explain the "Boogaloo" technique than I - but here goes:
Bobby Watts (Boogaloo) was an excellent boxer, no dummy, and a good student of the sweet science. He defined the style of "boxing from the side" . The inventor of the term, Sean O'Grady, is the best commentator for the sport. He explains it as " You present a smaller target to your opponent, IF you are a good enough boxer to take a solid shot if you do get caught" If you don't know why it works, you'll never make it work. Unless your corner tells you, you won't know WHY!

Explain the science to Pete, he'll be teaching it in "community self defense" next month, and doing well. The Mirrorpeople (call themselves the Religious Right, we ain't buyin') have ramped "lalalalala" up to Heresy!Sinner!Antichrist, without changing the message an iota. Deviance from Dogma is the only mortal sin they get, and they have that backwards.

[SunSeeker]

33. Classy response. As always. nt

[Kentonio]

35. Wonderful answer.

[Vinca]

38. I'm homing in on Pete for next week's NH primary.

I've been doing the head/heart thing for weeks and I've just finally decided to heck with it. I like Pete better than all the rest. We might not agree 100% on every issue, but you never agree with any of them to that degree. That lady really annoyed me. Unless she was hoping to sleep with Pete, why should she care?

[radical noodle]

42. Good for you!

Welcome!

[mdbl]

40. There's still a lot of bigotry to work through.

Trump, of course has set back those efforts by decades.

[brer cat]

45. K&R

[Kali]

46. good response, I wouldn't have been so patient

at least not a supposed Democrat in this day and age. yes there are backward, ignorant people that need patience and guidance but that was pretty shocking to me to be a reaction of a 2020 Dem.

[Qutzupalotl]

51. Now compare that response to Trump.

The president who thinks everyone in California can just burn in wildfires. He’s peeved at the majority who voted against him, so he punishes everyone in the state, even Republicans.

I could list many more examples, but you get the idea.

[genxlib]

56. It is a tremendous irony

Because of his youth, there is concern as to whether he is mature enough to be president.

The truth is that this country may not be mature enough for him.

[UniteFightBack]

59. This guy wants unity...not division. He is a class act but with a sharp edge. All I know is the

next presidents last name better start with a B.

[David__77]

61. There's a lot of "we cannot nominate a gay person" in this thread.

Just noting it, really. The risk aversion is striking. Lots of people can be impacted by that risk aversion. I imagine it’s challenging to confront that, whether spoken or unspoken.

[Garrett78]

62. It's amazing that someone who has been living in a cave bothered to show up for the Iowa Caucus.

What an incredible story. She's been living in a cave for years, yet she's registered to vote and somehow knew when and where to show up for the Iowa Caucus.

[PandoraAwakened]

63. K&R! n/t

[Farmer-Rick]

65. Only in the Democratic party would you get a considered

And caring response like that.

Never from the GOP.

[RVN VET71]

67. Well said by a very smart, capable, and intelligent man.

I'm moving back to Pete's side. The more I see him and listen to him speak, the more convinced I am that he is just perfect, the perfect candidate to run against and beat all hell out of Trump.

The Dems need to go with youth, intelligence, candor, and courage -- Pete embodies all 4 and will win.

(Yes, I'm voting Democratic, regardless, but I'd like to see an unabashedly intelligent youngster in the WH. JFK didn't do so bad, did he?)

[Catch2.2]

70. Good response!

[scheming daemons]

71. Pete Buttigieg is a political athlete

I'm growing more impressed by him daily.

[JuJuYoshida]

75. the man has pure class like Obama