# Pete Buttigieg drops out of the Democratic primary race **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 1, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761 "2020-03-01T23:17:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/41 "2020-03-02T03:30:35Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > A pretty good case for not having Iowa go first that the Iowa winner didn’t even make it to Super Tuesday, no? You can’t rely on them screwing up the count next time. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/42 "2020-03-02T03:52:05Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > A pretty good case for not having Iowa go first that the Iowa winner didn’t even make it to Super Tuesday, no? I heard a fairly interesting idea about how to arrange the primaries in the future. By voter turnout. Gauge what the voter turnout is as a percentage of registered voters, and then in the next primary season the primary will be held in order of highest to lowest turnout. So if Oregon was 34th state to vote this primary but #1 in turnout, they are the first primary state next election cycle. If Iowa was #1 in rank but #29 in turnout they become #29 in rank next time. I’m theory, it would incentivize efforts to increase voter turnout which would benefit the party as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/43 "2020-03-02T03:54:09Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Mayor Pete has much to offer the Democratic party going forward. I hope his talents will be well utilized by our next Democratic administration in one capacity or another. > … Yeah, Pete needs to get some national experience under his belt. Maybe the next Dem prez can give him a cabinet position or he can run for senate or something. Mayor Pete in 2028! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/44 "2020-03-02T03:55:45Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > Steyer and Buttigieg today. Maybe Klobuchar soon. Gabbard and Warren will stick around until the bitter end. I bet Warren drops if she gets nothing on Super Tuesday. If she doesn’t- she should. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/45 "2020-03-02T03:58:10Z")
Disappointing to hear, but undoubtedly wise decision. We’ve not seen the last of him. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/46 "2020-03-02T03:58:13Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > A pretty good case for not having Iowa go first that the Iowa winner didn’t even make it to Super Tuesday, no? A better case to dump caucuses. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/47 "2020-03-02T04:25:05Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > This is great news for Biden. Based on headlines, I thought Sanders was running away with nominations. Biden is less than 10 delegates from Sanders. 60 to 53. With Mayor Pete out, that support likely will go to Biden. I don’t think that’s true. I was a Pete supporter and if Biden gets the nomination I’m not voting in the general. He’s the only candidate that I will say that about. My vote is going to Sanders. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/48 "2020-03-02T04:42:06Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > That’s not what this morning consult polling suggests…(page down and then mouse over) > > [2020 Democratic Primary - Morning Consult](https://morningconsult.com/2020-democratic-primary/) That poll surprises me but really shouldn’t when I look at other polls’ crosstabs: Buttigieg’s support is in fact about 50/50 over/under 45. Biden gets polling support skewed to voters 45 and older voters, and Sanders gets polling support skewed to under 45. (At least among whites which is almost all of Buttigieg’s support.) That the younger supporters would move to saying Sanders and the older ones would move to Biden is actually predictable. The issue of course is that in both South Carolina and New Hampshire those 45 and over have had twice the turnout of those under, less of a younger voter primary turnout than in 2016. I’m thinking in voters who vote it helps Biden more. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/49 "2020-03-02T05:02:00Z")
It’s been sad reading the farewells from some of the campaign staff on Twitter. I’ve met a lot of them and they seem like family. Working endless hours for low pay to have it not work out is heartbreaking. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/50 "2020-03-02T05:51:24Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I don’t think that’s true. I was a Pete supporter and if Biden gets the nomination I’m not voting in the general. He’s the only candidate that I will say that about. My vote is going to Sanders. That’s the kind of talk that gets us 4 more years of trump. No matter what you think of Biden, he’s better than trump. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/51 "2020-03-02T06:17:41Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > That’s the kind of talk that gets us 4 more years of trump. > > No matter what you think of Biden, he’s better than trump. Everyone knows my opinion of Bernie, I’ll vote for him from my safe blue state of Illinois if he gets the nomination. ---
**Author:** ![pjacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@pjacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjacks)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/52 "2020-03-02T06:21:08Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I don’t think that’s true. I was a Pete supporter and if Biden gets the nomination I’m not voting in the general. He’s the only candidate that I will say that about. My vote is going to Sanders. Same here. Literally just voted for Pete yesterday. Biden’s brain is melting in real time and he has no business running for president. He belongs in a nursing home, not the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/53 "2020-03-02T06:21:26Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I don’t think that’s true. I was a Pete supporter and if Biden gets the nomination I’m not voting in the general. He’s the only candidate that I will say that about. My vote is going to Sanders. If I’m willing to vote for Bernie Sanders, you should be willing to vote for Joe Biden. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/54 "2020-03-02T07:48:29Z")
Making it all the way to super Tuesday and then quitting two days before seems quite strange to me. It makes me wonder if there was some deal being made - Buttigieg bows out and makes Biden seem more viable (or maybe Bloomberg) and he gets paid off with something like the VP slot or an important cabinet position. It feels like party machinations at work to try to derail Bernie. I’m not saying it will work - I don’t think the path from Buttigieg to Biden is necessarily that clear for his voters - but the default path right now appears to be a Bernie win and it’s obvious that the party establishment is terrified of that and will work to stop it. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/55 "2020-03-02T08:11:08Z")
I held off on filling out my ballot, and now I’m glad I did because I would have voted for Buttagieg. He’s a good guy, and he’s articulate, intelligent, and assertive without being a jerk; the polar opposite of Trump. He’d make a good veep. I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for now. Maybe I’ll see what shakes out on Tuesday first. Re: Biden, did anyone else read the[Atlantic Monthly piece](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/01/joe-biden-stutter-profile/602401/) on how his lifelong stuttering issue affects his speaking skills? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/56 "2020-03-02T11:49:01Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If I’m willing to vote for Bernie Sanders, you should be willing to vote for Joe Biden. Bernie seems to be mentally capable of being president. I would vote Warren but she does not seem to have a path to the nomination without a contested convention. If it happens that Biden is the nominee maybe I’ll change my mind. But, if Biden is the nominee maybe we deserve four more years of Trump. I’m not certain. It absolutely feels to me as though the democratic party needs to be burned down and rebuilt. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/57 "2020-03-02T12:13:37Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > A pretty good case for not having Iowa go first that the Iowa winner didn’t even make it to Super Tuesday, no? There are many reasons for not having Iowa go first. That’s way down the line. > [@DrDeth](#): > > A better case to dump caucuses. And this also. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/58 "2020-03-02T13:12:01Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > That’s not what this morning consult polling suggests…(page down and then mouse over) > > [2020 Democratic Primary - Morning Consult](https://morningconsult.com/2020-democratic-primary/) FWIW 538, aware of the Morning Consult polling, [comes to a different conclusion.](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/election-update-buttigieg-dropping-out-isnt-good-for-sanders/) > [@](#): > > Pete Buttigieg’s decision to drop out of the race two days before Super Tuesday has hurt Sen. Bernie Sanders in our primary forecast. … > > … Overall, the model has Buttigieg’s support being divided relatively evenly between Warren, Biden, Bloomberg, Sanders and — in the places where she’s strong — Sen. Amy Klobuchar. That seems broadly in line with polls, which are somewhat inconsistent about where Buttigeg’s support will go. > > Of course, neither the model nor previous polling of the race consider the context in which Buttigieg dropped out, which comes amidst an increasing effort by moderate Democratic voters and party leaders to get behind Biden. If his voters take Buttigeg’s dropout as a signal that they should switch to Biden, there’s more upside for BIden than our model implies. … They think it _increases_ the chance of a brokered convention, by increasing the odds of Warren and Bloomberg getting over 15% where they are close. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/59 "2020-03-02T13:43:03Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Bernie seems to be mentally capable of being president. I would vote Warren but she does not seem to have a path to the nomination without a contested convention. > > If it happens that Biden is the nominee maybe I’ll change my mind. But, if Biden is the nominee maybe we deserve four more years of Trump. I’m not certain. It absolutely feels to me as though the democratic party needs to be burned down and rebuilt. And, you’re in Pennsylvania, too, where it actually matters. I’m in NJ and would vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is this time around, and my vote doesn’t count (either in the primary or the general). My favorite is Warren, followed by Klobuchar, then Biden, Bloomberg, then Sanders, but I will vote for Sanders for sure in the general if he’s there. I can’t think of anything that would make the US “deserve four more years of Trump.” Rather than burning down the Democratic party, Trump is burning down our global reputation and democratic norms. I can’t stand what he’s doing to this country. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/60 "2020-03-02T14:22:09Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > > [@NAF1138](#): > > > > Bernie seems to be mentally capable of being president. I would vote Warren but she does not seem to have a path to the nomination without a contested convention. > > > > If it happens that Biden is the nominee maybe I’ll change my mind. But, if Biden is the nominee maybe we deserve four more years of Trump. I’m not certain. It absolutely feels to me as though the democratic party needs to be burned down and rebuilt. > > And, you’re in Pennsylvania, too, where it actually matters. I’m in NJ and would vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is this time around, and my vote doesn’t count (either in the primary or the general). My favorite is Warren, followed by Klobuchar, then Biden, Bloomberg, then Sanders, but I will vote for Sanders for sure in the general if he’s there. > > I can’t think of anything that would make the US “deserve four more years of Trump.” Rather than burning down the Democratic party, Trump is burning down our global reputation and democratic norms. I can’t stand what he’s doing to this country. Can’t think of it either, except in some sort of apocalyptic “if that’s what it takes for the revolution to happen” POV which is reckless considering all that’s at stake. I’ll go with WHOEVER is on the ballot. Considering that in fine long-time Democrat tradition it is most likely they will not be able to get more than one or two of their signature ideas passed in an abridged mutilated form, if at all, before getting whomped in the first midterm, I’d rather hope we get also enough statehouses in 2020 to be able to draw the district maps. And frankly it was time and there was an opportunity to reform the Democratic party top to bottom back when a young longshot took the nomination and the election. But there were other priorities, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761.md?page=4)