# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/121 "2020-03-03T04:21:52Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > They’ve agreed to let him run for their nomination. I don’t think that’s right. The Dems have no choice in the matter. I thought that the parties have no say in who can run for their nomination? That it’s all governed by state law, and anyone who meets the state’s ballot access law can run for the nomination. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/122 "2020-03-03T04:57:09Z")
How about a Biden/Pete ticket? Everyone assumes Biden/Abrams or Biden/Harris makes the most sense but Biden already has the African-American vote. If he wants to expand his voting base, I think a Pete or even Warren makes more sense. Biden is strong with working class and African-Americans, he is weaker with the college educated, Pete’s and Liz’s strength. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/123 "2020-03-03T05:05:30Z")
I think he needs a woman on the ticket. I’ve been thinking a nice unity (moderate/progressive) ticket would be Biden-Warren. Or if he wants to do a hat-tip to the AA community for bringing his campaign back from the dead, he could do a lot worse than Abrams. I don’t think Pete would bring enough to the ticket, demographically, geographically, or “lane-wise.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/124 "2020-03-03T05:22:53Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > How about a Biden/Pete ticket? Everyone assumes Biden/Abrams or Biden/Harris makes the most sense but Biden already has the African-American vote. If he wants to expand his voting base, I think a Pete or even Warren makes more sense. Biden is strong with working class and African-Americans, he is weaker with the college educated, Pete’s and Liz’s strength. I dont think another candidate will be chosen, that’s not common. My Dream team is Biden and Michelle Obama, a sure winner. But Pete would make a nice young energetic veep fersure. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/125 "2020-03-03T05:24:25Z")
I support Biden/Pete, definitely bridges the age gap and Pete and Chasten on the campaign trail non stop would be great. And, Pete’s Midwestern. But the biggest reason is the endorsement press conference. Biden was choking up when he compared Pete to his son Beau. Look, I know I’m biased as hell because of my Pete support. But, I’ve been around politics a while and it isn’t usual for a former VP to compare someone to his deceased son which was the reason Biden didn’t run in 2016. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/126 "2020-03-03T05:31:07Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Ever notice why no one likes Bernie Bros? We get it, if Bernie doesn’t get the nomination, it’s rigged. This is a complete misrepresentation of what he said. And, as a one liner, it suggests you don’t have a counterargument. One liners do not contribute to any debate. It is very unlikely they can refute a long argument. It’s one of the more annoying things on this board that people think they do. “No one likes Bernie Bros” is a true statement, but only because “Bernie Bro” is defined as “bad people who support Bernie Sanders for president.” The Bro part is meant to evoke the idea of bro-culture, despite it not applying to the majority of his supporters. The reality is that people don’t have much of a problem with Bernie supporters, as evidenced by the fact that so many people support him. You can’t have a problem with over a quarter of the electorate. They can’t just be one type of person. I’m not a Bernie fan. I’m also, however, not a Biden fan, as I think his gropey shit could be just as damaging as Bernie’s socialist shit. I think there are more people who can’t see the difference between Biden and Trump than there are people who can’t tell the difference between Bernie and Trump. I notice that, somehow, Bernie actually has conservative people who like him, suggesting that the conventional wisdom about needing to stay in the center may not be true. And I do see how all the people going after Bernie and his supporters makes it seem like the elections aren’t being held fairly, when even the media itself is freaking out about the possibility of a Sanders nomination. It’s not about people thinking it must be rigged, as it is about how prominent Democrats are reacting to the possibility of a Sanders win. If you don’t want them to think this way, then you need to stop going after them. The way you make things seem fair is that you do the fair handshake and say “may the best candidate win,” not attacking people who support the candidate you don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/127 "2020-03-03T13:28:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > “No one likes Bernie Bros” is a true statement, but only because “Bernie Bro” is defined as “bad people who support Bernie Sanders for president.” The Bro part is meant to evoke the idea of bro-culture, despite it not applying to the majority of his supporters. What is bro-culture? As far as I can tell, a Bernie Bro is just any male who is an outspoken supporter of Sanders and outspoken critic of the other candidates. (And why the need for a gendered term of abuse against Sanders supporters?) It’s a stupid buzzword. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/128 "2020-03-03T14:17:40Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I support Biden/Pete, definitely bridges the age gap and Pete and Chasten on the campaign trail non stop would be great. And, Pete’s Midwestern. > > But the biggest reason is the endorsement press conference. Biden was choking up when he compared Pete to his son Beau. > > Look, I know I’m biased as hell because of my Pete support. But, I’ve been around politics a while and it isn’t usual for a former VP to compare someone to his deceased son which was the reason Biden didn’t run in 2016. I wasn’t sure who was endorsing whom! as far as vp for biden klobuchar would be a good pick or Duckworth. pull in the Midwest. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/129 "2020-03-03T15:19:43Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > What is bro-culture? > > As far as I can tell, a Bernie Bro is just any male who is an outspoken supporter of Sanders and outspoken critic of the other candidates. (And why the need for a gendered term of abuse against Sanders supporters?) It’s a stupid buzzword. I sometimes use it as shorthand for “someone who won’t vote for the Dem nominee in November unless it’s Sanders (or maybe Warren),” but you’re right, it’s not an ideal term for that. “Bernie or Bust voter” is more apt. But what about those who, in addition, will actively try to convince others that the non-Sanders dem nominee isn’t worth voting for in November? That’s more than just “Bernie or bust.” That’s more what some use the “bro” term to convey. Still problematic, I agree (in part for the gendered issue). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/130 "2020-03-03T17:50:04Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This is a complete misrepresentation of what he said. And, as a one liner, it suggests you don’t have a counterargument. … Alleging a vast conspiracy means that is precisely what he said. Not a misrepresentation at all. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/131 "2020-03-03T18:16:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **RickG** : > > You are making the assumption that the job of a party is to be unbiased. The job of the party is to WIN THE DAMN ELECTION. Amen to that. I’m a Sanders supporter, and I think that the party leadership absolutely put their thumbs on the scale in favor of Clinton in 2016, and I think that doing so was a tactical blunder… but I don’t think there was anything improper or unethical about it. Of _course_ they’re biased; they’re a political party. Bias is what a political party is all about. And if they have by-laws that say they’re not supposed to be biased, then those are stupid by-laws that should be discarded. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/132 "2020-03-03T18:32:04Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > So, then, if Bernie wins 49.99% of the vote this year, and Biden wins 20%, are you going to be talking about the will of the voters? I’m thinking that would mean the median Dem voter would be for Warren. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/133 "2020-03-03T18:39:36Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Amen to that. I’m a Sanders supporter, and I think that the party leadership absolutely put their thumbs on the scale in favor of Clinton in 2016, and I think that doing so was a tactical blunder… but I don’t think there was anything improper or unethical about it. Of _course_ they’re biased; they’re a political party. Bias is what a political party is all about. And if they have by-laws that say they’re not supposed to be biased, then those are stupid by-laws that should be discarded. Unbelievable. “If” they have those bylaws? Yes, as you’ve been told a thousand times, they do have those bylaws. And if Democrats wanted to get rid of them, they’d vote to change them. They wouldn’t just follow the whim of an amnesiac internet poster. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/134 "2020-03-03T19:07:06Z")
Yes, I know they have those bylaws. “If” does not necessarily imply ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/135 "2020-03-03T19:14:52Z")
You have displayed that precise ignorance many times. The fact is, there doesn’t seem much of a push to remove the neutrality of the DNC between candidates. Probably because that would look really horrible. So you should stop making arguments based on pretending that rule doesn’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![Commeatus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Commeatus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commeatus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/136 "2020-03-03T20:22:37Z")
As established in the bernie-supporters vs dnc lawsuits, the dnc is extremely aware that there is no one holding them to any standard but themselves. The by-laws are unenforceable at best and the legitimacy of the parties is on the honor system. If, say, Hillary went to the head of the dnc and told him to step down and let one of her creatures in and in exchange he’d be the vp pick, then that creature “mishandled” the role, there wouldn’t be anything illegal or rule-breaking about it. Ethical=/=legal and vice versa ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/137 "2020-03-03T20:53:36Z")
Getting back to the thread topic, it’s quite clear how Pete won IA and tied in NH. The Biden campaign doesn’t seem to have any of the digital or grassroots outreach that helped Pete. Most of us former Pete people are chomping at the bit to get started text banking, phone banking, canvassing and spreading the Biden message on social media, that seems to be a severely limited strategy so far with Biden. Just wait until Joe sees what #TeamPete can do to help , there’s a reason an unknown candidate won the Iowa caucuses! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/138 "2020-03-03T22:26:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Amen to that. I’m a Sanders supporter, and I think that the party leadership absolutely put their thumbs on the scale in favor of Clinton in 2016, and I think that doing so was a tactical blunder… but I don’t think there was anything improper or unethical about it. … Yes, they fed Clinton the questions for one debate. I doubt if that made a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Socsback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Socsback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Socsback)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/139 "2020-03-03T22:29:29Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Getting back to the thread topic, it’s quite clear how Pete won IA and tied in NH. The Biden campaign doesn’t seem to have any of the digital or grassroots outreach that helped Pete. Most of us former Pete people are chomping at the bit to get started text banking, phone banking, canvassing and spreading the Biden message on social media, that seems to be a severely limited strategy so far with Biden. > > Just wait until Joe sees what #TeamPete can do to help , there’s a reason an unknown candidate won the Iowa caucuses! ++ Right there with ya’! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761/140 "2020-03-04T00:38:47Z")
Note that this time, Bernie has a good number of Super-delegates behind him. However, his crusade against them could hurt him: > **[Opinion | Bernie Sanders' crusade against superdelegates could torpedo his...](https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/bernie-sanders-crusade-against-superdelegates-could-torpedo-his-2020-chances-ncna1147901)** > > The campaign's efforts after 2016 to minimize the superdelegates' power means they can't help him now — even if they wanted to, after those efforts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pete-buttigieg-drops-out-of-the-democratic-primary-race/848761.md?page=8)