Young Pete Buttigieg Asked A Question At A 2003 MSNBC Presidential Town Hall—And He Clearly Took The Answer To Heart
2020 Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg appeared on Hardball this past Monday, June 3, to answer questions about his policy ideas. One question, however, came from the most unlikely of places: Buttigieg's own past.
While recording the episode of Hardball, host Chris Matthews surprised Buttigieg with an unearthed clip from 2003 of a young Buttigieg, then a student at Harvard, asking a question a similar Hardball College Tour.
Watch Pete Buttigieg Ask A Question During Hardball College Tour In 2003 | Hardball | MSNBC youtu.be
The old clip shows Buttigieg asking a question to former Democratic majority leader Dick Gephardt about young people engaging in politics. Gephardt urges all the young people in the audience to get involved as soon as possible—advice Buttigieg, the youngest Presidential candidate in the race, obviously took to heart.
@hardball @PeteButtigieg That’s a great moment— justwithaguitar (@justwithaguitar) 1559607882
Viewers were astounded the Hardball team managed to track down the old clip.
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Bravo to your producers who dug this up!— Joshua Grotheer (@Joshua Grotheer) 1559607162
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Kudos to the Hardball team!— One_Spy_Girl (@One_Spy_Girl) 1559607991
@hardball @PeteButtigieg That was great.— Troubles (@Troubles) 1559606777
Buttigieg seeing himself from 16 years ago up on the screen was probably the last thing he expected.
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Pete’s reaction is priceless!— MMiller (@MMiller) 1559609087
The clip also had many viewers missing Dick Gephardt.
@hardball @NBCNews @PeteButtigieg I was one of those young people in 2003 working as a field organizer on Dick Geph… https://t.co/qVAqD5Qwh3— Amy Sholis (@Amy Sholis) 1559618336
Fortunately, the entire Gephardt family was watching and threw their support behind Buttigieg!
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Thanks for making @dickgephardt grandsons Truman and Ernest scream for joy! Really fun to… https://t.co/9KykukCQOn— Tricia Gephardt (@Tricia Gephardt) 1559609169
@TriciaGephardt @hardball @PeteButtigieg @dickgephardt @mattgephardt Hey Truman and Ernest!— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten Buttigieg) 1559610599
@Chas10Buttigieg @hardball @PeteButtigieg @dickgephardt @mattgephardt Waking up to a message from you will send the… https://t.co/h3Znzq666W— Tricia Gephardt (@Tricia Gephardt) 1559612542
The moment, showing how composed Buttigieg even was as a college student, was undeniably adorable.
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Mayor Pete is impressing me...👍👍👍👍— Leighann🏁 (@Leighann🏁) 1559607595
Twitter just wanted to pinch young Mayor Pete's cheeks!
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Cute moment. Love #MayorPete— P.D. White 🇺🇦🌻 (@P.D. White 🇺🇦🌻) 1559606823
@hardball @PeteButtigieg This was actually the best thing I’ve watched like in forever— well (@well) 1559607005
It was also touching to see that Gephardt's advice was taken to heart so thoroughly!
@hardball @PeteButtigieg I loved that. Tears are streaming down my face and my heart is joyful. ❤️😊— Gregory Maldonado (Dr. M) (@Gregory Maldonado (Dr. M)) 1559606112
Then, in yet another surprise twist, Gephardt himself made a special appearance via satellite!
Special @hardball moment at the @PeteButtigieg town hall — @dickgephardt joins live via satellite. Buttigieg asked… https://t.co/bQvLZxKcmL— Jesse Rodriguez (@Jesse Rodriguez) 1559606100
@hardball @PeteButtigieg Full circle experience 🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️— MONSTERS NATION (@MONSTERS NATION) 1559607732
The 2020 Presidential race is far from over, but Mayor Pete Buttigieg seems to be making a good impression wherever he goes.
Pete Buttigieg Responds In Sign Language To Supporter Who Created A Way To Sign 'Buttigieg'
South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg is a polyglot who can speak seven languages, and now we can add an eighth to his already impressive resume.
When a deaf supporter created the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for Pete Buttigieg in a video, the Democratic presidential candidate responded in sign language to express his gratitude.
Mayor Pete's charm and intelligence knows no bounds.
Anderson Pleasants, who describes himself as deaf and hard of hearing on his Twitter profile, posted his demonstration of the ASL sign he came up with for Buttigieg, inspired by Buttigieg's campaign logo evocative of a bridge.
"Given his new logo has the imagery of a bridge and 'build bridges, not walls",' his sign name is P 'bridged' across the chest to B!"
Buttigieg thanked Pleasants for his thoughtful gesture a week later and responded with a hand-wave emoji and a special message in ASL.
@pleasantandy 👋 https://t.co/nMxGk2u76V— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1556126794
Daily Beast reporter Scott Bixby translated Buttigieg's message:
"Hi Andy — thank you for your support, thanks."
Translation: “Hi Andy — thank you for your support, thanks.” A Deaf friend’s verdict: “Not bad!!!” https://t.co/I083EJ4xBM— Scott Bixby (@Scott Bixby) 1556130029
Pleasants even created a sign for Buttigieg's husband, Chasten.
Upon receiving the mayor's heartfelt message, Pleasants said he teared up.
"It means so much to see a major Presidential candidate actively reach across the communication divide to include those like me, especially in a society where the burden of that divide so often rests on the Deaf individual."
Pleasants added:
"Keep signing the sign & walking the walk!"
The general consensus is that Buttigieg is compassionate and inspiring.
@pleasantandy Every day @PeteButtigieg does something that makes me love him more. 😃❤️#PeteButtigieg #Pete2020 #PeteForAmerica— Clara for Sec. Buttigieg & Naruhina 💜🚗🚄✈️🧡 (@Clara for Sec. Buttigieg & Naruhina 💜🚗🚄✈️🧡) 1556137922
@CCorjulo @pleasantandy @PeteButtigieg Welcome to the club! Just when you think you can't respect him any more, he… https://t.co/0WbkhhoPgo— Angel (PA For Pete) (@Angel (PA For Pete)) 1556143511
@pleasantandy It means so much to me too, Andy. My son completely lost hearing in his left ear when he was 10 and n… https://t.co/NGVrMlCkiY— High Street Team (@High Street Team) 1556133826
High marks were given from someone who understands ASL.
@pleasantandy @Chas10Buttigieg As a former ASL interpreter, I’m very pleased to see this! Yet another language on his list. 🤟🏼— Fan of 🇺🇦 💉😷 🐝 (@Fan of 🇺🇦 💉😷 🐝) 1556139148
And Oscar winning actress Marlee Matlin weighed in as well with kudos for Pete reaching out to the deaf community.
Well, @PeteButtigieg, you're the first candidate for President that I've ever seen sign. Bravo! And @pleasantandy I… https://t.co/sGcw0bJ82v— Marlee Matlin (@Marlee Matlin) 1556130801
As did America's Next Top Model and Dancing With the Stars winner Nyle DiMarco.
The youngest person in the Democratic race last impressed people with his language skills when he expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Paris for the Notre Dame cathedral fire.
In French, Buttigieg told a French reporter:
"To the people of France, I would like to say that Notre Dame Cathedral was like a gift to the human race. We share in the pain but we also thank you for this gift to civilization."
@pleasantandy @Chas10Buttigieg It’s so refreshing to see someone be genuinely inclusive to all people. This is just wonderful.— Howard Forman (@Howard Forman) 1556145635
@pleasantandy @Chas10Buttigieg Ok Mayor Pete. You are winning my heart and mind. Thank you for being decent and kind.— susanbd1 (@susanbd1) 1556142726
The "millennial candidate" is proficient in seven languages, including Norwegian, Spanish, Italian, Maltese, Arabic, Dari and French.
He was likely inspired to learn multiple language from his linguist mother, Jennifer Anne Montgomery, who was a professor at Notre Dame for 30 years, according to Heavy.
Buttigieg also taught himself Norwegian so that he could learn to read more books from his favorite Norwegian novelist, Erlend Loe.
@PeteButtigieg @pleasantandy Changing the world, one connection at a time. 💕 https://t.co/HSmaVwyHRO— High Street Team (@High Street Team) 1556130315
His intentional multilingualism and willingness to communicate with different demographics and marginalized communities shows that this 2020 presidential candidate is well-versed at speaking from the heart.
You can learn ASL too. Check out this handy spiral-bound guide to American Sign Language. Be like Pete!
Pete Buttigieg Seriously Impressed Ben Folds After Joining Him On Stage For A Duet In 2015
Popularity for South Bend, Indiana's mayor Pete Buttigieg is soaring after his recent announcement of running as a Democratic candidate for the 2020 presidential election.
The openly gay Democrat's campaign raised $7 million so far, and he tied for the fifth position nationally with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in a recent poll.
Beyond his marriage to husband Chasten Buttigieg last June, not much else was known about the presidential nominee who aims to challenge discriminatory acts against the LGBTQ community.
Turns out, the 37-year-old is a very talented musician. And there is proof.
In 2015, the South Bend mayor expressed interest in joining musician Ben Folds on stage during a concert appearance.
The artist prematurely underestimated Buttigieg's musical capability and asked the sound technician to lower the volume on the piano.
Folds told Esquire his instincts were off.
Here is the YouTube clip of a pre-2020 presidential candidate, mayor Pete Buttigieg, tickling the ivories in the Ben Folds concert in South Bend from 2015.
Mayor Pete plays with Ben Folds & the South Bend Symphony Orchestra for SB150 5-23-15 www.youtube.com
"You know, the mayor sitting in sounds like a possible train wreck," Folds predicted. But after hearing the mayor playing the Ben Folds Five song "Steven's Last Night in Town," Folds changed his tune.
"He and I went over the music quickly and he was obviously a very good pianist—no worries there."
"It was a very difficult song he pulled off. I'm serious. He's a fine player."
The Washington Post confirmed his surging popularity with the viral video.
"Pete Buttigieg is winning the Internet—for what that's worth."
Twitter is impressed with the mayor's mad skills.
My friend just sent me a video of @PeteButtigieg playing piano for @BenFolds and it’s... even better than I could have imagined?— Kristina Koppeser 😑 (@Kristina Koppeser 😑) 1554170249.0
@KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds Well, I guess I’m a lock now.— (((Luke Mosher))) (@(((Luke Mosher)))) 1554174674.0
Just when we thought we couldn't be more impressed.
@KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds He speaks multiple languages, his twitter account rocks, he’s a badass mayor... Who is this warlock?— pete wrigley (@pete wrigley) 1554210771.0
@KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds This is crazy! I thought it was a joke until I watched your video. I had th… https://t.co/rHAiTqon3e— Burn It All Down! (@Burn It All Down!) 1554247129.0
At the time of the concert Folds noticed a uniqueness about the young mayor:
"The thing that struck me about the audience was that Pete's presence didn't elicit the predictable 'political' feel that comes over an audience when they're confronted with a politician."
"Having a politician on is guaranteed to feel a little stiff and usually somewhat divisive at a concert."
"But this was more like having world's most beloved entertainer onstage. Lots of 'PEEEETE!!!' across all types, young and old. And he didn't take the moment to grab the mic and talk or linger on stage. Total class."
The latest viral video of his performance joins his other social media highlights.
In a Facebook post, he described the start of his already chaotic day taking an unexpected turn. The mayor spontaneously married a couple in his constituency minutes before the bride-to-be delivered the couple's baby via a C-section.
"She had the paperwork and everything in a folder along with her hospital papers, and they wanted to see if I could do the honors," he recounted.
"Obviously there's only one answer to that question."
@meatloafcentral @KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds AND he married a couple at 8:15 am in the morning on Monday… https://t.co/QjHEgY4pK2— Lynn Crowell (@Lynn Crowell) 1554307446.0
Buttigieg is not only adept at playing the piano, he could be his own one-man band.
@KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds This is pretty killer too. https://t.co/molvnvBxX0— Kevin J. Prather (@Kevin J. Prather) 1554242884.0
With momentum like this building, he could be unstoppable on the road to 2020.
@KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds Mayor Pete is so accomplished at everything he does...#President Pete— Jennifer (@Jennifer) 1554226840.0
@KristinaLuca @PeteButtigieg @BenFolds Dammit! I'm really trying to stay open-minded about the Dem field, but this… https://t.co/QwH1fyzas2— orgfarmer (@orgfarmer) 1554213029.0
If you didn't know who Pete Buttigieg was, he is quickly becoming a house hold name.
That was a good day https://t.co/adwbuvpshj— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1554201048.0
We look forward to more good days with him. Lots.
New Poll Reveals Growing Majority Of Americans Are Now On Board With A Gay Presidential Candidate
A majority of Americans are in favor of a gay presidential candidate, according to a poll by NBC and the Wall Street Journal.
The poll published in March showed that 68% of Americans do not have issues with a president who identifies as gay or lesbian – with 14% saying they are enthusiastic and 54% saying they are comfortable.
South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, pronounced Boot-edge-edge, is quickly becoming a serious Democratic contender for the 2020 presidential election after his campaign raised $7 million.
The 37-year-old mayor is openly gay and has been married to husband Chasten since last June. Buttigieg's sexuality is not having any negative effects as we head towards 2020 and his popularity begins to surge.
NBC News claims that the favorable numbers are irrelevant to an increasing tolerance for the LGBTQ community among younger voters.
"The share of those under 35 who say they're enthusiastic or comfortable with a gay candidate increased by 28 percentage points between 2006 and now, jumping from 47 percent to 75 percent now."
According to the poll, 58% of those over the age of 65 are either comfortable or enthusiastic about having a gay president, and 75% of those under 35 said they would be comfortable or enthusiastic over a gay president.
As @PeteButtigieg presidential bid makes huge gains, poll shows most Americans are okay with a gay president… https://t.co/waWE28V20L— lgbtchi (@lgbtchi) 1554171735
Twitter is on board with Buttigieg for president.
@TheAdvocateMag I’m in.— k.d. lang (@k.d. lang) 1554313064
@TheAdvocateMag Right man at the right time.— Steve Williams (@Steve Williams) 1554311712
@stonecold2050 Forget his gayness as if that makes the man. Buttigieg is smart, positive, sincere, experienced in g… https://t.co/WcDr91C9Xg— Janet Fisher (@Janet Fisher) 1554157502
@stonecold2050 enthusiastic about AND comfortable with 🤓— Staceyjoy Elkin (@Staceyjoy Elkin) 1554158276
Critics are less concerned about his sexual identity but view the candidate's lack of statewide or federal elected experience as more of a liability.
Overall, concerns about @PeteButtigieg being gay affecting his electability are overblown. The kind of people who w… https://t.co/4LUGVYzke9— Robert Lyons 👨🌾 (@Robert Lyons 👨🌾) 1554159170
@stonecold2050 I don't care what consenting adults do with their sexual preferences. I do care about America, our d… https://t.co/g9UZJ6TBeT— Gia2bella@Gia2Bella (@Gia2bella@Gia2Bella) 1554157451
That said, Buttigieg polled ahead of Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and tied in fifth place with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for fifth place nationally, according to a March Quinnipiac poll.
@stonecold2050 As long as he/she can do the job intelligently, effectively and without corruption doesn't bother m… https://t.co/9VBb8ss4Y6— Lanna (@Lanna) 1554155077
The Democratic candidate supports universal healthcare, labor unions, universal background checks for all firearms transactions, and the Equality Act – which aims to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that discriminates against the LGBTQ community in employment, housing, public education, and federal funding.
In 2015, he came out in the column of the South Bend Tribune, in which he explained why "coming out matters."
"Today it remains legal in most parts of Indiana (though not South Bend) to fire someone simply for being gay, and bullying still contributes to tragically high suicide rates among LGBT teens."
@allinwithchris @PeteButtigieg I really, really like this guy. I was impressed by his clarity of thought. He knew… https://t.co/FN8s9EG4nl— Laura L (@Laura L) 1548295848
He continued:
"Putting something this personal on the pages of a newspaper does not come easy. We Midwesterners are instinctively private to begin with, and I'm not used to viewing this as anyone else's business."
"But it's clear to me that at a moment like this, being more open about it could do some good. For a local student struggling with her sexuality, it might be helpful for an openly gay mayor to send the message that her community will always have a place for her."
"And for a conservative resident from a different generation, whose unease with social change is partly rooted in the impression that he doesn't know anyone gay, perhaps a familiar face can be a reminder that we're all in this together as a community."
In addition to positive social media coverage upping his profile, Jennifer Victor, a political scientist at George Mason University, told Vox that Buttigieg already has a lot going for him.
"He's got the swoon factor, the young factor, the honest-to-the-point-of-vulnerable factor, and he's great on the stump."
"By standard measures, he shouldn't be doing that well, but I think American presidential primary politics are well beyond standard measures."
If elected, Buttigieg will not only become the youngest president of the United States, he will also be the first openly gay president.
Presidential Hopeful Pete Buttigieg Pens Powerful Letter Of Love To Muslim Community After New Zealand Attacks
Indiana mayor and Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg assured the Muslim community in his hometown of South Bend that they have the city's support in the wake of the Christchurch New Zealand terrorist attack.
Friday afternoon's deadly massacre, in which 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant opened fire inside two New Zealand mosques, claimed 49 lives and injured 20 others.
Tarrant, who is charged with murder, had written a 78-page manifesto extolling anti-immigration views and praised white supremacists like Dylan Roof, who shot and killed black churchgoers Charleston, S.C., in 2015.
The South Bend mayor penned a powerful letter after the overseas attack raised fears among the Muslim community in the U.S.
"I know this act of terror was intended to put fear in our hearts, and that the fear was designed to travel around the world," wrote the 38-year-old Democrat in an open letter addressing his city's Muslim residents.
The first openly gay Democrat considering a run for president posted the open letter on Friday as Muslims gathered for their weekly prayer.
"As you gather this evening, I write to tell you that this City is absolutely committed to your safety and well-being."
"I want you to know that this entire City has its arms around you, in love and peace, and that we support you as you practice your faith here in this community, our community, this home we share."
"The diversity of our community is its strength, and the members of the Islamic community have greatly enriched this City, in your worship, in your service, even by the diversity of nationalities among your number."
"We would be poorer without you."
Some words for South Bend's Muslim community. https://t.co/CyLZOrah7b— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1552691615.0
Buttigieg added that an attack on a specific group of people is an attack on us all, and reminded that "white nationalism kills."
An attack on people as they pray peacefully, however they worship and wherever they are, is an attack on us all. Ma… https://t.co/OiTiq7bOm3— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1552660097.0
Charleston. Orlando. Pittsburgh. Christchurch. We face a global epidemic of hate. How we end it is a not just matte… https://t.co/iRPyzZHP0n— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1552689629.0
People like Brett Childs who were previously reticent about supporting the Muslim community broke their silence and joined the Indiana mayor.
@PeteButtigieg Thanks Pete. As a white, aging American male happily residing in New Zealand, I am crushed that a pe… https://t.co/YaDI9LFZdz— Brett Childs (@Brett Childs) 1552660476.0
While Buttigieg has yet to make a formal announcement about running in the 2020 presidential election, people who have not heard of him before are starting to take notice.
@PeteButtigieg this is what leadership looks like— your thoughtful wonk 👩🏻💻☕️ (@your thoughtful wonk 👩🏻💻☕️) 1552661721.0
@PeteButtigieg You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.— Tuxedo Mask (@Tuxedo Mask) 1552708114.0
@lezelmaz @Girlstar68106K @PeteButtigieg I'm not 100% on anyone yet, but this response is impressive. Looking forwa… https://t.co/MIKDDhyDD4— Tuxedo Mask (@Tuxedo Mask) 1552714688.0
@TheLoveBel0w @lezelmaz @Girlstar68106K @PeteButtigieg A week ago, I had barely heard of @PeteButtigieg20. My siste… https://t.co/tAYeoIFG0i— Michele Polk (@Michele Polk) 1552731488.0
@PeteButtigieg Thank you, Mr. President!— heather petropoulos🏳️🌈 (@heather petropoulos🏳️🌈) 1552660936.0
@PeteButtigieg And this is exactly why I will put my support behind you 100% in your run for the White House. You a… https://t.co/7Lt29FaJiW— Susan Mitchell (@Susan Mitchell) 1552691887.0
@PeteButtigieg OMG who ARE you? I mean this as a compliment in the best way possible.— NATTY GANN (@NATTY GANN) 1552693033.0
Buttigieg concluded his letter with:
"You are our teachers and our doctors; our neighbors and our friends. We all live here as one, and whether you grew up right here in South Bend or whether this is your first year in America, you have an equal claim on the blessings of life in this community, and a great deal to contribute. And so we are thankful to count you among us."
The Democratic presidential candidates already crowding the primary field features Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), among others.
But for now, Buttigieg is on everyone's radar during these charged times.