Thursday, March 28, 2024

Election 2020: Mayor Pete Buttigieg promises to fix the broken politics of Washington

With Super Tuesday coming up, the North Dallas Gazette reached out to a wide range of candidates for national, state and local offices. We will share their responses in their own words to the same questions asked to each candidate. Early voting continues through Feb. 28 with Election Day on Tuesday, March 3.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg has struggled with minority voters despite outreach attempts. As the race moves to more diverse states, will he be able to remain in the top tier? (Courtesy photo)

Today we are looking at the race for the White House.

Although Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyer despite multiple offers, they did not reply. Please note, unfortunately, in an oversight, Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s campaign was not contacted.

However, Mayor Pete Buttigieg did respond, sharing his priorities and how he would begin to work on fixing our democracy many considered very damaged in recent years.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg 

In 50 words or less, relate the knowledge, skills, or experience your candidacy
I worked to transform South Bend from a “blighted ghost town” to a growing city with new industry and innovation. I will offer my experience as a mayor who revitalized our local economy and community, and as a veteran, to unify Americans and build a better future. 

Have you previously been a candidate for this or another office? Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. If “yes,” what year(s) and what office(s)? 2012-2020

What are your top three (3) priorities in this elective office?
My top priorities will be to 1) reach universal health coverage by ensuring that all Americans have an affordable insurance option through my Medicare For All Who Want It plan; 2) tackle the climate crisis by building a clean economy, investing in community resilience and environmental justice, and taking leadership to make this issue a global priority, and 3) build an economy that works for everyone by raising incomes and addressing income inequality, empowering workers to bargain for better pay and working conditions, and closing the gender pay gap. 

If successful, what would you do to improve this office? Please be specific:
As President, I will be committed to fixing our democracy by making it easier to register to vote and exercise the right to vote, stopping partisan gerrymandering, and ensuring that special interests and corporations can no longer dominate our political process. We can only be successful in other critical issues like climate change and gun control if we get our democracy right. 

How would you relate the problems/progress of this public office? Be specific:
I built my campaign on a model of organizing that recognizes the power of grassroots engagement and empowerment. It is a value that I will carry with me into how I will achieve a progressive agenda as President. That begins with reaching out to and engaging organizations that have deep relationships with communities at a grassroots level. I will work with these organizations on the crises facing our nation, from a lack of affordable health care to climate change to an economy that’s clearly not working for everyone. My transition team and administration will identify opportunities for grassroots organizations and diverse community leaders to both participate and help lead in ensuring that diverse voices in communities across America are heard and can help shape our policy agenda. By partnering with these organizations and bringing a variety of perspectives to the table, we can better relate to the problems facing Americans every day and ensure that large-scale policy changes have real, positive impacts in local communities. 

What do citizens deserve from this public office?
Citizens deserve to have a president and a government that is not only reflective and responsive to the needs and vision of its citizens but one that ensures that every person has a place in their democracy. This current president has abandoned the rule of law and America’s leadership abroad. He has taken every opportunity to tip the scales in favor of corporations, the wealthy, and his own agenda, while at the same time supporting policies that lock Americans– particularly people of color–out of opportunity and their democracy. As President, I will bring honor and trust back to the office, rebalance the economy in favor of American families, and work to reverse the impact of the discriminatory policies of this president as well as ones that have been felt for generations. 

How does your character, work ethic or expertise match citizen needs and expectations?
To fix the broken politics of Washington, I believe we need a president who doesn’t represent more of the same, but one that offers a new approach. I’m guided not by Washington experience but by my experience as a middle class, Midwestern mayor who served his country and understands the real impacts of sending our troops overseas and endless wars. I understand the struggles industrial towns with shuttered factories face when dealing with 21st Century economic challenges, and how to bring diverse coalitions together to confront those issues and build a better future that leaves no communities behind. I haven’t had the luxury of looking at these issues from committee rooms. As a Mayor, I’ve had to roll up my sleeves and get things done in partnership with my community–and I believe that’s exactly the perspective we need to build a better America for everyone. 

What, if any, are your campaign promises/pledges to the electorate? Be specific:
I am striving to represent a new generation of leadership and unify Americans from all walks of life to build the nation that we envision for ourselves and future generations. I pledge to secure a future in which every American has the freedom to live a life of their choosing; where our republic grows more and not less democratic; where racial justice is a reality and not a dream; where we’ve put an end to endless war; where we’ve summoned the national will to meet the challenge of climate change; where everyone has the health care they need; and where everyone has the chance to find purpose and belonging in our economy and our country. 

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