The MFJS Reporter — Winter 2020 M-W

Throughout the primary, Buttigieg has distinguished himself as a moderate option, an in-between candidate for anti-Trump voters who don’t want to support the more liberal candidates in the primary.

“I believe the purpose of the presidency is not the glorification of the president, it is the unification and the empowerment of the American people,” said Buttigieg.

Garnering attention as the first openly gay candidate to mount a moderately successful bid for the presidency, Buttigieg has became become known for his unique profile as a gay veteran and small-town mayor.

Recently, though, he has faced increasing blowback for his actions as South Bend mayor that allowed police brutality to fester in the city. In the wake of this, Buttigieg is increasingly unpopular among black voters, something many believe will cost him the nomination.

He spoke at length about unity in a divided era, pushing for policies that he argues already have support among most Americans. Perhaps his crowning policy, which he calls Medicare for All Who Want It, exemplifies Buttigieg’s approach.

” I am here to make the case for a politics that invites everyone in, instead of saying ‘it’s my way or the highway,'” he said.

He explained that this plan would allow Americans to choose whether to accept universal healthcare or keep their private insurance. This plan strikes a middle ground between Sanders and Warren’s more complete Medicare for all plans and the increasingly criticized private insurance of today.

“There is a strong American majority that knows we need a better president, that agrees on who we’re against in the White House, but there’s an even bigger majority that is coming together around what it is we are for,” said an impassioned Buttigieg.

“We already have an American majority for taking action to make sure there is no such thing as an uninsured American, with Medicare for anybody who wants it,” he continued.

Other policies the presidential candidate covered during the town hall were his support of immigration reform and measuring economic success through Americans’ income rather than the stock market.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night, however, came from an unexpected question from a 9-year old boy. The heartwarming moment came as Buttigieg answered questions from the audience that had been collected earlier in the evening.

Colorado Secretary of State Jenna Griswold, who had joined Buttigieg on stage, read the question aloud,

“Thank you for being so brave, would you help me tell the world I’m gay, too? I want to be brave like you.” The boy, who has been identified as 9-year-old Zachary Ro, was then brought up on stage.

“I don’t think you need a lot of advice from me on bravery,” said Buttigieg, met with cheers from the onlooking audience members.

Buttigieg followed this with a few pieces of advice for Ro, saying, “You’ll never know who’s taking their lead from you, who’s watching you and deciding that they can be a little braver because you have been brave.”

This touching exchange was easily the highlight of a town hall otherwise filled with simple policy talk, and perhaps, though it is unlikely that Mayor Pete will be successful in his presidential bid, it illustrates the importance of his campaign. While his opponents have criticized plenty about Buttigieg’s politics, his candidacy is certainly a landmark for LGBT citizens, and in his own words, you’ll never know who’s taking their lead from you.