Buttigieg Gets Big Boost
Strong early performances can be a good indicator of how far a candidate will go.  Exploratory candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg, an unknown to many, received a big boost from his March 10 CNN town hall appearance at SXSW.  During and after the event his exploratory committee sent out a total of five "What People Are Saying..." emails, each loaded with favorable Tweets.  Longshots U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and former U.S. Rep. John Delaney also did CNN town halls at SXSW,  received no such raves (compare the Delaney release at bottom).

What People Are Saying During Mayor Pete Buttigieg's Live CNN Town Hall at SXSW

"Not sure anyone else in the field right now compares"..."underestimate Pete Buttigieg at your own peril"..."he just crushed @VP"..."very much at home"..."he naturally connects"..."more and more impressed"..."something special"

Neil King  @NKingofDC
Pete Buttigieg has an insane degree of natural sure-footed clarity in answering every question that comes his way during this CNN town hall. Not sure anyone else in the field right now compares.

Jonathan Capehart  @CapehartJ
That's an incredible SCOTUS idea that @PeteButtigieg just discussed. #CNNTownHall

Mo Elleithee  @MoElleithee
Note to 2020 Democratic candidates and reporters covering the race: underestimate @PeteButtigieg at your own peril.

Jen Psaki  @jrpsaki
I am a longtime Mayor Pete fan, but he is really good at this  @CNN townhall.  Smart authentic and he just crushed @VP

Stephanie Cutter  @stefcutter
@PeteButtigieg just makes sense.    That’s all.   #CNNTownHall

Jonathan Capehart @CapehartJ
Already.... Only two questions in,  Mayor @PeteButtigieg is showing why you should keep an eye on him. #CNNTownHall

James Fallows  @JamesFallows
This likely has no bearing on long-term outcome, and my view is, “Let them all run, and we’ll see whose message catches out.” But:

@PeteButtigieg is very much at home in this town-hall format.  (On CNN right now.)

Brandon Shaw  @Shawzyy
Anyone else spending their Sunday night watching @PeteButtigieg crush it on CNN?

Ben White  @morningmoneyben
If you are just tuning into to @PeteButtigieg via this town hall, what he's talking about now, his vision as a millennial for what the U.S. will look like many decades hence, is part of my upcoming @politico Money podcast on the world the Boomers left us. It's good stuff.

Hanna Trudo  @HCTrudo
.@PeteButtigieg just causally said: “I can see my twitter mentions blowing up right now.” As a young presidential candidate, he naturally connects with the way many other young people talk. #CNNTownHall

Hanna Trudo  @HCTrudo
.@PeteButtigieg, in his #CNNTownHall, just got at a key aspect of the word "work" that other 2020 candidates haven't quite framed this way: That taking care of a sick parent or child is also work, and that the definition needs to be expanded #SXSW

SCOTT JONES  @FOX59SJONES
Audience getting to know “Mayor Pete” from South Bend for President.  He doesn’t have typical political answers and crowd is reacting increasingly enthusiastic

Neil King  @NKingofDC
Highly recommending Mayor Pete's townhall on CNN right now. He's quite the force.

Steven Ward  @stevenbward
.@PeteButtigieg has enormous potential. He's a bright guy who's accomplished more than most would in their entire lives, but I also think it's too early for him to run the country. I'd like to see him show some success at his state level 1st. Data is democratic. Stop regulating.

Jesse Ferguson  @JesseFFerguson
If you're not watching @PeteButtigieg in his CNN Town Hall, it is your loss.

Maximillian Potter  @maxapotter
This @PeteButtigieg cat is for REAL. #CNNTownHall

Isaac Wright  @Izac_Wright
If there is a "bringing solutions" lane in a political culture too often dominated by platitudes, that's been the focus of this @PeteButtigieg #CNNTownHall

Isaac Wright  @Izac_Wright
@PeteButtigieg invoking Matthew 25 about taking care of the sick, the poor, the immigrant was powerful.  I hope that moment makes the news tomorrow.

Isaac Wright  @Izac_Wright
Powerful point by @PeteButtigieg that this election is not only about defeating Trump, but also defeating his style of insidious politics and getting it out of our system of government and discourse.

Chris Lu  @ChrisLu44
Watching @PeteButtigieg on #CNNTownHall reminds me of why I ditched my rule about not going to a dentist or doctor younger than me. Age isn't a measure of experience, wisdom and judgment.

Ian Schafer  @ischafer
Every time I listen to @PeteButtigieg, I get more and more impressed. He is the real deal and whatever happens I hope he continues to give as a civil servant.

Andrew Weinstein  @Weinsteinlaw
Watching @PeteButtigieg on #CNNTownHall tonight. His responses are thoughtful and informed. He’s got a real future in the Democratic Party.

Seth Abramson @SethAbramson
Everyone should be watching @CNN right now. @PeteButtigieg is absolutely killing this town hall. I'm not endorsing anyone or putting anyone else down—at all—I'm just saying this guy, who I didn't know anything about before tonight, seems extremely impressive. So many smart ideas.

James Surowiecki  @JamesSurowiecki
If Pete Buttigieg can get me and Seth Abramson to agree, you know he’s something special.

Sharky Laguana  @Sharkyl
Ok take a couple minutes and watch @PeteButtigieg on #CNNTownHall right now. I was skeptical when I first heard about him, but he really is impressive.

Ameshia Cross  @AmeshiaCross
This townhall is making me want to give @PeteButtigieg a 2nd look. He is clearly well-versed, prepared and out to prove that his age & moreover his varied experience is a strength in this crowded presidential field  #CNNTownHall

Schooley  @Rschooley
One positive of a crowded primary field is to remind people Democrats have voices like Pete Buttigieg out there with vision and compassion, while Republicans are represented by dudes like Matt Gaetz.

Gregory Louganis  @greglouganis
There are some impressive candidates for the #DemocraticParty nomination. @PeteButtigieg is most certainly one of them. Incredibly smart and qualified. #veteran #petebuttigieg #lgbtq #EqualityForAll

Allison Winn Scotch  @aswinn
Replying to @drea_kilmer @PeteButtigieg and 2 others
He is so articulate and smart. If it’s not this round, I hope it’s in the future. #CNNTownHall

Joseph Amodeo  @josephamodeo
.@PeteButtigieg is so smart, engaging, and articulate. He is the future of the Democratic party and the United States of America. He makes me proud to be an American. #CNNTownHall #PeteButtigieg

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March 10, 2019  7:31 p.m.

What People Are Saying After Mayor Pete Buttigieg's Live CNN Town Hall at SXSW

"Monstrous buzz"..."crisp, thoughtful, and relatable"..."going to be a contender"..."value of listening"..."refreshing"..."by far most substantive and polished candidate"..."beacon of hope"

Mark McKinnon  @mmckinnon
Replying to @danbalz @PeteButtigieg
For a guy who hardly anyone knows, with no $$, and a name no one can pronounce, @PeteButtigieg has monstrous buzz. Says a lot about his raw talent that he'd stand out this much this early.

David Axelrod  @davidaxelrod
I have rarely seen a candidate make better use of televised Town Hall than @PeteButtigieg is on @CNN tonight.  Crisp, thoughtful and relatable.  He’ll be a little less of a long shot tomorrow.

Neil King  @NKingofDC
Pete Buttigieg is going to be a contender.

Dan Balz  @danbalz
In his CNN town hall, @PeteButtigieg highlights the value of listening to questioners and responding with clarity and depth. Q and A on a high plain. Refreshing.

Steve Benjamin  @SteveBenjaminSC
Mayor Pete really killed it tonight!

Joshua Zitser  @mrjoshz
Mayor Pete is the dark horse we all deserve. @PeteButtigieg

Robert Costa @costareports
This Buttigieg town hall is worth watching. Polished and thoughtful presentation with clear answers. Underscores military exp. Of course, it’s a big field and he’s a young Midwestern mayor. But he’s using his time on stage effectively here. This is a focused candidate.

Josh Rubin  @jrubin
@PeteButtigieg is by far the most substantive and polished candidate at the #CNNTownHall. It’s not even close.

Jesse Lehrich  @JesseLehrich
underestimate Mayor @PeteButtigieg at your own risk.

Jessica Yarvin @jyarvin
Even with such a big field so early, Buttigieg has managed to create a lane of his own and it’s just not “the ultimate underdog lane” says a lot about him but also Dems not really coalescing around candidates yet and wanting to hear from most everyone running

Brian Fallon  @brianefallon
Not sure whom I will support yet but going to make a donation to Pete Buttigieg to help make sure he can participate in the DNC debates

Tim Rock  @Mrtimrock
.@PeteButtigieg is proving himself a beacon of hope for America’s future. I haven’t been this calm since 2016.  #CNNTownHall

Francisco Sanchez  @DisasterPIO
Meeting ⁦@PeteButtigieg⁩: Refreshing to have a presidential candidate that knows firsthand what it’s like to respond to increasing floods at the local level.

Sal Albanese  @SalAlbaneseNYC
My wife is now informing me she’s sending a donation to Mayor Pete to help ensure he is invited to national debates. This after his impressive appearance on @CNN

Leah Litman  @LeahLitman
.@PeteButtigieg crushed it 👏🙌

Jennifer Rubin  @JRubinBlogger
Replying to @HCTrudo @PeteButtigieg
He should be eating Bernie's lunch with younger voters.

Ammar Campa-Najjar  @ACampaNajjar
I really respect and admire @PeteButtigieg — great job during today’s town hall.

He’s the future no doubt.

Karen Tumulty  @ktumulty
Collective opinion of Twitter tonight: @PeteButtigieg is dreamy.

Andrew Noyes  @anoyes
Fantastic #CNNTownHall w/ @PeteButtigieg at #SXSW

Jennifer Hale  @jhaletweets
yep. been impressed w him  from the minute he stepped into the race.

@PeteButtigieg

Robert Wolf  @robertwolf32
Fantastic #CNNTownHall w @PeteButtigieg & @jaketapper
As Mayor “one thing you’ve never heard of is a city shutting down because they couldn’t agree on a policy...unthinkable”
“More years of govt experience than Pres...low bar.more military experience  since George HW Bush” 👏🇺🇸

Ameshia Cross  @AmeshiaCross
The Midwest is known for bringing presidential heavy hitters....@PeteButtigieg is not here to disappoint #CNNTownhall

Matt Glantz  @MattGlantz
Long time coming, but I have a feeling everybody is going to know the name @PeteButtigieg come tomorrow!

#LFG

Jimmy Dahman  @JDahmanIII
Bold democracy reforms are going to be required to address all the of the other crises we’re facing. Glad @PeteButtigieg is talking voting rights, abolishing electoral college, Supreme Court reform, etc etc.

Lea Black  @LeaBlackMiami
@PeteButtigieg just did a very nice job on @CNN with @jaketapper   A very likable common sense guy. Presidential Candidate

Ameshia Cross  @AmeshiaCross
Truth. @PeteButtigieg has gripped everyone's attention tonight. He is on fire, he came prepared and his focused responses get to the heart of our nation's most pressing issues.

Leah D. Daughtry  @LeahDaughtry
@PeteButtigieg doing himself a world of good with this @CNN Town Hall.

Joseph Amodeo  @josephamodeo
.@PeteButtigieg should be @POTUS. He would restore the dignity of the office and would fight for a better and more equal America for all. As a country, we need a leader and #MayorPete is ready for the job. #CNNTownHall #SXSW

Morgan Polikoff  @mpolikoff
I think @PeteButtigieg comes across as smart and likable. And his politics seem just fine. He’s clearly going for the “not just another Washington politician” vote.

Rakesh Satyal  @rakeshsatyal
Pete Buttigieg has it. I love him.

Gregg Kilday  @gkilday
Mayor @PeteButtigieg really feels like the real thing.

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March 10, 2019  8:36 p.m.

What People Are Saying After Mayor Pete Buttigieg's Live CNN Town Hall

"Light years ahead in substance and seriousness"..."same experience with Obama's DNC speech"..."feeling hopeful"..."smooth but not rehearsed"..."really funny"..."unafraid candor and moral clarity"..."impressive since Day 1"

Yashar Ali   @yashar
This moment during the @PeteButtigieg town hall with @jaketapper made me emotional. A discussion of something silly like the spousal bickering of a same-sex couple treated normally is something I wish I had as a kid. We don't want special rights. We want what everyone else has

Bradley Whitford  @WhitfordBradley
Every time out,@PeteButtigieg crushes it. Every. Time.

Bradley Whitford  @WhitfordBradley
@PeteButtigieg. I’m tellin’ ya.

Shannon Watts  @shannonrwatts
Grateful for the candidacy of @PeteButtigieg, a strong gun safety champion. He’s not just in favor of stronger gun laws - he’s making it a priority in his policy platform. We shouldn’t tolerate any less from any candidate. #CNNTownHall Mayor Pete pic.twitter.com/Y4uf3GMpF4

Shannon Watts  @shannonrwatts
I raised a gay daughter in Indiana and I know first-hand that it’s not the most hospitable place for the LGBTQ community (thanks in large part to former Gov Mike Pence). Grateful for Hoosier role models like Mayor Pete. #CNNTownHall

Shannon Watts  @shannonrwatts
I guess I was impressed with @PeteButtigieg ‘s #CNNTownHall performance because I’m following his dogs (@firstdogsSB) on twitter now.

Steven Shepard  @POLITICO_Steve
This would have been a good line for the Democratic vice presidential candidate in a debate against Pence next October — a role for which Buttigieg looked like a real prospect tonight.

Mimi Rocah  @Mimirocah1
Just learning about @PeteButtigieg. On a really basic level, there’s something unique about the way he speaks - knowledgeable & smart without sounding pompous, serious but not stiff, smooth but not rehearsed. Really impressed & want to learn more.

Wajahat Ali  @WajahatAli
Replying to @Mimirocah1 @PeteButtigieg
He will be a future star of the party. He's been impressive since Day 1.

Miranda Yaver  @mirandayaver
Replying to @Mimirocah1 @PeteButtigieg
He does a really excellent job of reclaiming the language of "freedom," calling out the right for talking only about freedom from government despite people not being truly free when one can be discriminated against because of who one loves. I've been immensely impressed by him.

Molly Jong-Fast  @MollyJongFast
He’s a Rhodes scholar, a veteran, a mayor and a husband (@Chas10Buttigieg) and also a friend. I just feel lucky to know @PeteButtigieg

Jennifer Rubin  @JRubinBlogger
Replying to @JesseLehrich @PeteButtigieg @AOC
@PeteButtigieg is light years ahead in substance and seriousness. A world of diff between exec and legis exper

Alexander Nazaryan  @alexnazaryan
text from my friend in Brooklyn: "At Branded Saloon on Vanderbilt watching the CNN Town Hall with Mayor Pete. At least 30 people watching in the back room on a projector. Standing room only. He's really funny."

Alexander Nazaryan  @alexnazaryan
And, no, he didn't cast off a MAGA hat halfway through the affair. He is a lifelong Democrat. But he is one of several people who told me, since my @PeteButtigieg profile was published, that he has been impressed by the gentleman from South Bend.

Jenna Stern  @JennaStern
Replying to @KSilverhill @BarackObama @PeteButtigieg
Yup. Same experience with Obama’s DNC speech... and feeling hopeful this evening. @PeteButtigieg

Jennifer Hale  @jhaletweets
Replying to @janemarielynch @PeteButtigieg @CNN
most definitely.  so much common sense and so many good ideas.

not as much a politician, but an actual leader

Dennis Herring  @dcherring
yo Pence. consider your cage rattled- by Mayor Pete.

#Boot-Edge-Edge

johntdrake  @johntdrake
Pretty big fan of Mayor Pete!

Joel Braunold  @braunold
Well @PeteButtigieg done something amazing - @davidaxelrod and @ggreenwald both tweeted nice things about him this evening - well done mate!

Adam Rifkin  @ifindkarma
Replying to @TorySnyc @pithywidow
I could listen to Pete Buttigieg talk for hours, too.

I hope he stays in the race for a while.

Jesse Lehrich  @JesseLehrich
.@PeteButtigieg & @AOC's politics & personalities are very different, but in many ways, they are both so effective for the same reason:

they speak with unafraid candor and moral clarity at a moment that is desperate for it.

Kay Hanley  @kayhanley
Replying to @taphilips @max_e_bernstein @PeteButtigieg
I am so crushed out on Mayor Buttigieg. Sign me up all day everyday until Nov 2020.

Kay Hanley  @kayhanley
Have I mentioned that I am 100% behind @PeteButtigieg for President?

Allison Winn Scotch  @aswinn
Replying to @yashar @PeteButtigieg @jaketapper
He was excellent on all counts tonight. Flawless. I hope he makes it to the wider stage bc I think he could be underestimated.

MeredithGould  @MeredithGould
I confess: I want a woman president for (a) change but I'm keeping my eye and heart on @PeteButtigieg. Refreshing, smart, and fully present.

Irish Dave  @iamirishdave
America is taking notice of @PeteButtigieg - he really elevated himself tonight on #CNNTownHall

Michael Li  @mcpli
We’ll see if he can build on it, but based on the reaction of politically engaged friends around the country @PeteButtigieg seems to have gained some ground/generated interest from his time at #sxsw this weekend.

Derek Schultz  @Schultz975
Replying to @BGlasgow37 @PeteButtigieg
He's incredibly intelligent and poised. I had no doubt that he would shine in the national spotlight.

Jake Whittenberg  @jwhittenbergK5
He has a very calming presence. I’ve heard that from several people that’ve interviewed @PeteButtigieg.

Josh Marshall  @joshtpm
With @PeteButtigieg in the news here’s the interview I did with him almost two years ago. listennotes.com/podcasts/the-j…

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March 10, 2019  10:01 p.m.

What People Are Saying After Pete Buttigieg's CNN Town Hall

"innovative and results-oriented"..."don't sleep on this guy"..."definitely someone to pay attention to"..."he makes so much freakin sense"..."breath of fresh air"..."bright future"..."can't wait to hear more"

billy eichner  @billyeichner
Not sure who I’m supporting yet but I know I want @PeteButtigieg to get a chance to join the debate. Join me in making a donation here to make sure he gets there! secure.actblue.com/donate/petebut…

Andrew Zimmern  @andrewzimmern
Please help... @PeteButtigieg will make all the debates better

David Rothkopf  @djrothkopf
Replying to @MollyJongFast @Chas10Buttigieg @PeteButtigieg
Agree.  Just met him once but have followed him closely and think @PeteButtigieg is great.  And let's not constantly write off young leaders as stars of tomorrow.  We can use them right now.  We need them.

Betsy Hodges  @BetsyHodges
Look, you don’t have to declare but trust me, @PeteButtigieg on the debate stage will make the debates better. He needs 65,000 donors to get there. Even $3 counts.

Ned Price  @nedprice
This is true. But @PeteButtigieg has also consistently put forward some of the most innovative and results-oriented thinking we’ve heard in the Democratic race to-date. Hopefully that will get just as much coverage going forward.

Jess O'Connell  @JessOConnell
Without a doubt, we need to hear more from @PeteButtigieg on a national stage. 🇺🇸

Cody Permenter  @somecody
The first 2020 candidate’s campaign I’ve donated to and the one I’m genuinely most excited for is @PeteButtigieg.

Our country needs to hear more from him. #PeteforAmerica 🇺🇸

John Ziegler  @Zigmanfreud
Pete Buttigieg is going to have his moment in the Democratic primaries. His biography is too unique, and his delivery is too good, for that not to happen. It may be a leap for him to get the nomination, but he’s clearly going to be on most other’s list of top VP contenders.

Moisés Chiullán  @moiseschiu
watch Pete Buttigieg’s CNN town hall. It’s nice to be spoken to rather than “talked at”. Don’t sleep on this guy.

Aditi Juneja  @AditiJuneja3
My whole TL is about @PeteButtigieg. 👀

Jessica Ellis  @baddestmamajama
Replying to @jehorowitz @CNN and 2 others
He’s lovely. Can’t wait to hear more from him.

Ben Grimes ★  @softreeds
Tonight I'm going to dream about a Pete Buttigieg presidency.

Roy Bahat  @roybahat
Less than "does their dance card of policy views match mine," what we are backing is someone's judgment. Seems @PeteButtigieg has an avalanche of that.

Ken Olin  @kenolin1
I like @PeteButtigieg. Definitely someone to pay attention to.

Joel Braunold  @braunold
Replying to @PeteButtigieg @DNC
Did it - looking forward to seeing you on the main stage

Jennifer Hale  @jhaletweets
i know it's a lot of @PeteButtigieg tonight, I just can't help it. 
it's so refreshing to hear someone not posturing or so completely full of sh*t

he makes so much freakin sense.

Derek Kitchen  @derekkitchen
What a breath of fresh air. @PeteButtigieg did great tonight. It was great to hear his well-thought responses to important policy Q’s #2020

Emma Vigeland  @EmmaVigeland
So... This Pete Buttigieg guy is legit, huh?

Adam Best  @adamcbest
Judging from tonight’s #CNNTownHall, Pete Buttigieg will be a nightmare for candidates to deal with during the debates. His answers were a rare mix of down-to-earth and modern delivered with lightening quick wit and some guts.

Scott Feinberg  @ScottFeinberg
Raves pouring in for Buttigieg after his CNN town hall. I saw him on Colbert and heard him on Preet and was similarly impressed. Not sure he’s electable as prez, and all any Dem should care about is picking whoever has the best shot at beating Trump... but he has a bright future.

Jordan Horowitz  @jehorowitz
If, in the wake of his incredible @CNN Town Hall, you’re as blown away by @PeteButtigieg as @juliahartowitz and I are, I stongly encourage you to donate. Mayor Pete is the future. PeteforAmerica.com

Julia Hart  @juliahartowitz
oh my goodness @PeteButtigieg just knocked my socks off. if you haven't watched the @CNN town hall. do yourself a favor and watch it.

Schooley  @Rschooley
Watching @PeteButtigieg tonight it really brought home how all polling before the debates begin is worthless. And how much smarter these debates will be than

Emerson Collins  @ActuallyEmerson
Wee have decided to stan @PeteButtigieg’s dogs.

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March 11, 2019  12:13 p.m.

What People Are Saying About Mayor Pete Buttigieg's Impressive Town Hall Performance

"every time he opens his mouth, things get better"..."more than a novelty act"..."going to make some noise"..."can stand up to the president"..."should be on the stage"..."Mayor Pete-mentum"..."very talented"..."gained something yesterday"..."that was a moment"..."rising star in our party"..."somebody I would not sleep on"

Morning Joe: Mika Brzezinski: That was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who had an impressive town hall last night on the heels of his interview with us last month. And I don’t know about you Joe, but I feel like he’s a real candidate.

Joe Scarborough: Boy he is so talented.

Mika Brzezinski: Every time he opens his mouth, things get better, they don’t get worse.
...
Joe Scarborough: He’s gifted and he’s more than just sort of this novelty act, more than just sort of the young candidate. I think he’s going to make some noise.

CNN New Day: Jeff Zeleny: Well look I think it’s a big introduction point...I think the most significant thing he did was show that yes he can stand up to the president, at least rhetorically, and the vice president. He also is able to point out his military service.
...
So I think that he introduced himself and it starts there, but he’s going to have to do a lot more of that to break into these early state polls. But last night I think without a doubt he showed that he should be on the stage.

CNN Inside Politics: Jonathan Martin: I think anytime you can get that kind of national TV exposure when you aren’t really that well known, it’s a huge asset for a candidate
...
when it comes to Mayor Pete, I think it does say a lot about what the incentives are in this era. A very talented politician taking a pass on statewide office to go directly from running for mayor to running for president. What’s the downside of that?
...
Either way, you are showing your stuff and punching your ticket via this long national campaign for president. It really does tell us something about how people rise now in the political stratosphere.

Eliana Johnson: The reason why I think that this town hall was a success for Mayor Pete was that he did impress some people like David Axelrod...but right now a lot of these Democratic candidates aren’t household names and the point of going to a South by Southwest is...to get people paying attention to that and I think that was a success for him.

MSNBC Velshi and Ruhle: Adrienne Elrod: I mean he had what we call a moment in politics. It’s really hard to break through when you’ve got 15 or 20 people running in a different kind of primary, but he had a moment last night. I think you’re gonna see a lot more of that coming from him. He’s a rising star in our party, whether or not he does as well, we’ll see what happens in 2020, but he’s got a bright future in front of him.

Evan Siegfried: He is somebody who could find himself on the main debate stage by the sheer force of will. He has a very interesting experience, and he recognizes, “yes, I’m the only millennial in this race running.” I think that that is actually a plus. He takes a very different attack to politics and it’s very relatable. He’s somebody I would not sleep on.

Esquire: South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg Just Proved He's One to Watch for 2020
By Gabrielle Bruney

After turning in an incredibly effective appearance at a CNN town hall event Sunday, Buttigieg’s star seems to be rising. Here’s what you need to know about the young presidential candidate.
...
His campaign will undoubtedly receive a major boost from this polished and viral town hall performance...And he's already attracted praise from influential Democrats, including Barack Obama, who, at the end of his presidency, identified Buttigieg as one of the party's rising stars.

Above the Law: Pete Buttigieg Is The Only Democrat Making Sense About The Supreme Court Right Now
By Elie Mystal

Buttigieg has actually announced he’s running for president, and he’s got a platform that should be appealing to anybody who knows that the future of the Supreme Court is on the ballot this election, as it is every election.
...
This is how Democrats should be talking about the Supreme Court, and none of them are. NONE of them are saying anything more about the Supreme Court other than some platitudes about which justices they’ll appoint. None of them have addressed the fact that the Republicans STOLE a seat on the Supreme Court last time, and none of them seem to have any plan for what to do about it.

Pete Buttigieg is talking about it, and he’s willing to consider actual plans to fix it. If Democrats could get their heads out of their asses about personality and name recognition, actually talking about how we’re going to FIX the courts should be at the top of any list of serious policy concerns.
...
The reforms only Buttigieg is talking about need to be part of the Democratic discussion for 2020. This man here gets it. If you care about the Supreme Court, you better learn to pronounce his name.

Ava DuVernay  @ava
I didn’t know who Pete Buttigieg was until this moment. But now he’s on my radar. Say that, Pete! #hypocrites

Christopher Cabaldon @mayorcabaldon
The right Yogi Berra-inspired quote isn't "Everyone loves Mayor @PeteButtigieg, he can't win", its "It isn't over 'til its over". Heck, it isn't even the 1st inning yet. But the @CNN Town Hall scouting report last night was equal parts impressive & inspiring.

Laurence Tribe @tribelaw
Laurence Tribe Retweeted Jorie graham
.@PeteButtigieg is so worth watching. Glad America’s most distinguished contemporary poet, @jorie_graham, finds him impressive too.

Dustin Lance Black  @DLanceBlack
BRAVO @PeteButtigieg. It IS time for a FEDERAL EQUALITY ACT to protect all LGBTQ AMERICANS from being fired, kicked out of their homes, or denied services just because of who they are and who we love.

Patti Solis Doyle  @PattiSolisDoyle
It appears I am going to have to learn to pronounce @PeteButtigieg last name. He kicked ass last night at @CNN townhall

Parker Molloy  @ParkerMolloy
Buttigieg's been really impressive so far. His lack of name-recognition is a tough challenge to overcome, but after 2016, I know better than to count anyone out.

Brian Fallon  @brianefallon
Pete Buttigieg Is The Only Democrat Making Sense About The Supreme Court Right Now
abovethelaw.com/2019/03/pete-b…

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March 16, 2019 fundraising email
We hit the 65,000 donor goal

Hi there, 

We did it: We hit the 65,000 donor goal. Thank you. I'm so grateful for your support. 

When we first learned about the DNC’s requirement of 65,000 individual donors in order to be invited to the debate stage in June, we weren’t even close. 

The size of our email list was about a third of that, and our social audiences (combined) were about half. I didn’t have the network of a millionaire, nor was I well known.

But we are building a community that believes in this bold vision for the future, and there are tens of thousands of people (76,025 to be exact) around the country who invested because they believe a midwestern, millennial, war veteran, mayoral voice should be a part of the conversation.

You helped us get to the 65,000 donor requirement, and I promise to do my part on that stage. I will prepare. I will speak with conviction. I will answer questions fully and honestly. I won’t be petty or disingenuous. We saw what a national audience from the CNN Town Hall can do for awareness and fundraising -- the debates will help, too.

But we are going to need to raise (a lot) more money in order to actually be able to compete. I know I can hold my own on the debate stage and represent your values with honor and integrity, but I need to know we can build a strong organization, too. 

Will you commit to be a part of our fundraising efforts? We don’t just want you to “double down,” or “chip in.” We want to know how you can help make a difference to our efforts -- not just right now, but also next month, next quarter, and next year.

Take a minute to tell us how you can be a part of our fundraising goals.

Our fundraising efforts are far from over -- they are just beginning -- and I need you to own this with us. If we can make this something we do together, we can commit to doing online fundraising differently -- authentically, like real people, not optimized algorithms. 

As always, I’ll be honest and transparent with you about deadlines, and our team will lay out clear strategies for how we’ll meet our goals. 

Claiming ownership over our fundraising goal does not mean donating over and over and over again, although we are going to ask you to help when you can.

If we only received donations from folks on this email list, we wouldn’t have made it to our goal yet. Your own donations got us pretty far, but it was the organizing work you did building our community through the Grassroots Fundraising Team; sharing on social media; and talking with, texting, and emailing your friends and family that truly made the difference. 

98% of all the donations we received were under $200, and 66% of the total amount raised came in through contributions under $200. These type of metrics show widespread support. That’s because of the organizing work you’ve done.

Please tell us how you can continue to help reach our fundraising goals: 

https://www.peteforamerica.com/commit-to-fundraising

Thanks again, 

Pete

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Friends of John Delaney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 11, 2019
CONTACT: Ahmed Elsayed

ICYMI – Delaney Impresses During CNN Town Hall Sunday Night