What Are We Even Doing?

Pete Buttigieg is a friend. I've known him for 15 years. He's the same guy I met at the IDEA Convention in French Lick in 2011.

Pete's incredibly smart. He's articulate, and he can communicate a message like few other in political circles. In fact, I'd go as far to say that he's one of the smartest and most well-spoken men I have ever met. Even though he's that smart, he retains the ability to be relatable. If he runs for President in 2028, I will support him. He will be my candidate because I think we need a smart candidate who has proven he can lead whether it be in the Mayor's Office in South Bend or as Secretary of Transportation.

I also get that this is 2026. Many find Pete's brand of politics unpalatable. They want a Democrat who is further left. They want someone who ticks off every box on their bingo card of issues. I know this because I posted a link to an article talking about how Buttigieg is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in a recent Emerson College poll. It didn't take long for people to start opining.

Listen, I'm not here to tell you how to vote or who to vote for. I'm just telling you that whatever candidate prevails throug the 2028 Democratic Primary, Pete or otherwise, will have my vote. I know that there is no purity test when it comes to electing a Democrat in 2028. We need someone with a "D" beside their name to put this country back together from the mess that has been made.

Unfortunately, I'm seeing a trend developing that makes me wonder if other Democrats have that same philosophy. It seems that, for some and not all, it's their candidate or the highway. That disturbs me, and it makes me really wonder what we're even doing out here.

For a more pertinent example that's happening right now, I'm seeing this same mentality on display in our own Secretary of State race here in Indiana. You have delegates out here pledging support to Blythe Potter or Beau Bayh. You also have some, not all, delegates saying they won't vote for the winner of the nomination. I don't get it. Does the Republican platform of election reform appeal to you? Don't you think we need a Democrat in that office to at least advocate and protect our rights from the GOP supermajority. Staying home elects Republicans. Whether it's Beau or Blythe, they need the support of every Democrat they can get.

I know that many of you quit reading by now and are already calling me an "establishment shill" and that's ok. I'm just saying that we have to elect Democrats in 2026 and 2028. I am just urging you to see the big picture.