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Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former mayor Pete Buttigieg returns to Iowa to 'campaign for values,' not run for office
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said he is campaigning for a set of values, not for a return to political office, as he stumped in Iowa this week — even as his return to public-facing events has sparked speculation about a 2028 presidential run. 'Right now, I'm not running for anything,' he told reporters following an event that organizers said drew about 1,800 people in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, May 13. 'And part of what's exciting and compelling about an opportunity like this is to be campaigning for values and for ideas, rather than a specific electoral campaign.' It was a homecoming of sorts for Buttigieg, who traveled extensively in Iowa over the course of his 2020 presidential primary campaign, rising from an unknown Indiana mayor to top-tier presidential contender. 'It feels really good to be back in Iowa,' he said to cheers. 'Anyone can come to Iowa just before an election is coming up, I wanted to make sure I had a chance to talk with the people I got to know five or six years ago and people I'm seeing for the very first time.' The town hall was hosted by the progressive veterans organization, VoteVets Action Fund, and is part of a broader effort by the group to drive national conversations about veterans' issues. It was a standing-room-only crowd at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids. Buttigieg spoke for about 20 minutes before taking questions from the crowd for about an hour. Those questions covered a range of veterans' issues, as well as some that were more focused on the existential questions facing the Democratic Party and the country. Buttigieg said that in order for Democrats to convert potential voters, they have to have a more coherent vision for the future. 'Even in this moment, when opposition to the abuses coming out of Washington has never mattered more, this isn't just about what we are trying to block,' he told the crowd. 'It's about what we are determined to build. It's about what could be better — what will be better if we follow the guiding lights of this country.' His appearance comes as Iowa Democrats continue to grapple with the fallout of brutal 2024 election losses and as they begin to put together a strategy attempting to regain ground in 2026. A series of Democratic candidates have announced they will run for various offices of late, including state Auditor Rob Sand, who launched a gubernatorial campaign a day earlier. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, who was in attendance, said Democrats in the state are looking for someone to give them hope. 'They want to see that Democrats are fighting back, that they are providing truth,' she said. 'There's just so many issues that people are upset about. They've got a lot of emotion, but they want to see some hope for the future.' Buttigieg said that even though it's difficult to watch the Republican policies being enacted, it's a moment to step up and create change. 'What makes America great is its ability to wrestle with its darkest demons and come out stronger and better for it,' he said. Dubuque resident Kenneth Miller Jr., said he supported Buttigieg for president during his 2020 Iowa Caucus run, and he appreciated hearing him again in Cedar Rapids. Miller, a U.S. Navy veteran, said he agrees with Buttigieg that Democrats need to do a better job of talking about the things they support rather than focusing on their opponents. 'It's common sense,' he said. "… He speaks in complete sentences. He explains himself. (It's) something we don't get anymore nowadays from most politicians, including the one that's running the show.' Although Iowa no longer leads off Democrats' presidential nominating calendar, Buttigieg's return still sparked questions about his future White House aspirations. He recently passed on running for U.S. Senate in Michigan, fueling speculation that he could be eyeing another presidential run in 2028. And his appearance in Cedar Rapids was his first public in-person event since leaving his Cabinet post in January. He declined to weigh in when asked by reporters whether Iowa should reclaim its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. But he touted what the caucus experience did for his rise. 'People like me are takers and not makers of the rules on that,' he said. 'What I will say is that Iowa showed me what can happen through a process where you have to be in backyards and do four town halls a day. It made it possible for somebody like me to emerge as a national figure, and it certainly made me better, not just as a candidate, but I think ultimately, as a public servant, when I did have the opportunity to serve in the Capitol.' Buttigieg told reporters that 'maybe' the Democratic Party would have been better off if Joe Biden hadn't initially decided to run for president. 'And, you know, right now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that's the case,' he said. 'We're also not in a position to wallow in hindsight. We've got to get ready for some fundamental tests of the future of this country and this party, some of which are going on this very year, many of which will come next year.' Republicans were dismissive of Buttigieg's presence in the state. Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement that Trump has followed through on his promises to veterans 'while Democrats play politics with their care.' "President Trump made veterans a top priority, delivering real results — not empty rhetoric,' he said in a statement. 'Whether it was improving health care access, cutting waste, or ending DEI nonsense at the VA, he focused on honoring those who served.' And Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Buttigieg's visit amounts to 'phony political theater.' "Democrats in Iowa are completely out of touch, parachuting in a failed radical who supports biological men in girls' sports, free healthcare for illegal immigrants, and allowing illegals to decide our elections,' she said. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Pete Buttigieg: 'It feels really good to be back in Iowa'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pete Buttigieg Gets Standing Ovation for Being Able to Speak in Complete Sentences
Pete Buttigieg was caught blushing after a retired teacher praised his speaking skills—in an apparent jab at President Donald Trump. 'It's a complete pleasure to be able to hear somebody speak in complete sentences,' the man told a town hall led by former transportation secretary Buttigieg in Iowa on Tuesday. The room erupted in cheers and applause, and many people rose to their feet in appreciation of the former teacher's quip, which didn't mention Trump by name, but appeared to be aimed at the Republican president. A bashful Buttigieg responded, 'I do my best.' Members of the veterans' group VoteVets Action Fund attended the town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday. It is where Buttigieg won a Democratic primary in his unsuccessful bid to run for president in 2020. The former teacher asked Buttigieg to speak to a court case in Oklahoma about the separation of church and state, and about tax money being spent on religious schools. In another quip, he told the audience, 'I pay more taxes than Jeff Bezos does… I don't mind paying taxes, but I would like to have it spent where it needs to be spent.' Buttigieg said the separation of church and state was a 'foundational principle' of the U.S. that was 'being tested' in schools. He described going to a Catholic school in South Bend, Indiana, but said that his parents never thought that their neighbors should have to pay for it through their taxes. The former transportation secretary was asked whether he thought the Democrats would have fared better in the 2024 Presidential election if Joe Biden had not tried to run, to which he responded 'maybe.' 'Right now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that's the case.' Buttigieg has hinted he may run for president in 2028, saying he will 'assess' a potential campaign and see 'what I bring to the table,' during a live interview with Substack The Ink. 'There are times I've followed that process and decided to run, and there are times I've decided not to run. And the process can lead you to surprising places,' he told Anand Giridharadas. Trump openly mocked Buttigieg's potential candidacy last week, telling reporters: 'He's actually a contender for president, between him and [Jasmine] Crockett you can have that party.'
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Pete Buttigieg returns to Iowa to 'campaign for values,' not run for office
Pete Buttigieg returns to Iowa to 'campaign for values,' not run for office CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he is campaigning for a set of values, not for a return to political office, as he stumped in Iowa this week — even as his return to public-facing events has sparked speculation about a 2028 presidential run. 'Right now, I'm not running for anything,' he told reporters following an event that organizers said drew about 1,800 people in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, May 13. 'And part of what's exciting and compelling about an opportunity like this is to be campaigning for values and for ideas, rather than a specific electoral campaign.' It was a homecoming of sorts for Buttigieg, who traveled extensively in Iowa over the course of his 2020 presidential primary campaign, rising from an unknown Indiana mayor to top-tier presidential contender. 'It feels really good to be back in Iowa,' he said to cheers. 'Anyone can come to Iowa just before an election is coming up, I wanted to make sure I had a chance to talk with the people I got to know five or six years ago and people I'm seeing for the very first time.' The town hall was hosted by the progressive veterans organization, VoteVets Action Fund, and is part of a broader effort by the group to drive national conversations about veterans' issues. It was a standing-room-only crowd at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids. Pete Buttigieg says Democrats must be better about laying out a proactive vision for the country Buttigieg spoke for about 20 minutes before taking questions from the crowd for about an hour. Those questions covered a range of veterans' issues, as well as some that were more focused on the existential questions facing the Democratic Party and the country. Buttigieg said that in order for Democrats to convert potential voters, they have to have a more coherent vision for the future. 'Even in this moment, when opposition to the abuses coming out of Washington has never mattered more, this isn't just about what we are trying to block,' he told the crowd. 'It's about what we are determined to build. It's about what could be better — what will be better if we follow the guiding lights of this country.' His appearance comes as Iowa Democrats continue to grapple with the fallout of brutal 2024 election losses and as they begin to put together a strategy attempting to regain ground in 2026. A series of Democratic candidates have announced they will run for various offices of late, including state Auditor Rob Sand, who launched a gubernatorial campaign a day earlier. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, who was in attendance, said Democrats in the state are looking for someone to give them hope. 'They want to see that Democrats are fighting back, that they are providing truth,' she said. 'There's just so many issues that people are upset about. They've got a lot of emotion, but they want to see some hope for the future.' Buttigieg said that even though it's difficult to watch the Republican policies being enacted, it's a moment to step up and create change. 'What makes America great is its ability to wrestle with its darkest demons and come out stronger and better for it,' he said. Dubuque resident Kenneth Miller Jr., said he supported Buttigieg for president during his 2020 Iowa Caucus run, and he appreciated hearing him again in Cedar Rapids. Miller, a U.S. Navy veteran, said he agrees with Buttigieg that Democrats need to do a better job of talking about the things they support rather than focusing on their opponents. 'It's common sense,' he said. "… He speaks in complete sentences. He explains himself. (It's) something we don't get anymore nowadays from most politicians, including the one that's running the show.' Pete Buttigieg's Iowa visit sparks questions about 2028 White House run Although Iowa no longer leads off Democrats' presidential nominating calendar, Buttigieg's return still sparked questions about his future White House aspirations. He recently passed on running for U.S. Senate in Michigan, fueling speculation that he could be eyeing another presidential run in 2028. And his appearance in Cedar Rapids was his first public in-person event since leaving his Cabinet post in January. He declined to weigh in when asked by reporters whether Iowa should reclaim its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. But he touted what the caucus experience did for his rise. 'People like me are takers and not makers of the rules on that,' he said. 'What I will say is that Iowa showed me what can happen through a process where you have to be in backyards and do four town halls a day. It made it possible for somebody like me to emerge as a national figure, and it certainly made me better, not just as a candidate, but I think ultimately, as a public servant, when I did have the opportunity to serve in the Capitol.' Buttigieg told reporters that 'maybe' the Democratic Party would have been better off if Joe Biden hadn't initially decided to run for president. 'And, you know, right now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that's the case,' he said. 'We're also not in a position to wallow in hindsight. We've got to get ready for some fundamental tests of the future of this country and this party, some of which are going on this very year, many of which will come next year.' Republicans dismiss Buttigieg's 'empty rhetoric' Republicans were dismissive of Buttigieg's presence in the state. Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement that Trump has followed through on his promises to veterans 'while Democrats play politics with their care.' "President Trump made veterans a top priority, delivering real results — not empty rhetoric,' he said in a statement. 'Whether it was improving health care access, cutting waste, or ending DEI nonsense at the VA, he focused on honoring those who served.' And Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Buttigieg's visit amounts to 'phony political theater.' "Democrats in Iowa are completely out of touch, parachuting in a failed radical who supports biological men in girls' sports, free healthcare for illegal immigrants, and allowing illegals to decide our elections,' she said. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pete Buttigieg hammers Trump at Iowa town hall amid 2028 presidential speculation
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took aim at the Trump administration in an Iowa town hall and discussed the Democratic Party's path forward — amid speculation about a potential Democratic presidential bid of his own in 2028. Buttigieg opened his remarks at the event, hosted in Cedar Rapids by the progressive group VoteVets Action Fund, by saying that progressives, conservatives, and libertarians should be able to unite around the an understanding that freedom "means freedom from overbearing government." "At a moment when the president of the United States thinks he could send you to another country, or shut down the broadcast license of a TV station, if he doesn't like what it has to say — that is not freedom," Buttigieg said. During a Q&A session with attendees, Buttigieg fielded questions on subjects including the Trump administration threatening to suspend habeas corpus, contending that lawmakers who have been silent figure they "have more to fear from the president of the United States than the people of the United States.' "I am convinced that members of Congress and the president's party know that this is wrong," Buttigieg said, while urging audience members to grab lawmakers' attention in peaceful ways, as many Republicans shy away from holding town halls. Responding to a question about due process, Buttigieg criticized the Trump administration over its failure to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador in March. "One person, least of all, no one politician, gets to decide that you're a criminal," Buttigieg said. President Donald Trump has said he 'could' arrange for Abrego Garcia's return with a phone call, contrasting claims his administration has made in court that it cannot get him back. Buttigieg also offered some criticism to Democrats mounting a "hang back" approach to dealing with some of Trump's policies, when asked about the prospects for Democrats pushing back on the president and his allies. "There's this theory out there that if we just kind of hang back, don't do much, then the people in charge today will screw it up, and then they'll get blamed for it and then we'll win," Buttigieg said. "I disagree. First of all, while I agree that they will screw it up, I disagree that we should let them. And I also disagree that they will be blamed for it. They may not be good at governing but they are really good at allocating blame." Iowa bears significance for Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Buttigieg won the most delegates in the Iowa caucuses in the 2020 Democratic presidential nominating contest, part of a rapid rise before he eventually dropped out of the race and endorsed Joe Biden. In 2021, he became the first openly gay person to be confirmed as a Cabinet secretary, in then-President Biden's administration. Buttigieg in March passed on a run for governor or the U.S. Senate next year in Michigan, where he now lives with his family. A source familiar with Buttigieg's thinking previously told NBC News that foregoing a bid for Senate or governor poised Buttigieg to best position himself for a presidential campaign 2028. Buttigieg said during a Substack interview earlier on Tuesday that 'any kind of decision process there is a long way off,' when asked about a potential presidential bid. He also noted that in past decisions to run he's made a point to 'assess the office and what it calls for,' and 'assess what I bring to the table,' before mounting a campaign. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pete Buttigieg returns to Iowa to 'campaign for values,' not run for office
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he is campaigning for a set of values, not for a return to political office, as he stumped in Iowa this week — even as his return to public-facing events has sparked speculation about a 2028 presidential run. 'Right now, I'm not running for anything,' he told reporters following an event that organizers said drew about 1,800 people in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, May 13. 'And part of what's exciting and compelling about an opportunity like this is to be campaigning for values and for ideas, rather than a specific electoral campaign.' It was a homecoming of sorts for Buttigieg, who traveled extensively in Iowa over the course of his 2020 presidential primary campaign, rising from an unknown Indiana mayor to top-tier presidential contender. 'It feels really good to be back in Iowa,' he said to cheers. 'Anyone can come to Iowa just before an election is coming up, I wanted to make sure I had a chance to talk with the people I got to know five or six years ago and people I'm seeing for the very first time.' The town hall was hosted by the progressive veterans organization, VoteVets Action Fund, and is part of a broader effort by the group to drive national conversations about veterans' issues. It was a standing-room-only crowd at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids. Buttigieg spoke for about 20 minutes before taking questions from the crowd for about an hour. Those questions covered a range of veterans' issues, as well as some that were more focused on the existential questions facing the Democratic Party and the country. Buttigieg said that in order for Democrats to convert potential voters, they have to have a more coherent vision for the future. 'Even in this moment, when opposition to the abuses coming out of Washington has never mattered more, this isn't just about what we are trying to block,' he told the crowd. 'It's about what we are determined to build. It's about what could be better — what will be better if we follow the guiding lights of this country.' His appearance comes as Iowa Democrats continue to grapple with the fallout of brutal 2024 election losses and as they begin to put together a strategy attempting to regain ground in 2026. A series of Democratic candidates have announced they will run for various offices of late, including state Auditor Rob Sand, who launched a gubernatorial campaign a day earlier. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart, who was in attendance, said Democrats in the state are looking for someone to give them hope. 'They want to see that Democrats are fighting back, that they are providing truth,' she said. 'There's just so many issues that people are upset about. They've got a lot of emotion, but they want to see some hope for the future.' Buttigieg said that even though it's difficult to watch the Republican policies being enacted, it's a moment to step up and create change. 'What makes America great is its ability to wrestle with its darkest demons and come out stronger and better for it,' he said. Dubuque resident Kenneth Miller Jr., said he supported Buttigieg for president during his 2020 Iowa Caucus run, and he appreciated hearing him again in Cedar Rapids. Miller, a U.S. Navy veteran, said he agrees with Buttigieg that Democrats need to do a better job of talking about the things they support rather than focusing on their opponents. 'It's common sense,' he said. "… He speaks in complete sentences. He explains himself. (It's) something we don't get anymore nowadays from most politicians, including the one that's running the show.' Although Iowa no longer leads off Democrats' presidential nominating calendar, Buttigieg's return still sparked questions about his future White House aspirations. He recently passed on running for U.S. Senate in Michigan, fueling speculation that he could be eyeing another presidential run in 2028. And his appearance in Cedar Rapids was his first public in-person event since leaving his Cabinet post in January. He declined to weigh in when asked by reporters whether Iowa should reclaim its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. But he touted what the caucus experience did for his rise. 'People like me are takers and not makers of the rules on that,' he said. 'What I will say is that Iowa showed me what can happen through a process where you have to be in backyards and do four town halls a day. It made it possible for somebody like me to emerge as a national figure, and it certainly made me better, not just as a candidate, but I think ultimately, as a public servant, when I did have the opportunity to serve in the Capitol.' Buttigieg told reporters that 'maybe' the Democratic Party would have been better off if Joe Biden hadn't initially decided to run for president. 'And, you know, right now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that's the case,' he said. 'We're also not in a position to wallow in hindsight. We've got to get ready for some fundamental tests of the future of this country and this party, some of which are going on this very year, many of which will come next year.' Republicans were dismissive of Buttigieg's presence in the state. Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement that Trump has followed through on his promises to veterans 'while Democrats play politics with their care.' "President Trump made veterans a top priority, delivering real results — not empty rhetoric,' he said in a statement. 'Whether it was improving health care access, cutting waste, or ending DEI nonsense at the VA, he focused on honoring those who served.' And Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Buttigieg's visit amounts to 'phony political theater.' "Democrats in Iowa are completely out of touch, parachuting in a failed radical who supports biological men in girls' sports, free healthcare for illegal immigrants, and allowing illegals to decide our elections,' she said. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Pete Buttigieg: 'It feels really good to be back in Iowa'
