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Pete Buttigieg yesterday ended his bid to become the Democratic Presidential nominee after failing to pick up any delegates and only 8.2% of the vote in the South Carolina Primary.
The former Army veteran, 38, was the first openly gay candidate to stand for the Democratic nominee.
He made his official announcement to supporters in his home town of South Bend, Indiana, at 8.30pm ET last night. He was introduced to the stage by his husband, Chasten, who was visibly emotional.
“About a year and a half ago, ” recalled Chasten, “my husband came home from work and … asked me, ‘What do you think about running for President?’
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“And I laughed. Not at him, but at life. Because life gave me some interesting experiences on my way to finding Pete. After falling in love with Pete, he got me to believe in myself again.”
Chasten has spoken before about some members of his family not being supportive when he came out to them as gay.
“And I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there in this country who needed to believe in themselves too,” he continued.
“This campaign was built on an idea of hope. An idea of inclusion,” he said. “An idea of addition rather than subtraction. About bringing people together. About looking your neighbor in the eye and saying ‘Maybe we don’t agree on everything but let’s agree on this.’
“We’ve got one shot. And that’s what we did. We went out there with that one shot and we gave it everything we had because it is time for every single person in this country to look to the White House and know that that institution stands for them, that they belong in this country.
Related: 9-year-old asks Pete Buttigieg for help to come out as gay
Chasten concluded by saying, “It has been an honor and a privilege to share my husband with the rest of this country … and I am so proud that the same person you saw on the debate stage, and the same person you saw at a town hall, is the same person who comes home to me every night.
“It’s an honor to come home and bring home the person I love so dearly, so please help me welcome to the stage, my dear husband … the man I love so much, ‘Mayor Pete’ Buttigieg.”
Buttigieg received a rapturous reception from the assembled supporters. He began by telling them the reasons he had embarked on his campaign.
“In the last few years, America has faced enormous challenges from an economy in transition to a climate on the brink, to a President so in chaos and discord across the very country he is responsible for uniting.
“For many Americans, these challenges have accounted to a call for action, and like so many others, I thought deeply about what I could do to make a difference, what I could do to make myself useful.
“It was in that spirit, with your help, that a year ago, we launched our campaign for the American Presidency … But by every conventional wisdom, by every historical measure, we were never supposed to get anywhere at all.”
Related: This tweet from Chasten Buttigieg will make you ugly cry
He recalled his success in the Iowa caucus in February, where he came top. He said at that moment, “An improbable hope became an undeniable reality.
“In a field in which more than two dozen Democratic candidates ran for President – Senators, and Governors, billionaires and a former Vice President – we achieved a top-four finish in each of the first four states to hold nominating contests, and we made history winning those Iowa caucuses. And all of that, it came about thanks to your support. Thanks to the power of this campaign’s vision.”
He went on to say he now realized his campaign was unlikely to succeed.
“Today is a moment of truth … the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy if not for our cause,” he said.
“We must recognize that at this point in the race, the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and country together.
“Our goal has always been to unify Americans to help defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values.
“We have a responsibility to consider the effect of remaining in this race any further.”
“I firmly believe that in these years, in our time, we can and we will make American life and politics more like what it could be — not just more wise and more prosperous, but more equitable and more just and more decent.”
Echoing his husband’s comments about giving hope to others, he also said, “We sent a message to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than, to see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a leading American presidential candidate with his husband at his side.”
Related: Chasten Buttigieg responds to Rush Limbaugh’s homophobic comments
Some have speculated that Buttigieg pulled out before Super Tuesday as he doesn’t want to be the reason that Bernie Sanders gains an unassailable lead in the race to be Democratic nominee. Many Buttigieg supporters will transfer their votes to other centrists, such as former VP Joe Biden.
This possibility was prominent in the mind of President Donald Trump. His reaction to Buttigieg’s withdrawal came – unsurprisingly – in the form of a tweet, which took a swipe at both Biden and Sanders.
“Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Great timing. This is the REAL beginning of the Dems taking Bernie out of play – NO NOMINATION, AGAIN!”
Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Great timing. This is the REAL beginning of the Dems taking Bernie out of play – NO NOMINATION, AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2020
On social media postings, Buttigieg extended thanks to all those who had supported or listened to him.
“Thank you for inviting me into your homes, sharing your stories, and putting your trust in me. We launched our campaign because Americans are hungry for a new kind of politics that brings us together. And together we’ll beat this president and build the era that must come next.”
Chasten Buttigieg shared a photo of himself with his husband, with the simple caption: “Always.”
Jared MacBride
He ran out of money when it became obvious his appeal to Blacks was near zero and therefore he would cost downstream Democrats dearly if he got the nomination. Maybe the next gay/lesbian candidate will have a broader appeal.
Cam
He didn’t run out of money, in fact one of the questions is what’s he going to do with it, sine they just had a huge haul in the last month.
Kangol2
@JaredMacBride, he has tons of money. Stop slagging off on Black voters. New Hampshire and Nevada are both majority White, and he didn’t win either of those states either. He should run for the US Senate in Indiana, and let’s see if that mostly White, conservative state votes for him. I hope they do. He’d make an excellent Senator, and, one of these days, President or VP.
Hussain-TheCanadian
This smells of backdoor dealings, possibly with Joe Biden. It makes no sense that hes dropping out now, hes 2nd/3rd in the race, and him dropping out before the rest, tells me a deal was struck, and the coming days will reveal more.
A decision has been made that Biden’s campaign “stands a chance” against Bernie, and now the top brass of the democratic party and its donor base want the remaining candidates to fall behind biden.
The only thing I can think of that can help Biden alot is a Obama endorsement, an endorsement suspiciously absent, especially now that Biden needs it the most.
It makes me wonder how Bloomberg is going to respond, we’ll find out tomorrow. Hes going to divide and cannibalize Biden’s voter base by the looks of it.
As for Pete, get your @ss in Congress, do more and better things for the American people and the gay community, perhaps one day your efforts will bare fruit.
cliche guevara
I am not sure where 2nd or 3rd is coming from but it isn’t from polling numbers.
Nationally he was ranked 5th.
In the Super Tuesday states; California 5th, Colorado 5th, Maine 4th, Massachusetts 4th, Minnesota 5th, North Carolina 5th, Texas 5th, Virginia 4th.
His approach was to go all in with Iowa and New Hampshire in hopes that the strong performances there would build momentum elsewhere, it was a sound strategy for someone with virtually no name recognition but it didn’t work out. He made a good go of it but there was literally now path forward, it’s basic math. No need for your conspiracy theories.
Biden is actually doing better than most people give him credit for and after tomorrow it will be a two person race.
As for President Obama, a lack of endorsement isn’t odd at all. Most former presidents do not get involved in primary races or not until the end. Neither Carter or Clinton have endorsed anyone either.
jayceecook
@cliche guevara Well Carter voted for Sanders last time and was public about it.
jayceecook
@Hussain-TheCanadian I kind of wondered the same thing. I’m counting down the minutes to the Biden endorsement.
I also feel you’re right about the Dem party leaders pushing to get Biden the nomination. They were caught last time sabotaging the Sanders campaign because they wanted Hilary. While I like Bernie and voted for him in the last primary and will probably again, I don’t think he can beat Trump. Sanders could have beat him last time but the “movement” wanted a woman. I used to like Hillary. Voted for her instead of Obama way back when. I think that was her time. But the party didn’t want her then.
I don’t think anyone can beat Trump. I called the first election a year before he got elected. This country has been on a swing towards conservatism for years. And oddly Millennials and Gen Z are shifting to more conservative beliefs.
So honestly, I don’t care in the grand scheme of things who ends up with the nomination. It will be tainted and Trump is getting his second term. Hope America proves me wrong.
Max
Obama probably had good reason to tell Biden at the onset, “You don’t have to do this.”
And he certainly knew the power of any endorsement and who it should go to.
cliche guevara
@ jayceecook
You are correct. Carter voter for Sanders and he publicly said he did in May of 2017. That is six months after Clinton lost the Election to Trump. So, if it was meant to be an endorsement of Sanders during the 2016 primaries then he was about a year late in doing it.
Hussain-TheCanadian
Pete is third in number of delegates, hes not that far behind Biden, so to see him fold before the rest is suprising for me. That’s why I think a deal has been struck, not sure what kind of deal, maybe “full party support for Congress “?
Bernie can definitely defeat Trump, no doubt about it. One man offers Healthcare, student debt forgiveness, end of aiding the rich and wealthy through tax relief and unfair tax laws, a trillion dollar jolt minimum into the American economy for job creation……………..while the other has what? Orange hair that needs a frikkin hair pin to hold together?
cliche guevara
Pointing to his delegate count after four states is just misleading. In the last two contestants he go zero delegates and his performance has been trending down since Iowa. The reality of the Democratic primaries is that If you are not in the top two/three in South Carolina then you aren’t a contender. Feel free to fact check that. He left because he knew he couldn’t win. The same with Klobuchar, who also quit. Again, no conspiracy. And really, full congress support in two years? My guess is he will either look to be in the administration of the Democratic nominee should they win or he will run for Senate. He stature has grown well his congressional district.
Taiyoken
It’s kind of a shame, as much as I hated his horrible policies and blatant corruption, if he had won the nomination (fair and square, i.e. not by superdelegates) I would have voted for him. He’s a rat, but he would have been better than Trump.
Rock-N-RollHS
Lol. Where do you get your info? Your ungrounded suppositions along with a sort of doltish idealism just confirms that you’re an idiot.
A Nickname (required)
“A rat” “fox news bot” “do you work for fox news”
You need to either to take a valium, grow waytf up, or just admit that you are bot.
Cam
Sweetums, if you Bernie trolls are going to come on to an LGBTQ site and pretend you belong here, you may want to reread your post a few times.
Taiyoken
@Cam Don’t belong here? Because I support Bernie and not Pete, I’m not gay enough for Queerty? I have news for you, according to polls LQBTQ support is greatest for Bernie, 11 points ahead of the next candidate (Biden, not Pete).
succubus
thinking you are PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS……
Cam
@Taiyoken
Awww, the heterosexual troll accounts just LOVE playing victim. Nice try sweetums.
Taiyoken
@Cam wow, you are the worst kind of gay, in fact, perhaps YOU’RE the hetero projecting onto me. I don’t fall in line to your hive mind philosophy, doesn’t matter how many men I’ve slept with, dated or fallen in love with, I’m not gay enough for you because I choose the candidate who stands for the poor and working class over the gay candidate who stood for the rich. I care about people more than identity politics, so I must not be gay… You’re scum, Cam.
Cam
@Taiyoken
Thanks for proving my point. You have nothing to say “Hetero trolls on here never do”, and all you could do was name call like a 2nd grader who just got their crayons stepped on.
Again, you straight trolls coming onto this site and thinking you can fool us are just sad. You should be embarrassed for how badly you screwed up this attempt.
Taiyoken
@Cam
I have no point? What point did you make? You’re the one who started calling me names and asserting I’m not gay enough. You’re going down the line of comments calling everyone you disagree with a hetero bot.
I called you scum after making my point, twice, now 3 times. Calling you scum wasn’t my point. It was my conclusion.
Jenniferp412
Do the Bernie Bros have something on Pete? Why did he drop out but Crazy Elizabeth and not chance in hell Amy are still in this race? Bernie has no chance of beating Trump.
Taiyoken
go away fox news bot. Bernie has the best chance of beating Trump, according to the most lines of evidence.
Jared MacBride
Bernie would lose 40-48 states to Trump. It would be Nixon-McGovern all over again.
Taiyoken
And naturally you supply no reason, no evidence, you just state it contrary to the facts. Do you work for fox news too?
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I laughed just as hard as her as I did Liddy Doles campaign. The only memorable thing about Liddy’s campaign was the day she announced. Two days later the woman lucky of she made the fifth page.
spacecadet
Because he’s smart and realistic and realizes there’s no path forward after the results of the SC primary. The majority of his support will go to Biden which will help to stop Sanders. And Amy is dropping out and endorsing Biden now as well. Warren remaining in the race will help Biden.
succubus
a communist vs a phucking idiot
Cam
Another right wing troll account. If you’re going to try to fool us try not using Trump language.
LilMesican
To be at 49 years old and see a Gay man running for president with his husband by his side. I’ve had hope and faith in Life. Have dreams and goals. But to see Mr. Buttigieg, opened up a whole new level of courage and motivation in my life.
It has taken me this long to truly believe that I can do anything I want!
nirthboy69
At 53 – (pointing upwards)
This.
ALL of this.
Kangol2
It has been moving, whether you agree politically and ideologically with Pete Buttigieg or not. He is an out gay man, brilliant, confident, and on an upward trajectory. He also got further than any other out gay candidate ever has. His time will come.
trsxyz
Sad to see him go. Even if you didn’t like his policies, I think we’d agree that as an open gay man his candidacy was groundbreaking.
GayEGO
Who knows, maybe Pete will be selected as the Vice President! That would not surprise me at all.
MacAdvisor
With either Sanders or Biden, Pete would be an unlikely VP pick. He doesn’t balance the ticket in any significant way. With Sanders, Stacy Abrams would be a great choice. With Biden, Warren would be the best choice.
jkb
I have zero interest in Pete as a politician. Zero. But the photo of him and Chasten at the top of this post is adorable.
Jenniferp412
Bernie will select Stacey Abrams as his VP. He is not good at getting the black vote and he assumes selecting someone who does not pay her income taxes will help him for some reason.
MacAdvisor
First, Abrams does pay her income taxes. Abrams publicly revealed that she owed a $54,000 debt to the Internal Revenue Service when she released her personal financial disclosure documents in March 2018. But although she is in debt, she is not delinquent in her taxes, as documents show her to be on a payment plan after deferring payments for tax years 2015 and 2016.
Second, her excellent work throughout the South re-enfranchising voters has earned her significant support in the area. She would be a perfect balance for Sanders.
jayceecook
@MacAdvisor Abrams isn’t bad but I would like him to pick Nina Turner. I know her personally. She was a good friend of my mother’s before she died. I remember the vitriol she received from many fellow democrats and women when she de ided to back Sanders the first time he ran. She didn’t let that stop her. She is smart and very strong. Definitely a worthwhile choice.
Kangol2
@Jennifer, well, Drumpf didn’t pay his taxes for YEARS, and still has refused to let us know the extent of his alleged tax criminality, so if it’s good enough for the goose, it’s good enough for the gander.
Cam
And Trump doesn’t pay his taxes does he?
Cam
To see an LGBTQ candidate run, and kiss his husband on stage would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
succubus
you are a great voice and the only sane one here
Kangol2
I totally agree. & they have been unapologetically gay. It’s incredible and beautiful.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
100% co-sign
Wheelerman
Pete’s speech was inspirational and presidential. I was in tears. I was ready to vote for him in our primary in April. We have not heard or seen the last of Pete Buttigieg. His star is rising. Keep fighting for our country, Pete. We need you.
May you & Chasten have a long, loving life together.
Hillers
It’s really going to take a firecracker to go toe to toe with Trump, and I can see Biden or Sanders fitting the bill. though I wouldn’t be too excited about the increase in taxes under Sanders. Warren’s got some sass in her, too, but we tried it with a female candidate last time, and I felt certain Hillary would win, only to be proven wrong. Pete, being a gentle soul, wouldn’t have stood a chance under Hurricane Drumpf.
Taiyoken
For the record, unless you make more than $200,000 a year, your taxes aren’t going up under Bernie. And if you DO make more than $200,000 a year, I have no sympathy for you. Plus you’ll no longer pay the private taxes of premiums and copays. Otherwise I agree with you, though I think Trump would eat Biden alive.
Charlie in Charge
He had my primary vote; I’m sad to have to give it to someone else. It was a very good run, I hope to see another LGBT presidential candidate in my lifetime. I’m Pete’s age so I’m optimistic about that, just sad it didn’t happen this time.
ingyaom
PB was in the Navy, not the Army, and he is a current (not former) veteran.
succubus
a role model for anyone.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Pete knew when to get out. He made great strides showing an open Gay person can have appeal outside the Gay community. He knew it wasn’t his time. A run and win for Congress or Senate or an actual cabinet position could lay the groundwork for another more successful run for POTUS….
Cam
Agreed