Presidential hopeful Mayor Pete Buttigieg got choked up during a campaign event this weekend, when asked by a second grader about keeping schools safe from shootings.
Buttigieg, who served a tour in Afganistan, spoke about the dangers of allowing guns in the hands of criminals or people living with mental illness, and expressed frustration over the lack of action on gun control following numerous, recent shooting massacres like those at Parkland High or the Pulse nightclub. He then got emotional talking about keeping children safe.
“One of the voices that is in my head when someone like you asks a question like that is we cannot let you down,” Buttigieg said. “Those of us in elected office owe it to you to do whatever it takes, even if it means losing an election every now and then, to keep you safe. The moral authority you have as a young person asking somebody old enough to run for office what we’re going to do about that is a really powerful thing.”
Related: Donald Trump is going to be furious when he hears what Mayor Pete just said about his bone spurs
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Buttigieg also invoked his own experience in the military to speak about the dangers of allowing assault weapons for sale to the public. “One thing I know about them is that they don’t belong anywhere near an American school,” he added.
@PeteButtigieg tears and chokes up with emotion when 2nd grader asks how to keep schools safe from mass shootings. #2020 pic.twitter.com/1U9VQ4YZZg
— Brendan Mullen (@BrendanMullen_1) June 2, 2019
Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of Mayor Pete, teaches in a Jr. High school, no doubt also adding to his emotional response.
Buttigieg is the first openly gay man to seek the nomination of a major party. Recent opinion polls show him running about fourth in a crowded field, just behind Vice President Joe Biden, and Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Jared MacBride
Fox News is the Trump network, CNN is the impeach Trump network and Queerty is now the house organ for an irrelevant Democrat presidential candidate.
Beachman
LOL…wtf are you? And why would you think ANYONE has any interest in your ignorant comments?
iamru2
@ beach obviously you are!
JED08
Irrelevant, but on the cover of Time Magazine? Everybody covers Pete, not just Queerty.
Doug
He’s not irrelevant to me. I think he’s the best candidate running, and it has nothing to do with him being gay.
tameron1
What is not relevant here is your obnoxious comment. You and people like you are part of the reason why America is ruled by common criminals, grifters, mafia scum bags, and lawless elected Republicans. Your distasteful comment snacks of cynicism which we have too much of at this time in our history.
Rex Huskey
i get your point but it is made way to soon…. we’ll see
Michael1500
I just can’t resist pointing out what an idiot you are, regard of ANYONE’S political leanings. I’ll bet an asshole like you stands out in any crowd without even saying a word.
truthseeker
They could just make schools a gun free zone… oh wait
rarediel
please show me where he suggested that. Or are you just talking out of your ass like a idiot?
truthseeker
@rarediel
“One thing I know about them is that they don’t belong anywhere near an American school,” he added.
Sounds like he didn’t even give an answer as to what his plan is on this issue. More like a Kamala Harris answer of “we need to have that discussion” or “we need to do more”
Charlie in Charge
He has my vote!
Doug
Mine too!
Gary Q VV
Mine three!
OzJosh
Gay voters owe it to themselves to read Buttigieg’s book, Shortest Way Home. Anyone who accuses him of being too inexperienced to be president or having only sketchy policies will see that he’s given more thought – and more nuanced thought – to government than most of his rivals. More to the point, it demonstrates someone capable of the kind of deep thinking and emotional intelligence entirely absent from the presidency right now.
JED08
I haven’t read the book, but those are the reasons why I’m already all in for Pete. He really is a breath of fresh air.
Gary Q VV
Mayor Pete’s intelligence, philosophies, policies, and political ideologies surpass all other 2020 democratic candidate hopefuls. I’ve delved into his history since his first hint of possibility running for president. He has a chance of winning the coveted title as the Democratic candidate against a Republican candidate, even Trump. But, if not Trump, then one day, it will happen. Well, if not Buttigieg, then some other LGBTQ person.
How do you like those apples, you naysayers?
Brian
What apples? All you’re giving us are hypotheticals.
tonylovesotis
Dear America, he’s the one. It’s just that many of you haven’t realised it yet. Character is destiny: 2020