Buttigieg would probably throw trans people under the bus to make a deal, but he seems against it generally … the problem with overly pragmatic politicians is you can’t tell how far they will sacrifice their values in the name of pragmatism. The extreme end of this is that don’t really have any values - and sometimes this is exactly how Buttigeg comes across (as overly eager to win, and willing to mold himself and do whatever it takes).
He has repeated transphobic talking points about trans exclusion in sports, which I take to mean he is trying to position himself as a moderate. (Which makes sense, in this same interview he mentions Sarah McBride is a major influence or someone he sees shared values with - she has also advocated for Democrats capitulating and endorsing transphobic policies in the name of political pragmatism and keeping a big tent.)
the problem with overly pragmatic politicians is you can’t tell how far they will sacrifice their values in the same of pragmatism.
Agreed, it makes it impossible to trust politicians when they’re constantly triangulating instead of having actual principles. Though that’s not necessarily being pragmatic, it’s more being expedient.
I’m generally quite skeptical of Buttigieg’s sincerity about anything he says, but I’ll take all the support we can get right now, even if his perspective is flawed in other ways. It’s easier to have a conversation with someone like him and educate them on where they can improve.
He’s like the epitome of “consultant class liberal”
If we throw the T under the bus, then I will probably be next until we end up with nothing.
Like, trans right is the right of self expression and body autonomy. We ARE the T.
I’ll never understand how you could live with a name that looks like “Buttchug”, and not think to change it before going into politics.
That’s how you land the Supreme Court
