Pete Buttigieg asserts the 'socialist' attack has 'lost all power' for conservatives
Pete Buttigieg thinks socialism has lost its bite — and that's a good thing.
The rising 2020 star appeared Thursday on Good Morning America, where host George Stephanopoulos asked him about a common term President Trump and other conservatives have been using as an insult. While Buttigieg stopped short of saying he identified with socialism, he did applaud how unlike in "the darkest days of the '50s," you can't "use the word 'socialist' to kill somebody's career or to kill an idea" anymore.
The topic arose because when the South Bend, Indiana mayor was 18, he wrote an essay praising Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), then a representative, for proudly calling himself a "socialist." Trump is still trying to use that term as a takedown today, Buttigieg said, but he added that it's now "losing all meaning." Voters today, "especially in my generation ... just want to know if an idea is a good idea or not," Buttigieg said. He also claimed "the Affordable Care Act was a conservative idea that Democrats borrowed, and they called that socialist," invoking a liberal belief that pieces of ObamaCare stemmed from the conservative Heritage Foundation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Buttigieg also tackled former Vice President Joe Biden's non-apology for allegations of inappropriate touching, and why he thinks his mayoral experience gives him a presidential edge. Watch the whole interview below. Kathryn Krawczyk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
How US veterans are helping locate Vietnam's mass graves
Under The Radar Former enemies are uniting to bring healing and closure to both sides
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
6 hands-free items to make traveling easier
The Week Recommends These practical products will definitely come in handy
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'The scene runs as intended the vast majority of the time'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giuliani held in contempt of court over forfeit assets
Speed Read He has failed to turn over $11 million in assets to two Georgia election workers he defamed after the 2020 election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden resettles 11 more Guantánamo detainees
Speed Read In an effort to reduce the number of prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay, Biden transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Trudeau announces resignation
Speed Read Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden signs boost to Social Security for public workers
Speed Read The president signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, expanding retirement benefits for millions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Chief justice warns against defying Supreme Court
Speed Read Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts noted that public officials keep threatening to ignore lawful court rulings
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Orleans truck attack linked to ISIS kills 15
Speed Read A pickup truck drove into a crowd on New Year's Day in the French Quarter
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published