When Mayor of South Bend, Indiana Pete Buttigieg tossed his hat in the ring for DNC Chair, many wondered: who is Pete Buttigieg? Considered a rising star within the Democratic party, the issue of name recognition isn't one lost on the mayor. The website provided by the Mayor leads off with this statement:
“the most interesting mayor you’ve never heard of.”
His story is, in fact, pretty interesting, an Oxford graduate who served in Afghanistan as a lieutenant in the US Navy Reserves, Buttigieg sees himself as someone with executive experience that is required to lead the party into the future.
”I think I bring a different energy to the party, and that we have to really shake things free if we want to improve. Get outside of the beltway, and look to our successes.”
The mayor outlines his plan for the DNC here: petefordnc.com/…
Mr. Buttigieg began our conversation by noting: “It was time to turn off the TV from Trump, and get to working on how we fix our nation after this is over.”
Touching on issues that face the party, the Pete led off with what he felt was most important: “What do you think should happen, and how could we get there?” This conversation starter has been used by several candidates, but it is still appreciated. “I think the party needs to do a top down look at our ROI. What are we spending? What is the value we get back from what we’ve spent? Are we making good investments in technology, people, and plans, or are we wasting money?”
As a mayor, he was forced to evaluate the impact of spending decisions. “I’m of course very concerned with the way we handle technology in the party. Are we getting what we pay for, our are we just accepting what outside vendors tell us.”
This is something that I, too, have been concerned with. The DNC does not currently have a caucus or a leadership team oriented around technology issues. The party also doesn’t have a CTO or even management positions aimed at sorting out long term strategy revolving around technology, often outsourcing those positions. Pete added: “We have to change some of our practices to make sure we are getting the most out of the resources we have.”
One of the items we also agreed on is that the party provides no information on what to do with the roles people inhabit. “People become party leadership as a state chair or committee member and there is, frankly, nothing. No welcome packet, no letter of thanks, no guide on what they should do next. So, I think we need to have some way to inform new members what they’ve decided to do.”
In his plan, he outlines this action:
DNC national committeewomen and committeemen are the DNC’s best forward-deployed leadership resource, but more could be asked of them. Greater engagement, listening, and participation would allow members to contribute more to the work of the party. The DNC should host at least one yearly orientation for new members apart from the winter and summer DNC meeting, and establish a mentoring program so newer members can learn from their fellow Democratic leaders upon joining the Committee.
”It is, frankly, time we go to work. All of us. We are in this together.”
When asked how seriously members should take his candidacy, Mayor Buttigieg responded: “I wouldn’t run if I didn’t think I could win. I’m not in this to go to another job. I’m running because I think I would do this well.”
More in this Series:
Sally Boynton-Brown makes her case
Jaime Harrison Makes His Pitch
Keith Ellison Talks About The Future of the Party
Raymond Buckley on Democratic Goals
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