In a recent interview with Politico, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed a desire to move away from the narrative of a “return to normal” from the Biden administration. During the discussion with columnist Jonathan Martin, Buttigieg emphasized the importance of focusing on future progression rather than reverting to past policies.
“I’m trying to purge my vocabulary of anything with the prefix ‘re-‘ in it, anything with the word back in it,” Buttigieg stated. He further clarified his stance by suggesting, “Build better, yes. I don’t even want to talk about back.”
Buttigieg’s comments appeared as a critique of President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign slogan, “Build Back Better.” When Martin mentioned this, Buttigieg reflected on the party’s evolution over recent years, indicating a shift in vision.
Addressing the core question of the Democratic strategy, Buttigieg rejected notions of returning to a previous status quo. He said, “But to me, the most important thing is — are we demonstrating a readiness to be focused on building what’s next or are we basically preaching some version of ‘return to normal’? ‘Return to normal,’ in my view, won’t work.”
Buttigieg also highlighted different ways to present bold ideas without falling into a “left versus center” divide. He underscored the necessity to avoid selling a version of a past framework.
In his comments about former President Biden, Buttigieg mentioned that while he appreciated the opportunity given to him, he would not consider Biden to be a mentor, though he valued the work and learning experience under his administration.
A recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Granite State placed Buttigieg alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a potential 2028 presidential bid. Though undecided about running, his statements suggest a strategic shift towards more progressive ideas.
Speaking on potential reforms, Buttigieg pointed to systemic changes, including the elimination of the Electoral College and Supreme Court adjustments, as necessary considerations amid calls for significant political reform.
His remarks on “America Reports” highlighted an awareness of political dissatisfaction, with systems seeming outdated and disappointing.
Reince Priebus, a political analyst for Fox News, responded by critiquing Democrats like Buttigieg for aligning themselves outside the “mainstream,” raising a critical approach toward the Democratic alignment in the current political climate.
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