Out former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is pounding the pavement on behalf of Democratic nominee Joe Biden and has quickly become an integral part of the campaign. Whether speaking at rallies or appearing on Fox News, Buttigieg’s witty comebacks and sharp one-liners have made him a standout in recent days.
He’s even appeared in a music video with Elizabeth Warren and Susan Sarandon to do the “Time Warp” with Tenacious D. But the way he shut down a heckler in Florida yesterday is dominating the news cycle this morning.
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Buttigieg, who served as a stand-in for Mike Pence for Kamala Harris’ debate prep, admitted that he had found himself in places he wished he didn’t need to go – like Fox News or pretending to be Pence.
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When the heckler approached, the gay former mayor quickly calmed the audience, telling them it was okay for the man to speak.
“But can I finish my remarks?” Buttigieg asked the man. “Are you afraid to hear what I have to say?”
When the man mumbled in response, Buttigieg again engaged the heckler.
“Do you denounce white supremacy?” he asked the man.
When the man said that he did, Buttigieg shot back with “Good! We agree on something!”
As the crowd roared, Buttigieg continued, “That’s a beginning. Now see if you can get your president to do the same thing.”
The man quieted down and the rally continued.
Master class on handling a heckler by @PeteButtigieg pic.twitter.com/MmTf3l8tWY
— Michael AntonasRozum (@michaelrozumesq) October 28, 2020