buzzfeed--2020-03-01--Joe Biden’s South Carolina Victory Has Him Back In The Running — But For How Long?

COLUMBIA , South Carolina — There was a moment Friday night in Spartanburg , South Carolina , when the old Joe Biden would have been irritable , defensive , mean .
A woman in the crowd was grilling him about the housing and eviction policies in Atlanta , where the mayor is one of his top surrogates .
Biden listened patiently , gently responding when she interrupted .
“ Would you please let me speak ?
I ’ ll be happy to answer.
” When a man nearby began waving a sign in protest , Biden told his alert organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t mind .
This is not a Trump rally .
It ’ s OK , he can stay here .
We don ’ t kick out .
You can hold up all the signs you want , you ’ re entitled to do that .
Just let me speak.
” Biden talked about the problems that people of color face when gentrification pushes them out of their communities and , when he learned that wasn ’ t the issue on the woman ’ s mind , began talking about flood insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman still wasn ’ t satisfied , he offered to speak with her afterward , to get a better understanding .
He didn ’ t challenge her to an IQ test or a pushup contest , didn ’ t call her a “ damn liar.
” Rather , the exchange showed the potential for a new Biden , with a comfort and confidence that was ratified a little more than 24 hours later , when the former vice president won South Carolina ’ s Democratic presidential primary .
The victory — Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , and in a state with more pledged delegates than any that have yet voted — is a significant moment for a campaign that just weeks ago seemed on the ropes .
Though the final margin is currently unknown , the race was called by the Associated Press and other outlets immediately as polls closed .
His speech to supporters here on the University of South Carolina campus fused together themes he 's been pushing for nearly a year , but without the dark notes or verbal slips and meanderings that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are very much alive !
” Biden told supporters gathered for the watch party .
“ You launched Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to the presidency .
Now you ’ re launching our campaign.
” The win is a relief for Biden and his allies , who had suffered through shaky performances and weak finishes in the first three contests .
“ I think he realized it was time to shit or get off the pot , and he did , ” Amanda Loveday , an adviser to the pro-Biden Unite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And he realized that it was time to show that he was the candidate we as Biden supporters know that he is.
” South Carolina was supposed to be the firewall that reaffirmed him as the frontrunner — until it needed to be his better-late-than-never launch pad to Super Tuesday , the day next week when 15 states and territories vote .
The race now moves on to that uncertain phase , where polls and past results show Bernie Sanders is the one to beat , and where Biden and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking for a Sanders alternative .
The others include former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , who skipped the early primaries and caucuses and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars of his personal fortune to make a splashy Super Tuesday debut .
There ’ s also former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg , who like Biden and Bloomberg appeals to moderate voters , but after strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire has failed to win over voters of color .
And Amy Klobuchar , who surprised by finishing near Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , is campaigning hard for similar voters , including in her home state of Minnesota .
TJ Ducklo , a Biden spokesperson , suggested Saturday that it was time for other candidates positioning themselves as Sanders alternatives to consider ending their campaigns .
“ If you are a candidate and you have not shown that you can get traction with the core of the Democratic Party , with African American voters , then you have to take a hard look at your path and what your goals are , ” Ducklo told @ @ @

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — There was a moment Friday night in Spartanburg, South Carolina, when the old Joe Biden would have been irritable, defensive, mean.
A woman in the crowd was grilling him about the housing and eviction policies in Atlanta, where the mayor is one of his top surrogates. Biden listened patiently, gently responding when she interrupted: “Would you please let me speak? I’ll be happy to answer.” When a man nearby began waving a sign in protest, Biden told his alert organizers to let him stay. “I don’t mind. This is not a Trump rally. It’s OK. He can stay here. We don’t kick out. You can hold up all the signs you want; you’re entitled to do that. Just let me speak.”
Biden talked about the problems that people of color face when gentrification pushes them out of their communities and, when he learned that wasn’t the issue on the woman’s mind, began talking about flood insurance and eminent domain. And when the woman still wasn’t satisfied, he offered to speak with her afterward to get a better understanding.
He didn’t challenge her to an IQ test or a push-up contest, didn’t call her a “damn liar.” Rather, the exchange showed the potential for a new Biden, with a comfort and confidence that was ratified a little more than 24 hours later when the former vice president won South Carolina’s Democratic presidential primary.
The victory — Biden’s first in his three runs for president, and in a state with more pledged delegates than any that have yet voted — is a significant moment for a campaign that just weeks ago seemed on the ropes. Though the final margin is currently unknown, the race was called by the Associated Press and other outlets immediately as polls closed. His speech to supporters here on the University of South Carolina campus fused together themes he's been pushing for nearly a year, but without the dark notes or verbal slips and meanderings that at times have overshadowed his message.
“We are very much alive!” Biden told supporters gathered for the watch party. “You launched Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to the presidency. Now you’re launching our campaign.”
The win is a relief for Biden and his allies, who had suffered through shaky performances and weak finishes in the first three contests.
“I think he realized it was time to shit or get off the pot, and he did,” Amanda Loveday, an adviser to the pro-Biden Unite the Country super PAC, told BuzzFeed News. “And he realized that it was time to show that he was the candidate we as Biden supporters know that he is.”
South Carolina was supposed to be the firewall that reaffirmed him as the frontrunner — until it needed to be his better-late-than-never launchpad to Super Tuesday, the day next week when 15 states and territories vote.
The race now moves on to that uncertain phase, where polls and past results show Bernie Sanders is the one to beat, and where Biden and other candidates could split the votes of those looking for an alternative to the Vermont senator. The others include former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who skipped the early primaries and caucuses and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars of his personal fortune to make a splashy Super Tuesday debut. There’s also former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, who like Biden and Bloomberg appeals to moderate voters, but after strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire has failed to win over voters of color. And Amy Klobuchar, who surprised by finishing near Biden in Iowa and passing him in New Hampshire, is campaigning hard for similar voters, including in her home state of Minnesota.
TJ Ducklo, a Biden spokesperson, suggested Saturday that it was time for other candidates positioning themselves as alternatives to Sanders to consider ending their campaigns.
“If you are a candidate and you have not shown that you can get traction with the core of the Democratic Party, with African American voters, then you have to take a hard look at your path and what your goals are,” Ducklo told BuzzFeed News.


buzzfeed--2020-02-29--Coronavirus Is 2020 Democrats’ New Case Against Trump

The remaining Democratic presidential candidates have united in the last week on a core message : The coronavirus outbreak proves how important it is to defeat President Donald Trump .
The global health crisis — which has rattled global markets and has now been reported in multiple western US states without known connections to the virus ’ spread in Asia — has been woven into virtually every Democratic candidates ’ messaging in the last week , with just days to go before the biggest primary day of the year .
Michael Bloomberg is airing an ad titled “ Pandemic ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out an early plan for preventing the spread of infectious diseases .
Amy Klobuchar has talked about containing the virus as a way of transcending partisan politics .
And Joe Biden , Bernie Sanders , Pete Buttigieg , and Tom Steyer are all talking about the virus as they campaign ahead of the South Carolina primary on Friday and in 16 Super Tuesday contests next week .
The common factor : Each candidate has turned the outbreak into a new , potent critique of Trump , hitching their individual campaign messaging to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans ’ attention away from the presidential election .
As the president has contradicted warnings from health officials and focused on controlling messaging around the outbreak by placing Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the response , Sanders , the frontrunner in the Democratic primary , has sent a series of statements from his campaign this week on Trump ’ s “ inadequate , misleading , and dangerous ” handling of the crisis .
“ It turns out that Donald Trump is in Charleston today , ” he said at a Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina , of the rally Trump had planned later that night .
In stops across the state on Friday , the day before the South Carolina primary , Sanders repeatedly accused Trump of meddling in the Democratic nominating process by holding a rally here when he should be focusing on the ongoing health crisis .
“ Now , I want you to think — think about what it says about this guy , ” Sanders said in St. George .
“ Everybody knows there is a coronavirus spreading all over the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanking .
You would think that you 'd have a president of the United States leading — working with scientists all over the world , bringing people together to figure out how we 're gon na deal with this crisis .
He is here in South Carolina .
He does n't even have any opposition in the Republican primary — why is he here ?
He 's here to try to disrupt the Democratic primary .
How pathetic and how petty can you be ?
” Elsewhere in the state , Buttigieg centered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in politics on the virus .
“ This is not a kind of national security issue that we ’ re used to dealing with from the past , ” he said in Charleston on Friday .
“ This virus does not care what country it is in .
It ’ s not going to be stopped by a big wall .
These kinds of issues , whether it ’ s global health security , cyber security , election security , are going to require a focus on the future , just as right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SC , Steyer told an audience that coronavirus would have a profound economic impact on the United States and other countries and slammed the Trump administration ’ s response .
“ This is Trump ’ s incompetence in a neon sign going like , ‘ I stink at my job .
Yeah , I am a dummy !
Ok ?
’ by Donald Trump , ” Steyer told the crowd .
“ This was announced on December 31st , he is so late on this that it ’ s crazy .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Steyer told the crowd that Trump ’ s response had been inadequate and that the spread of coronavirus was Trump ’ s “ Katrina.
” “ It ’ s his moment where he ’ s like , ‘ whoa !
I have a job to do ?
Who knew !
’ ”

The remaining Democratic presidential candidates have united in the last week on a core message: The coronavirus outbreak proves how important it is to defeat President Donald Trump.
The global health crisis — which has rattled global markets and has now been reported in multiple western US states without known connections to the virus’ spread in Asia — has been woven into virtually every Democratic candidates’ messaging in the last week, with just days to go before the biggest primary day of the year.
Michael Bloomberg is airing an ad titled “Pandemic” across TV nationwide. Elizabeth Warren put out an early plan for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Amy Klobuchar has talked about containing the virus as a way of transcending partisan politics. And Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and Tom Steyer are all talking about the virus as they campaign ahead of the South Carolina primary on Friday and in 16 Super Tuesday contests next week.
The common factor: Each candidate has turned the outbreak into a new, potent critique of Trump, hitching their individual campaign messaging to a story that has otherwise begun to pull Americans’ attention away from the presidential election.
As the president has contradicted warnings from health officials and focused on controlling messaging around the outbreak by placing Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the response, Sanders, the frontrunner in the Democratic primary, has sent a series of statements from his campaign this week on Trump’s “inadequate, misleading, and dangerous” handling of the crisis.
“It turns out that Donald Trump is in Charleston today,” he said at a Friday morning campaign event in Saint George, South Carolina, of the rally Trump had planned later that night.
In stops across the state Friday, the day before the South Carolina primary, Sanders repeatedly accused Trump of meddling in the Democratic nominating process by holding a rally there when he should be focusing on the ongoing health crisis.
“Now, I want you to think — think about what it says about this guy,” Sanders said in Saint George. “Everybody knows there is a coronavirus spreading all over the world. Very frightening, stock market is tanking. You would think that you'd have a president of the United States leading — working with scientists all over the world, bringing people together to figure out how we're gonna deal with this crisis. He is here in South Carolina. He doesn't even have any opposition in the Republican primary — why is he here? He's here to try to disrupt the Democratic primary. How pathetic and how petty can you be?”
Elsewhere in the state, Buttigieg centered his more typical argument for generational change in politics on the virus. “This is not a kind of national security issue that we’re used to dealing with from the past,” he said in Charleston on Friday. “This virus does not care what country it is in. It’s not going to be stopped by a big wall. These kinds of issues, whether it’s global health security, cyber security, election security, are going to require a focus on the future, just as right here at home.”
In Summerville, South Carolina, Steyer told an audience that coronavirus would have a profound economic impact on the United States and other countries and slammed the Trump administration’s response.
“This is Trump’s incompetence in a neon sign going like, ‘I stink at my job. Yeah, I am a dummy! Ok?’ by Donald Trump,” Steyer told the crowd. “This was announced on December 31st, he is so late on this that it’s crazy. He’s two months late to do anything.”
Steyer told the crowd that Trump’s response had been inadequate and that the spread of coronavirus was Trump’s “Katrina.”
“It’s his moment where he’s like, ‘whoa! I have a job to do? Who knew!’”


buzzfeed--2020-02-29--Tom Steyer's Weird And Weirdly Amazing Last Rally In South Carolina

The final event for Steyer was a hodgepodge of HBCU and southern Baptist culture : The campaign brought Juvenile and gospel singer Yolanda Adams to perform for a largely black audience .
It was a small and energetic event that celebrated the culture , joy , and struggle of black southerners — a vignette of the campaign black South Carolinians say has wooed them away from campaigns like Joe Biden ’ s .
Under blue and purple stage lights , the rapper Juvenile performed the song at Steyer ’ s last rally before Saturday ’ s South Carolina primary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a historically black college here in Columbia .
Steyer ’ s campaign has invested heavily in South Carolina : Both campaign and candidate have gone deep into rural black communities to learn about the lives of black South Carolinians — all while blanketing the state with television ads and glossy mailers that have propelled the candidate who lost in Iowa , New Hampshire , and Nevada to third place in polls of South Carolinians and the second choice among black voters .
He has also , in recent weeks , has put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Carolina featuring ( one of the ) Boyz II Men and TLC .
A high-low Twilight Zone , however , carried throughout the event .
People trickled into the gym Friday evening under signs that read “ invest in HBCUs ” and did the electric slide to Beyonce ’ s remix of “ Before I Let Go.
” They halfheartedly did the Renegade TikTok dance to K Camp ’ s “ Lottery , ” and linked arms to swag surf while being led by a campaign surrogate .
When the music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DJ spin that shit !
” before Beyonce ’ s “ Get Me Bodied ” bumped through the venue ’ s speakers .
Later in the night , the voters in the crowd followed along to a new version of the “ Fired up !
Ready to go !
” chant lead by its creator , Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs .
She created the chant during Barack Obama ’ s first presidential campaign , and has backed Steyer ’ s in the 2020 primary .
“ Steyer ’ d up , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go !
” The crowd got riled up with the opening chords of “ Back That Azz Up !
” — the first time it was played — settled down as sound issues interrupted the performance .
( Juvenile complained about the sound mixing to the event staff , and stopped and started his performance several times before walking offstage to let event staffers figure out the sound issue . )
“ Juvie ’ s comin ’ back out !
We ’ re gon na let Yolanda Adams come out and then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitch down for y ’ all !
” Juvenile ’ s hype man told the crowd that had been quietly waiting for him to start performing again .
Adams , the Grammy-winning gospel singer , walked out on stage to encourage voters across the state to turn out for Steyer and performed a version of “ America the Beautiful.
” Steyer was then introduced by his daughter and wife who told the crowd that it was time for minority voters and young voters to be heard .
Steyer ran through the story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina — recalling trips to Denmark , a small town where one of the water wells has been contaminated HaloSan , a chemical used to disinfect pools and hot tubs and stories of medical debt and economic disparity .
In the end , Steyer told the crowd here that he and his wife fallen in love with state and South Carolinians ’ “ moral leadership.
” “ I ’ m never leaving , ” Steyer told the cheering crowd .
“ We ’ re going to win this fight .
”

Steyer’s campaign has invested heavily in South Carolina: Both campaign and candidate have gone deep into rural black communities to learn about the lives of black South Carolinians — all while blanketing the state with television ads and glossy mailers that have propelled the candidate who lost in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada to third place in polls of South Carolinians and the second choice among black voters. He has also, in recent weeks, has put on an array of rally-shows in Las Vegas and South Carolina featuring (one of the) Boyz II Men and TLC.
A high-low Twilight Zone, however, carried throughout the event. People trickled into the gym Friday evening under signs that read “invest in HBCUs” and did the Electric Slide to Beyoncé’s remix of “Before I Let Go.” They halfheartedly did the Renegade TikTok dance to K Camp’s “Lottery,” and linked arms to swag surf while being led by a campaign surrogate.
When the music paused, a staffer yelled, “DJ spin that shit!” before Beyoncé’s “Get Me Bodied” bumped through the venue’s speakers.
Later in the night, the voters in the crowd followed along to a new version of the “Fired up! Ready to go!” chant led by its creator, Greenwood County Council Member Edith Childs. She created the chant during Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign, and has backed Steyer’s in the 2020 primary.
“Steyer’d up,” the chant went. “Ready to go!”
The crowd got riled up with the opening chords of “Back That Azz Up!” — the first time it was played — settled down as sound issues interrupted the performance. (Juvenile complained about the sound mixing to the event staff, and stopped and started his performance several times before walking offstage to let event staffers figure out the sound issue.)
“Juvie’s comin’ back out! We’re gonna let Yolanda Adams come out and then we’re coming back to shut this bitch down for y’all!” Juvenile’s hype man told the crowd that had been quietly waiting for him to start performing again.
Adams, the Grammy-winning gospel singer, walked out onstage to encourage voters across the state to turn out for Steyer and performed a version of “America the Beautiful.”
Steyer was then introduced by his daughter and wife who told the crowd that it was time for minority voters and young voters to be heard. Steyer ran through the story of his campaign’s journey through South Carolina — recalling trips to Denmark, a small town where one of the water wells has been contaminated HaloSan, a chemical used to disinfect pools and hot tubs, and stories of medical debt and economic disparity.
In the end, Steyer told the crowd here that he and his wife had fallen in love with the state and South Carolinians’ “moral leadership.”
“I’m never leaving,” Steyer told the cheering crowd. “We’re going to win this fight.”


buzzfeed--2020-02-29--Clearview AI Created Accounts For The Offices Of Four Republican Lawmakers Including Trump’s Nominee

Clearview AI Created Accounts For The Offices Of Four Republican Lawmakers Including Trump’s Nominee For Director Of National Intelligence

Clearview AI , the secretive facial recognition company whose software has been used by more than 2,200 organizations around the world , created accounts for the offices of four members of Congress , including one whom President Donald Trump is nominating for director of national intelligence .
Clearview data reviewed by BuzzFeed News includes an unused account for Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe , a Republican whose eventual nomination to DNI was announced by Trump on Friday via tweet .
Trump has yet to formally send the nomination to the Senate .
In Clearview documents viewed by BuzzFeed News , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” indicates that that user had performed zero log-ins and zero searches , meaning that Clearview had created an account that was never used .
A spokesperson for Ratcliffe told BuzzFeed News that Clearview staff had met with Ratcliffe ’ s staff .
“ Clearview AI created a demo account prior to a legislative meeting , which Ratcliffe ’ s staff did not activate , ” the spokesperson said .
Ratcliffe currently sits on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence .
On Thursday , BuzzFeed News reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities including Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) , the FBI , and Macy ’ s had used Clearview ’ s facial recognition software .
Ratcliffe ’ s account was not included in that count , which only noted organizations that had at least one account with at least one search .
Clearview did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Clearview AI, the secretive facial recognition company whose software has been used by more than 2,200 organizations around the world, created accounts for the offices of four members of Congress, including one whom President Donald Trump is nominating for director of national intelligence.
Clearview data reviewed by BuzzFeed News includes an unused account for Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe, a Republican whose eventual nomination to DNI was announced by Trump on Friday via tweet. Trump has yet to formally send the nomination to the Senate.
In Clearview documents viewed by BuzzFeed News, the entry for “Congressman John Ratcliffe Staff” indicates that that user had performed zero log-ins and zero searches, meaning that Clearview had created an account that was never used. A spokesperson for Ratcliffe told BuzzFeed News that Clearview staff had met with Ratcliffe’s staff.
“Clearview AI created a demo account prior to a legislative meeting, which Ratcliffe’s staff did not activate,” the spokesperson said. Ratcliffe currently sits on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
On Thursday, BuzzFeed News reported that more than 2,200 private and public entities including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, and Macy’s had used Clearview’s facial recognition software. Ratcliffe’s account was not included in that count, which only noted organizations that had at least one account with at least one search.
Clearview did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


buzzfeed--2020-02-29--Pete Buttigieg Is Competing Hard For A Participation Trophy In South Carolina

GREENVILLE , South Carolina — For Pete Buttigieg this week , the cost is so high to meet expectations so low .
His aides are bracing for a fifth-place finish Saturday in South Carolina ’ s Democratic primary , the first contest this year in which black voters are expected to account for most of the turnout .
His viability as a presidential candidate depends on his ability to build a more diverse coalition and his ability to be competitive in most states .
But nothing has gone exactly as planned , and now those two needs don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t-win jam .
Buttigieg couldn ’ t simply blow off the voters in South Carolina , not when his struggle to connect with people of color lingers as a concern .
More time and money — the latter running low to the point of urgent fundraising goals and performative strategy memos — might have been better spent in the upcoming Super Tuesday states .
So he ’ s stuck here trying to make the most of it , with the promise of little more than a participation trophy and hopes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t so bad for him ( and so good for former vice president Joe Biden ) that they obliterate Buttigieg ’ s case that he ’ s the strongest moderate in the race .
“ If I could give the harshest criticism of Pete ’ s campaign so far , it would be the fact that we ’ re almost out of time in South Carolina , ” J.A .
Moore , the South Carolina state representative who is Buttigieg ’ s most prominent endorser here , told BuzzFeed News .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more time here , this would be a completely different race in South Carolina.
” Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , was unknown nationally a year ago .
And though he ’ s made positive impressions in his events here since Monday , South Carolina was never a cornerstone of the launch plan .
Advisers believed strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire , the overwhelmingly white states that voted first and second , would translate into more favorable consideration from black and Latino voters in the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is left with a bunch of what-ifs : What if he had won a more decisive delegate lead in Iowa ?
And what if that result was obvious on caucus night , not delayed for several days due to technical difficulties , and not announced alongside a substantial popular vote lead for Sen. Bernie Sanders ?
What if his close second-place finish behind Sanders in New Hampshire hadn ’ t taken a narrative backseat to Sen. Amy Klobuchar ’ s surprise third-place showing ?
What if Buttigieg ’ s team hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in Nevada — Buttigieg ’ s first test with voters of color — only to finish a distant third ?
Even those impressed with Buttigieg in South Carolina were skeptical of his chances going forward .
There was a sense that any value from his visits may not be realized until later in his political career .
“ I think he ’ s a fine young man , I really do , ” Rev .
O.L .
Davis said after hearing Buttigieg speak Wednesday at a ministers breakfast hosted by Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Charleston .
“ I look for him to be president one day .
I don ’ t know if it ’ ll be this time.
” Buttigieg ditched his usual pitch for generational change this week in favor of a speech meant to show compassion and empathy and acknowledge his white privilege .
He expressed an eagerness to learn from those with different life experiences .
He described his request for black support as humbling .
“ I do not have the experience of having to sit down with a teenage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do if you get pulled over , or the experience of my hands tightening on the wheel when I see red and blue lights , fearing for my life , rather than just wondering how much the ticket is going to be , ” he said Monday during another campaign event in North Charleston .
“ I do not have the everyday experience of walking down the street or to a shopping mall and feeling eyes on me , judging me to be dangerous for no other reason other than the color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign was criticized and embarrassed last year when several prominent black leaders said they were identified publicly — without their knowledge and against their wishes — as supporters of his candidacy or his plan to address systemic racism .
More recently , ABC News reported he had overstated his relationships with black business owners .
This week ’ s outreach has been more rewarding and less clumsy .
Several black surrogates from South Bend have been traveling the state to vouch for Buttigieg ’ s inclusiveness .
( In a trolling move , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina primary , has been campaigning with actor Vivica A .
Fox , a South Bend native . )
Walter Clyburn Reed — the grandson of the influential local Rep. Jim Clyburn , who has endorsed Biden — is working for Buttigieg ’ s campaign and was among the speakers at Monday ’ s event in North Charleston .
Sharpton bragged at his Wednesday breakfast that he and Buttigieg chat regularly by phone — “ never about who I ’ m going to endorse , but about what we see needs to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leader in the Greenville County Democratic Party , organized a Thursday photo op and roundtable discussion on health care at a church in Greenville ’ s largely black Nicholtown neighborhood .
“ This is a community that ’ s been neglected , ” Elrod said .
“ His being here means a great deal because this is one of the most heavily African American precincts in the city , and he is the only presidential candidate to have set forth in this church.
” There were some awkward moments too .
Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been dealing with a cold and weakened voice .
The roundtable , open only to about a half dozen health care activists and the media , came to a hard stop after a half hour .
And the Monday event in North Charleston drew mostly white voters ; nearly every black attendee was placed behind Buttigieg in the camera shot .
“ We ’ re trying to figure that out ourselves , ” Charmanique Bailey , a Buttigieg supporter from Charleston , replied when asked who determined the seating arrangements .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been some allusions to tensions that emerged in the state last year over Buttigieg ’ s sexuality .
Gladys Muhammad , one of the South Bend surrogates , interrupted Buttigieg ’ s closing remarks Monday with an impromptu testimonial : “ I ’ m an old black straight woman , and I support Pete Buttigieg , ” she said before praising the former mayor ’ s work in Indiana and asking the crowd to back him .

GREENVILLE, South Carolina — For Pete Buttigieg this week, the cost is so high to meet expectations so low.
His aides are bracing for a fifth-place finish Saturday in South Carolina’s Democratic primary, the first contest this year in which black voters are expected to account for most of the turnout. His viability as a presidential candidate depends on his ability to build a more diverse coalition and his ability to be competitive in most states.
But nothing has gone exactly as planned, and now those two needs don’t quite align, leaving him in a can’t-win jam.
Buttigieg couldn’t simply blow off the voters in South Carolina, not when his struggle to connect with people of color lingers as a concern. More time and money — the latter running low to the point of urgent fundraising goals and performative strategy memos — might have been better spent in the upcoming Super Tuesday states. So he’s stuck here trying to make the most of it, with the promise of little more than a participation trophy and hopes that the final numbers on Saturday aren’t so bad for him (and so good for former vice president Joe Biden) that they obliterate Buttigieg’s case that he’s the strongest moderate in the race.
“If I could give the harshest criticism of Pete’s campaign so far, it would be the fact that we’re almost out of time in South Carolina,” J.A. Moore, the South Carolina state representative who is Buttigieg’s most prominent endorser here, told BuzzFeed News. “I think if Pete was given a little more time here, this would be a completely different race in South Carolina.”
Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was unknown nationally a year ago. And though he’s made positive impressions in his events here since Monday, South Carolina was never a cornerstone of the launch plan. Advisers believed strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire, the overwhelmingly white states that voted first and second, would translate into more favorable consideration from black and Latino voters in the following contests.
Instead, Buttigieg, 38, is left with a bunch of what-ifs: What if he had won a more decisive delegate lead in Iowa? And what if that result was obvious on caucus night, not delayed for several days due to technical difficulties, and not announced alongside a substantial popular vote lead for Sen. Bernie Sanders? What if his close second-place finish behind Sanders in New Hampshire hadn’t taken a narrative backseat to Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s surprise third-place showing? What if Buttigieg’s team hadn’t prematurely raised expectations of another second place in Nevada — Buttigieg’s first test with voters of color — only to finish a distant third?
Even those impressed with Buttigieg in South Carolina were skeptical of his chances going forward. There was a sense that any value from his visits may not be realized until later in his political career.
“I think he’s a fine young man, I really do,” Rev. O.L. Davis said after hearing Buttigieg speak Wednesday at a ministers breakfast hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in North Charleston. “I look for him to be president one day. I don’t know if it’ll be this time.”
Buttigieg ditched his usual pitch for generational change this week in favor of a speech meant to show compassion and empathy and acknowledge his white privilege. He expressed an eagerness to learn from those with different life experiences. He described his request for black support as humbling.
“I do not have the experience of having to sit down with a teenage son and have the talk about what to do if you get pulled over, or the experience of my hands tightening on the wheel when I see red and blue lights, fearing for my life, rather than just wondering how much the ticket is going to be,” he said Monday during another campaign event in North Charleston. “I do not have the everyday experience of walking down the street or to a shopping mall and feeling eyes on me, judging me to be dangerous for no other reason other than the color of my skin.”
Buttigieg’s campaign was criticized and embarrassed last year when several prominent black leaders said they were identified publicly — without their knowledge and against their wishes — as supporters of his candidacy or his plan to address systemic racism. More recently, ABC News reported he had overstated his relationships with black business owners. This week’s outreach has been more rewarding and less clumsy.
Several black surrogates from South Bend have been traveling the state to vouch for Buttigieg’s inclusiveness. (In a trolling move, Biden, the frontrunner in the South Carolina primary, has been campaigning with actor Vivica A. Fox, a South Bend native.) Walter Clyburn Reed — the grandson of the influential local Rep. Jim Clyburn, who has endorsed Biden — is working for Buttigieg’s campaign and was among the speakers at Monday’s event in North Charleston. Sharpton bragged at his Wednesday breakfast that he and Buttigieg chat regularly by phone — “never about who I’m going to endorse, but about what we see needs to happen in this country.” Jalen Elrod, a leader in the Greenville County Democratic Party, organized a Thursday photo op and roundtable discussion on health care at a church in Greenville’s largely black Nicholtown neighborhood.
“This is a community that’s been neglected,” Elrod said. “His being here means a great deal because this is one of the most heavily African American precincts in the city, and he is the only presidential candidate to have set forth in this church.”
There were some awkward moments too. Buttigieg, often a loud and confident speaker, has been dealing with a cold and weakened voice. The roundtable, open only to about a half dozen health care activists and the media, came to a hard stop after a half hour. And the Monday event in North Charleston drew mostly white voters; nearly every black attendee was placed behind Buttigieg in the camera shot.
“We’re trying to figure that out ourselves,” Charmanique Bailey, a Buttigieg supporter from Charleston, replied when asked who determined the seating arrangements. “We noticed that.”
There have also been some allusions to tensions that emerged in the state last year over Buttigieg’s sexuality.
Gladys Muhammad, one of the South Bend surrogates, interrupted Buttigieg’s closing remarks Monday with an impromptu testimonial: “I’m an old black straight woman, and I support Pete Buttigieg,” she said before praising the former mayor’s work in Indiana and asking the crowd to back him.


buzzfeed--2020-02-29--The Mayor Of Jackson, Mississippi, Has Endorsed Bernie Sanders After A Caucus Of City Residents

Lumumba ’ s endorsement is considered key ahead of Mississippi ’ s primary the week after Super Tuesday , and multiple campaigns have courted him in the lead-up to the election .
Bloomberg , the former New York City mayor , has invested heavily in Mississippi ahead of the state ’ s primary .
Lumumba appeared at a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform last December with Bloomberg , and he ’ s attended events with Warren , Sanders , and Biden over the past two years .
“ Sen .
Sanders rose to the top , ” Lumumba said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where representatives for Sanders , Joe Biden , Michael Bloomberg , and Elizabeth Warren were available to share their candidate ’ s platforms with residents .
“ On a personal level , Sen. Sanders rises to the top for me because he has demonstrated the most consistency , and I think that his policies and what he has prioritized in his campaign speaks to the issues that we ’ re most concerned with in Mississippi.
” “ I believe that an endorsement from myself should represent more than just my own personal thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be considerate of the people who are impacted by the policy , impacted by whatever relationship ensues from that individual if that relationship were to prevail , ” Lumumba said explaining the choice to have a caucus .
“ We decided that we ’ d have a people ’ s caucus , which is consistent with our normal assemblies to discuss major issues in our city.
” The process for obtaining the mayor ’ s endorsement started with the release of an agenda from four mayors across the South , including mayors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; LaToya Cantrell from New Orleans ; Randall Woodfin from Birmingham , Alabama ; and Lumumba , which offered a road map for campaigns looking for their endorsements .
“ The Democratic nomination runs through our communities , ” the mayors wrote in their letter to campaigns in September .
“ Given the power that we wield in this primary process , we fully intend to use our influence and elevate the interests of our residents.
” Since the release of that letter , Lumumba told BuzzFeed News that engagement from campaigns with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayors who signed on to that letter have splintered in their support for particular candidates across the primary : Benjamin endorsed Bloomberg , Woodfin endorsed Biden , and Lumumba and members of his city voted to endorse Sanders .
“ I do think that it is important that we have a candidate that can beat Donald Trump , and I think that Sen. Sanders can achieve that aim , ” Lumumba added .
“ But for us , simply beating Donald Trump is not the bar .
The bar is : Whose campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change circumstances in Mississippi ?
” He added , “ The reality is : No matter who ’ s been in office , no matter whether we ’ ve been told the country is experiencing economic prosperity or an economic recession — Mississippi has always been at the bottom .
So we ’ re not looking for status quo .
We ’ re not simply looking for someone who says the things we want them to say .
We ’ re looking for representation that identifies that economic justice must be a centerpiece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it was necessary that we do our homework , ” Lumumba told BuzzFeed News .
“ We ’ ve heard from virtually every campaign .
...
I ’ ve spoken to Mayor [ Pete ] Buttigieg [ and ] I ’ ve spoken to Biden when he called us to Atlanta to do a roundtable discussion with Southern mayors after we issued that letter .
And we listened to their platforms and we learned a lot .
I ’ m not here to speak against any campaign ; I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I believe that my candidate ’ s platform is the one that moves the needle forward .
”

The process for obtaining the mayor’s endorsement started with the release of an agenda from four mayors across the South, including mayors Steve Benjamin from Columbia, South Carolina; LaToya Cantrell from New Orleans; Randall Woodfin from Birmingham, Alabama; and Lumumba, which offered a road map for campaigns looking for their endorsements.
“The Democratic nomination runs through our communities,” the mayors wrote in their letter to campaigns in September. “Given the power that we wield in this primary process, we fully intend to use our influence and elevate the interests of our residents.”
Since the release of that letter, Lumumba told BuzzFeed News that engagement from campaigns with their communities had increased significantly. The mayors who signed on to that letter have splintered in their support for particular candidates across the primary: Benjamin endorsed Bloomberg, Woodfin endorsed Biden, and Lumumba and members of his city voted to endorse Sanders.
“I do think that it is important that we have a candidate that can beat Donald Trump, and I think that Sen. Sanders can achieve that aim,” Lumumba added. “But for us, simply beating Donald Trump is not the bar. The bar is: Whose campaign represents the type of big ideas that change circumstances in Mississippi?”
He added, “The reality is: No matter who’s been in office, no matter whether we’ve been told the country is experiencing economic prosperity or an economic recession — Mississippi has always been at the bottom. So we’re not looking for status quo. We’re not simply looking for someone who says the things we want them to say. We’re looking for representation that identifies that economic justice must be a centerpiece of how we move forward.”
Lumumba said Sanders stood out.
“I think it was necessary that we do our homework,” Lumumba told BuzzFeed News. “We’ve heard from virtually every campaign. ... I’ve spoken to Mayor [Pete] Buttigieg [and] I’ve spoken to Biden when he called us to Atlanta to do a roundtable discussion with Southern mayors after we issued that letter. And we listened to their platforms and we learned a lot. I’m not here to speak against any campaign; I’m here to speak for my candidate, and I believe that my candidate’s platform is the one that moves the needle forward.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-02--Pete Buttigieg Is Ending His Campaign. He Was The First Gay Candidate To Seriously Contend For The P

Pete Buttigieg Is Ending His Campaign. He Was The First Gay Candidate To Seriously Contend For The Presidency.

Pete Buttigieg is ending his presidential campaign , according to a campaign aide .
The announcement will bring to an end Buttigieg 's stunning rise from unknown mayor of Indiana 's fourth largest city to the first major gay presidential candidate .
His narrow victory in Iowa marked the first time a gay candidate and a millennial won a presidential nominating contest in US history .
“ He surprised everyone through the whole campaign and continues to do the best thing for our party and our country , ” Nan Whaley , the mayor of Dayton , Ohio , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s campaign said Sunday after word of his plans to drop out spread .
And his rise from relative anonymity to Iowa caucus winner echoed Jimmy Carter ’ s victory nearly 45 years ago — an outsider with the promise of understated , honest political restoration .
But Buttigieg could n't turn his successes in Iowa and New Hampshire — close finishes with or behind Bernie Sanders — into the broad coalition needed to secure a Democratic nomination .
His struggles in reaching black and Latino voters dominated coverage for months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Carolina as the primary moved into states with more diverse electorates .
Facing tough results for a second week in a row , Buttigieg told supporters late Saturday night , `` I am determined to earn every vote on the road ahead . ''
But on Sunday , after meeting with Carter himself and attending events to commemorate the Civil Rights movement in Alabama , Buttigieg decided to end his campaign .
Despite also being the first millennial candidate to win a presidential nominating contest — albeit with an incredibly narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older Democrats , not peers and certainly not the next generation of voters , who prefer Bernie Sanders to all others .
Buttigieg 's actual political views remained somewhat opaque to the electorate — but over the course of the campaign , he shifted toward a considerably more moderate presentation and policy purview .
Buttigieg , in fact , modeled much of his approach on the Obama campaign , which galvanized millennial voters a decade ago .
He spoke in the aspirational language about the day after Trump , projects the same kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity as the first gay candidate ( and the perceived electoral risk that accompanies that identity ) in how Barack Obama approached his own position as the party ’ s first black nominee and then the first black president .
It did n't quite work the same for Buttigieg .
But his candidacy — especially in the muted response at times to its historical nature — marks off just how much has changed in the United States .
When Obama ran for office in 2008 , most Democrats and even he did not @ @ @ @

Pete Buttigieg has ended his presidential campaign, the former mayor told a crowd in his home city of South Bend, Indiana, on Sunday evening.
His narrow victory in Iowa marked the first time an openly gay candidate and a millennial won a presidential nominating contest in US history. Buttigieg, in a speech from South Bend, announced his decision first by recalling some of the values that guided his campaign.
“Today is a moment of truth,” Buttigieg said. “After a year of going everywhere, meeting everyone, defying every expectation, seeking every vote, the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy, if not for our cause. Another of those values is responsibility. And we have a responsibility to consider the effect of remaining in this race any further. Our goal has always been to help unify Americans to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values. And so we must recognize that at this point in the race the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and our country together."
Buttigieg's decision could help moderate Democrats consolidate their support around a single candidate as they look to keep Bernie Sanders, the independent democratic socialist, from winning the party's nomination. Buttigieg, who in recent weeks frequently criticized Sanders' policy proposals as too extreme, did not encourage his supporters to unite behind anyone else. But Virginia Rep. Don Beyer — the first member of Congress to endorse Buttigieg — quickly did, shifting his endorsement to former vice president Joe Biden just days before Virginia votes with other Super Tuesday states.
The Sunday announcement brings to an end Buttigieg's stunning rise from unknown mayor of Indiana's fourth-largest city to major presidential candidate.
“He surprised everyone through the whole campaign and continues to do the best thing for our party and our country,” Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton, Ohio, and one of the earliest supporters of Buttigieg’s campaign, said Sunday after word of the candidate's plans to drop out spread.
And his rise from relative anonymity to Iowa caucus winner echoed Jimmy Carter’s victory nearly 45 years ago — an outsider with the promise of understated, honest political restoration.
But Buttigieg couldn't turn his successes in Iowa and New Hampshire — close finishes with or behind Bernie Sanders — into the broad coalition needed to secure a Democratic nomination. His struggles in reaching black and Latino voters dominated coverage for months, and resulted in poor showings in Nevada and South Carolina as the primary moved into states with more diverse electorates.
Facing tough results for a second week in a row, Buttigieg told supporters late Saturday night, "I am determined to earn every vote on the road ahead."
But on Sunday, after meeting with Carter himself and attending events to commemorate the Civil Rights movement in Alabama, Buttigieg decided to end his campaign, cutting short a trip that would have taken him to Texas.
One adviser to the campaign, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, attributed Buttigieg’s downturn in recent weeks to delayed results in Iowa that “stole coverage” from what was Buttigieg’s most successful night as a candidate.
Buttigieg, ultimately, won the most delegates in the caucus state where the campaign heavily organized and the candidate spent months, balancing a national media-friendly strategy and the local presence. (Sanders won the first and second alignment in the state under the unusual rules that caucuses follow.) But those results came weeks after, and never — despite Buttigieg's caucus-night victory address — delivered the emphatic fundraising and media bounce the campaign had planned.
The adviser also noted the swell of media attention around Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar after her third-place finish in New Hampshire — behind Buttigieg — and around Michael Bloomberg, who didn’t compete in the first four states.
There was, the adviser argued, a “preoccupation with the media on everything besides actual results from Iowa and New Hampshire.”
Signs of money troubles began to show after New Hampshire, when sources told BuzzFeed News that dozens of field organizers were told their jobs were ending for budgetary reasons. In the days before Nevada, Buttigieg announced a $13 million fundraising goal he said he needed to hit by this week's Super Tuesday contests. The campaign, according to updates it had been issuing publicly, hadn't yet hit the mark by the time South Carolina results were announced Saturday.
Buttigieg had hoped to use Iowa and New Hampshire as a springboard to greater things, a strategy in part presaged by Barack Obama's 2008 campaign.
Buttigieg, in fact, modeled much of his approach on the Obama campaign, which galvanized millennial voters a decade ago. He spoke in the aspirational language about the day after Trump, projects the same kind of detached intellectualism, and centered his identity as the first gay candidate (and the perceived electoral risk that accompanies that identity) in how Barack Obama approached his own position as the party’s first black nominee and then the first black president.
It didn't work the same for Buttigieg after the first two states.
And despite also being the first millennial candidate to win a presidential nominating contest, Buttigieg's appeal resonated most with older Democrats, not peers and certainly not the next generation of voters, who prefer Sanders to all others. Buttigieg's actual political views remained somewhat opaque to the electorate — but over the course of the campaign, he shifted toward a considerably more moderate presentation and policy purview.
But his candidacy — especially in the muted response at times to its historical nature — marks off just how much has changed in the United States. When Obama ran for office in 2008, most Democrats and even he did not support marriage equality.


buzzfeed--2020-03-01--Pete Buttigieg Is Winning. But Does He Have A Phase 5?

The former mayor has had a stunning start to the Democratic primary .
But he now has serious issues to deal with , starting with money .
NASHUA , New Hampshire — The weight of his presidential campaign hung on one week in February .
He needed to win in Iowa — the kind of stunning , historic victory that would validate his name across the country .
Then he needed to go to New Hampshire and prove himself there , too .
Pete Buttigieg did both of those things .
But an extraordinary two weeks have left the 38-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency .
After raising tens of millions of dollars last year , his campaign is facing unusual financial pressures after spending much of that money in and on Iowa , leaving some of his organizing staff uncertain if they still have jobs .
And in the contests ahead , he will compete against two well-funded opponents , a steady Bernie Sanders and a strengthening Michael Bloomberg , as he faces an imminent test of his greatest vulnerability : support from voters of color .
Thanks to a chaotic caucus night and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s apparent Iowa victory did not deliver the massive fundraising boost a winner would expect out of the first , much-hyped caucus .
And it did not immediately elevate him exponentially with the voters of color who will decide the next two states on the calendar , Nevada and South Carolina .
On the campaign trail , the candidate ’ s answer to people concerned about his struggles with black voters often hinged on Iowa , and the idea that a victory there would open doors for him with black voters — just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for Barack Obama in 2008 .
In the wake of Iowa , at least one poll showed it was a different moderate candidate who managed to steal away a bigger chunk of black Democrats from Biden : Bloomberg , a billionaire late entry who is now expected to be a serious threat by the time Super Tuesday rolls around .
And in New Hampshire , where he came within reach of beating Sanders on Tuesday , an unexpected surge and third-place finish by yet another moderate , Amy Klobuchar , hurt Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s center .
Buttigieg has early victories under his belt and slightly more delegates than any other candidate , but for a campaign that rallies its supporters around a methodical path forward — Iowa marked , in its own semi-serious Twitter parlance , the initiation of “ phase 4 ” — it ’ s an unusually tenuous position .
On the night a coding error derailed the Iowa caucuses , Buttigieg declared victory anyway .
In a sense , it was the obvious choice for the campaign : Even in the confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers had some confidence he would lead the field in state delegate equivalents — the metric that traditionally determines the winner in Iowa ’ s complex caucus process — but after funneling the large share of their time , money , and staff into the state , they felt they needed to leave Iowa as winners .
Still , the dayslong delay offset their apparent victory with questions about an opaque caucus process and a poorly built smartphone app , stunting what could have been a massive fundraising opportunity .
Sanders eventually declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raw vote total , further complicating any clean success story .
Rep. Anthony Brown of Maryland , a cochair of Buttigieg ’ s campaign , suggested the Iowa aftermath affected the campaign ’ s anticipated bounces in fundraising , polling , and enthusiasm .
“ It ’ s hard to measure .
What do those three bounces look like with a Tuesday morning headline ?
We got about four days of bump , ” Brown said in an interview , acknowledging that each day ’ s bounce was likely smaller than the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it raised $ 4 million in the three days after the caucus showing , though there ’ s no clear picture of how much cash remains on hand after a heavy investment in the first two states .
It was a strong number , but less than Klobuchar 's campaign said it raised in the wake of her debate performance later in the week .
( She also announced that she raised $ 2.5 million in a matter of hours after coming in third in New Hampshire .
Buttigieg as of Thursday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Some on the massive Buttigieg team in Iowa — which hit its peak at about 170 staffers , many of whom moved to Iowa for months to help build a field and political organization from scratch — are now waiting to see whether they will have jobs on the campaign in other states .
Dozens of field organizers were told their jobs were ending for “ budgetary reasons , ” according to two Iowa Democrats close to the Buttigieg operation .
“ When he says plainly we have to do well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no way we can win , then we probably should n't be surprised at where they are financially , ” one of the Democrats said .
Asked about the Iowa staff , Buttigieg spokesperson Ben Halle said the campaign was following redeployment and transition guidelines set by its staff ’ s union contract .
“ When positions in Iowa ended after the caucuses , we 've been offering new positions as they become available as directed by the collective bargaining agreement , ” he said .
“ We 're glad to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new positions on our team . ''
On Wednesday , the Buttigieg campaign announced plans to double its staff in Nevada , another caucus state where an organized field operation is key to a candidate ’ s competitive edge .
Susie Tompkins Buell , one of the party ’ s biggest donors and a central figure helping raise money for Buttigieg , said that the Iowa success has “ recharged ” the community of well-connected wealthy Democrats who can raise large sums as so-called bundlers .
“ People are coming back for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her husband Mark Buell has hosted a number of high-dollar fundraisers for Buttigieg in San Francisco .
“ He still has room to grow .
His investors , they look at it as investing , not bundling — and honestly , I don ’ t know how to put this in words that don ’ t sound ‘ woo woo ’ — they have this sort of feeling of really believing in something .
People feel that .
I feel that myself.
” But another major Buttigieg bundler said he had expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money he was able to raise — and hadn ’ t yet seen one .
Money will be an even greater challenge for Buttigieg now that the race is narrowing in part around Sanders , whose small-dollar donors are a reliable source of tens of millions of dollars through recurring donations , and Bloomberg , who is spending hundreds of millions from his own fortune .
The Iowa spending plan was sound , Michael Halle , a senior strategist on Buttigieg ’ s campaign , said this week in an interview .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The thing no one would have wanted , and you and your colleagues would have destroyed us over , is if we had $ 15 million sitting in the bank and we didn ’ t do well in Iowa and New Hampshire and the argument for the candidacy starts to go away .
... We ’ ve had great fundraising since the caucus and frankly even in the weeks prior to the caucus .
We are confident we are going to have the resources to go compete .
But no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have resources if they can ’ t continue to prove that they can win . ''
The campaign as of Wednesday had more than 100 paid staff in Nevada — including an influx of former Iowa organizers — and 55 in South Carolina , which votes on Feb. 29 .
Beyond Nevada and South Carolina , the campaign is also deploying resources to the Super Tuesday states that vote March 3 .
Buttigieg will visit five of those states — including California , a prime destination for both delegates and raising cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The campaign has staff in every Super Tuesday state and grassroots volunteer teams in every congressional district in those states , an organization built to help boost delegate totals .
The campaign has announced a six-figure advertising push targeting seven Super Tuesday and other later-voting states .
`` Pete ’ s going to have to go in , and we ’ re going to have to do this with the media as well and really close the deal , ” Michael Halle , the senior strategist , said .
“ And that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure that we ’ re getting into communities , especially communities of color , and letting Pete be Pete and get in front of people and make his argument .
What we have seen consistently is that when that happens , our support grows . ''
Campaign advisers aren ’ t planning a major overhaul to Buttigieg ’ s approach or overall message , which in the first two states involved the candidate ’ s pointed overtures to “ future former Republicans.
” Buttigieg presents himself — as a married millennial man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate of generational change and ideological compromise .
But Buttigieg , who frequently acknowledges his shortcomings with voters of color , also debuted some sharper lines in his Tuesday night speech in New Hampshire clearly meant to telegraph the shift to more diverse states .
The multilingual candidate addressed a portion of his remarks to Dreamers in Spanish .
He decried voter suppression and spoke of welcoming “ new allies to our movement ” — a movement that reaches “ into church basements and barbershops , into universities and union halls.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from state Rep. JA Moore , Buttigieg ’ s first endorsement from a black lawmaker in South Carolina .
Brown , the campaign cochair and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus , said there will be efforts to reach faith-based organizations and historically black colleges and universities .
Brown also expects the campaign to emphasize Buttigieg ’ s Douglass Plan , a series of proposals to address systemic racism .
“ Consistency is important , ” Brown said .
“ People in South Carolina can hear what he 's saying whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rapids or Nashua , New Hampshire .
We ’ ll tailor the message to make sure we ’ re speaking to specific concerns , but it will be consistent.
” The theory that voters of color will respond to Buttigieg once he ’ s proven himself a winner and once he spends more time in their communities remains largely untested .
One rival campaign , citing internal data from the only six Iowa precincts where its models showed a majority of caucusgoers were expected to be black , found that Biden and Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Buttigieg campaign has preferred to emphasize a mashup of numbers that show him winning at least 15 % of state delegate equivalents in precincts where more than 20 % of the people are of color .
( Iowa overall is more than 90 % white . )
An Iowa entrance poll from ABC News found Sanders with a big lead among nonwhite caucusgoers , with Buttigieg and Biden bunched together in a distant second tier .
`` There are going to be big swaths of people that are up for grabs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen time and time again that when we can get in front of those people , and people get a sense of Pete ’ s brand and who he is and what he ’ s about , they like him . ''
National surveys since Iowa show Buttigieg improving with voters of color : from 0 % black support pre-Iowa to 4 % post-Iowa in a Quinnipiac poll ; from 1 % nonwhite support to 8 % in a Monmouth poll — the largest jump for any candidate , Bloomberg included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support is not conducive to a winning coalition .
“ I do n't think it ’ s been a lack of effort on Pete ’ s part , ” Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana , a Biden campaign cochair , told BuzzFeed News .
“ I think African Americans are aware of what ’ s at stake .
They ’ re reluctant to nominate the mayor of a small city to go up against Trump.
” Richmond has encouraged Biden to make such contrasts .
Over the weekend , the campaign dropped a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as small when stacked up against Biden ’ s record .
The attack annoyed Buttigieg and his supporters , who accused Biden of belittling smaller cities .
“ I was hurt by it , ” said Nan Whaley , the mayor of Dayton , Ohio , who canvassed for Buttigieg in New Hampshire .
“ You 're really talking about a large portion of the public that has no idea who Pete Buttigieg is today , ” Whaley added .
“ What I know is that when audiences of color get to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Pete ’ s record has been out there — as it should be , how he ’ s done in South Bend — there ’ s been very little coverage of the other candidates on diversity issues .
I can ’ t wait for that.
” Buttigieg ’ s campaign is itself now looking for more coverage .
The campaign , which began its ascent by getting the then-unknown Buttigieg as much free media as possible to boost his name recognition , is again foisting the candidate onto morning news shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks without needing to pay for it .
Often punctual even when on a packed schedule of rallies and town halls , Buttigieg was later than usual the day before the New Hampshire primary and had an afternoon free of campaign stops following a morning meet-and-greet in Plymouth .
NBC News ’ Chuck Todd was among those waiting to interview Buttigieg after that event .
And actor Kevin Costner , on hand to add some celebrity to Buttigieg ’ s final night of campaigning , dashed out of a Milford forum early to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s staff had arranged for him .
It ’ s this type of free media that could sustain Buttigieg if he has to cut back on paid advertising , if the resources spent on Iowa and New Hampshire are not quickly or sufficiently replenished .
“ Fresh off our huge night last night , Pete sat down this morning with @ Morning_Joe , @ NewDay , @ JudyWoodruff , ” Chris Meagher , Buttigieg ’ s national press secretary , tweeted Wednesday morning , hours after the New Hampshire results .
Meagher then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews Buttigieg did , covering Las Vegas , Charleston , South Carolina , several Super Tuesday states , and Pennsylvania — which doesn ’ t vote until April 28 .
Rather than rush to Nevada or South Carolina on Wednesday morning after his second-place New Hampshire finish , Buttigieg rushed to TV .

NASHUA, New Hampshire — The weight of his presidential campaign hung on one week in February. He needed to win in Iowa — the kind of stunning, historic victory that would validate his name across the country. Then he needed to go to New Hampshire and prove himself there, too.
Pete Buttigieg did both of those things. But an extraordinary two weeks have left the 38-year-old former mayor without a clear path to the presidency.
After raising tens of millions of dollars last year, his campaign is facing unusual financial pressures after spending much of that money in and on Iowa, leaving some of his organizing staff uncertain if they still have jobs. And in the contests ahead, he will compete against two well-funded opponents, a steady Bernie Sanders and a strengthening Michael Bloomberg, as he faces an imminent test of his greatest vulnerability: support from voters of color.
Thanks to a chaotic caucus night and a near tie with Sanders, Buttigieg’s apparent Iowa victory did not deliver the massive fundraising boost a winner would expect out of the first, much-hyped caucus. And it did not immediately elevate him exponentially with the voters of color who will decide the next two states on the calendar, Nevada and South Carolina. On the campaign trail, the candidate’s answer to people concerned about his struggles with black voters often hinged on Iowa, and the idea that a victory there would open doors for him with black voters — just as it did, his aides said, for Barack Obama in 2008.
In the wake of Iowa, at least one poll showed it was a different moderate candidate who managed to steal away a bigger chunk of black Democrats from Biden: Bloomberg, a billionaire late entry who is now expected to be a serious threat by the time Super Tuesday rolls around. And in New Hampshire, where he came within reach of beating Sanders on Tuesday, an unexpected surge and third-place finish by yet another moderate, Amy Klobuchar, hurt Buttigieg’s chances to claim the party’s center.
Buttigieg has early victories under his belt and slightly more delegates than any other candidate, but for a campaign that rallies its supporters around a methodical path forward — Iowa marked, in its own semi-serious Twitter parlance, the initiation of “phase 4” — it’s an unusually tenuous position.
On the night a coding error derailed the Iowa caucuses, Buttigieg declared victory anyway. In a sense, it was the obvious choice for the campaign: Even in the confusion of that night, Buttigieg’s advisers had some confidence he would lead the field in state delegate equivalents — the metric that traditionally determines the winner in Iowa’s complex caucus process — but after funneling the large share of their time, money, and staff into the state, they felt they needed to leave Iowa as winners.
Still, the dayslong delay offset their apparent victory with questions about an opaque caucus process and a poorly built smartphone app, stunting what could have been a massive fundraising opportunity. Sanders eventually declared victory as well, based on the raw vote total, further complicating any clean success story.
Rep. Anthony Brown of Maryland, a cochair of Buttigieg’s campaign, suggested the Iowa aftermath affected the campaign’s anticipated bounces in fundraising, polling, and enthusiasm.
“It’s hard to measure. What do those three bounces look like with a Tuesday morning headline? We got about four days of bump,” Brown said in an interview, acknowledging that each day’s bounce was likely smaller than the day before.
Buttigieg’s campaign announced it raised $4 million in the three days after the caucus showing, though there’s no clear picture of how much cash remains on hand after a heavy investment in the first two states. It was a strong number, but less than Klobuchar's campaign said it raised in the wake of her debate performance later in the week. (She also announced that she raised $2.5 million in a matter of hours after coming in third in New Hampshire. Buttigieg as of Thursday morning had shared no fundraising specifics post-primary.)
Some on the massive Buttigieg team in Iowa — which hit its peak at about 170 staffers, many of whom moved to Iowa for months to help build a field and political organization from scratch — are now waiting to see whether they will have jobs on the campaign in other states.
Dozens of field organizers were told their jobs were ending for “budgetary reasons,” according to two Iowa Democrats close to the Buttigieg operation. “When he says plainly we have to do well in both of these states, or there is no way we can win, then we probably shouldn't be surprised at where they are financially,” one of the Democrats said.
Asked about the Iowa staff, Buttigieg spokesperson Ben Halle said the campaign was following redeployment and transition guidelines set by its staff’s union contract. “When positions in Iowa ended after the caucuses, we've been offering new positions as they become available as directed by the collective bargaining agreement,” he said. “We're glad to have already offered the vast majority of them new positions on our team."
On Wednesday, the Buttigieg campaign announced plans to double its staff in Nevada, another caucus state where an organized field operation is key to a candidate’s competitive edge.


buzzfeed--2020-03-02--Pete Buttigieg Changed What It Means For LGBTQ Candidates To Run For Office

Pete Buttigieg ended his presidential campaign the same way that he had started it : with his husband at his side .
For the first time , an openly gay candidate had made a serious run for the White House .
Pete and Chasten Buttigieg made waves when they kissed on stage the day they got into the race — an image that in so many ways announced the new era Buttigieg was , in the words of his campaign slogan , trying to win .
Soon they appeared together on the cover of Time magazine under a simple headline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , as the campaign came to a close in South Bend , Indiana , they kissed again , after Chasten offered a stirring tribute .
“ On my way to find Pete , after falling in love with Pete , Pete got me to believe in myself again , ” Chasten said .
“ And I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there in this country who needed to believe in themselves , too.
” Pete Buttigieg , South Bend ’ s 38-year-old former mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We sent a message , ” he said , “ to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than , to see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a leading American presidential candidate with his husband at his side.
” LGBTQ activists and advocates , and even some of Buttigieg ’ s critics in the gay community , were quick to mark his candidacy as a sign of progress : someone who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but avenues .
“ Never in my life did I believe we would see a viable gay candidate for president , ” Rufus Gifford , a top Democratic fundraiser who backs former vice president Joe Biden for president , told BuzzFeed News .
“ From the moment he entered the race he touched lives , perhaps none more than the young LGBT people around the world who saw in him their hopes and dreams.
” “ He broke ground , ” Gifford added .
“ He changed minds .
He will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seen the last of him.
” Annise Parker , the former mayor of Houston and the head of Victory Fund , which supports LGBTQ candidates , was among Buttigieg ’ s core endorsers .
She was expected to be among Buttigieg ’ s surrogates this week as the Democratic primary shifted to Texas and other Super Tuesday states .
“ He ’ s changing the lives of young LGBT people because he ’ s in the race , but he ’ s changing the possibilities for our candidates , as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
“ There ’ s definitely a Pete effect , where people say , ‘ Look at how he ’ s doing , look at how he ’ s being received .
It ’ s not a positive that he ’ s openly LGBT , but it ’ s not necessarily a negative , but if he can do it , I can do it.
’ We see that all across the country.
” Rep. David Cicilline , a Rhode Island Democrat who as mayor of Providence was the first openly gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg ’ s candidacy “ moved our entire country forward.
” “ We should all take a moment to appreciate the historic significance of the Buttigieg campaign , ” Cicilline , who did not endorse in the primary , said in a statement to BuzzFeed News .
“ An openly gay mayor of a small Midwestern city won the Iowa caucus and established himself in the top tier of presidential candidates this year.
” Buttigieg , a military veteran with a background in business consulting , had presented himself as a more moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several of his LGBTQ supporters said Sunday they appreciated how his exit could help moderate Democrats consolidate their support around a single candidate .
“ I expect his decision is not about what ’ s good for him , but what ’ s good for the country , ” Rich Eychaner , a top Buttigieg donor from Iowa , wrote via email .
“ As a soldier he knows the ultimate victory supersedes any one life .
I hope he throws his support behind VP Biden so the party can emerge with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to heal our country.
” Buttigieg ’ s milder brand of politics was not universally admired in the LGBTQ community .
Some activists criticized him for being too fixated on the fight for marriage equality — a battle already won , and one that doesn ’ t necessarily speak to the needs of some of the community ’ s most vulnerable .
And Buttigieg further antagonized some advocates by initially declining an invitation to address a major LGBTQ forum in Iowa last year and by criticizing LGBTQ media .
Drew Anderson , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is among those who found himself disappointed with Buttigieg ’ s candidacy at times .
Like others , he felt the former mayor could have done more to advance the movement ’ s causes , particularly with regard to racial and social justice issues .
“ We need to be reflective of how inclusive we ’ re portraying the movement to be , ” Anderson said Sunday .
“ The movement needs to really back up their commitment to inclusivity and intersectionality.
” “ When you analyze Pete Buttigieg ’ s candidacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to note is how great of a role model he was for LGBTQ youth .
It really gives those young kids someone to look up to.
” Anderson also has some ideas for Buttigieg ’ s future : a run for governor of Indiana .
Buttigieg ’ s only past run for statewide office — for treasurer in 2010 — resulted in a landslide loss .
And Indiana is a deeply conservative state where the former governor , Mike Pence , backed a religious freedom law that critics said allowed discrimination against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Buttigieg now has a national profile and donor network , and Anderson thinks one profound way he can advance the LGBTQ cause is by giving Indiana a gay governor .
“ He actually , whether or not himself or insiders realize it , has a legitimate shot , ” Anderson said .
“ He would be the most viable Hoosier to run .
”

Pete Buttigieg ended his presidential campaign the same way that he had started it: with his husband at his side. For the first time, an openly gay candidate had made a serious run for the White House.
Pete and Chasten Buttigieg made waves when they kissed on stage the day they got into the race — an image that in so many ways announced the new era Buttigieg was, in the words of his campaign slogan, trying to win.
Soon they appeared together on the cover of Time magazine under a simple headline: First Family. And on Sunday night, as the campaign came to a close in South Bend, Indiana, they kissed again, after Chasten offered a stirring tribute.
“On my way to find Pete, after falling in love with Pete, Pete got me to believe in myself again,” Chasten said. “And I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there in this country who needed to believe in themselves, too.”
Pete Buttigieg, South Bend’s 38-year-old former mayor, soon echoed that sentiment on stage.
“We sent a message,” he said, “to every kid out there wondering if whatever marks them out as different means they are somehow destined to be less than, to see that someone who once felt that exact same way can become a leading American presidential candidate with his husband at his side.”
LGBTQ activists and advocates, and even some of Buttigieg’s critics in the gay community, were quick to mark his candidacy as a sign of progress: someone who had broken barriers and opened not just minds, but avenues.
“Never in my life did I believe we would see a viable gay candidate for president,” Rufus Gifford, a top Democratic fundraiser who backs former vice president Joe Biden for president, told BuzzFeed News. “From the moment he entered the race he touched lives, perhaps none more than the young LGBT people around the world who saw in him their hopes and dreams.”
“He broke ground,” Gifford added. “He changed minds. He will never be forgotten. But we haven’t seen the last of him.”
Annise Parker, the former mayor of Houston and the head of Victory Fund, which supports LGBTQ candidates, was among Buttigieg’s core endorsers. She was expected to be among Buttigieg’s surrogates this week as the Democratic primary shifted to Texas and other Super Tuesday states.
“He’s changing the lives of young LGBT people because he’s in the race, but he’s changing the possibilities for our candidates, as well,” Parker said in an interview Sunday night. “There’s definitely a Pete effect, where people say, ‘Look at how he’s doing, look at how he’s being received. It’s not a positive that he’s openly LGBT, but it’s not necessarily a negative, but if he can do it, I can do it.’ We see that all across the country.”
Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat who as mayor of Providence was the first openly gay mayor of a state capital, said Buttigieg’s candidacy “moved our entire country forward.”
“We should all take a moment to appreciate the historic significance of the Buttigieg campaign,” Cicilline, who did not endorse in the primary, said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. “An openly gay mayor of a small Midwestern city won the Iowa caucus and established himself in the top tier of presidential candidates this year.”
Buttigieg, a military veteran with a background in business consulting, had presented himself as a more moderate voice in the Democratic field, and several of his LGBTQ supporters said Sunday they appreciated how his exit could help moderate Democrats consolidate their support around a single candidate.
“I expect his decision is not about what’s good for him, but what’s good for the country,” Rich Eychaner, a top Buttigieg donor from Iowa, wrote via email. “As a soldier he knows the ultimate victory supersedes any one life. I hope he throws his support behind VP Biden so the party can emerge with a centrist to win in November and begin to heal our country.”
Buttigieg’s milder brand of politics was not universally admired in the LGBTQ community. Some activists criticized him for being too fixated on the fight for marriage equality — a battle already won, and one that doesn’t necessarily speak to the needs of some of the community’s most vulnerable. And Buttigieg further antagonized some advocates by initially declining an invitation to address a major LGBTQ forum in Iowa last year and by criticizing LGBTQ media.
Drew Anderson, a Democratic strategist and LGBTQ activist in Indiana, is among those who found himself disappointed with Buttigieg’s candidacy at times. Like others, he felt the former mayor could have done more to advance the movement’s causes, particularly with regard to racial and social justice issues.
“We need to be reflective of how inclusive we’re portraying the movement to be,” Anderson said Sunday. “The movement needs to really back up their commitment to inclusivity and intersectionality.”
Anderson nevertheless believes Buttigieg’s run was significant.
“When you analyze Pete Buttigieg’s candidacy,” he said, “one thing to note is how great of a role model he was for LGBTQ youth. It really gives those young kids someone to look up to.”
Anderson also has some ideas for Buttigieg’s future: a run for governor of Indiana.
Buttigieg’s only past run for statewide office — for treasurer in 2010 — resulted in a landslide loss. And Indiana is a deeply conservative state where the former governor, Mike Pence, backed a religious freedom law that critics said allowed discrimination against LGBTQ people, before retreating under pressure. But Buttigieg now has a national profile and donor network, and Anderson thinks one profound way he can advance the LGBTQ cause is by giving Indiana a gay governor.
“He actually, whether or not himself or insiders realize it, has a legitimate shot,” Anderson said. “He would be the most viable Hoosier to run.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-02--Tom Steyer Is Ending His Presidential Campaign

COLUMBIA , South Carolina — Tom Steyer is ending his presidential campaign , after spending millions of his personal fortune on his race and coming up short in South Carolina , where his campaign focused heavily on turning out black voters .
He made the announcement at his election night party here , as results continue to come in but show him shy of the 15 % statewide delegate threshold .
`` I said if I did n't see a path to winning , then I 'd suspend my campaign .
And honestly , I ca n't see a path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said , while committing to keep working in South Carolina .
Steyer , a billionaire from California , had staked his campaign on doing well in South Carolina , hosting dozens of events and lavishing the state in ads .
He made some inroads with black voters in the state , spending hours listening to the concerns of individual communities and convincing voters that he deserved their trust .
At campaign events across the state this week , black voters told BuzzFeed News that Steyer had been able to woo them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed 116 organizers across the state to host events and develop relationships with community organizers and elected officials .
That support wasn ’ t enough to overcome Biden ’ s wide lead in the state where he remained the top choice among black voters .
The campaign said it was vital to secure delegates in the state , alongside a finish in the top three to help the campaign gain momentum ahead of Super Tuesday .
Steyer first became widely known last year , when his group Need To Impeach began taking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's impeachment .
The ads , which starred Steyer speaking directly to the camera , captured much of his initial campaign — an earnest , if slightly awkward , persona dedicated primarily to removing Trump from office .
Steyer had previously spent millions on other Democratic causes , particularly fighting climate change .
Though a billionaire himself , Steyer took issue with Michael Bloomberg 's campaign and how he was spending his own money .
“ I think if you want to be president of the United States , you should have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye and listen to what they have to say , '' he told BuzzFeed News late last year .
By the last months of his campaign , Steyer appeared to be one of the few remaining candidates truly having fun on the trail .
His incidental involvement in the January fight between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , in which Steyer said he was simply trying to say hi to Sanders , went viral .
His campaign events featured huge musical acts of the '90s — like TLC , Boyz II Men , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latter on the last night before South Carolina 's primary , Steyer enthusiastically danced on stage to `` Back That Azz Up . ''
`` This has been a great experience , I have zero regrets , '' Steyer said in closing Saturday night .

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — Tom Steyer is ending his presidential campaign, after spending millions of his personal fortune on his race and coming up short in South Carolina, where his campaign focused heavily on turning out black voters.
He made the announcement at his election night party here, as results continue to come in but show him shy of the 15% statewide delegate threshold.
"I said if I didn't see a path to winning, then I'd suspend my campaign. And honestly, I can't see a path where I can win the presidency," he said, while committing to keep working in South Carolina.
Steyer, a billionaire from California, had staked his campaign on doing well in South Carolina, hosting dozens of events and lavishing the state in ads. He made some inroads with black voters in the state, spending hours listening to the concerns of individual communities and convincing voters that he deserved their trust.
At campaign events across the state this week, black voters told BuzzFeed News that Steyer had been able to woo them because of his deeply-rooted campaign, which deployed 116 organizers across the state to host events and develop relationships with community organizers and elected officials. That support wasn’t enough to overcome Biden’s wide lead in the state where he remained the top choice among black voters.
The campaign said it was vital to secure delegates in the state, alongside a finish in the top three to help the campaign gain momentum ahead of Super Tuesday.
Steyer first became widely known last year, when his group Need To Impeach began taking out national ads pushing for President Donald Trump's impeachment. The ads, which starred Steyer speaking directly to the camera, captured much of his initial campaign — an earnest, if slightly awkward, persona dedicated primarily to removing Trump from office. Steyer had previously spent millions on other Democratic causes, particularly fighting climate change.
Though a billionaire himself, Steyer took issue with Michael Bloomberg's campaign and how he was spending his own money. “I think if you want to be president of the United States, you should have to go out and look Americans in the eye and listen to what they have to say," he told BuzzFeed News late last year.
By the last months of his campaign, Steyer appeared to be one of the few remaining candidates truly having fun on the trail. His incidental involvement in the January fight between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, in which Steyer said he was simply trying to say hi to Sanders, went viral. His campaign events featured huge musical acts of the '90s — like TLC, Boyz II Men, and Juvenile. At a performance from the latter on the last night before South Carolina's primary, Steyer enthusiastically danced on stage to "Back That Azz Up."
"This has been a great experience, I have zero regrets," Steyer said in closing Saturday night.