Pete Buttigieg nominated to be Transportation Secretary (USA)

This feels more important as Gay News rather than something to be debated in Politics & Debate.

Buttigieg would be the first Senate-confirmed LGBTQ Cabinet secretary should his nomination make it through the chamber.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/15/politics/pete-buttigieg-transportation-secretary/index.html

raphjd

It could be posted in both sections.

Do we NEED people who are picked because of what they are or do we need the best for the job?

Liberals want tokens, rather than those chosen on merit.

Maybe both for what they are and the best for the job. Right now, not all positions are going to be filled perfectly, and not all factions will end up happy with all of the choices made.

But when it comes to Pete Buttigieg, I could not find myself arguing too much against this point:

The proposed Biden Cabinet doesn't have a lot of proven TV communicators. Love Buttigieg or hate him, it's hard to argue with the fact that he's very good on TV. And any successful administration has to have people who can go on cable and Sunday talk shows to sell its priorities. Which puts Buttigieg in prime position to be one of the best-known public faces of the administration.

Although his media talent was not enough to get him far in the election process, think it could be worth giving him a chance.

raphjd

Ok, so he's gay and good on TV.

The fact that he's the former mayor of a failed city that only got worse while he was in office, means nothing.

I guess he could run any department in the Biden admin.

flozen

Graduate of Harvard, and Oxford via Rhodes Scholarship. Eight years as Intelligence Officer for U.S. Naval Reserve, with seven months stationed in Afghanistan. Twice-elected mayor. And someday he will turn 40.

I'm all for breaking down barriers at the highest levels of government, and giving leadership opportunities to LGBT politicians who demonstrate intelligence, drive and commitment to service.

Congratulations to U.S. Cabinet nominee, Pete Buttigieg.

raphjd

But does that make him the best for the job he's been picked for?

He failed at running a city, despite his education level and military service.

flozen

As Pete's chances for U.S. Cabinet confirmation are very good, I choose to be optimistic about this LGBT landmark. Once he is on the job, he should be evaluated on performance, and not a thing to do with LGBT. That, to me, is fair.

The outgoing Administration made a staggering number of senior-level appointments and hirings that ended as tense resignations or firings – most recently, U.S. Attorney General William Barr. How could so many of these people end up as not "best for the job?"

This keeps up, I'll have to request this be moved to Politics and Debate, or refer to the famous line "wrong forum"

Let me enjoy the news! He is one handsome fella! :hug2: :crazy2: :cheers:

Romantic AF too: Chicago's O'Hare airport dubs itself a 'place of romance' after Buttigieg recounts proposal story

flozen

I find Pete exponentially more sexy with facial hair – he sported a mustache and full beard in the Reserves era. Along with the camouflage gear, it was... something. :crazy2:

Where are the (hoped-for) photos of shirtless Pete? :cheesy2:

pete beard.jpg

Really?! Going to have to do some ~~oogling~~ um ~~giggling~~ um Google-ing.

His husband must be hoarding the shirtless ones. If I can find some gold print foil, it might be time to send them an invite to here.

flozen

I say "hoped for" shirtless pics, as I have already Googled that poor search engine until it almost imploded.

You would think that in the hot, dry Afghan climate, there would be at least a tank top! No luck as yet. :blownose:

Maybe he was on top of the tank?

You're not kidding.

Seeing this picture of Georgia's Senator Elect Jon Ossoff reminded me of how Pete's beard does him favors too:

Georgia's Senator Elect Raphael Warnock has a very clean handsome look, maybe someone can find more pictures to compare his beard vs no beard:

flozen

@bc22:

Seeing this picture of Georgia's Senator Elect Jon Ossoff reminded me of how Pete's beard does him favors too:

That's funny, as I've been telling any gay or female friend to goog "Ossoff beard." Like Mayor Pete, Ossoff's beard raises him about 1.5 to 2 points on my "Ten" scale. :crazy2:

For me, Pete's beard makes him look more butch, while Ossoff's makes him look more sensitive. I don't mind having competent gay elected officials (or political allies like Ossoff) who also supply eye candy. I'm shallow that way, and I own it.

To keep from going too far off-thread, you can learn more about LGBT as applied to Ossoff and Warnock – the Reverend who seems to light a little flame under your burner, you heathen -- at https://www.ebar.com/news/latest_news//300794 – it's a good read.

And returning to the most important point, I'd like to see Pete grow back that fuzz, it seems appropriate to handle Transportation issues, such as truck stops... :cheers:

The Senate voted to confirm Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary on Tuesday, making him the first Senate-confirmed LGBTQ Cabinet secretary.

bi4smooth

@bc22
Congrats to "Mayor Pete" (maybe he can take over the tag "America's Mayor" from Rudy, who's been a total embarrassment to the Republican Party for several years now!)

There are those (@raphjd in particular) who think he got the appointment because he's a "token gay" - a check-box to satisfy a constituency. Personally, I think he did well in the Democratic primaries, and earned a cabinet-level position.

More importantly, I decline the offer to buy into the false dichotomy that one cannot be chosen because you are gay and because you are qualified!

Finally: about the beard. I'm sorry, I know its fashionable these days, but I'm just not a beard fan. Then again, his beard is so heavy when he shaves, he almost always looks like he's got a 5 o'clock shadow! LOL.

If we're talking "tastes" here, let me also say the current sway towards men with lots of body hair and tattoos are not for me either. (Not that anyone cares - just thought I'd share). I'm a "man of my time" and I'm into the "preppy" look (clean-cut, clean, and cut!) ROFL

You're welcome to your personal preferences, we all have elements to enjoy.

Still do not wish for this to be moved to Politics & Debate.