Pete Buttigieg to Transportation, maybe

Appointing people to high level positions because you “owe” them something politically is the definition of corruption.

R1 To the victor go the spoils.

It's gone on since the first George Washington administration, R1. Fuck off.

Transportation?

I thought it said "Buttigieg to transition" at first, actually.

R1 I think it's more like, Biden realizes that Pete is an outrageous political talent and wants to help him build his resume, especially because there's no path for Pete in Indiana

Yes, R4, it really is the bottom of the Cabinet barrel.

This would be better than Ambassador to China

no no, it's Transition secretary

He was the mayor of a small town. What kind of experience are you looking for, train conductor?

Trans secretary? Sounds like textbook pigeonholed homophobia to me.

OP prefers oh-so-experienced politicians like Betsy DeVos

R6 no. Pete knows absolutely nothing about the transportation department. This is purely Joe finding a place in the cabinet for Pete because Pete dropped out and endorsed him.

Wait, what happened to the China ambassador post?

Buttigieg in Chinese means something obscene.

After the extreme incompetence of the Trump administration, I don’t need to hear how incompetent Pete is at anything. He will do just fine in whatever role he gets and he will have a strong team to support him.

He's very qualified. Peter was known to run through men like a freight train until I made him an honest man.

Richard Grenell is chuckling.

[quote] Biden must think highly of him if he would consider him for a job for which he obviously has no experience whatsoever.

I have a driver's license, don't !?!

I hope he fixes up all the public restrooms on America's highways. What am I saying, he's gay, that will be his first priority!

😂^^

Richard Grenell is probably beating off to the Proud Boys. Who cares about that asshole?

You know Chasten is seething. This is just not high enough! At what table does the spouse of the Transportation Secretary sit at state dinners!

I wonder what percentage of gays will be voting Republican in 2022 now? 30%? Then 2024? Maybe 35%. Eeek.

No he isn’t.

Make no mistake Biden wants Mayor Pete nearby. He has relied heavily on Pete's wisdom over the last several months. No major decision has been made without Pete's input. Biden wanted to appoint Pete to both AG and Chief of Staff but Pete's too modest and declined. DOT is a way for Pete to serve as Biden's rock but without drawing attention to himself.

R26 Well said

Pete can't really be AG. You would need to have years of experience as an high-level attorney for that position.

Is Chad Wolf on the ticket in 2024, R24? If so, it will be 100%!

Yeah, maybe not.

R1, Keep crying, Warrenista.

The Warren bros are triggered on twitter today. Warren hired some seriously terrible people like Bernie did.

No wonder that old hag came in THIRD in her OWN state. Someone should primary her because it will be an easy win!

If, unlike Trump, Biden is really serious about a massive infrastructure deal, the Transportation Secretary could be a big deal. Rahm Emanuel was thought to be a leading candidate until civil rights groups made it clear he was unacceptable.

R13 Or because Biden wants to elevate a rising star in the party?

R33 yes, and in addition, where transportation infrastructure is most needed is middle America. So this could be a good position for Pete and the base he's building.

If being the mayor of South Bend qualifies you to be president of the United States, surely it must also qualify you to be Secretary of Transportation.

I'm gonna give Biden the benefit of the doubt that he believes Mayor Pete is a rising star of the Democratic Party and an astute choice. It's also what I truly believe.

What could possibly be objectionable about it?

Even Biden knows that Petey the Unsuitable isn't going to happen.

Transportation is one of the areas that will have to completely transform in the next few years due to climate change & the growing popularity of electric cars & self-driving vehicles. Only the brightest, biggest thinkers should be Transportation Secretary. The US has an embarrassingly bad public transportation system. It's time to get Americans out of their cars and into buses, trains and newer forms such as maglev trains. I'm excited to see what Pete would do if he got the job.

I totally thought that read as "Pete Buttigieg to Transition, maybe"

Younger than springtime and twice as exciting!

The House Majority is too small so they can’t risk taking people from there. They also need every single Senator if they win the Georgia runoffs. So no name mayors of small Midwestern cities suddenly became a lot more attractive.

[quote] Biden must think highly of him if he would consider him for a job for which he obviously has no experience whatsoever.

Well, it's Transportation, and didn't Pete say he was an Uber driver in Afghanistan?

I tried to think positively, but deep down, I knew this would happen. The Dem support of gays doesn't seem genuine (and no, I'm not a Repug).

R44 then you are russian troll, according to DLer.

Pete looks cute in the OP link.

So far none of his fellow presidential candidates or prominent faces got a post in his administration (besides Harris). Liz Warren? Bernie? Klobuchar? AOC?

I knew he would never give Bernie anything, but so far his picks have been very safe and I think he/the Dems need some fresh blood in this administration. I'm sure the Trump loyalists will attack them all the time and sabotage any substantial plan. They will probably have a Trump spawn ready for 2024 to take over as cult leader. We need to make sure they stay away from the presidency for the next 8 years to repair the damage.

The current transportation secretary is Elaine Chao, Moscow Mitch's wife. I hope those of you complaining about Pete for Transportation Secretary complained equally about Chao.

The other candidates said to have been considered for the role, including Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago.

Pete should get Interior......

......Interior Decoration.

The Department of Transportation deals with air travel and the airline industry a lot more than it deals with roads and trains.

[Quote] The Department of Transportation deals with air travel and the airline industry a lot more than it deals with roads and trains.

Maybe Pete will change that, and fix the fucking roads.

Don’t forget fake Democrat concern troll R45

I still want Pete in me deeply.

Transportion huh?

Peter has experience with streets and bows.

and other forms of transportation.

I thought Joe said he would be placing only the best, MOST qualified candidates in cabinet positions, unlike the circus dump has in his cabinet.

This is why I don't like politics, quid pro quo all day.

They all say they will be placing only the most qualified candidates, even Trump almost none of whom were qualified.

Buttigieg would be just as qualified as Moscow Mitch's wife who is there now, probably more and less corrupt that Elaine Chao.

[quote] The current transportation secretary is Elaine Chao, Moscow Mitch's wife. I hope those of you complaining about Pete for Transportation Secretary complained equally about Chao.

Before Transportation, Chao was a Cabinet secretary (Department of Labor) for 8 years under George W. Bush and was an Undersecretary of Transportation under George H.W. Bush. That kind of easily beats being mayor of South Bend.

R15 actually Buttigieg in his father’s native Maltese means "chicken farmer“ or chicken rearer.

He's cute for a Transportation Secretary.

I think Pete is being taken for a ride with this transportation Secretary rumour

Mr. Bean will finally get a job!

Transport is a poisoned chalice.

Downturn in passenger numbers flying. Roads he has no control over being built. A disjointed and under utilised rail system. Persuading Americans to ditch their gas guzzlers and swap for a battery powered car.

Nope. Pete needs a diplomatic posting. Ottawa, Berlin, Moscow, Canberra or Dublin.

He's Elizabeth Dole!

[quote] Before Transportation, Chao was a Cabinet secretary (Department of Labor) for 8 years under George W. Bush and was an Undersecretary of Transportation under George H.W. Bush. That kind of easily beats being mayor of South Bend.

If you think Elaine Chao got any of those jobs on her merit, I have a bridge I want to sell you. She got those jobs because she is Moscow Mitch's wife.

R64 I think they wanna turn him into Lady Bird Johnson!

Obama picked Anthony Fox, the mayor of Charlotte, NC to replace Ray LaHood and Republican House member. So picking a mayor of a small city is not unheard of.

Many of America's bridges are old and crumbling.

Here is the official description of the position. While I'm glad PB would be in Biden's cabinet, the position is "entry level" at best.

"The Office of the Secretary (OST) oversees the formulation of national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation. Other responsibilities range from negotiation and implementation of international transportation agreements, assuring the fitness of US airlines, enforcing airline consumer protection regulations, issuance of regulations to prevent alcohol and illegal drug misuse in transportation systems and preparing transportation legislation."

[quote] If you think Elaine Chao got any of those jobs on her merit, I have a bridge I want to sell you. She got those jobs because she is Moscow Mitch's wife.

I appreciate that you don’t mind showing off your ignorance and stupidity. Chao was Deputy Secretary of Transportation, as well as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, before she married McConnell. She’s also a former president of the United Way and former Director of the Peace Corps. I know misogynists like you don’t believe that women can achieve on their own.

[Quote] Before Transportation, Chao was a Cabinet secretary (Department of Labor) for 8 years under George W. Bush and was an Undersecretary of Transportation under George H.W. Bush. That kind of easily beats being mayor of South Bend.

Naw. Pete's a Democrat. That easily beats any Republican.

[quote] I appreciate that you don’t mind showing off your ignorance and stupidity. Chao was Deputy Secretary of Transportation, as well as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, before she married McConnell. She’s also a former president of the United Way and former Director of the Peace Corps. I know misogynists like you don’t believe that women can achieve on their own.

R70, Since you think Chao is so qualified I am sure you will have no trouble naming a few of things of value that Elaine Chao has contributed while she held all those jobs that you believe she was so qualified for. Surely since you believe she was so qualified you should be able to do that even without Googling her. While speaking of showing off your ignorance, you know nothing about me but my one comment about one person and you have decided I am a misogynist. I would say that is pretty ignorant.

We're movin' on up!

Let the tearing down begin!

Go Pete! I fully support this.

While this is a better gig, I was hoping to see Pete & Chasten heading to China (as ambassadors, that is...)

He's a technocrat so it might be a good choice.

This is a great post for him if he doesn’t want to be in politics later. The DOT is going to be very active with self driving cars, which means getting a lot of connections in the tech industry.

Pete and Chasten might be living in a $20M Pacific Heifhts mansion in 10 years

He’s the first gay not the first “LGBTQ”.

A surrey with fringe on top for everyone!

Was there public transportation where you grew up?

Betcha you don't know the bulk of the country is shockingly disconnected from the transportation infrastructure.

This has had enormous implications socially, economically, and politically

This is a very important post. For the right person at the right time.

But I don't care if Pete joins the cabinet or not. There are pros and cons either way.

I wonder how large a Sword of Damocles Mrs. McConnell's tenure and activities at Transportation will become for Turtle, as Mr. Buttigieg settles in and a steady parade of people share stories and emails and records.

Will Pete have a Priscilla Bus?

Is this appointment made to get after Mitchy Boy via Elaine Chao?

Pete was working as a type of systems analyst at McKenzie. That is exactly the background anyone should have if they’re working at infrastructure. Our transportation systems in the U.S. are really old, decades behind other countries, and gutted by one Republican administration after another.

When Pete was in South Bend, he had to raise money for the improvements he made because there was no tax base. And it’s going to be the same for Biden if we can’t win those Georgia races. Even then, we’re going to be broke after Trump’s giveaways to the rich. Anyone who wants to work at improving infrastructure will have to raise awareness and he’s good at that. He can go on Fox and tell Republicans why we need public transit. That’s probably the only way to get them to turn loose some money.

And if you don’t know, rail and trucks are how we transport containers of merchandise all over the country. Rail is a big part of that. If you want retail stores and supermarkets to be stocked, rail is a necessity.

Pete was working as a type of systems analyst at McKenzie. That is exactly the background anyone should have if they’re working at infrastructure. Our transportation systems in the U.S. are really old, decades behind other countries, and gutted by one Republican administration after another.

When Pete was in South Bend, he had to raise money for the improvements he made because there was no tax base. And it’s going to be the same for Biden if we can’t win those Georgia races. Even then, we’re going to be broke after Trump’s giveaways to the rich. Anyone who wants to work at improving infrastructure will have to raise awareness and he’s good at that. He can go on Fox and tell Republicans why we need public transit. That’s probably the only way to get them to turn loose some money.

And if you don’t know, rail and trucks are how we transport containers of merchandise all over the country. Rail is a big part of that. If you want retail stores and supermarkets to be stocked, rail is a necessity.

This is also a climate position

McKenzie? Bob or Doug?

[quote] Rahm Emanuel was thought to be a leading candidate until civil rights groups made it clear he was unacceptable.

Why?

Raul Emanuel is a great guy. I remember him defending Pete when Chris Christie said a Pete didn’t’t have “a genuine bone in his body”.

Christie wanted the primary to come down to Biden and Warren.

Article in VG. Of course they mention that mayor Pete speaks Norwegian!

R89, he fucking sucks. He's inept and an arrogant douchebag. He won't get anything done.

[quote]While this is a better gig, I was hoping to see Pete & Chasten heading to China (as ambassadors, that is...)

Do you understand how historic this pick was? Not merely for his sexuality, but for his age. Frankly, I don't doubt if someone as young as him with so little experience who was not white and/or a woman, they would get shit here for being a "politically correct/"woke" pick from the white gay contingency on DL. You'll simply ignore that because you lack the introspection to accept it as a fact.

And ambassadorships mostly go to big time donors or people who actually have an expertise in that country or have a much longer CV. You do not give such an important position to someone like Pete B. Look at the list of prior appointments and their backgrounds - not including the current imbecile admin.

[quote]You do not give such an important position to someone like Pete B.

These are not terribly important positions to begin with, not that we need more boutique-hotel millionaires in them . Other State Department people direct and handle foreign policy, and in the country a monkey could do the job, backed as it is by seasoned diplomatic staff.

I cringed when Pete joked about fixing pot holes in South Bend, cuz I knew it would be the talking point.

I have a hole he can fix.

Pete is a cute little chipmunk.

Will you bitches be disappointed if Pete is a bottom who call Chesten daddy during sex?

If Chasten is a top, I will blow everyone on Datalounge, twice.

Kirsten's the bottom?!

Maybe Pete is versatile.

Finally, the USA will get the quality rest stop glory holes it deserves!

[quote]Maybe Pete is versatile.

No. Pete has strong top energy.

Top energy in his professional life. I bet like many political alphas (incl. hetero men or closeted, married men), he's a submissive in private

I forgot this is DL where versatile guys don't exist. Given his age/generation, he could easily be versatile. The strict top/bottom thing is mostly an older generation.

Let's not try to guess who's the top and bottom, it's all just too ghastly to contemplate either way.

I could see Chasten being the top, but I bet he has the bigger, meatier cock of the two of them regardless.

I just see them sipping cups of tea and knitting teapot cosies on a matching pair of Martha Washington Chairs.

Sex is just an air kiss across the other side of the bed.

Any annual sex act is lights out strictly!

R107 I get the opposite impression.

[quote] Sex is just an air kiss across the other side of the bed.

Considering Pete and Chasten have kissed publicly many times while he was running for President, I way sure they do more than air kiss. Whatever they do, it is their business.