Mayor Pete Takes Combative Stance At Debate [VIDEO]

The Washington Post reports:

Pete Buttigieg is better known for his cogent policy explanations than his political brawling. But in Tuesday’s Democratic presidential debate in Ohio, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., displayed a sudden feistiness toward his opponents, and not just the ones polling higher than him.

He went after Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (Vt.) on health care, got emotional while arguing with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) on Syria, and had a lengthy back-and-forth with former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke on gun policy, during which Buttigieg threw out the insult of the night: “I don’t need lessons from you on courage, political or personal.”

His approach drew praise (the policy wonk finally showed he’s tough enough to take on President Trump, some said) as well as criticism (others saw a preachy millennial, punching down).

Mayor Pete’s anger over the President’s decision to abandon the Kurds in Syria is one of the most palpable sentiments we’ve seen on the debate stage in some time.

— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) October 16, 2019

For a few seconds it was almost like a real debate. #CLTV https://t.co/BiUD34QoQV

— Crooks and Liars (@crooksandliars) October 16, 2019

Facebook went to Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who saw enough of a late surge to beat out Warren for the most new likes on the night. A post-debate surge for Senator Klobuchar, too, who finished with the third most likes of the evening. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/SjloAmvXQD

— Ry Crist (@rycrist) October 16, 2019

It was “fascinating” to see Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Buttigieg – both military veterans – take opposite sides on Syria in tonight’s debate, says foreign affairs reporter @nahaltoosi

More analysis: https://t.co/L2lKP2hIbJ pic.twitter.com/tZsr7C0IZH

— POLITICO (@politico) October 16, 2019

Pete Buttigieg on gun reform
Democratic Debate pic.twitter.com/aGqQB8Bzdf

— Protest Easy Guns (@ProtestEasyGuns) October 16, 2019