“We Cannot Be Mesmerized by the Worst Things”: Pete Buttigieg Urges Democrats to Strategize for the Future

Pete Buttigieg is calling on Democrats to regroup and focus on effective strategies to combat political challenges over the next four years. Speaking to young Democratic leaders, the former South Bend mayor and current Transportation Secretary emphasized the importance of clear communication and connecting with everyday Americans, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Buttigieg, who gained national prominence for his role in implementing President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill and reforming the airline industry, highlighted the need for Democrats to resist being paralyzed by shocking actions from their opponents.

“We cannot be mesmerized by the worst things that we see happening,” Buttigieg said. “We will be inclined to react with shock by some things that are done precisely with the intent of shocking us. We need to move very quickly through the shock.”

He also pointed out that Democrats need to bridge the gap between online discourse and real-world conversations to better connect with voters. “We’ve got to figure out how to take online conversations offline at scale,” Buttigieg urged. While acknowledging the challenge, he framed this as a return to earlier forms of political engagement, while adapting to a modern, complex information environment.

“Through human history until about 15 years ago, we all did this,” he noted. “And so we’re going to have ways to do that that might on some level be a return to form but on other levels entail information environment work that is unfamiliar to people who have taken a free press in a democratic society for granted.”

Buttigieg’s speech highlighted the importance of reaching voters who may not have engaged with Democratic messaging during the 2024 campaign. He stressed the need for innovative approaches to connect with communities beyond digital platforms.

As for his own political ambitions, Buttigieg—who ran a competitive campaign in the 2020 Democratic primary—remained reserved about his future plans. When asked, he responded simply, “I know that I will make myself useful again later.”

Buttigieg’s remarks come at a critical time for the Democratic Party, as it navigates its strategy in a politically charged environment. His call for resilience, effective communication, and grassroots engagement offers a blueprint for how Democrats might better connect with voters and advance their agenda in the coming years.