Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praised the Democratic ticket as an excited and talented team headed for victory as he spoke to California delegates at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.
“Thank you for producing the next president of the United States, Kamala Harris,” he told several hundred delegates and guests at the breakfast. “I can’t wait for him to take the oath of office and lead our country forward. He is an outstanding leader.
“And I also think it’s not a bad thing to balance that California dream with some nice Minnesota,” said the former South Bend, Ind., mayor. “So on behalf of the Midwest, let me tell you how excited I am to be campaigning with Tim Walz,” he said, referring to the Minnesota governor and Harris’ running mate.
What is not being said is that Buttigieg, like other elected officials from outside of California who talk to state delegates about eggs and cookies, is an ambitious young leader who many believe will be in the Oval Office in the future. He and Harris ran unsuccessfully for president four years ago, and Buttigieg, 42, is expected to run again one day.
“I don’t know,” Buttigieg said in an interview when asked about his plans. “You know sometimes something is in front of you and you’re preparing. There are so many possibilities. I really don’t know. I know I’m going to do everything I can to help them win.
This dance is held every four years at the national political convention of the two major parties. While attention focused on the nominees and prominent speakers, potential future occupants of the Oval Office used the meeting as an opportunity to woo party leaders, donors and activists.
In 2004 at the Republican National Convention in New York City, then Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney hosted a party for the early state delegates on the USS Intrepid, a retired aircraft carrier. Eight years later, Romney was nominated as the party’s standard bearer.
Although California is the favorite in the general election in the presidential contest because of its cobalt blue tilt, it has the number of delegates that could help determine the nomination of either party in the primary competition. And it’s home to so many wealthy and small-dollar donors that the state often provides the most campaign cash to candidates of either party.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke at a California delegation breakfast on Tuesday.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
So, in addition to courting delegates in early key states, like Iowa for the Republicans and South Carolina for the Democrats, presidential candidates tend to audition and send up balloons trying to Californians.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, welcoming delegates to Chicago in a speech on Tuesday, pointed out that he was born at Stanford Hospital and raised in the Northern California communities of Menlo Park and Atherton.
“I just love California,” Pritzker said. “But somehow, you’ve sent us all over the country from California, and now (I’m) in charge of Illinois. So I’m very happy to have you here, especially happy to welcome you to the Land of Lincoln, who would have been a Democrat if he had lived. now.
After name-checking several state leaders and party leaders as friends, Pritzker reflected on his family history and his decision to run for governor in the 2018 election.
“My friends think I’m a little crazy,” he said. “Let me explain why. Honestly, the Democratic Party isn’t exactly crying out for white, Ukrainian American, Jewish billionaires. I know, I know. I know, but I’m a Democrat through and through.
A member of the family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain, Pritzker noted that his family moved penniless when they fled the Soviet Union in Ukraine. And he touted the achievements of Democrats in Illinois since he was elected, including raising the minimum wage and teacher salaries, eliminating the grocery tax, canceling medical debt and reducing prescription drug costs.
“That’s all we need to do nationally,” Pritzker said.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stopped by briefly Tuesday to fire up the crowd, who were bleary-eyed after the convention ended Monday and after party.
“It’s been night and morning, and you look so beautiful. Are you ready to go?” he said. “We’re going to have a good day here in Chicago. And I love the fact that the world is seeing fun, inclusive, mostly organized conventions so far, right? And I think it will get better every day.
“I’m very proud to be here in California as the governor of Michigan,” he added. “I have to tell you, we know a little bit about the work that needs to be done to win an election. The world is counting on us to deliver for Harris, and we’re coming. You’re going to give him a Congress that’s going to work for him, right?”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro attended the California delegation breakfast on Tuesday.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro hit six breakfast delegates of the state over the course of two mornings at the Democratic National Convention, which he is listening to and Harris has a long relationship because of his work as a prosecutor and attorney general.
“The work I do is like the work Kamala Harris has done throughout her career, and I’ve had the privilege of knowing her for the past 20 years,” Shapiro said. “Every time he goes up to the court, and every time I go up to the court, it’s always for the people. Now think about the clear contrast with the other side. Donald Trump is not for the people. He has been for screwing over people every chance he gets.
When asked about his future prospects, Shapiro declined.
“I focus like a laser beam every day to manage the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It’s a job I love. I’m grateful to the good people of Pennsylvania for giving me this opportunity,” he told reporters. “And I think it’s clear, this is the job I want to do, and I’m going to stay. I’m going to stay focused on this, and politics, making sure that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz win this.”
