Buttigieg rips Biden attack ad: Small communities 'frustrated' with being made into a 'punchline'

Posted on by TheEllenBlog

Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE said communities like the one he served are “frustrated” with Washington politicians making them into a “punchline,” after Buttigieg’s Democratic presidential primary opponent, former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, released an attack ad hitting Buttigieg’s experience. 

“So many communities like mine in South Bend. We know we might look small from the perspective of Washington, but to us what’s going on in Washington looks so small or small-minded,” Buttigieg said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” in response to the Biden ad. 

“And communities, whether they’re my size, or rural communities, or even neighborhood in our biggest cities that feel completely left behind, are frustrated with being being made into a punchline by Washington politicians.” 

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The former mayor hit a similar note on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” telling host Margaret Brennan that the Biden ad is a” typical political attack that doesn’t tell most of the story.”

“It makes no mention of the work that we did for example in my administration appointing the first African-American top lawyer for the city, helping the first citywide executive African-American woman get elected in South Bend and really minimizing the experience of my city.”

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“I know that a lot of mayors have been speaking up today about the idea that what happens in communities doesn’t count,” he added.

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Biden’s ad released Saturday juxtaposed the former vice president’s experience working in the Obama administration with Buttigieg’s work as mayor of South Bend. 

Buttigieg’s campaign quickly fired back, noting that Buttigieg’s experience outside the “classic Washington-style of politics” is what voters want. 

 

Biden’s attack ad came as Buttigieg emerged victorious after the chaotic Monday night Iowa caucuses. Biden is in dead heat for first place with Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), with both campaigns claiming victory. 

Biden came in fourth, behind Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) in third. 

–Zack Budryk contributed to this report, which was updated at 10:53 a.m.