{"id":559820,"date":"2023-03-05T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/transportation-post-has-become-political-nightmare-for-buttigieg\/"},"modified":"2023-03-05T20:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T17:00:00","slug":"transportation-post-has-become-political-nightmare-for-buttigieg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/transportation-post-has-become-political-nightmare-for-buttigieg\/","title":{"rendered":"#Transportation post has become political nightmare for\u00a0Buttigieg\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a40727db4f1f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a40727db4f1f\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/transportation-post-has-become-political-nightmare-for-buttigieg\/#Transportation_post_has_become_political_nightmare_for_Buttigieg\" >Transportation post has become political nightmare for\u00a0Buttigieg\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Transportation_post_has_become_political_nightmare_for_Buttigieg\"><\/span>Transportation post has become political nightmare for\u00a0Buttigieg\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/illustration_buttigiegpete_030323mm-ap-see-credits_buttigieg.png?w=900\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>When Pete Buttigieg became Transportation secretary at the start of the Biden administration, some Democrats said it would be a perfect platform for his political prospects if not in 2024, then 2028.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Buttigieg could crisscross the country, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>earing before crowds in key states while elevating his name recognition, resume and overall brand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr1_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>Instead, the job of Transportation secretary has been a set of compounding problems for Buttigieg, 41, who has been seen as one of the\u00a0Democratic Party\u2019s\u00a0brightest stars.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Buttigieg has been blasted for taking too long to <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a> to East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a train derailment that has created serious environmental and health concerns for the community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In January, he bore the brunt of criticism over a disastrous holiday travel season for Southwest Airlines, which resulted in thousands of people being stranded. And that same month, he was criticized over problems with the FAA, which had to ground flights for two hours for the first time in more than 20 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think his story was supposed to go this way,\u201d said one Democratic strategist. \u201cI think he took the job thinking there wouldn\u2019t be a lot of risk surrounding the role. I don\u2019t think he understood how political this job would be and how he\u2019d be a punching bag.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The latest criticism came on Thursday from Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) who said Buttigieg is \u201cnot ready for the responsibilities he has.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was a fine mayor from what I understand, but the position he\u2019s got really would be better served by a person who\u2019s managed a large enterprise, a state, or something of the scale he\u2019s now dealing with,\u201d Romney told the HuffPost when he was asked about Buttigieg\u2019s job performance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr2_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>In the past, Transportation secretaries weren\u2019t always magnets for political criticism. But Buttigieg\u2019s situation is unique. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s among the most high-profile figures in the Biden administration, seen as second to Vice President Kamala Harris in terms of Democratic presidential politics as a potential successor to Biden. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s also leading a department that is now solidly in the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a> given the times. COVID-era issues with the supply chain, travel and inflation have put various transportation issues in Buttigieg\u2019s portfolio in the public view. \u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr3_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>GOP opponents have suggested that Buttigieg got his job because of his high political profile and that he didn\u2019t deserve it. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPete Buttigieg couldn\u2019t organize a one-car funeral,\u201d Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote on <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a> at the time. \u201cHe was never remotely qualified for this role.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) also sought to cast blame on Buttigieg.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr4_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>\u201c\u2026 I am not surprised that he doesn\u2019t know anything because that\u2019s consistent with how he\u2019s handled any kind of question or issue that we\u2019ve had in our transportation sector since he became secretary,\u201d Biggs said on Fox and Friends, the morning show on Fox News.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Republicans have hit Buttigieg on personal terms as well, criticizing him for taking family leave in 2021 to care for his newborn twins alongside his husband.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, the Transportation Department\u2019s internal watchdog said it would also be auditing Buttigieg\u2019s use of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jets. The audit came after a request from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) who pointed to a FOX News Digital report showing the secretary had flown at least 18 times on the FAA planes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr5_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>The attacks on Buttigieg haven\u2019t just come from conservatives. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Progressives, who had taken a dim view of Buttigieg during the 2020 primary and were critical of his background as a McKinsey consultant when he was nominated for the post, have also suggested he and his department are too close to powerful transportation interests.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a speech last month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) criticized Buttigieg for protecting corporate airline monopolies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr6_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>\u201cSecretary Buttigieg has the power to stop anti-competitive airline mergers and he should use that power\u00a0<em>right now<\/em>,\u201d Warren said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee tore into Buttigieg for \u201cbeing silent for 10 days\u201d following the Ohio train derailment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The White House has largely come to Buttigieg\u2019s defense in the face of such attacks. Last week, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the latest round of attacks \u201cpure politics.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-unit ad-unit--mr7_ab\"><\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of bad faith attacks on Secretary Buttigieg,\u201d Jean-Pierre said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She pointed to Elaine Chao, who served as Transportation secretary to former President Donald Trump. \u201cWhen there was these types of chemical spills, nobody was calling for her to be fired,\u201d Jean-Pierre said.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Democrats say the criticism aimed at Buttigieg is to be expected because of his rising-star power on the political stage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not complicated. He is highly competent and a good communicator, and they want to tear him down because they are scared of him,\u201d said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist and donor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Democratic strategist Rodell Mollineau agreed, saying Buttigieg has become the ultimate foil for Republicans because of his stature within the party but also because he\u2019s become a face for the administration\u2019s perceived failures.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRepublicans have realized it\u2019s hard to go after President Biden directly, so it makes sense to try and bring down the people around him,\u201d Mollineau said. \u201cGiven Secretary Buttigieg\u2019s name recognition, I\u2019m not surprised they\u2019ve been attacking him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And while Democrats broadly acknowledge the criticism has taken a toll on Buttigieg\u2019s political prospects, Mollineau said there are also opportunities for him to course correct.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt hasn\u2019t been a great beginning of the year for Secretary Buttigieg, but I also know House Republicans can\u2019t help but overreach,\u201d he said. \u201cI think the secretary regains the upper hand over time by continuing to be thoughtful and analytical in his approach while letting the firebrands show their ultra partisanship.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/3883037-transportation-post-has-become-political-nightmare-for-buttigieg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Transportation post has become political nightmare for\u00a0Buttigieg\u00a0 When Pete Buttigieg became Transportation secretary at the start of the Biden administration, some Democrats said it would be a perfect platform for his political prospects if not in 2024, then 2028.\u00a0\u00a0 Buttigieg could crisscross the country, appearing before crowds in key states while elevating his name recognition,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":559821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thehill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/03\/illustration_buttigiegpete_030323mm-ap-see-credits_buttigieg.png?w=1280","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[134344,134343,71328,140334,74387,70610,70464,86817,76847,134446],"class_list":["post-559820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-administration","tag-campaign","tag-department-of-transportation","tag-east-palestine-train-derailment","tag-faa","tag-finance","tag-mitt-romney","tag-pete-buttigieg","tag-southwest-airlines","tag-sunday-talk-shows"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559820","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=559820"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559820\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/559821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=559820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=559820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=559820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}