What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg’s Standout Performance at the Iowa Democrats’ LJ Dinner

“Has the Momentum … Captured the Audience’s Imagination … Call[ed] for Unity and Optimism … Powerful Performance … Big Turnout, Big Energy … Crowd Reached 108db During His Speech – The Highest Of The Night … He’s The One Making Headlines … Reminds Me of Barack Obama … Come Closest To The 2007 Obama Standard … Truly Impressive Group Of Supporters.”

Washington Post: Buttigieg was the first speaker on Friday night, a position that came with risks but also possible rewards. He took advantage of it to deliver a thematic rationale for his candidacy and for the approach that he argues can put the Democrats in the best position to defeat President Trump a year from this week. As he spoke, the strength of his growing organization was on display at the end of the arena, cheering him on.

The Boston Globe: Buttigieg has the current momentum in Iowa. Recent polls have him hitting high double digits in the state as he has begun to plunge his millions in campaign dollars into a robust organizing effort.

His pre-event rally...was one of the biggest, with an estimated 2,300 “Pete fans” converging in a cold rainstorm to cheer him on. Inside the arena, the yellow and blue colors of Buttigieg’s backers were omnipresent. They were the largest candidate contingent and by far the loudest.

Politico: At the massive state party event known for its catalytic effect on campaigns … Buttigieg captured the audience’s imagination, articulating a case for generational change.

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Buttigieg ... has muscled his way into contention in the first-in-the-nation caucus state by steadily building crowds and rapidly expanding his presence in the state. In the last month alone, Buttigieg has doubled his staff presence while opening 20 offices across Iowa …

Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa, one of the largest left-leaning advocacy groups in the state, said Buttigieg generated considerable buzz.

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The Chicago Tribune: South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg had a strong night on both fronts, bringing the largest pack of supporters to an arena filled with thousands of Democrats for a polished speech … Buttigieg’s powerful performance came on the same day that a New York Times/Siena College poll showed him surging into third place among Iowa caucus goers … The 37-year-old candidate’s night in Des Moines helped his momentum and further elevated what started earlier this year as a long-shot campaign.

Iowa Starting Line: Candidates such as Mayor Pete Buttigieg benefitted from this rumble when loud vocal cheers were placed on top, creating a well-rounded and considerable level of sound. Of course, the Mayor also benefited from speaking to a full arena. At its loudest, the crowd reached 108dB during his speech – the highest of the night.

The Independent: The former US naval reserve officer has invested heavily in the state, and his supporters were among the loudest at the Des Moines event as he said he vowed to “stand amid the rubble, pick up the pieces of our divided nation and lead us to real action to do right by Americans who have waited far too long”.

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In a call for unity and optimism he added that he had "seen in the dust of a war zone Americans who have nothing in common besides the flags on our shoulders learn to trust each other with our lives" and "seen in the ruins of factories, my city answer those who said we were a dying community by rising up together to build a better future".

On TV:

Jonathan Capehart on MSNBC: "I have interviewed Mayor Pete now twice, and each time I came away thinking, you know who he reminds me of? He reminds me of Barack Obama when he was running for president -- or even as president, just in terms of demeanor. Mayor Pete is rising in the polls, he has been rising in the polls since his breakout moment back in March at that town hall forum."

Tharon Johnson on CNN: “What we saw yesterday from Mayor Buttigieg was a compelling speech. It was enthusiastic, it talked a lot about hope, change, bringing people together, also focusing on beating Donald Trump in 2020."

Mark McKinnon on CNN: “Pete Buttigieg really exceeded expectations -- huge crowd, first of all, turned out for him, so you could see his organization. But also, a very compelling speech -- reminiscent of Obama. He is having a moment here for sure.”

Vaughn Hillyard on NBC: "The mayor in the race, drawing the biggest response of the night."

Vaughn Hillyard on NBC: “It was the resurgence of Pete Buttigieg's campaign, with a growing base of activists and rising poll numbers here that caught the attention of that arena last night."

Christi Paul on CNN: “Mayor Pete Buttigieg though, he’s the one making headlines after his speech at Iowa's Liberty and Justice celebration last night.”

On Twitter:

Melanie Mason @melmason .@PeteButtigieg flexed major organizational muscle — big turnout, big energy. Going first may have blunted a little bit of his impact but his climb in Iowa is undeniable

Douglas W. Burns @douglaswburns: @PeteButtigieg speech tonight was Obama-esque. Aspirational and delivered with rare intelligence. He owned the arena in way that reminded me of Obama in 2007. Marker down for generational change with a midwestern heart. Will be hard to top tonight #LibertyJusticeCelebration

Dave Weigel @daveweigel: So far, Buttigieg has come closest to the 2007 Obama standard, Biden stuck to an energized stump speech, and Warren brought new between-the-lines contrasts: "I’m not running some consultant-driven campaign, with some vague ideas designed not to offend anyone."

Jeff Zeleny @jeffzeleny: The significance of a speech can be hard to measure in the moment, but this @PeteButtigieg one may be remembered for a good while: "The purpose of the presidency is not the glorification of the president, but the unification of the American people."

Jennifer Palmieri @jmpalmieri: Tight rationale for his candidacy and potential presidency that will “launch an era that must come next.” That’s what you want a #LJ19 speech to do.

DJ Judd @DJJudd: Pete Buttigieg has a truly impressive group of supporters at tonight’s IDP L&J dinner— they’ve got a full corner of the arena, where they’ve got a “BOOT EDGE EDGE” sign that spans three stadium levels, lest anyone is still in the dark on the pronunciation of “Buttigieg.”