(CNN) Don't look now, but a(nother) skinny kid with a funny name is turning heads in the presidential race.

In 2008, it was Barack Obama. In 2020, it's Pete Buttigieg.

Buttigieg, the 37-year-old, married gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is, at the moment, the hottest candidate in the Democratic presidential field -- drawing rave reviews everywhere he goes.

"Mika and I have been overwhelmed by the reaction @PeteButtigieg got after being on the show," tweeted "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough following "Mayor Pete's" appearance on the program earlier this week. "The only other time in twelve years that we heard from as many people about a guest was after @BarackObama appeared on Morning Joe."

That's obviously a tough comparison for Buttigieg -- or any Democratic politician -- to live up to. After all, no matter what you think of Obama's eight years as president, it's impossible to deny his massive natural abilities as a candidate. And there are lots and lots of differences between the two men: one black, one white, one a top-tier candidate from day he announced, the other (still) a long-shot, etc.

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