Barack Obama owed his success in politics to three things: a compelling, unconventional life history; a cold, penetrating intellect; and the ability to inspire with soaring rhetoric. Mayor Pete has the first two, but not the third. Is it enough?
Of all of the candidates left in the field, Mayor Pete is the one whose thought processes most resemble my own. His positions on the issues are also close to mine, and he has a better understanding of identity and values issues than the other candidates. The contrasts between him and Trump could not be clearer. If he gets the nomination, I will be happy to support him.
My guess, however, is that the majority of Americans, and particularly African-Americans, will look at Mayor Pete and see a former McKinsey consultant who views them as problems to be solved, not kindred souls on the road to who knows where. I could be wrong, but I just don’t think that’s enough to win the nomination, let alone to defeat the Wizard of Id.