Democratic Debate: Heres Why Pundits Are Praising Pete Buttigiegs Performance In Ohio

(Indianapolis Star) Justin L. Mack Oct. 16 2019 9:42 a.m. With 12 Democratic presidential candidates on stage Tuesday nights debate from Otterbein University in Westerville Ohio was the biggest primary debate in history. And based on the post-debate reviews Pete Buttigieg is getting the Midwest setting may have helped the South Bend mayor feel like he was playing with home court advantage. Heres what political pundits had to say about his performance. USA Today called Buttigieg a debate winner saying that he was ready to take some of his more progressive competitors to task on their policies. Buttigieg used forceful rhetoric during the debate to showcase his more moderate proposals Rebecca Morin and Savannah Behrmann wrote. Buttigieg who over the past week has hit Elizabeth Warren on Medicare for All did so again on Tuesdays debate stage. He criticized Warren for not fully answering whether she will raise taxes for voters for her Medicare for All plan claiming it is an example of why people are so frustrated with Washington. Fox News said Buttigieg was a surprise winner of the debate. Douglas E. Schoen said the mayor had several strong moments Tuesday night. One of those moments came during an exchange with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii over President Trumps decision to withdraw troops from northern Syria. Respectfully Congresswoman I think that is dead wrong" Buttigieg said. The slaughter going on in Syria is not a consequence of American presence its a consequence of a withdrawal and betrayal by this president of American allies and American values." Schoen said Buttigieg will likely see a post-debate polling bump.