But his greatest debt of gratitude goes to Donald Trump. Ask Buttigieg-besotted voters whether his youth gives them pause and they’ll say that extra seasoning sure didn’t improve the taste of Trump. Question whether serving as mayor of a small Indiana city is adequate preparation for being the leader of the free world and they’ll say that it’s infinitely preferable to a background in reality television, casinos and beauty pageants. The idea of Trump’s presidency being bracketed by a black predecessor and a black, female successor. Every incumbent president looms large over the contest to determine his opponent, but the shadow cast by Trump is bloated beyond measure.

Source: New York Times June 13, 2019 21:03 UTC