"In what political climate could a major contender for the Democratic Presidential Nomination be a 37-year-old mayor from a town in Indiana?"South Bend is NOT some typical Indiana town. It is a city. It is not some farm crossroads from Hoosiers. It is home to Notre Dame, research and pharma companies, and a bumper crop of liberal transplants. It is a typical ultra-liberal college enclave. It no more representative of Indiana and the Heartland than Manhattan, New York City.
So the author of this article is "surprised" that a "married" queer channeling Pee Wee Herman was elected in one of the most liberal cities in Indiana? The author is a liar to try pass Buttgag off as some good ol' down home Hoosier.
No one wants to say he is too inexperienced and he should try to get elected to Indiana State Senate or Governor. Try again in 8 years.
I that it is his plan get known so that he is the leader of the pack in 2024 when Bernie & Biden are really too old.