Pete Buttigieg says it's "almost certain" we've had gay presidents

axios.com ^ | 6/16/19 | Mike Allen

[a little elbow grease]

Pete Buttigieg told "Axios on HBO" that "we've probably had excellent presidents who were gay — we just didn't know which ones."

Why it matters: Buttigieg, who is rising in polls and would be the first openly gay nominee of either party, talks easily about his sexual orientation when asked. This comment is a new window into his thinking.

Transcript

"Axios on HBO:" "Republicans claimed that John Kerry was a traitor in Vietnam. That Barack Obama was a Muslim. If you were to win the nomination, they'll say you're too young, too liberal, too gay to be commander-in-chief. You are young. You are a liberal. You are gay. How will you respond?"

Pete Buttigieg: "I'll respond by explaining where I want to lead this country. People will elect the person who will make the best president. And we have had excellent presidents who have been young. We have had excellent presidents who have been liberal. I would imagine we've probably had excellent presidents who were gay — we just didn't know which ones."

"Axios on HBO:" "You believe that we've had a gay commander-in-chief?"

Pete Buttigieg: "I mean, statistically, it's almost certain."

"Axios on HBO:" "In your reading of history, do you believe you know who they were?"

Pete Buttigieg: "My gaydar even doesn't work that well in the present, let alone retroactively. But one can only assume that's the case."

[mombonn]

We’ve also had adulterous presidents. The difference is - they didn’t brag about it or use it as a campaign issue. All I ask is, keep your bedroom out of my government .

[itsahoot]

It’s weird. There must be a genetic thing..............

They been looking very hard for the gay gene but try as they might not yet.

Another theory is they are afraid if they find one the parents will selectively abort.

[SIDENET]

With Buttplug, it's all-gay, all the time.

Does this guy talk about anything else?

[x]

If we had a gay president, it was James Buchanan. But whether he was actively homosexual, we'll never know.

Those were different, less sexualized times, and people could live their whole lives not being aware of things that kids learn about in junior high nowadays.

There were rumors about JFK and Lem Billings, but there are always rumors. Whatever JFK did, he was far from homosexual at heart.

[elpadre]

I have known several “confirmed bachelors” over the years and they most assuredly were not gay. One was a workaholic, a scientist, who was devoted to the work he did. I have thought of him as one who married his job.

[a little elbow grease]

"With Buttplug, it's all-gay, all the time.

Does this guy talk about anything else?"

___________________

Fudge Factories?

[a little elbow grease]

"Pete Buttigieg says it’s “almost certain” we’ve had gay presidents.

What a Blithering Asshole!"

_____________

Yes ....... what a busy *sshole.

[ConservativeDude]

that’s interesting

i’ve known a few also...but in retrospect, I think they were “sort of” gay, though not really active as it were.

i do think that a scientist could fall into the asexual category because of the nature of that work....

[AnalogReigns]

I’ve read that contemporaries made fun of Buchanan’s effeminate mannerisms, and he lived with a man for a number of years.

God knows!