Media

CNN Guest Calls Mayor Pete’s Husband ‘Most Traditional Spouse’ On 2020 Trail

Virginia Kruta Associate Editor
Font Size:

CNN guest Joanna Weiss argued Friday that Chasten Buttigieg, husband to Democratic 2020 presidential candidate “Mayor Pete” Buttigieg, is actually the “most traditional spouse” in the growing 2020 field.

WATCH:

Despite the obvious differences that — if “Mayor Pete” were to be elected —  Chasten Buttigieg would be the first “first gentleman” and the first same-sex partner in the White House, Weiss argued that he actually fills a more traditional spousal role than many on the 2020 campaign trail. (RELATED: Tucker on Buttigieg: Whining Is Power)

“Yeah, in some ways, he really is the most traditional spouse,” Weiss explained to CNN’s Poppy Harlow and Jim Sciutto. “Here’s somebody who took his husband’s name, who took a leave from work in order to just support his husband’s candidacy, and his social media feeds, his presence on the trail, is just sort of unquestionably supportive. At a time when other spouses are really kind of wrestling with gender roles and how to present themselves as spouses and as individuals in this race.”

Aside from Dr. Jill Biden, who has appeared alongside her husband and former Vice President Joe Biden in interviews and at public events, the spouses of the other 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have certainly not made the splash that Chasten Buttigieg has, particularly on social media.

Harlow noted that because Chasten Buttigieg is a millennial at just 29 years old, his social media presence was simply relatable in a way that others haven’t been. Weiss explained that because he grew up with it, social media may come much more naturally to him than it does to many of the other spouses and even the candidates themselves.

Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s husband, for example, has made a few cameos in her campaign live streams to mixed reviews. The spouses of the other candidates, save for Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker who is not married, have maintained a relative distance from the spotlight thus far.

Follow Virginia on Twitter