Thread on @PeteButtigieg’s success in New Hampshire:
I spent my time here campaigning in the southern part of the state. The energy I saw here, whether in Londonderry or Nashua was extraordinary. 1/
But it was a different sort of energy that spoke to the specific anxieties, and hopes, of American in the era of Trumpism. 2/
What I saw in rallies, campaign offices, and in phone banks was a sort of collective restoration. A healing. A candidate whose idealism rested in his reassurance to us that we could, after all, solve our problems through democratic governance. 3/
In Londonderry, there was an overflow crowd of 300 people (Pete ended up winning the city by a good margin). People were listening, enthusiastically but at times in a contemplative way, as Pete went through every issue affecting their lives in a thoughtful, compassionate 4/ 
Yet forceful way. From health care to climate change to education to national security, his message was “We CAN do this.” Heads nodded, smiles spread, people hugged each other. They were listening. And he listened back. 5/
A key feature of his rallies is the “fishbowl” - where he takes fresh questions from the audience. Watching someone so curious, game, and committed take any question and work it through with an eye to answers was refreshing, inspiring, and confidence-building. 6/
Talking to voters on the phone, they were breaking toward him because of all of those qualities - but also because they like that he’s served our country and they see him being incredibly strong against Trump on a debate stage. 7/
The election night rally showed all this - and more. My view is the three pillars of the Mayor Pete phenomenon are his character, experience, and vision. As he spoke to our fears and our hopes, all three were on view and you could feel folks’ heartstrings resonating. 8/
He spoke about how his unilkely rise - as a middle class mayor from a town that has born the brunt of today’s disruption yet found success by casting its lot with good government (rather than against it) was the very point of his appeal. 9/
He talked about personally experiencing the cost of good and bad government - a court decision determining his marriage, a presidential order his deployment. Heads nodded. 10/
And he talked about his own family values. His marriage. His love and faith. Heads nodded. When @Chas10Buttigieg came out on stage, the crowd roared. But heads still nodded. This was faith in real people, in our ability to get democracy working for us, not against anyone. 11/
And he concluded with the idea behind the slogan “Win the era.” We are entering a new era, one that requires a fresh perspective, new thinking. I thought of the Biblical saying “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” But, on the other hand, what vision does for living. 12/
I’ve been involved in politics since running phone banks for the Mercer County office of the Clinton/Gore campaign in college in New Jersey in 1992. I have been inspired and moved a lot. But I’ve never been so reassured. I’d feel this was even if Pete wasn’t a friend. 13/
Even if I didn’t get to meet his supporter Kevin Costner in the Nashua office. 14/
I’d feel this way even if I hadn’t been a fello mayor who knows so well the stakes of local government working well, who personally relied on Pete for guidance and wisdom while serving in Charlottesville. 15/
But I especially feel this way as an American citizen who wants to believe in American democracy, from the smallest taproots to the broadest branches, and who sees how this middle-class veteran and mayor from the Midwest can bring us back to our own civic creed again. 16/
That’s what I saw in New Hampshire. Thanks for reading. 17/17
