Pete Buttigieg Announced Officially Entered The 2020 Race. Here's How Pundits Responded.

South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) on Sunday officially announced his intent to run for president. The move was anticipated but Democrats seemed surprised at how well Buttigieg delivered his speech.

Imagine how seeing something like this could have changed the world for all the gay kids growing up in the 80s, 90s, 00s. Now think of how this is inspiring, comforting, and motivating gay kids today. #PeteButtigieg #PeteForAmerica
pic.twitter.com/xctnNm9YNT
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) April 14, 2019

.@PeteButtigieg: "We can’t say it’s much of a democracy when twice in my lifetime, the Electoral College has overruled the American people ... Let’s pick our President by counting up all the ballots and giving it to the woman or man who got the most votes" https://t.co/ak42dRUf5R pic.twitter.com/EpCC54432k
— CNN (@CNN) April 14, 2019

Pete Buttigieg says he "recognizes the audacity" of running for president as a "Midwestern millennial mayor," but that it's not about "winning an election, it’s about winning an era." pic.twitter.com/NB4gB15Yle
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 14, 2019

Even his communications person, Lis Smith, confirmed the questions she frequently receives from reporters.

Frequent question I received from the media: “but can @PeteButtigieg *really* give a rally speech?”

Asked and answered. #peteforamerica
— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) April 14, 2019

But more than anything, Democrats, especially on the progressive side, seem excited by Buttiegieg's announcement. Quite a few compared him to Barack Obama.

Good catch by @burlij:

Buttigieg in 2019: "I recognize the audacity of doing this... more than a little bold—at age 37—to seek the highest office in the land."

Obama in 2007: "I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness -- a certain audacity -- to this announcement."
— Dan Merica (@merica) April 14, 2019

In huge Dem field, Buttigieg draws a unique contrast with Trump. No attempt at razzle dazzle. No putdowns. He excited his crowd with plainspokenness, clarity and intellectual rigor. On each issue he drew a contrast with Trump without fiery attacks or even invoking his name.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) April 14, 2019

The mayor of Austin, TX, gave a hell of an intro for @PeteButtigieg. Maybe a subtle message to @BetoORourke, who is very much competing for the same New Generation mantle?
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 14, 2019

In a lifetime of following politics, the only time I have heard as excited a reaction to a campaign as I heard today about @PeteButtigieg’s launch was @BarackObama in 2008 and Ronald Reagan in 1980.
Yes, it’s very early. But the reaction has been remarkable. pic.twitter.com/MGyexI1Og0
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) April 14, 2019

Have you ever heard of Larry Agran? No? He was a small city mayor who ran for prez in 1992. Almost no one took him seriously. Buttigieg's early stage success is a measure of just how much has changed since then. Hat tip to @SteveKornacki here! https://t.co/ilqaD4lXJi
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 14, 2019

Those who support LGBTQ rights were overcome with joy because Buttigieg is the first openly gay presidential candidate.

As an LGBTQ person, I feel overcome with emotion, and as an American overall, I feel unbridled optimism. That speech was the best I've heard in a while. We needed that. Pete Buttigieg brought the vision, and it's a damn good one. #PeteForAmerica
— Charlotte Clymer???‍?? (@cmclymer) April 14, 2019

These words make me very, very happy.

“My name is @PeteButtigieg. They call me Mayor Pete. I am a proud son of South Bend, Indiana. And I am running for President of the United States.”
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 14, 2019