Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, expressed his views on distancing from former President Joe Biden during an interview with Politico. Buttigieg stated, "I'm trying to purge my vocabulary of anything with the prefix 're-' in it, anything with the word back in it," indicating he does not support the 'Build Back Better' slogan associated with Biden's 2020 campaign. He emphasized the importance of focusing on future initiatives rather than a return to previous norms, stating, "'Return to normal,' in my view, won’t work."
Buttigieg acknowledged that if the 'Build Back Better' plan had been effective, it would have succeeded. He also commented on his relationship with Biden, describing him as a "good man" and a "good boss," but noted he was not close enough to claim Biden as a mentor.
Poll results from a University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll indicated Buttigieg is in a competitive position with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a potential 2028 matchup. He has advocated for progressive proposals, including eliminating the Electoral College and expanding the Supreme Court, while addressing concerns about the Democratic Socialists of America. Fox News political analyst Reince Priebus criticized Buttigieg's alignment with more progressive elements, stating that it positions him "on the wrong side of normal."