Reading Between the Lines: POLITICO Profile of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

A story published in POLITICO Magazine over the weekend chronicles the transformation of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during his tenure in the Biden administration. 

Long story short: Buttigieg has shifted from a middle-of-the-road, commonsense Democrat to an economic leftist willing to wield the power of the federal government to jeopardize America’s job creators. As the author notes, Buttigieg has fallen into the fold with the likes of vehement anti-business officials like FTC Chair Lina Khan and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter. 

But a curious development unfolded less than 24 hours after the article first went live online Sunday morning: The title changed.

As seen above, the headline originally read, “How the Antitrust Left Got to Pete Buttigieg.” On Monday, the title became, “’I Didn’t Do an About-Face on Pete Buttigieg. Buttigieg Did an About-Face on Me.’”

The initial framing may encapsulate Buttigieg’s true policy preferences and actions as Secretary of Transportation. After all, he recently launched an investigation suggesting the airline industry—which boasts nearly 20 major passenger airlines—lacks competition and is akin to 20th century monopolies like Standard Oil or the Bell System.

But the sentiment is a political liability for pursuing higher office. And Buttigieg—who ran for President in 2020—has big aspirations for the future. Publicizing the cozy relationship with fringe activists and political officials is not a recommended strategy to gain the support of centrist Democrats.