[Mispronunciations of “Buttigieg.”]

And, a knack for languages.

[“Good morning, America” in several languages.]

Pete Buttigieg is in the race for the White House.

“I am running for president of the United States.”

So, who is he?

Buttigieg, also known as —

“Mayor Pete”

— is the mayor of South Bend, Ind.

He got the job when he was just 29

and quickly moved to reverse the city’s economic decline.

“Our hometown is not dead.”

While serving as mayor, Buttigieg took a leave of absence

for a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He came out as gay while seeking re-election,

and he won.

So, what are his priorities?

Ideologically he’s a progressive,

but he hasn’t unveiled specific policies just yet.

Instead, Buttigieg is focusing on big ideas.

“You know, our party has this tendency

to lead with the policies.

First, we’ve got to explain our values.”

He wants to abolish the electoral college,

establish single-payer health care

and expand the Supreme Court.

“Yeah, but it’s not just about throwing more

justices on the court.

What I think we need to do is some kind

of structural reform that makes

the court less political.”

He’s also pushing for the religious left

to make a comeback.

“No one party has a monopoly on faith.”

And, he thinks it’s time for a younger voice in politics.

“I mean, my face is my message.

A lot of this is simply the idea

that we need generational change.”

So, what’s his dynamic with President Trump?

Buttigieg is no fan of the Trump administration,

especially Vice President Mike Pence,

an opponent of same-sex marriage

and anti-discrimination laws.

“And that’s the thing I wish

the Mike Pences of the world would understand,

that if you got a problem with who I am,

your problem is not with me.

Your quarrel, sir, is with my creator.”

And Trump has yet to say or tweet

anything about “Mayor Pete.”

So, what are his chances?

Buttigieg made a name for himself

when this appearance on CNN went viral.

“Do you think Vice President Pence

would be a better or worse president than President Trump?”

“Ugh.”

And, it’s paying off.

Buttigieg raised $7 million

for his 2020 bid in the first quarter,

enough to qualify for the first Democratic debates

in June.

But the question is whether this relative newcomer

to the national stage can keep up

his momentum throughout the long primary season.