Jul 25, 2019

Buttigieg's affinity for private planes could haunt him

Mike Allen

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Pete Buttigieg has spent roughly $300,000 on private jet travel this year, more than any other Democrat running for the White House, according to an analysis of campaign finance data by AP's Brian Slodysko.

By the numbers: Joe Biden spent $256,000 on charter flights, and the rest of the field spent far less. Sen. Elizabeth Warren spent $60,000, Sen. Bernie Sanders spent $18,000 and Sen. Kamala Harris spent $17,000.

Why it matters: Flights could come up during next week's Democratic debates. Beto O'Rourke already took an apparent poke at the mayor, per AP:

  • "No private planes for this campaign," Beto said in a video recorded aboard a commercial plane waiting for takeoff and posted to social media on Monday. "We're putting your $5, $10, $15 to use."
  • Buttigieg spokesman Chris Meagher said: "[W]e fly commercial as often as possible ... We only fly noncommercial when the schedule dictates."

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Marisa Fernandez

Cory Booker qualifies for 3rd 2020 Democratic debate

Sen. Cory Booker. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Sen. Cory Booker's campaign told CNN on Monday that he surpassed 130,000 unique donors, a requirement to participate in the fall Democratic debate.

Why it matters: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Beto O’Rourke all have qualified for September.

Go deeperArrowJul 29, 2019
Orion Rummler, Gigi Sukin

The 2020 candidates who have qualified for the next Democratic debate

Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren. Photos: Scott Olson/Getty Images, Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images, and Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The fourth round of Democratic debates will be held on Oct. 15 in Westerville, Ohio, with 12 candidates onstage, making it the biggest single-night debate to date. 

How it works: This debate had the same requirements as September's. Qualifying candidates must have reached 2% in 4 DNC-approved polls and drawn 130,000 unique donors — including 400 donors in 20 different states. Oct. 1 was the final day to make the cut.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Oct 2, 2019
Marisa Fernandez

Jay Inslee unlikely to qualify for CNN's climate change town hall

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who has centered his 2020 campaign around climate change policy, was not one of the 10 Democratic presidential candidates who qualified for an invite to CNN's climate change town hall in September.

Why it matters: Several polls point to climate change as a top issue for Democratic voters, but Inslee, whose proposals and debate appearances have been focused on severing the U.S. from fossil fuel dependency, is still polling around 1%.

Go deeperArrowAug 19, 2019