Progressive commentator Maximillian Alvarez criticized the Democratic Party, saying its establishment has a tendency to slap “a new face on old politics.”
“Ultimately, what it comes down to is that the Democratic establishment is addicted to slapping a new face on old politics,” Alvarez, a host of left-leaning podcast Working People, told Hill.TV on Friday.
Alvarez pointed to South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg as a prime example.
“Apparently, they’ve learned nothing, except just to get a younger version of Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden,” he said, referring to the Democratic Party.
Alvarez’s comments come as Buttigieg looks to challenge former Vice President Joe Biden for the support of his centrist base.
Buttigieg raised more than $19.1 million in donations in the third quarter of 2019, which marks the third-highest haul of any presidential contender.
A day after the fourth Democratic debate, Buttigieg’s campaign said it raised more than $1 million in a 24-hour period.
The South Bend, Ind., mayor also appears to be on the rise in the polls.
The mayor has picked up 4.5 points in the past month in the RealClearPolitics polling index, and currently places fourth behind progressive heavyweight Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). But he still trails Biden by more than 20 points.
Biden, meanwhile, appears to be struggling with donors, who have expressed frustration with the former vice president over his string of verbal gaffes and debate performances.
The former vice president had a disappointing third-quarter fundraising showing, raising just $15.2 million.
Though Biden entered the race as the front-runner, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has emerged as a top challenger, as made clear during the Ohio debate where she was the target of attacks from rivals.
—Tess Bonn
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.