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"It's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman," Biden said in likening Buttigieg to his late son.
Pete Buttigieg endorsed Joe Biden for president at a rally in Dallas Monday night, with Buttigieg calling the former vice president a man of great decency and Biden responding by saying Buttigieg reminds him of his late son, Beau.
Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., who went farther in the presidential race than any previous openly gay candidate, announced Sunday that he was ending his bid for the Democratic nomination. It was reported earlier today that he would endorse Biden, and tonight's announcement made that official.
Defeating Donald Trump and "to win the era for the values that we share" formed a goal that was always bigger than winning the White House for himself, Buttigieg said. "It is in the name of that very same goal that I am delighted to endorse and support Joe Biden for the president," he said.
He praised Biden's work to promote gun control, address climate change, and help to pass the Affordable Care Act. He also said Biden, who was a longtime U.S. senator from Delaware before being Barack Obama's vice president, would "restore dignity to the White House" and practice the empathy that has been lacking under Trump.
"I'm looking for a president who will draw out the best in each of us. ... We have found that leader in vice president, soon to be president, Joe Biden," Buttigieg concluded.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate Pete's endorsement," Biden said afterward. He praised Buttigieg's intelligence, integrity, and moral courage.
"I don't think I've ever done this before, but [Buttigieg] reminds me of my son Beau," Biden continued. "I know that may not mean much to most people, but to me it's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman. ... Like Beau, he has a backbone like a ramrod."
Beau Biden was a military veteran, as Buttigieg is, and was attorney general of Delaware. He died of cancer at age 46 in 2015.
Joe Biden also received the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who dropped out of the presidential race today, and was expected to receive that of former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas, who exited the race in November. A Morning Consult poll has indicated Biden would benefit substantially from Buttigieg's endorsement.
Texas will vote tomorrow in the Super Tuesday presidential primaries, along with 13 other states, one U.S. territory, and Democrats living abroad.
