Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who may consider a presidential run in 2028, distanced himself from former President Joe Biden during an interview with Politico. Buttigieg expressed a desire to move away from phrases like ‘Build Back Better,’ a slogan used in Biden’s 2020 campaign.

Buttigieg emphasized focusing on future development rather than returning to previous norms. He said, ‘I’m trying to purge my vocabulary of anything with the prefix ‘re-‘ in it, anything with the word back in it.’ He questions the effectiveness of the ‘Build Back Better’ concept, suggesting the need for a fresh approach.

He stated, ‘The most important thing is — are we demonstrating a readiness to be focused on building what’s next or are we basically preaching some version of ‘return to normal’?’ According to Buttigieg, attempting to sell a ‘return to normal’ is ineffective.

Buttigieg also addressed his relationship with Biden, acknowledging him as a ‘good man’ and a ‘good boss’ but not someone he regarded as a mentor. After the Democratic primary, in which Biden emerged victorious, Buttigieg was given significant opportunities as Secretary of Transportation under Biden’s administration.

I learned a lot from him, but I wouldn’t say I was close enough to him to claim that.

Buttigieg’s political stance appears to be resonating with voters, as shown by a recent University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll. The poll revealed Buttigieg as a potential front-runner for 2028, placing him neck-and-neck with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Despite not confirming his candidacy, Buttigieg’s popularity indicates strong interest.

In recent discussions, Buttigieg has shown support for progressive ideas, including eliminating the Electoral College and expanding the Supreme Court. He criticized the current political system for failing the people, expressing the need for substantial change.

Some political analysts, such as Reince Priebus, have critiqued Buttigieg’s alignment with more radical political elements. Priebus warned that aligning with figures outside the mainstream might pose challenges for Democrats like Buttigieg.

Lindsay Kornick, an associate editor for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. Story tips are welcomed via email or Twitter.