If there’s anything at all striking about Pete Buttigieg, it’s his decency. He’s a down-to-earth, clean-cut, decent person who takes care when he speaks and listens with respect. Indeed, the South Bend, Indiana, mayor has spent much of his presidential campaign making those characteristics the defining feature of his candidacy.

Buttigieg attributes this civility to his faith, promising to represent other voters “guided by a faith tradition.”