Presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the race just two nights before Super Tuesday in a way that reminded the country that he’s not just a quixotic candidate, but one with raw political talent and a crucial understanding of how to beat an incumbent president. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor earned a historic delegate victory in the Iowa caucuses and a strong showing in the New Hampshire primary, showing vast potential and political savvy.

Although President Trump may not attract many crossover voters nationally, there’s no question that “swing voters” in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania delivered him the margin of victory for the White House in 2016 and that higher base turnout has kept his intraparty ratings up. So, if any candidate hopes to unseat an incumbent, however unpopular, in a time of relative international bliss and domestic prosperity, that person must do so with the entire Democratic Party rallying, as Buttigieg outlined on Sunday night during his concession speech.