Sorry, you're right: he was the mayor of South Bend, not Gary. Both are in the same region, and both are a mess, but South Bend is a bit less of a mess than Gary is. South Bend has the advantage of being a college town, which helped it limp along when the region's steel industry started going overseas.
But in any case, you're absolutely right about something else: Poor performance--or no performance--won't stop a politician who's good at being a politician. You're also right about Sanders: He's not only a radical, but people are finally figuring out he's a radical. Add that to the number of young voters who are seeing him as just another old white guy, and he's in trouble.
Your comment about the name made me look it up:
Buttigieg. Buttiġieġ is a Maltese surname, derived from the Arabic kunya أبو الدجاج ('Abū d-dajāj), meaning chicken owner or poulterer.
His father was born in Malta ... so today we know more than yesterday, which is one of the things I aim for!
RE: A Little Snow Goes a Long Way