5 takeaways from Buttigieg's first debate

"Because I couldn't get it done," Buttigieg responded when asked about the declining diversity of the South Bend Police Department on his watch.

By Adam Wren and design by Kris Davidson

In his first presidential debate, 495 days before Election Day, Pete Buttigieg largely sidestepped what could have been a brutal night for his candidacy, scoring points on issues ranging from the growing threat of China to questioning Republicans’ longtime appeal to voters of faith.

Across both nights, Buttigieg e…