We've had 18 years of inexperience, I'm ready for a change.
While in NO WAY do I want to advocate for so-called "inexperience".....what experience actually translates into being a President?
(Discussion question maybe).
Senators lack power to actually change much of anything, and most of them (that are considered effective) attempt to solve problems by "holding a meeting."
Governors put themselves forth as problem solvers, but in MOST states (Jersey is a notable exception), the governor isn't all that powerful either. Yeah, they get credit for things they sign, but even the ability of most governors is limited to their ability to sign something other folks send to them.
The late Kevin White (mayor of Boston for those who don't know) was advanced as a running mate for McGovern in 1972. The point made in his favor was that mayors take "real action" and are always well-versed on what goes on in their communities. (I'm not quite sure how this would apply to a nation of over 300 million people fwiw). NYC Mayor John Lindsay actually tried for the nomination that year (as I'm sure you recall far better than I) and flopped. His sales pitch was basically, "A mayor knows what it's like to choose between a new library and increasing law enforcement salary."
GHW Bush had more experience than any man in the 20th century who ran for the office. Congress. Businessman. Military hero. Party chairman. CIA director. Vice President.
But he was the worst public speaker who was ever elected President in my lifetime (until the current bozo). If he was not VP, it is highly unlikely the man ever would have been elected President by the voters because it's doubtful he could have won a nomination where he didn't start with a huge advantage.
History will treat him much better than the voters did, but the most qualified guy (on paper) we had wasn't wanted, either in 1988 or 1992. He won because the Democrats lost an election they probably should have won, thanks to yet another clueless Massachusetts pol who couldn't communicate with anyone else from outside the state. (In retrospect, Dukakis was a better person than he was a candidate - just like the guy who beat him).
So many folks want a businessman. Uh, we tried that. Carter was a businessman and failed. Bush 41 was a businessman and failed. Bush 43 was a failed businessman and failed. And no comment necessary on the current businessman.
Businessmen are used to being dictators and arbitrarily firing obstacles. You can't fire Congress. (And Bush 43 and Trump have wrecked a number of businesses, so I'm unsure of the relevance of their "jobs").
I think GOP consultant Ed Rollins, who made the mistake of his life working for Perot, said it best. The Presidency is NOT a business job, it's a job of inspirational leadership.
Given that (imho) the most important job a President has is war/peace, I think Mayor Pete - the military officer - is eminently qualified for that particular aspect. If he's smart enough to know whom to hire for the Cabinet (rather than just use a spoils system), even better.
Note: I'm NOT advocating for his candidacy, and I concur that it would be better if he had more. But he can't possibly have any less than Colonel Bone Spurs.