Detroit — Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg of Indiana touted his Midwestern roots and general election prospects Sunday in Detroit, pledging to appeal to “Republicans of conscience” if he wins the Democratic primary.
Speaking at a small-donor fundraiser in Detroit ahead of this week's presidential debate, the South Bend mayor stressed the importance of winning back voters in Michigan and other industrial Midwest states that helped send GOP President Donald Trump to the White House in 2016.
“The message to them is, 'The president of the United States thinks you're a clown,'” Buttigieg said. “He thinks he can make you believe the biggest problem in your life is political correctness, when the biggest problem in your life is not getting paid enough.”
Buttigieg, a 37-year combat veteran whose husband is a Traverse City native, led all Democratic presidential candidates in second-quarter fundraising from Michigan donors. But he hadn't campaigned in the state until this month, when he held a Saugatuck fundraiser and joined nine other candidates at a national NAACP forum in Detroit.
In his roughly half-hour speech at The Fillmore, Buttigieg called for a “new conversation” about freedom, security and religion, suggesting that Democrats should not back down on issues that Republicans have tried to have.
Faith-driven voters need to know “they have a choice,” Buttigieg said. “This choice does not require you to support someone who puts children in cages and tears apart families,” he said, referring to Trump's controversial immigration policies.
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttitieg at the Grassroots event
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttitieg speaks at the Grassroots event at The Fillmore in Detroit.
The Detroit News
He is poised to take the debate stage Tuesday night in Detroit as a moderate foil to Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who are competing for similar voters as favorites of the progressive left.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will debate Wednesday night with Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Cory Booker of New Jersey and seven other Democratic candidates.
Buttigieg on Friday unveiled a “rising tide” economic proposal that he said would empower American workers by enacting a $15-an-hour minimum wage, extending job protections to “gig economy” workers at companies like Uber and ending so-called right-to-work laws. in Michigan and other states that prohibit contracts that make union dues a condition of employment.
The mayor, who has struggled to connect with black voters, also touted his new plan to fight “systemic racism” in the United States, while accusing Trump of fueling racial tensions by urging four congresswomen of color to “step back.” where they came from. , including Michigan native Rep. Rashida Tlieb of Detroit.
Trump wants voters to “distract from his racism” because Democrats are stronger on the issues, Buttigieg argued. “While we were right to condemn it” last week, those same four lawmakers helped the House pass $15 minimum wage legislation “that we desperately need,” he said.
Buttigieg hosted the “grassroots” fundraiser just below the Fox Theater, where CNN will host this week's Democratic debate. The cable station broadcasts live from a parking lot outside Comerica Park, while the Fox marquee and Hockeytown Café are already resplendent with talk show logos.
Rashid Faisal of Detroit, a 50-year-old education administrator for the Old Redford Academy district, said he's still evaluating the options in the Democratic primary but likes what he's hearing from Buttigieg.
“At this point, as far as articulating a position, I think he's probably above most,” Faisal said. “He's just a very reasonable person about things, and I like that. I'm not swayed by the sentiment of things, but what's best for the American people.”
His wife, 48-year-old businesswoman Christy Faisal, is all over the South Bend mayor and appreciates that his tone is “not angry” in an era of divisive politics. Their 7-year-old daughter is also a fan.
Faisal's credit Buttigieg for taking a measured approach to issues like college tuition. While some Democrats are calling for a free system for all Americans, Buttigieg believes this type of program should be limited to students from low- and moderate-income homes.
“It sounds great, 'free college,' but I think it makes sense that not everyone pays for the billionaires,” said Christie Faisal.
Buttiigieg superfan Kelly Doak, 38, made the trip from her home in Columbus, Ohio, and was first in line outside the Fillmore after arriving in downtown Detroit around 1 p.m. He also attended a Buttigieg fundraiser last weekend in Saugatuck.
The Indiana mayor knows how to speak to the Midwest in a way that 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton did not, Doak said.
“When Hillary was campaigning, it was a very coastal message and it seemed like she wasn't talking about what was happening in the Midwest,” he said. “The DOW has no impact on my day-to-day life, and I just saw a lot of union people who voted Democrat who just couldn't take her message.”
Connor Berdy, a 24-year-old running for Warren City Council as the first openly gay candidate in Macomb County history, said it's “too early” in the presidential primary to support a single candidate, but we're “rooting” for Buttigieg.
“I think his best attribute is that he can connect with people, especially people who are not affiliated with the Democratic Party,” Birdie said. “I think the Democrats have the right idea, just who is our right champion that will sell it to enough people and excite the most people. And I think that's one of his strongest suits.”
joosting@detroitnews.com
