The Memo: Buttigieg takes a new step to attract black voters

Democratic presidential candidate 2020 Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul Buttigieg Hill's campaign report: Threatening internal conflicts threaten the 2020 unit. The Hill's report: 30:30: Acosta resigns because of the controversy surrounding the agreement of advocacy against Epstein. The Hill & # 39; s Morning This week we released a detailed plan to mitigate the effects of "systemic racism" – but the political question of whether he can also elevate his rank among black voters is the key political issue.

Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, in Indiana, 37, has become relatively obscure since launching his campaign in mid-April.

In national polls, he is almost always behind the Big Four – former vice president Joe BidenJoe BidenThe Mayor of Philadelphia publishes a photo of Rapinoe at the top of City Hall: "Equal Pay Now! The accusation of racism from Ocasio-Cortez shows that Pelosi is likely to be devoured by the revolution. Racial politics devalues ​​the Democratic party MORE and Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenOcasio-Cortez's accusation of racism shows that Pelosi is likely to be devastated by the American democratic democratic democrat democratic revolution in O & # 39; Rourke: "I would not count it yet. | House adopts defense bill with "forever chemicals" measure Five things to watch while Barry barrels into the Gulf MORE (D-Mass.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi Harris: The accusation of racism from Ocasio-Cortez shows that Pelosi is likely to be devoured by the revolution. Racial politics takes hold of Democrat House Democratic Party house on O & # 39; Rourke: "I would not count it yet" MORE (D-Calif.) And Bernie SandersThe accusation for racism of Ocasio-Cortez shows that Pelosi risks being devoured by the revolution. The Democratic Democrat Democrat Democrat American O 'Rourke says: "I would not count it yet". House adopts defense bill with "forever chemicals" measure Five things to watch while Barry barrels into the Gulf MORE (I-Vt.). But he is ahead of apparently larger names, including Democratic Sense. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRace politics sweeps over the Democratic Party Hill's campaign report: Democratic internal conflicts threaten 2020 unity Poll: Biden tops 2020 South Carolina democrats by 21 points MORE (N.J.) and Kirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth GillibrandOvernight Energy: EPA expands the use of pesticides that it considers "highly toxic" for bees | House adopts defense bill with "forever chemicals" measure Five things to watch as Barry travels Gulf Three things to watch for at Netroots Nation The Hill's campaign report: Democratic internal conflict threatens the unity of 2020 PLUS (NEW YORK.).

A major obstacle for Buttigieg if he seeks to become a serious candidate for nomination is his lack of support from black voters.

In two recent polls, respectively from the economist and Quinnipiac University, he obtained 5% and 4% support among all Democrats, but 1% and zero percent among Black Democrats.

"I have not spoken to an African-American who believes his actions, or his actions, are malicious," said Joel Payne, a non-aligned Democratic strategist on the 2020 candidates. "I think it would be better described as a blind spot. "

Buttigieg hopes his new plan released on Thursday, dubbed The Douglass Plan, inspired by the famous 19th century black leader, Frederick Douglass, will help demonstrate that he is truly aware of how racial disparities are invading the country – and proposes concrete proposals to remedy it. .

The plan is long and specific. It includes proposals on criminal justice – where Buttigieg proposes to eliminate federal prison sentences for possession of drugs and to prohibit private federal prisons – as well as on health care, education and entrepreneurship.

Among other things, it proposes the creation of health equity zones and increased training of health professionals to reduce racial disparities in health care.

Another idea is an economic program in which the government would invest up to $ 10 billion over five years in businesses or programs run by entrepreneurs from minorities or low-income countries, with the aim of generate the same level of private investment.

A Buttigieg campaign manager told The Hill that the campaign had "been working on the plan for several months," partly because the candidate was convinced "that there is a bigger conversation about race in the country".

Buttigieg told MSNBC's Craig Melvin Thursday: "I think it's very important that black voters have an answer to the question that they always ask me on the track, namely:" How does your presidency will she make my life better and different in a way that is better than any of your competitors? "

He added that, in addition to measures aimed at raising black Americans and their communities, "there must be a conversation with the white America, with a white audience, about the fact that no one". between us can not or should not be ready to live in a system where some sort of systemic racist dimensions persist. "

Buttigieg's good intentions are not questioned by most Democrats, but the challenges he faces in increasing Black support are considerable.

To begin with, Biden is generally the leader among black voters – evidence, according to most observers, of his loyal service to former President Obama and his familiarity on the national scene.

Harris, the most prominent black candidate in the race, has also begun to appeal to African-American voters, particularly following a debate in which she criticized Biden for his attitude towards segregationists and senators. school transportation.

Buttigieg is bothered by his relatively low profile but also by two racial controversies that have plagued South Bend – the dismissal of the city's first black police chief and, in June, the deadly police attack of a black man Aged 54, Eric Logan. .

Buttigieg returned to South Bend following the election campaign following the latter event, but faced a stormy public meeting where residents expressed their frustrations.

Karen Finney, Senior Advisor to the 2016 Democratic Nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonThe mayor of Philadelphia publishes a photo of Rapinoe at the top of City Hall: "Equal pay now! The second Republican announces his intention to challenge Ocasio-Cortez in New York The Hill's campaign report: the internal democratic conflicts threaten the unity of 2020 MORE but is not affiliated with any of this cycle's nominees, noted that the two controversies were "the way many people in the black community have heard of Mayor Pete for the first time."

Finney praised the plan released by Buttigieg this week, but noted, along with other sources, that it is barely enough to fill his deficit with black votes, in fact. absence of other actions.

"To advance this plan is obviously a very important step. He is very attentive and talks about these problems, "she said. "But we'll have to do it, not just show it."

Black Democrats lined up with other candidates are even more skeptical that Buttigieg can make quick progress in the short term.

Bakari Sellers, a former representative of the state of South Carolina who supports Harris, said, "His plan was to say the least admirable, and I am pleased that he has submitted one. But I tell him that we have to meet the voters where they are. There is no relationship, there is no familiarity, there is no trust. "

This idea, at least in general terms, seems to be recognized by the Buttigieg campaign.

"People are still starting to know him to a large extent," said Buttigieg's campaign assistant. "He was poorly known across the country before embarking on this race. So we have to spend time talking with people, listening to them and making sure they have news from Pete. "

The fear among others, however, is that the young mayor's difficulty in getting in touch with black voters is recognized as an unfavorable part of his political brand – and therefore impossible to escape.

"Because he feels that he has a blind spot," said Payne, "he has a higher bar to go through to refute this story."

The memo is a column reported by Niall Stanage, mainly focused on Donald TrumpDonald John Trump In 1710, the British accused an orange-haired populist – It did not go well The mayor of Philadelphia publishes a picture of Rapinoe at the top of the town hall: "Equal pay now!" Social media summit highlights partisan approaches to MORE technologyThe Presidency.