In an interview on MS NOW, Pete Buttigieg argues that Republicans are turning to culture war issues because they “can’t win on results,” accusing them of trying to “divide” voters.

JACOB SOBOROFF, MS NOW HOST:  Mr. Secretary, the thing about that ad is that it reflects — you know, I was up in Michigan and I saw the ads that ran the day after Abdul El-Sayed ran — won, but this could be anywhere now that there are these competitive districts across the country, they lean heavily into culture war messaging. They lean into immigration, to gender identity, to islamophobia in certain cases. Now, to drive turnout — what is your opinion about how Democrats should counter that, as particularly in these red districts, historically red districts like this one that you’re in? BUTTIGIEG:  Well, the reason Republicans are going with that strategy is because they can’t win on results, and they can’t win on the issues. They can’t win on results, right? Prices are higher. When they said they would be lower. We’re in a war when they said they would keep us out of wars. They also can’t win on the issues because their policies are very unpopular. You know, the tax cuts for the wealthy while cutting people off of Medicaid, making it harder to access SNAP and food benefits. So many of the things that they’ve done just put them out of step with the American people. So, since they can’t persuade voters with an agenda like that, the best thing that they can do is divide voters as much as possible. And then, of course, all of the gerrymandering activity that has been at the heart of their overall strategy to keep Congress. But this is exactly why I know we can win, especially in some of these districts, that, frankly, the national commentators in past years, the national party hasn’t taken much of a look at like Nevada’s Second. And I really see enormous opportunity. The fact they’re resorting to that strategy shows you just how good of an opportunity there is for our side.

RealClearPolitics Videos