CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) Talks About Pete Buttigieg's Presidential Bid

Interview

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WHITFIELD: All right, with our Jeff Zeleny there. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is looking to build momentum following another strong showing in Nevada.

Joining me right now Maryland Congressman Anthony Brown, who is endorsing Buttigieg for President. Congressman, good to see you.

REP. ANTHONY BROWN (D-MD): Nice to be on with you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, so there you are in Conway, South Carolina, the next state to hold a primary and a state Buttigieg is hoping to gain ground.

This morning, a new poll shows him at only 10 percent support in the Palmetto State. So why do you think he is having so much trouble gaining traction in the Palmetto state?

BROWN: Well, if you look at the progress that we're making, we're showing movement in South Carolina, and we're doing what we did starting 12 months ago in Iowa and New Hampshire, building a coalition that is cross generational, geographically diverse.

We demonstrated the ability to build a coalition that's a racially and ethnically diverse in Nevada, where we may very well finish a second. You know, there's some irregularities in that count, so we're waiting for the results there.

But, you know, we're the only candidate -- one of two, I should say that had finished first, second or third in a primary, and that's because we've been able to build a diverse coalition, and that's what we're doing on the ground in South Carolina. WHITFIELD: Okay, well, it will be a very diverse electorate in South

Carolina. Buttigieg attended a church service in Charleston this morning. He talked about how important African-American votes will be in this election. Take a listen.

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PETE BUTTIGIEG (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know that that is not just an expression of a political preference. It is something that was hard won, that that vote is something that was kept often through violence out of black hands for generations.

And won only through struggle, through blood and through sweat and tears and only won within living memory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So many times, it's been pointed out that he doesn't have huge black support. Can he win South Carolina without significant black voter support?

BROWN: Look, in order to win the Democratic primary, you're going to have to have significant support from the African-American community, and that's what we're working on every day to build a, you know, larger and larger. I think we're going to exceed expectations in South --

WHITFIELD: Do you see that it is being built? Is it building larger?

BROWN: I think we're going to -- yes, I think we're going to exceed expectations in South Carolina, and as we've exceeded expectations in Nevada, in both the Latino and the African-American community, it's meeting voters where they are where, you know, relationships -- engagements I should say at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Pete was in church today. I was in church this morning as well in South Carolina. We've got volunteers and surrogates who've been engaging the faith community here in South Carolina. Digital ad bytes.

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WHITFIELD: And what are people saying to you?

BROWN: I am sorry?

WHITFIELD: Have they been you know -- have people been candid? Are they forthright with what their thoughts and opinions are about Buttigieg as you are meeting with people there? I mean, what are they saying to you about his campaign? About his prospects? His potential promise?

BROWN: Sure, first of all, he doesn't have the benefit of having run for a President before as, say, for example, Senator Sanders, or has served in national office like Vice President Biden. What I'm observing and what we are seeing on the ground is as voters

get to know Pete Buttigieg and they get beyond being able to just pronounce his name. They know his values. They know that he's a man of faith. That he's a veteran, he put on the uniform, served our country in Afghanistan.

But perhaps more importantly, when they learn about what he plans to do for voters and their families, for example, the Douglass Plan empowering African-American entrepreneurs, bringing much needed resources -- healthcare resources to underserved communities of color. That's when people get really excited and they start leaning in to Pete Buttigieg.

So that's the challenge of every campaign. We're no different. It's meeting voters where they are and sharing with them a vision for a better America for voters and their family, and that's no less true in the African-American community.

WHITFIELD: And Congressman Brown, this afternoon we also learned that Pete Buttigieg is raising concerns about irregularities he sees within the Nevada caucus results.

Senator Bernie Sanders is the projected winner there by a rather sizable margin. Are you concerned about the caucus results or are you even concerned about the candidate Buttigieg casting doubt on the results?

BROWN: Yes, now listen, there are some irregularities that have been pointed at or highlighted in a letter from the campaign to the Nevada Democratic Party.

And, you know, clearly the results are slow to come. You know, I don't think it's going to change the result in terms of who places first in Nevada, but certainly we are very close to Vice President Biden for a second place finish.

And so we just want to make sure in fairness to the caucus goers in Nevada, and all of the supporters and people that have supported every campaign on the ground in Nevada, that the results are accurate and timely.

WHITFIELD: All right, we'll leave it there. Maryland Congressman, Anthony Brown, thank you so much.

BROWN: Thanks, Frederica.

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