The message was one very reminiscent of the pitch he had been making to Iowa voters in the closing days before the first votes of the 2020 campaign. It wasn't long before critics highlighted his use of the phrase "American heartland." Others took issue with Buttigieg suggesting that so-called "heartland" values were more important than the values of urban or coastal or southern parts of the country. "Respectfully, where is the American Heartland located exactly in your mind as you write this tweet?" "My own community, 40-45% people of color, and the future of the American Heartland is racially diverse," he added.

Source: CNN January 30, 2020 21:11 UTC