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UPDATE: Buttigieg And Civil Rights Activist Al Sharpton Meet

Peter Ringenberg

UPDATE: Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is making a new, concerted effort to appeal to African American voters and put behind him criticism of his record on race.

His main strategy is to talk less and listen more.

The approach is aimed at addressing one of the biggest questions about Buttigieg's upstart campaign: Can the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, win over black voters who are key to a Democratic victory in 2020.

He had lunch Monday at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem with the Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights leader. On Sunday and Monday he'll be in South Carolina, where he'll meet with African American leaders and participate in a round-table discussion at a historically black university.

Buttigieg says: "I know I've got a lot to learn."

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is making a new, concerted effort to appeal to African American voters and put behind him criticism of his record on race.

His main strategy is to talk less and listen more.

The approach is aimed at addressing one of the biggest questions about Buttigieg's upstart campaign: Can the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, win over black voters who are key to a Democratic victory in 2020.

He had lunch Monday at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem with the Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights leader. On Sunday and Monday he'll be in South Carolina, where he'll meet with African American leaders and participate in a round-table discussion at a historically black university.

Buttigieg says: "I know I've got a lot to learn."

ORIGINAL POST:

NEW YORK (AP) — Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg has met with the Rev. Al Sharpton as the Indiana mayor steps up his outreach to African Americans.

 
Buttigieg had lunch with the civil rights activist on Monday at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, a cornerstone of black American culture.
 
Buttigieg has faced increased scrutiny of his record on race as his nascent campaign has gained popularity.
Sharpton is the founder of the National Action Network. He's long brokered difficult racial conversations with embattled political leaders.
 
Buttigieg spent more than an hour at the restaurant, where he ate fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and collard greens before shaking hands with customers.
 
He plans to focus on black voters during a visit to South Carolina next month that includes a stop at a historically black university.