Pete Buttigieg Remarks at "First in the West" Event in Las Vegas, Nevada

In addition to all of us political types, I understand that we were joined by a lot of runners here today for the Vegas marathon. And it is a reminder that this journey we’re on is not a sprint--it is, in fact, a marathon. And in many ways it begins here in Nevada. [...]

In less than 100 days, you will be the First in the West to decide what is next for America.

So much depends on whether we get this right—because if there are four more years of this president, we will not recognize our country. We must win.

Donald Trump will do anything to hold onto power. But his playbook won’t work on me.

As your nominee, I will cut through the nonsense of this tin-pot president. [...]

I want you to picture that first day in America when the sun comes up and Donald Trump is no longer the President of the United States.

There is relief in that picture. No more chaos and corruption. No more tantrums and tweets. No more of a White House that uses race as a wedge to divide.

But then what? That day, the sun will come up on a country even more bitterly divided and torn up by politics than we are now, exhausted from fighting—and urgent crises will still be waiting for action. [...]

I’m running to be the president who will stand amid the rubble, gather up the pieces of our divided nation, and lead us toward a better future. [...]

Rather than polarize the American people, I will mobilize the American majority that stands ready for the most progressive change to health care in a half century—finally delivering Medicare for All Who Want It—as long as we protect the freedom to decide for yourself whether you want it. Because if you’re a culinary worker who’s negotiated a plan you like, you should have the choice to keep it.

An American majority ready to unite and confront climate change as long as we can show how everyone from an auto worker who lives on my block to a rancher in rural Nevada can fit in the new future we are going to create. And that includes protecting our public lands for generations to come. [...]

We will bring together an American majority that agrees we must manage the border based on our values as well as our laws—an end to family separation and a beginning to real reform, and that includes creating a pathway to citizenship.

I will call on Americans to stand up for one another. We will treat everyone with dignity.

We will tear down systemic racism, so that your race has no bearing on your health, or your wealth, your life expectancy or your relationship. [...]

Americans want a democracy where every vote is counted and every voter counts. That means listening to leaders like Harry Reid, who know that the best way to preserve institutions like the United States Senate is to put an end to the filibuster. And yes, that means choosing our president by just adding up all the votes and giving it to the person who got the most.

We will take care of our veterans, knowing that a disproportionate share of the Battle Born State has borne the battle. [...]

I want every American to know--regardless of where you come from, what language you speak at home, whether your dad was an immigrant or you descended from slaves--you belong.

No matter what you look like or how you worship--you belong.

No matter who you love or who you are--you belong.

Even if you don’t agree with the precise dimensions of this or that policy that does not mean you should be written out of a particular political party--you belong. [...]

Nevada, I am asking you to caucus for me on February 22nd because I know what the presidency is for. Because we know the purpose of the presidency is not the glorification of the president, it is the unification and empowerment of the people.