That wasn’t a problem when they spoke Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, to the winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

“This is a time to bring to the highest office in the land the perspective that only a mayor, only my fellow mayors, can offer,” Buttigieg said.

Bloomberg and Buttigieg come from vastly different communities — New York is the biggest city in the country; South Bend, with a population of just over 100,000, isn’t even the biggest in Indiana.

Similar pitches

But both candidates used the opportunity to to flesh out similar pitches that their hands-on experiences balancing budgets and answering to constituents gave them unique insights into the country’s needs.

Bloomberg focused on the rollout of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan, which he said would funnel money to local leaders who would be empowered to make their own decisions about what is best for their communities. He also highlighted mayors serving in senior positions on his campaign.