Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq MORE stressed the need for national unity in a town hall on Sunday, telling attendees that Americans do not need to choose between being bold and being unified.

"We don't have to choose between being bold and being unified," Buttigieg told attendees at a Fox News town hall in Des Moines on Sunday.

"Some folks are saying you've got to pick one or the other," he continued. "Or that you have to measure boldness by how many people you can turn off and turn away."

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"I actually think that these bold ideas about you can make American life better are part of how we're going to unify the country, and we've got to unify this country because it has become dangerously divided, and frighteningly polarized," he said. "This is our chance to do something about that, and it's at the core of my campaign."

Buttigieg was referencing garnering support from a wide array of voters, including Republicans who are disillusioned with President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE.

The former mayor, who has campaigned heavily on unity, also pointed to issues on which Democrats and Republicans see eye to eye.

"I'm proposing things that folks even in conservative states think we ought to do," he said, pointing to increasing wages, paid family leave, corporate taxes and curbing gun violence.

"These are things that most Americans want to see happening, and I believe that's important to remember from the perspective of what it's going to take to govern in the future," he said.