White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE questioned the legitimacy and popularity of some of the more progressive plans laid out by his fellow 2020 candidates.

The South Bend, Ind., mayor told CNN's David Axelrod Saturday on "The Axe Files" that Medicare for All and free college tuition plans, championed by progressives in the race, are "questionable on their merits" and "pretty far out from where Americans are."

"I do think that we should be realistic about what's going to work. And just flipping a switch and saying we're instantly going to have everybody on Medicare just like that -- isn't realistic," Buttigieg told CNN.

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"I think that when it comes to a lot of these policies that we're being pushed to do -- say that we can pay down the last penny of tuition for any student including the child of a billionaire. These are things that are questionable on their merits and of course also pretty far out ... from where Americans are," he added.

Buttigieg is center left to some of the more progressives candidates in the crowded field. Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power Bernie Sanders: 'This is an election between Donald Trump and democracy' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Democratic senators ask inspector general to investigate IRS use of location tracking service MORE (D-Mass.), two top-tier candidates vying for the party nomination, support a Medicare for All proposal.

Fellow candidates Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE (D) also raised their hands during the first round of debates when asked if they support eliminating private health insurance.

Buttigieg supports a "Medicare for All Who Want It" plan, as a pathway to Medicare for All.

Sanders and Warren have also lead the field in proposing progressive plans to cover college tuition and forgive student loans.

According to Buttigieg's campaign website, he supports debt-free college for lower income families through a state-federal partnership that makes public tuition affordable or free at lower incomes and large increases in Pell Grants to provide basic living expenses.