Biden supporters like Buttigieg. They're not sure he can beat Trump.

SUMTER, South Carolina — Joe Biden's supporters say they like Pete Buttigieg; they're just unconvinced the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, can defeat President Donald Trump. 

Biden spoke to about 250 people Friday morning at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Sumter, a city of about 40,000 an hour east of the state capital of Columbia. The crowd was more racially diverse, but older, than the groups who have been going to see Buttigieg, who has been struggling to connect with black and Latino voters. 

Eloise Conyers, 64, a retired state employee who lives in Sumter, said Biden is the most well-known and qualified candidate.

“I think (Buttigieg) is a great spokesman,” she said. “He engaged the people, and he’s a good candidate. But Biden is my first choice. He just has good heart. He’s caring, and he seems to relate to people.” 

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Where Buttigieg's speeches seem more tightly focused, Biden is a bit more meandering, giving the impression of chatting with individuals in the crowd while making lots of eye contact. Speaking to supporters, the former vice president ran through promises to fight racism, preserve Obamacare, turn around climate change and enact gun control.

And he kept returning to the point that he is the one who can beat Donald Trump. 

“With the right president,” he said, “the right Democratic president, our children will hopefully look back on their history classes … as this being an aberration. But if Donald Trump is elected to four more years, it’ll change the very nature of who we are.” 

Some folks in the crowd said “yes," not dissimilar to a Sunday church service. 

“No, I really mean this,” Biden said. "This guy is more George Wallace than he is George Washington.”

More yeses from the crowd, surely familiar with the segregationist governor of Alabama from the Civil Rights Era. 

Ruby Miller, 71, a retired federal employee who lives in Sumter, said she really likes Buttigieg but doesn’t know if he can win. She said he has done well at debates and raised good points about issues such as "Medicare for All" that also concern her, including losing her private insurance. 

“I like the way he talks,” she said. “I like the way he looks at things from a very objective manner. He is able to think on his feet. He’s smart, and he’s very down to Earth about talking and summarizing the problems.”

Biden, she said, has the ability to reach more voters.

“I am fundamentally concerned about one thing,” she said, “beating Donald Trump.” 

Call IndyStar reporter Chris Sikich at 317-444-6036. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich.