Kamala Harris Reveals She Passed on Buttigieg as Running Mate Due to Racial & Gender Dynamics – A Candid Look at 2024 Strategy
WASHINGTON D.C. – In a stunning revelation from her forthcoming memoir, 107 Days, Vice President Kamala Harris details a pivotal decision made during teh 2024 campaign: passing over Pete Buttigieg as her potential running mate. According to an excerpt obtained by The Atlantic, harris believed pairing a Black woman with a gay man would be “too big of a risk” politically, despite recognizing Buttigieg as an “ideal partner” if she were a straight, white man.
The candid admission sheds light on the complex calculations Democrats faced as they attempted to navigate identity politics and electability in the wake of president BidenS unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 race. Harris ultimately chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz,but the duo ultimately lost to Donald Trump,a result that has prompted a significant re-evaluation of Democratic strategy heading into the 2028 election.
“We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man,” Harris writes. “Part of me wanted to say, Screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk.”
The excerpt underscores a growing sentiment within the Democratic party: a shift from prioritizing historic portrayal to focusing squarely on who can win. After years of championing diversity in leadership, the party is now grappling with the question of whether those same principles hindered their ability to connect with voters.
Harris’s assessment of Buttigieg is particularly noteworthy. She lauded his “rare talent of being able to frame liberal arguments in a way that makes it possible for conservatives to hear them,” and expressed personal affection for him and his husband, Chasten. The decision wasn’t based on a lack of respect or compatibility, but a calculated assessment of the political landscape.
Buttigieg, who rose to prominence as a breakout star during the 2020 presidential primaries and later served as Transportation Secretary under Biden, was seen by some as a potential asset to Harris’s campaign. His youth, dialog skills, and willingness to engage with conservative media were considered strengths. However,the potential backlash of a same-sex ticket led Harris to believe the risk outweighed the reward.
The revelation comes as Democrats dissect the failures of the 2024 election and attempt to chart a course forward.Harris’s memoir promises to offer a raw and honest account of a tumultuous period in American politics,and this excerpt is already sparking a crucial conversation about the challenges of balancing representation with electability.
Key Takeaways:
* Kamala Harris passed on Pete Buttigieg as a running mate in 2024,fearing the political risk of a same-sex ticket.
* The decision highlights a growing debate within the Democratic party about prioritizing identity politics versus electability.
* Harris praised Buttigieg’s communication skills and ability to appeal to conservative voters.
* The excerpt is from her upcoming memoir, 107 Days, and offers a candid look at the strategic calculations behind the 2024 campaign.
Link to original article at The Atlantic
