Kamala Harris is breaking her silence on a revelation from her new book 107 Days about why she didn’t choose Pete Buttigieg as her running mate in the 2024 presidential election. The former vice president appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show Tuesday to clarify her controversial decision.
Rachel Maddow, herself a gay woman, pressed Harris on her previous admission that Buttigieg, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, was her top choice for VP but was ultimately deemed too risky — in part, she admitted, due to him being gay.
“It Wasn’t Just About Sexuality”
Harris told Maddow that her decision was not explicitly about Buttigieg’s sexuality. Instead, it was the combination of his being gay and her being a Black woman that she felt presented a significant political gamble.
“With the stakes being so high, it made me very sad. But I also realized it would be a real risk,” Harris explained.
In 107 Days, she writes that Buttigieg was her No. 1 choice, but the pressures of the campaign and the need for a safer pick ultimately guided her decision.
Time Pressure and Campaign Realities
Harris only had 107 days to organize her campaign against President Donald Trump, and she admits the compressed timeline influenced her VP selection. She eventually chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whom she considered a safer, less risky option given the short campaign window.
Despite passing on Buttigieg, Harris emphasizes that she believes America is ready for a gay person in national office, and she remains deeply saddened by the circumstances that forced her hand.
Buttigieg’s Perspective
Earlier in July 2024, TMZ spoke with Pete Buttigieg about what his approach would have been as Harris’ running mate. Fans and political observers alike were left wondering what could have been, highlighting the “what-if” scenario in one of the most unusual and compressed campaigns in recent U.S. history.
Check out the full video interview to see the insights Buttigieg shared about the 2024 campaign and his potential role.
Why This Decision Matters
- Historical Context: Harris’ choice highlights the political calculations faced by groundbreaking candidates.
- Representation Matters: Both Harris and Buttigieg represent milestones in diversity — as the first Black woman VP candidate and one of the first openly gay top-tier political figures.
- Campaign Strategy: The 107-day campaign timeline forced tough decisions that shaped the trajectory of the 2024 race.
The Bottom Line
While Harris regrets having to pass on her top pick, her comments underscore the realities of political strategy in high-stakes elections. America may not have seen Harris and Buttigieg together on the 2024 ticket, but her reflections suggest a hopeful path forward for representation in future campaigns.
What do you think — was Harris right to pass on Buttigieg, or should she have taken the risk? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for more political insights!
