Failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris revealed in her upcoming book "107 Days," set for release on Sept. 23, that she viewed former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as her top pick for running mate. She ultimately rejected him, citing the risk of selecting a gay man. The disclosure has sparked fresh political debate.
Breitbart reported that Harris noted in an excerpt obtained by the Atlantic that Buttigieg would have been ideal if her own profile were less challenging for voters. She highlighted the hurdle of America accepting a Black woman with a Jewish spouse. Adding another barrier with Buttigieg’s identity felt too daring.
Buttigieg, a rising Democratic star after his 2020 presidential bid, previously served as mayor of South Bend, Ind. He later led the Transportation Department under former President Joe Biden. Now residing in Michigan, he was considered for a Senate seat after Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) opted out of reelection in January.
In a March social media post, Buttigieg confirmed he wouldn’t run for Senate or governor in Michigan. This fueled speculation, as Breitbart News reported, of a potential 2028 presidential run. His decision reflects a strategic pause while supporting like-minded candidates.
Harris also admitted in "107 Days" to a grave misstep regarding Biden’s 2024 candidacy. She called it reckless not to push him to exit the race sooner, despite noting his age-related stumbles weren’t incapacity. This candor reveals internal Democratic tensions over leadership.
Reflecting on Biden’s run, Harris wrote, “During all those months of growing panic, should I have told Joe to consider not running? Perhaps. But the American people had chosen him before in the same matchup.” Her hesitation, conservatives might argue, exposes a loyalty misplaced amid national stakes.
Conservatives aligned with President Donald Trump might see Harris’s indecision as emblematic of weak leadership. If she couldn’t challenge Biden earlier, how could she navigate tougher calls? Her second-guessing now seems more like political hindsight than genuine conviction.
Neither Buttigieg nor Biden has commented publicly on Harris’s revelations. However, former Biden aides unleashed sharp critiques last week to Axios. Their words paint Harris as ineffective, lacking substance in key administration roles during her vice presidency.
One ex-Biden official didn’t hold back, blaming Harris’s failures on her own shortcomings, not Biden’s influence. Conservatives might nod at this internal dissent, questioning why identity politics trumped competence in her Buttigieg decision. Isn’t governance about results, not symbolic firsts?
Harris’s admission of recklessness over Biden’s candidacy fuels conservative critiques of Democratic strategy. Under President Trump’s leadership, such dithering contrasts with decisive action. Her book’s reflections seem less about accountability and more a bid to reshape a tarnished legacy.
The Heritage Foundation’s Mike Gonzalez has often highlighted such leadership gaps. “Identity-driven politics often sidelines merit in critical decisions,” he noted (https://www.heritage.org/political-process/commentary/identity-politics-sidelines-merit). This resonates with conservatives who see Harris’s Buttigieg choice as prioritizing optics over qualifications.
For supporters of President Trump, Harris’s musings on Buttigieg underscore a progressive obsession with checkboxes over capability. Her fear of voter backlash reveals a party out of touch with mainstream values. Competence, not diversity quotas, should guide ticket selections.
As "107 Days" nears its Sept. 23 release, Harris’s words may haunt Democratic planning for 2028. Conservatives might welcome Buttigieg’s rumored presidential bid as another test of progressive overreach. Will identity politics again trump pragmatic electability in their calculus?
The sting of Biden aides’ criticism via Axios adds weight to conservative skepticism of Harris’s tenure. Her perceived lack of depth, as they claim, mirrors broader Democratic struggles post-2024 loss. Under Trump’s shadow, such internal rifts offer political fodder for the right.
Ultimately, Harris’s revelations in "107 Days" expose raw Democratic vulnerabilities. For conservatives backing President Trump, her Buttigieg regret and Biden misstep highlight a party adrift on priorities. As 2028 looms, these admissions may fuel a stronger case for proven leadership over symbolic gestures.
