Kamala Harris admits Buttigieg was her first choice for VP but cites risks

In the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris openly discussed her running mate choices in her upcoming memoir, '107 Days.' Harris, who previously faced Donald Trump in a competitive race, acknowledged that her top choice for a vice presidential candidate was Pete Buttigieg, the former Secretary of Transportation. However, she chose not to proceed with him due to concerns about voter acceptance of a Black woman and a gay man on the ticket. She described Buttigieg as the 'ideal partner' but felt that the risks were significant given the political climate in the United States. Harris noted that the existing voter mindset regarding racial and sexual identity made the pairing 'too big of a risk' to take during such a pivotal election. Instead, she ultimately selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, which did not prove successful as they lost the election to Trump and his partner JD Vance. Harris expressed regret over the various unique identities they both brought to the table and suggested that societal acceptance should not dictate leadership choices. The ramifications of this decision resonate through discussions of inclusivity within politics and highlight the struggles candidates face when making strategic decisions in a complicated electoral environment. The reflections in Harris's memoir come at a time when much of the focus is on her future in politics after narrowly losing a closely contested election, prompting questions about her next steps and the overall trajectory of diversity in American politics.