Bombshell: Harris Passed on Buttigieg VP Pick Over Identity Politics Fears

Paul Riverbank, 9/18/2025Harris reveals she passed on Buttigieg as VP pick, fearing voters weren't ready.

I've covered presidential campaigns for over two decades, and Harris's admission that Pete Buttigieg was her first choice for VP stands out as remarkably honest. It's the kind of detail that usually stays buried in strategy sessions, emerging only years later through third-hand accounts.

"But we were already asking a lot of America," Harris writes, laying bare the cold electoral math that shaped her thinking. A Black woman married to a Jewish man, choosing an openly gay running mate? The historical significance would have been immense. The political risk, in Harris's calculation, was simply too high.

Her eventual selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks volumes about the gap between aspiration and pragmatism in modern campaigns. While that ticket ultimately fell short against Trump, the reasoning behind Harris's choice reflects the brutal realities of presidential politics.

What makes this revelation particularly fascinating is the genuine warmth between Harris and Buttigieg that transcends typical political alliances. "I love Pete," she writes, describing a friendship that extends to their families. Having observed both politicians up close, I can attest that their rapport always seemed authentic rather than manufactured for the cameras.

The timing of this disclosure is especially intriguing given recent polling data. An Emerson College survey shows Buttigieg slightly outpacing Harris (16% to 13%) in early 2028 primary matchups. Other potential contenders like Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro trail close behind, setting up what could be another watershed moment for Democratic politics.

Let's be clear about what this means for the party's future. After Hillary Clinton's 2016 defeat and Harris's loss in 2024, Democrats face hard questions about electability versus representation. The challenge isn't just about winning elections – it's about reconciling progressive values with political reality.

I've watched the Democratic Party wrestle with these questions since the Obama era. Each cycle brings new pressure to break barriers, coupled with anxiety about alienating crucial voting blocs. Harris's candor offers a rare window into how candidates navigate these competing demands.

Looking ahead to 2028, the political landscape may be ready for the kind of breakthrough ticket Harris contemplated. Or perhaps not. What's clear is that her revelation has sparked a necessary conversation about the pace of change in American politics – and whether our democracy can deliver on its promise of true representation at the highest levels.

The political world rarely offers such candid glimpses into the raw calculations behind campaign decisions. Yet Kamala Harris's new memoir "107 Days" does exactly that, revealing how close we came to seeing a Harris-Buttigieg ticket in 2024 – and why it didn't happen.I've covered presidential campaigns for over two decades, and Harris's admission that Pete Buttigieg was her first choice for VP stands out as remarkably honest. It's the kind of detail that usually stays buried in strategy sessions, emerging only years later through third-hand accounts."But we were already asking a lot of America," Harris writes, laying bare the cold electoral math that shaped her thinking. A Black woman married to a Jewish man, choosing an openly gay running mate? The historical significance would have been immense. The political risk, in Harris's calculation, was simply too high.Her eventual selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks volumes about the gap between aspiration and pragmatism in modern campaigns. While that ticket ultimately fell short against Trump, the reasoning behind Harris's choice reflects the brutal realities of presidential politics.What makes this revelation particularly fascinating is the genuine warmth between Harris and Buttigieg that transcends typical political alliances. "I love Pete," she writes, describing a friendship that extends to their families. Having observed both politicians up close, I can attest that their rapport always seemed authentic rather than manufactured for the cameras.The timing of this disclosure is especially intriguing given recent polling data. An Emerson College survey shows Buttigieg slightly outpacing Harris (16% to 13%) in early 2028 primary matchups. Other potential contenders like Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro trail close behind, setting up what could be another watershed moment for Democratic politics.Let's be clear about what this means for the party's future. After Hillary Clinton's 2016 defeat and Harris's loss in 2024, Democrats face hard questions about electability versus representation. The challenge isn't just about winning elections – it's about reconciling progressive values with political reality.I've watched the Democratic Party wrestle with these questions since the Obama era. Each cycle brings new pressure to break barriers, coupled with anxiety about alienating crucial voting blocs. Harris's candor offers a rare window into how candidates navigate these competing demands.Looking ahead to 2028, the political landscape may be ready for the kind of breakthrough ticket Harris contemplated. Or perhaps not. What's clear is that her revelation has sparked a necessary conversation about the pace of change in American politics – and whether our democracy can deliver on its promise of true representation at the highest levels.