In a candid disclosure from her latest memoir "107 Days," former Vice President Kamala Harris has provided a startling look behind the curtain of the 2024 Democratic campaign's vice-presidential selection process. Contrary to the public narrative, Harris admits that her top choice for the ticket was not Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) but rather Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The revelation counters the enthusiastic public front Harris presented when Walz was announced as her running mate. Her book suggests a more intricate selection process than previously understood, with many political analysts having speculated that the decision was a toss-up between Walz and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Harris's aides had reportedly raised concerns about selecting Shapiro, fearing backlash from pro-Palestinian progressive activists due to his Jewish faith. However, Harris's memoir reveals that the internal debate was focused on Buttigieg, the first openly gay member of a president’s cabinet and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, whose political stature had grown since his presidential campaign during the Democratic primaries.
Harris and Buttigieg both recognized that his addition to the ticket would pose electoral challenges, particularly against opponents Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. The memoir quotes Harris's concern about the American electorate's readiness to embrace such a groundbreaking ticket: "We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man."
Despite the strategic concerns, Harris's admiration for Buttigieg is evident in her memoir, describing him as a "sincere public servant" with a unique ability to communicate liberal ideas to conservative audiences. She shares a personal fondness for Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, affirming their friendship.
The revelation has sparked renewed discussion about the Democratic Party's approach to representation and electoral strategy. An Emerson College survey suggests Buttigieg's political prospects remain strong, with early polling for the 2028 presidential contest showing him as a competitive candidate.
As the news of Harris's memoir spreads, it underscores the complex considerations that political figures must navigate in their pursuit of public office. The book offers a rare glimpse into the deliberations and compromises that shape the political landscape, while also affirming the enduring relationships that transcend the tactical decisions of campaign politics.
