Harris Memoir Reveals "Too Big a Risk" in Buttigieg VP Pick, Draws Pushback from Democrats

Former Vice President Kamala Harris's new memoir, "107 Days," has ignited a political firestorm, revealing her internal deliberations during her 2024 presidential campaign, including her reasons for ultimately not selecting Pete Buttigieg or Josh Shapiro as her running mate. Harris's book details her belief that choosing Buttigieg, who is gay, would have been "too big of a risk" for a ticket led by a Black woman.

In excerpts from the book, Harris writes that Buttigieg, whom she considered her "first choice" and an "ideal partner," was ultimately passed over due to concerns about voter perception. "We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man," Harris penned, adding, "Part of me wanted to say, Screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk." Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, expressed surprise at this revelation, stating he believes in "giving Americans more credit" than assuming they couldn't vote for a Black woman and a gay man on the same ticket.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was also considered by Harris, but her memoir portrays him as overly ambitious. Harris recounts Shapiro inquiring about the number of bedrooms in the vice-president's residence and suggesting the Smithsonian lend Pennsylvania art for display. She worried he "would be unable to settle for a role as number two and that it would wear on our partnership." A spokesperson for Governor Shapiro pushed back on these characterizations, and Shapiro himself has criticized Harris regarding her claims about President Biden's declining ability.

Harris ultimately selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. The book, which chronicles her 2024 campaign after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, is generating significant discussion and "pushback" from prominent Democrats, including Buttigieg and Shapiro, who are widely considered potential contenders for the 2028 presidential nomination. Political analysts suggest the memoir could be a strategic move by Harris as she potentially eyes another presidential bid.