In her forthcoming memoir 107 Days, former Vice President Kamala Harris has laid bare a decision that many insiders had speculated about but few fully understood her choice of running mate in the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign. The revelation is striking: Harris says her first pick was Pete Buttigieg, but she ultimately decided against it because she believed America was not ready for a ticket featuring a Black woman paired with an openly gay man. The disclosure is deeply personal, and it reveals the weight of political calculation, identity, and risk in high-stakes elections.
This moment of public reflection is more than just a “what if” moment it’s a window into how political leaders navigate identity, optics, and ambition. More than a confession of regret, it’s an admission of the compromise that often comes in the corridors of power. According to excerpts published in The Atlantic and other outlets, Harris writes that Buttigieg was her “first choice”that she thought he would have been an ideal partner.
She admired his ability to articulate liberal arguments in ways that could reach more conservative listeners, a skill that would have been valuable in a polarized political climate. She adds that if she were a straight white man, things might be different. Being none of those things, she worried voters might not accept the pairing. Harris writes that they were already asking America to accept a lot: a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man. This mix of identities Black, female, married to a Jewish man—was something Harris thought could be a political problem in a country still struggling with race, gender, sexuality, and prejudice. She felt the pairing was too risky. She also says that even though she wanted to go ahead despite possible negative reactions, she couldn’t ignore what could be lost. Her memoir shows that she risked losing trust with some voters, or backing up stories that might hurt the whole campaign. Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Several factors likely influenced this decision: Walz appeared competent, had support from key organizations, and seemed like a safer choice regarding identity matters.Still, things didn’t work out as planned for Harris and her team. They lost the 2024 election to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.After the defeat, observers examined what went wrong, from their messaging to debate performances. But Harris’s situation raises a question: Would a bolder pick have shifted the outcome or generated enthusiasm?
Walz, though not her initial preference, was selected for specific reasons. Yet, her book suggests Harris regrets that her original plan didn’t materialize. Her choice was difficult; she thought about politics, public preparedness, identity, and risk. This blend of boldness and prudence defines much of her narrative. Kamala Harris saying she first wanted Pete Buttigieg as her running mate, but changed her mind due to perceived political risk, starts an interesting discussion. It shows how identity, how people see things, and risk all play a role in big political choices. It’s a reminder that campaigns aren’t isolated; they happen in a society with biases, identity politics, and public opinions.
It’s not often you see regret so openly in politics, but Harris shares that. Her thoughts might make future candidates rethink risk, question what they assume voters will accept, and consider if some compromises can be avoided. Whether this changes how people see her campaign or if America is ready for more diverse leaders is something we will see later. But as a memoir reveal, it’s important: a moment of honesty in a world usually focused on image and controlling the message.
