MSNBC host Rachel Maddow questioned former Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday about her decision to pass on former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as her 2024 running mate, citing concerns over his sexuality. During the interview, Maddow highlighted the historical significance of Harris as the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the vice presidential role and pointed out the challenges she faced as a woman of color in a high-stakes political race.
Harris, in her new book ‘107 Days,’ explained that although she had initially considered Buttigieg as an ideal running mate, the political climate at the time made her wary of the risks involved. She stated that while she was an ally of the LGBTQ community throughout her career, the short timeframe and high stakes of the 2024 election made her cautious about the potential backlash or opposition.
Buttigieg, who was a prominent candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary, responded to the discussion by noting that Harris’ comments were not about his sexuality, but rather about the challenges of the political environment. He emphasized that his qualifications as a public servant were unaffected by the decision.
The conversation also touched on Harris’ broader political stance, as she criticized Donald Trump during the interview, calling him a ‘tyrant’ and arguing that American CEOs had failed to stand up to his leadership. This marked another instance of Harris’ public alignment with progressive and anti-Trump sentiments.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the political challenges of running for office as a woman of color, the complexities of selecting a running mate, and the broader political tensions in the United States. As Harris looks to the future, her comments offer insight into the strategies and dilemmas faced by high-profile Democratic candidates.