Pete Buttigieg would be Kamala Harris's smartest pick for vice-president

[phoenix_rising]

JD Vance would not like to face the transportation secretary in a vice-presidential debate

Financial Times
Edward Luce
July 26, 2024

A confident presidential nominee should pick someone they trust and like rather than parse through questionable polling data to divine which name might nudge the numbers. Buttigieg and his husband Chasten are close to Harris and the second gentleman Doug Emhoff. This would be a happy partnership.

US history is littered with running mates who lost their value the moment the polling stations closed. Buttigieg would also be an invaluable proxy on the campaign trail. Not only is he already vetted, having been a presidential candidate in 2020, and a cabinet secretary since then; he is also the most effective bar none at fact checking Republicans in real time. His congressional testimonies and Fox News appearances go deservedly viral almost every time. If you could pick who Vance would least like to face in a vice-presidential debate, Buttigieg would be the one.

Swampians will not need reminding that Vance has been highly disparaging of people who don’t have children. He has even suggested that the childless should have less of a say over democracy than those with offspring — a move straight out of Benito Mussolini’s “bachelor tax”. Buttigieg has already skewered Vance’s disparagement of “childless cat ladies”. Vance’s initial remarks made to Tucker Carlson (who else?) cited Harris, Buttigieg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as examples of childless leaders who have no stake in America’s future. The first is a stepmother, the second has two adopted children, the third is 34.

https://www.ft.com/content/16be4ce2-db9a-484f-bc97-1a090d69fb00

[Eko]

1. I think he would be great.

I also think that now is when we have to take advantage of our momentum to create a paradigm shift. We have to be bold.

[phoenix_rising]

2. Yessss! I couldn't agree more!!! 🌊

This country NEEDS a Harris/Buttigieg ticket!

* Pete is the only other Biden administration official with experience in a national campaign. He balances the ticket and could help secure the upper Midwest. Currently residing in Michigan, he was a successful mayor of South Bend and won in Iowa as a local politician.

* Pete is a veteran and speaks at least seven languages, including Arabic. In the current climate, a candidate who is fluent in Arabic, like Pete, will be helpful in bringing in many Arab-American voters and potentially Muslim-American voters who have been feeling disenfranchised.

* He played a crucial role in passing the infrastructure bill, and together, he and Kamala could continue Joe’s work.

* Pete is a husband, a father, and a star in our party. He’s a man of exceptional character. (For a story that truly captures who he is as a person, see link below):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19251799

* He is the Biden administration's top surrogate. He’s brilliant, young, good looking, charismatic, and young people are CRAZY about him. He’s a prodigious orator, unflappable, and excels at eviscerating right-wing arguments, while still remaining likable.

* Pete excels on television and is well-known for his media presence. Until recently, none of the other candidates have had national exposure, so many voters may not recognize them. Having a familiar face and nationwide name recognition is crucial, especially with less than 100 days until the election.

* Pete would create a seismic shift among younger voters, leading to record turnout, potentially transforming a blue wave into a blue tsunami! 🌊

Millennials are ready, GenZ is ready, and our country is ready for a Harris/Buttigieg ticket! Let's harness the momentum that Kamala ignited and make this election the beginning of a new chapter in American history! 🔥

[ancianita]

3. Agree! Kamala's already got the numbers; now to double the charisma, experience, and message.

Harris/Buttigieg would represent the rainbow of human demographics, the Americans of America that maga reject and would use Project 2025 to end the enfranchisement of, and even the existence of.

[phoenix_rising]

10. Amazing clip!!! ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

Thank you @ancianita!

I agree with everything you said!! 💯

[samnsara]

4. hes by far the most articulate of all the vp candidates...

..

[phoenix_rising]

11. Yesss! By far!!! 🙌🙌🙌 n/t

[2naSalit]

5. He's my...

Preferred choice but I'll be fine with whomever becomes the running mate.

[thesquanderer]

6. re: "the third is 34" -- and she was just 31 when he made the comment...

...which btw also happens to be an age at which Vance himself was still childless.

[gibraltar72]

7. Beginning to think that too

bigots are gonna bigot don't think in this election being gay would make a difference. He is just so damn smart and the people we care about love him. We have to get our people to the polls, that is all.

[ashredux]

8. I must respectfully disagree. I like Pete, and he is articulate and smart as can be. But.....

Mark Kelly is the one to be VP on this round. His résumé is impeccable, he’s articulate, on point with the issues, and would be a great partner with Kamala Harris

That’s just my opinion. Sadly, I don’t think we’re quite ready for Pete. But, his day will come for sure.

[Skittles]

13. you don't think WE'RE ready?

what does THAT mean

[Dulcinea]

9. I've thought that from the beginning!

I think Pete Buttigieg would make a great VP & eventual President! Watching him debate JD Couch Fetishist would be quite a media event! Pete would destroy him.

[phoenix_rising]

12. Yessss! It would be epic!!! 🔥 n/t

[FakeNoose]

14. Yes I think so

I've been saying for 4 years that I believe Pete B. is the future of our Party. Where we are right now, Kamala couldn't find a better partner.

But can Pete rustle up some high-roller donors? I don't know the answer, but any VP pick will need to have campaign fundraising as a major goal.

[phoenix_rising]

15. Yes, Pete has the donors!

I couldn’t agree more that Kamala couldn’t find a better partner!

For your question about donors, pls check out this NYTimes article:

Could Buttigieg Be Harris’s V.P. Pick? His Donors Hope So.
Wealthy Democrats who support Pete Buttigieg are working behind the scenes to help him win a spot on Kamala Harris’s ticket.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/us/politics/pete-buttigieg-kamala-harris-running-mate.html