Kamala Harris’s public admission that she avoided picking Pete Buttigieg as her vice-presidential running mate because America “wasn’t ready” for both a Black woman and a gay man on the ticket exposes the deep-rooted contempt some elites have for everyday Americans’ values and judgment.

Story Snapshot

• Kamala Harris revealed she bypassed Pete Buttigieg as VP due to fears voters couldn’t handle both a Black woman and a gay man on one ticket.
• Her comments reignited criticism of identity politics and raised questions about faith in American voters.
• Prominent conservatives and even some progressives slammed Harris for underestimating the public and perpetuating division.
• Pete Buttigieg responded by urging trust in voters, not identity categories.

Harris’s Memoir Sparks National Debate on Identity Politics

On September 22, 2025, Kamala Harris sat down with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow to discuss her new memoir, “107 Days.” In the interview, Harris candidly admitted that, despite Pete Buttigieg being her top choice for running mate, she decided against selecting him out of concern that having both a Black woman and an openly gay man on the ticket would be “too much to ask” of the American public. The statement drew sharp backlash, igniting a national debate over the role of identity politics and whether Democratic leaders trust regular Americans to vote beyond surface-level labels.

Conservative voices and even some on the left accused Harris of reducing the election to a matter of optics rather than merit. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, himself openly gay, appeared on Fox Business Network to call out Harris for showing “low regard” for the American people by assuming they could not accept diversity and merit in one ticket. Critics argue that this approach not only perpetuates division but also displays a lack of faith in the nation’s foundational values of equality and self-determination.

Pollak: In Comments on Buttigieg, Kamala Reveals Contempt for America https://t.co/WOGWJAhpUj

— DebTraf (@deborahtraf) September 29, 2025

Critics See “Contempt for America” in Harris’s Calculation

Commentators from across the political spectrum weighed in following the revelations. Conservative analysts like Senator Ted Cruz, CNN’s Scott Jennings, and Piers Morgan ridiculed Harris’s logic, saying it exposed the emptiness of leftist identity politics and a deeply patronizing attitude toward voters. Progressive commentator Noah Berlatsky and former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel also questioned Harris’s assumptions, with Emanuel arguing she should have trusted her instincts and the American people. The Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ group, declined to endorse Harris’s rationale, further highlighting the controversy’s reach.

Buttigieg himself responded by emphasizing that Americans are more open-minded than Harris credited them for. He underscored that candidates should focus on qualifications and policy results, not demographic checkboxes, stating, “Giving Americans more credit” is essential to moving beyond divisive identity calculations. This response resonated with many who believe in judging leaders by their abilities and vision, not their labels.

Wider Impact: Eroding Trust and Dividing the Nation

Harris’s remarks and the ensuing backlash have had significant ripple effects for the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape. In the short term, the controversy has intensified debate over the party’s reliance on identity politics and the wisdom of making critical decisions based on perceptions of voter bias. Many see this as further evidence that past leftist leaders prioritized optics over principles, eroding trust in their commitment to American values.

Long-term, these revelations may reshape how candidates are vetted and how parties communicate with voters. There is increased pressure to move away from identity-based calculations and instead champion policies rooted in merit, accountability, and respect for the Constitution and individual liberty. As the debate continues, voters are demanding authenticity and a renewed focus on the values that unite rather than divide the country. The episode serves as a stark reminder: underestimating the American people’s capacity for fairness and good judgment rarely ends well for those in power.

Watch the report: SHOCKING! Harris Reveals Buttigieg Was 1st Choice VP But “Too Risky” – YouTube

Sources:

Scott Bessent calls out Kamala Harris for comments about Buttigieg in new memoir
Harris faces backlash for saying Buttigieg was not a viable running mate due to being gay
Pollak: In Comments on Buttigieg, Kamala Reveals Contempt for America
Harris speculates whether she was ‘too cautious’ with Buttigieg VP pick: ‘Maybe I was’