As more Democrats call for President Joe Biden to pull out of the 2024 election, speculation about Vice President Kamala Harris replacing him at the top of the ticket has increased this week.
And progressives on social media are discussing who could be Harris’s running mate in this scenario, and one name keeps being brought up: out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
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“If it is socialism, then it seems to be socialism that these Republicans love when it’s coming their way.”
“In the last 5 minutes, the support for a Harris-Buttigieg ticket on this feed has been astounding,” journalist Seth Abramson posted to X yesterday. “A veritable flood of enthusiasm. Didn’t expect it.”
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The Hill reports that two other top Democrats being publicly discussed for the position—California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer—have privately said that they do not want to be Harris’s running mate. Contenders mentioned in that article include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
But for some Democrats, the dream ticket is Harris/Buttigieg. Buttigieg, who was the mayor of a mid-sized Midwestern city until his historic run for president in 2020, has since established himself as one of the Biden administration’s best spokespeople, supporting the administration’s policy priorities and responding to conservative talking points with ease in clips that have repeatedly gone viral. His youth and the historic nature of such a nomination – the first out LGBTQ+ person to run on a major party’s presidential ticket – have also added to the excitement around him.
If Biden stays in the race, I am voting for him and Kamala Harris.
If he doesn’t, a Kamala Harris / Pete Buttigieg ticket would be stellar.
I’d also look at other options. Anything not to have JD Vance one step away from the presidency.
— Arlan
(@ArlanWasHere) July 18, 2024
I'm a Biden-Harris-Buttigieg Democrat and I'm here to
WIN
THE
FUCKING
ERA.—
RBF ~ ໓ēຖคē
(@DenaePFA) July 5, 2024
Only if Joe chooses to pass the torch, it’s Harris/Buttigieg 2024.
Two stellar communicators who’ll take press head on
Buttigieg will not have to vacate an elected office
WHAT better contrast to bigotry than to showcase diversity US was founded on
And expose hypocrisy of MAGA— I
Panthers
(@Kingwoman) July 19, 2024
A Harris-Buttigieg ticket would work. Also has the added effect that the GOP folks will lose their collective minds.
— Sibin (@sibinmohan) July 18, 2024
Harris / Buttigieg would be
tbh https://t.co/h8kxBBDddm
— marthasmith (she/her) (@marthasmith) July 19, 2024
If Biden steps aside which is looking more likely, I'd love to see Pete Buttigieg as Kamala Harris' VP.
The ultimate humiliation for Trump and his racist and homophobic party would be defeat by a powerful brown woman and gay man. #auspol #abcnews pic.twitter.com/mlwKNbQKBk
— C h r i s
Free Palestine
(@ChrisHeHim1) July 19, 2024
It’ll be Harris/Buttigieg
— Scott Hanselman
(@shanselman) July 18, 2024
I am once again saying that Harris/Buttigieg likely gets you a blue wave https://t.co/mvEE0iJwj8
— Brian McGinnis