Most of the discussions about Vice President Kamala Harris' potential running mate center on four key candidates: Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC), and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). But there might be more names in the mix — including one unorthodox choice.
According to MSNBC reporting, Harris is also considering Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor and current Biden administration Secretary of Transportation. Buttigieg, an openly gay veteran who has been at the forefront of President Joe Biden's efforts to implement the largest infrastructure bill in decades and respond to various disasters like airline meltdowns and train derailments, has gained a reputation for defending the administration on Fox News, and has at times been a lightning rod for sometimes-homophobic criticism from the right.
Some commenters on social media were intrigued by this idea, thinking it would be yet another curveball for Republicans who are already scrambling to find their footing after Biden exited the race last weekend.
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"When the assignment shifts from bland swing-state elected to somebody Rs can't help but say stupid things about," wrote podcaster Liam Donovan.
But others were skeptical of the idea, thinking it would cause liabilities for the ticket, and some were skeptical the reporting was even correct.
"He offers no upside," wrote the account @ckieser13. "He's never won an election outside of South Bend (where, I will admit, he was a good mayor, but received criticism from the left for this too!)...and there's no upside to having two administration people on the ticket."
"This is dumb and won’t happen," wrote the account @whatisarsh. "We are already dealing with misogyny and racism. we can’t add homophobia to the mix."
"That ticket would certainly energize the apathetic segments in younger liberals but it might feel overwhelming for the older establishment neoliberal base. A fine balance of winning new votes without losing the old ones," wrote the account @bestfoodalex.
