"Low Possibility but..."... Is US Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Buttigieg Qualified?

Butiji [Image source=Yonhap News]

As Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been virtually confirmed as the Democratic presidential candidate in the United States, enters the final countdown for her running mate selection, there are movements within and outside the party to promote Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

On the 29th (local time), political media outlet Politico reported that despite low chances of Secretary Buttigieg being selected as the vice presidential candidate, some politicians and close aides are trying to put him forward as the running mate.

Secretary Buttigieg served in the first Biden administration alongside Vice President Harris. Having been the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, he was virtually unknown before participating in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, where he gained political presence as an LGBTQ+ candidate.

Supporters of Secretary Buttigieg cite the fact that at 42 years old, his entry into the race could further emphasize an image of generational change. Vice President Harris has highlighted her age of 59 following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, contrasting herself with the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump.

Graduating from Harvard and Oxford and having served in the Navy with deployment experience in Afghanistan, Buttigieg’s background is also seen as a strength that can offset the image of Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, who is Ivy League-educated but from an Ohio hillbilly (poor white) background.

Furthermore, Politico explained that his ability to speak fluently and skillfully against Republicans without a script during various debates could complement Vice President Harris.

According to close aides, Secretary Buttigieg himself is interested in the vice presidential position. Recently appearing on MSNBC, Buttigieg said regarding the possibility of being a vice presidential candidate, "Anyone mentioned for that position would be proud, and I am no different," but added, "However, I have nothing more to say other than that Vice President Harris will make the decision."

The Democratic National Committee plans to conduct an online vote (roll call) for the presidential candidate selection from the 1st to the 7th of next month. So far, Vice President Harris is the only candidate. She plans to announce her vice presidential running mate by the Ohio candidate registration deadline on the 7th of next month.

However, the possibility of Secretary Buttigieg being nominated as the vice presidential candidate appears slim. Above all, having a person of color female presidential candidate and an LGBTQ+ male vice presidential candidate is considered too radical, which is a stumbling block. It is also problematic that Vice President Harris and Secretary Buttigieg do not have a particularly close relationship.

Since Vice President Harris entered the primary race late, there is speculation that she is more likely to choose a white male running mate from a battleground state who can complement her.

Currently, within and outside the Democratic Party, in addition to Secretary Buttigieg, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear are being mentioned as potential vice presidential candidates.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.