Buttigieg’s Preemptive Grab for Power Shakes Up Fragile Harris Campaign

Nearly a day after Joe Biden’s out of the blue departure from the presidential landscape, Pete Buttigieg called together roughly a hundred previous financial supporters via a digitally mediated Zoom gathering. The objective of this meeting was supposedly to galvanize his high-profile backers to open their wallets for the less than reassuring Vice President Kamala Harris.

During the interactive session, Buttigieg, who has shifted roles from a 2020 presidential contender to the current Secretary of Transportation, expressed an interest in the vice presidential slot if accessible, divulging this ambition a bit too candidly. This revelation left some participants indeed shocked due to its preceding secretiveness.

The expectation that he might join Harris’s ticket stirred excitement among a few attendees who argued in his favour, implying an advocacy within Harris’s sphere of influence. This marked the initiation of a scatter-brained effort by a tight-knit circle of wealthy Democrats to vault Buttigieg into a higher echelon of political influence.

The unfolding narrative is based on direct discussions with eight of Buttigieg’s fund-raisers, some of whom were present during the Zoom call and others who’ve been involved in the fragmentary outreach effort that followed. It should be noted that Buttigieg isn’t leading this awkward dance for power – a rather common occurrence when it comes to discreet vice-presidential maneuvering.

However, if the prerequisite to become Harris’s runner-up were contingent on the approval of major Democratic benefactors and the viewers of MSNBC, Buttigieg might herald an undeniable triumph. This former mayor of the predominantly Republican South Bend, Indiana, who would be the first openly homosexual vice-presidential nominee, is under consideration by the less promising Harris campaign.

But those managing this selection process eye him as a bit of an outsider, especially given the availability of more favoured Democratic politicians. Buttigieg’s undeniable knack for cable television appearances does not necessarily translate into electoral college advantages, with his Indiana origins and Michigan residence offering no strategic benefit.

If Buttigieg fails to secure the vice-presidential slot, the ascension of Harris, despite its questionable likelihood, could serve as a robust impediment to any further political ambitions he may harbour. Given that Harris is presumed to target re-election in 2028, the national stage might not have a place for Buttigieg, leaving him to mull over state-level public service or perhaps a venture into the private sector.

Buttigieg is, however, uniquely positioned with a wealthy donor network; a feat that puts him miles ahead of other hopefuls such as Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota and Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky – these contenders struggle with attracting substantial patrons outside their home states.

A few vice-presidential aspirants like Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania are more successful in raising out-of-state funds, but even they can’t compete with the swarm of worker bees surrounding Buttigieg, an aspect crucial to funding campaigns.

Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether Harris requires a particularly affluent running mate when her own campaign raised $200 million within a week of Biden’s shocking resignation. Buttigieg’s team, however, appears more inclined to push his appeal as a Midwestern people’s champion rather than his fundraising capabilities.

Meanwhile, Buttigieg’s financial supporters got a taste of high stakes, resembling a competitive sport by indulging in bundling – organizing fundraising programs on behalf of a candidate. This experience ended up forging strong bonds between them during Buttigieg’s campaign; these relationships have since continued to thrive, outlasting most campaign-driven friendships.

Buttigieg also dropped out and endorsed Biden but he managed to keep his investor base engaged despite his role as a transportation secretary. He was present at an informal party in Washington D.C’s Georgetown in the month of December, a gathering that went on into the early morning hours.

Now, a number of Buttigieg’s supporters have started reaching out to those in Harris’s circle, albeit, on a shortened timeline. Despite these efforts, the optimism regarding his chances remains dismal. Some backers of Buttigieg are already recognizing the tall order of expecting a Harris-Buttigieg ticket.