Buttigieg is everywhere as Harris team weighs running mates

As he is floated as a running mate for Vice President Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been everywhere.

Buttigieg has blanketed the airwaves over the past week, making appearances on outlets from MSNBC to Fox News.

The strategy is reflective of Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential run, during which he tried to do as much media as possible and, as a result, became a household name — “Mayor Pete” — and emerged as a top Democratic communicator.

“What you’re seeing on display here is Pete reminding everyone that he is one of the best communicators in the Democratic Party,” said one Democratic strategist. “He is the only one being mentioned right now who is able to effectively both go on Fox and MSNBC and make the case.” 

Republicans are ready to hit Harris over the Biden administration’s challenges, like the U.S. southern border and Americans not feeling the impacts of the improving economy. Not only is Buttigieg seen as an extension of that record, he’s dealt with other high-profile challenges as Transportation secretary. Boeing incidents; the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment; and 2022’s stranded holiday travelers all could be used on the trail against him.

But, Democrats think his messaging chops make him a great option for Harris’s vice presidential pick.

“I was actually surprised a week ago that his name wasn’t on the list in that initial round that came out, because it certainly would be a powerful message of continuity here,” a former official in the Clinton administration said. “I think it makes sense that he’s on the list. I don’t know if he’ll make it to the finish line, but he should be on the list.”

Buttigieg is a well-known Democrat, according to an ABC News/Ipsos poll that showed only 46 percent of respondents didn’t know of him compared to other VP options like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who weren’t known to a majority of respondents.

Buttigieg tied for second in terms of the highest net favorability rating of Democrats rumored to be potential Harris running mates. Twenty-nine percent of voters viewed him favorably, while 25 percent viewed the Transportation secretary unfavorably.

The other Democratic vice presidential hopefuls are partaking in their own audition processes. Shapiro has largely focused on communicating with Pennsylvania-based press and has held campaign events for Harris, while Beshear has sought to take Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the GOP vice-presidential candidate, head-on in the national media. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) has been popping up on cable news lately and was the only potential running mate contender, along with Buttigieg, to hit the Sunday show circuit this week. 

Democrats often point to Buttigieg as a top spokesperson for the Democratic Party, especially throughout the Biden administration, and praise his ability to hold his own on Fox News, combined with his willingness to go out in front of moderate and conservative-leaning audiences. 

“Those are the people we need to win back to rebuild the coalition we won with in 2020,” the Democratic strategist said, referring to moderate and conservative-leaning swing voters. 

“Look at his presidential campaign, where he proactively went out to Obama-Trump counties and organized them and talked directly to those folks,” the strategist said. “That’s how he won the Iowa caucuses.” 

The secretary went on “The Daily Show” on Monday night as part of his recent uptick in television appearances. Buttigieg frequently invoked his goal of appealing to “future former Republicans” during the 2020 cycle, which the Democratic strategist said was indicative of the goal of “looking to have the biggest tent possible.” 

The secretary’s allies also point to front-line House Democrats who have voiced support for the idea of a Harris-Buttigieg ticket, including Reps. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), arguing they know what will work in tougher congressional districts. 

Clips of Buttigieg’s appearance on Fox News this Sunday quickly gained traction on the social platform X and on other outlets. During his interview on the show, Buttigieg addressed a number of issues including the border, abortion, crime and the debate surrounding President Biden’s and former President Trump’s ages. 

“Pete is an expert at creating viral moments. I don’t think he does that on purpose, I just think it’s an innate talent he has,” said Keith Edwards, a Democratic digital strategist. 

Buttigieg has been boosted by supporter accounts on X, which help disseminate interview clips and the latest news involving him. The most prominent one goes by @buttigiegwins and has garnered more than 45,000 followers. 

“If you look at them, they’ve just skyrocketed in like the past four days,” Edwards said, referring to the account. 

While Harris being elected in November would be a historic first for the country, Buttigieg, no stranger to firsts, would be the first LGBTQ vice president. He was the first openly LGBTQ executive in Indiana and the first openly LGBTQ person confirmed to the U.S. Cabinet. 

He would also provide a counter to Vance as a fellow Midwesterner with a military background. Vance served in Iraq as a Marine and is originally from rural Ohio; Buttigieg served in Afghanistan with the Navy Reserves and is from South Bend, Ind.

Buttigieg also had the unique experience of playing former Vice President Mike Pence during Harris’s 2020 debate prep. 

“She knows that he can debate JD Vance,” the Democratic strategist said. “He’s showing that he’s a perfect foil for JD Vance as someone who can be an attack dog and also someone who can spread the Democratic vision.” 

Stemming from Harris’s 2020 debate prep, Buttigieg and the vice president have a close relationship. Their spouses, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Chasten Buttigieg, are also close and have had some notable buddy moments while in D.C. together.

“Kamala Harris has served as vice president for the last 3.5 years, and her close partnership with President Biden informs what she is looking for in a vice president,” said Rachel Palermo, who served as Harris’s deputy communications director and associate counsel in the White House.

Palermo, who also worked on Buttigieg’s 2020 campaign, added, “There is clear excitement and energy around the veepstakes conversation — we have a talented bench of leaders in the Democratic Party.”