I've followed the VP discussions and read with

[Ninga]

interest regarding which candidate could bring in the most votes.
I keep returning to Pete Buttigieg .
His demographic is not just one single state, it’s the United States, the entire country. Why? Because in every nook and cranny, in every large city or small town, there are families and friends of loved ones who are gay. Some are old and some are young. That is the demographic that will bring in votes. His candidacy would represent the entire country. People could quietly vote in support of the ticket because they support Pete, quietly. I believe it’s what this country needs at this time.

[MaryMagdaline]

1. Pete would make a great VP.

He’s articulate and he’s been the best spokesman of the Biden administration. His face is well known to older TV viewers, even Fox viewers. He’s fast in his feet and handle criticism.

[Funtatlaguy]

2. I know a lot of otherwise liberals that just wouldn't vote for him.

They aren’t openly homophobic.
But they don’t approve of homosexuality and same sex marriage.
Now realize that I live in the South in the heart of the Bible Belt.
Primarily older men (both black and white) that are strong Democrats but are still just not “comfortable” around gay people are still out there. They aren’t the majority, but they are still around, unfortunately.

Nominate Pete and suddenly we have given Trump something to bash us with and to drive a wedge between some of our base groups.
It’s just not worth the chance. Not with so much on the line.
Yes, Pete is great.
But so are a lot of other people that would be safer picks.

[kentuck]

5. There are problems with several of the suggested VP candidates..

Pete is no different. He is not perfect to everyone. The question is, does he add more than he takes away? I don't really know.

[Funtatlaguy]

11. That's just it...there's no way of knowing until Election Day.

I’ve been stunned to learn that some people I know are quietly bigoted.
I also worry about Shapiro because some of our young people might think that he is TOO supportive of Israel and won’t condemn their violence in Palestine.
If Harris was behind and needed a big splash, I might want her to GO BIG with Pete or Gretchen or another woman or person of color.
But, she’s not behind, she’s tied nationally and in the swing states.
And I think after the convention, she’ll be leading.

We have four great safe choices (by safe, i unfortunately mean straight white males) in Kelly, Cooper, Walz, and Beshear.
All well spoken and fairly progressive.
I hope she chooses one of them.

[BComplex]

12. I live in the south, too. And I've seen some of what you're talking about, unfortunately.

I have a niece, married with kids, and one of the kids is gay. They have given him hell/guilt about his gay soul, and it just breaks my heart.

Born again Bible belt brainwashed Baptists (sounds like: "bleach blonde bad built butch body"?) would execute their own children over being gay.

Having said that: probably 99.9% of the people that feel that way are already republicans. Very. Sick. People.

[lovesfruit]

3. Great option IMO

I think he’d be a great option. He has an ability to break topics down clearly & concisely, and he’s frequently on Fox and able to call out BS live without missing a beat. Millennials (like me!!!) love Buttigieg. He wasn’t my top pick the last go around (I’m an Elizabeth Warren girly all the way), but for a lot of my friends, he was their #1.

[kentuck]

7. He's a Republican.

Democrats are not that desperate.

[lizardkingjr]

8. Bro...

Why are you yelling?

[rzemanfl]

9. Yelling in your first post and advocating for a Republican.

Not a good start in my opinion.

[PatrickforB]

17. I'm not with you on this - the Democrats have way too much bench strength in their younger ranks

to turn to a Republican. Plus, you really ought to turn off your all caps. I often use caps to make a point, like when I say most of the woes that affect us in this country are greedy old white billionaires grasping for more PROFITS!

I love saying that because it is true. And the all caps emphasizes my point. But when you put your entire post in all caps it projects anger because over time that has become the internet convention:

ALL CAPS = yelling, anger.

As to your contention, such a pick would cast doubt on Harris' ability to make an effective, well reasoned decision. Because that really is the narrative around any VP pick. So, if she makes an impressive choice like Shapiro or Tim Walz - I'm more impressed with Walz every time I hear him. He's the one who is from rural MN and says there are some 'weird people' on the other side. He's really articulate. Picking him will speak to rural working class people and help in the midwest.

Shapiro is very popular in PA, and if she picks him and he swings PA blue, it becomes much more difficult for Trump to win.

Now, we like Buttigeig A LOT (see, I used all caps there for emphasis), and the OP does make some good points. It would be a bold choice, but the upside of a Buttigieg VP choice would be twofold - first as the OP says. All of us have a gay person in our families, all of us have people we love who are LGBTQ.

The other upside of Buttigeig that I see is that Millennials and GenZ who are busy mobilizing to vote no matter what absolutely do not care about whether America is 'ready' for a woman and a gay man in the WH. They would be fine with Pete.

I spoke to my son last night, and he is 38 with a very wide, national circle of friends. They are galvanized because they hate Project 2025, think Trump is a total creep, and are really, really pissed about Dobbs.

Honestly, voter suppression, ratfucking and intimidation tactics funded by a few billionaire greedhead parasites are problematic, concerning, but the groundswell of electric energy and hope for a better future around Harris is very, very real. People are going to be crawling out of the woodwork to vote, and I am expecting a blue tsunami. Harris is all over social media. Look at the recent Zoom calls.

And look what Biden is doing - he's going to be announcing plans to rein in the Supreme Court. This will prove extremely popular and drive more people who are upset with the gross partisanship of this Federalist Society supermajority on the Court and feel it no longer has the objectivity we need from such a body into the Harris camp. Especially independent voters, which make up the majority of voters.

Anyway, good luck here on DU. And please do not SHOUT. Warm regards.

[MerryBlooms]

18. This is Democratic Underground, we do not promote republicans here 🤨

[getagrip_already]

6. Just remember, no matter the choice, the majority of du will be disapointed

And many upset.

Since there are so many excellent choices, none has a majority of support.

But since none of us are likely on the selection committee, we have to trust that their criteria is what will be best for kamala and the ticket.

We are but cheerleaders and fans in the stands.

Lets not get into petty arguments that mean nothing to the eventual choice.

[kentuck]

10. In a very tight race....

The VP has to bring something.

Can they win PA without Shapiro? Can they win AZ without Mark Kelly? Can they win NC with/without Cooper?

Which state would Pete bring?

I think those are the questions the campaign is asking.

[getagrip_already]

14. True, but in the end, it isnt our decision.....

And whatever the decision, some here will be apoplectic. They will see it as an insult to their collective/state/interest group.

But this is a discussion board, so discuss away. Lets just keep it respectful.

Personally, i favor mark kelly. I like the navy/astronaut background and the loving husband angle. That will go a long way to giving social permission to the white blue collar crowd to vote for the ticket.

But ill be happy with any of the names floated. Ill be a little fearful of some. But supportive of all.

[kentuck]

20. He has a wonderfully brave wife.

Gabby Giffords.

[Meowmee]

13. They need to pick someone who can maybe help

Bring one of the swing states. They also need to consider independent voters who don’t like ykw or who may change their mind, bring them in, they are needed to win.

[SocialDemocrat61]

15. Just remember

It’s not about us. We’ll all vote for the democratic ticket regardless of who the VP is. It’s about getting those who are currently undecided to vote democratic in November. I don’t know who that is. I don’t have the data to objectively make that decision, none of us do.

[TBF]

16. So when Kamala announced I got a text from my very excited daughter -

I responded to her enthusiasm by saying Kamala needed a really strong vp pick - and my daughter (who is 21 and gay) responded "white cis man from a swing state".

[kimbutgar]

19. I love Pete but it would be too hard to accept a black woman as POTUS and a gay man VP

We are just not there yet until the convicted felon’s party is decimated in the next two elections. And we replace the Supreme Court and make laws for everyone to vote. No more voter suppression.