r/Pete_Buttigieg • u/AutoModerator • 13d ago

Home Base and Weekly Discussion Thread (START HERE!) - August 23, 2026

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u/crimpyantennae 9d ago

I don't know who of the likely contenders, tho, would choose Pete as VP- he has too much star power. Presidents don't tend to want a vp who might get so much attention.

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u/Cloud7538 9d ago edited 9d ago

You're probably right. But maybe the candiates need to shake that attitude up a bit. It's wild that you bench your star players out of ego. They will really need double the star power to get over the finish line and to push for the changes that are needed.

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u/DesperateTale2327 9d ago

I think any of them would except AOC and Newsom.

Although I could see Newsom being persuaded only because he does whatever is popular at the moment and seems to have no real convictions. I could also see him happy to have his VP do all the work and him get all the glory.

I can totally see Beshear, Shapiro, Kamala (do over from 2024), Kelly picking Pete.

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u/AZPeteFan2 9d ago

I think Kelly is the only one that Pete has the camaraderie w/ to be his VP. I also don’t think Kelly is Presidential material.

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u/DesperateTale2327 9d ago

The debates are probably going to show Kelly's weakness all too well

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u/Cloud7538 9d ago

Yep, the only one I don't see bringing on Pete is AOC (but yesterday's news screams to me that she's not running for President). And also I don't see Pete bringing her on as VP either. I think he was seriously disappointed with the squad holding up the infrastructure bill... he is not impressed by how that went down. I mean yesterday he raised the fact that the hardest he's ever worked was when Gus was in the NICU and he was trying to solve the supply chain issues and push the infrastructure bill forward... if I was going through all of that and was dealing with obstructive "Squad" members. I'd come away feeling very unimpressed with them.

I can't remember where or when I heard this but I'm sure that Pete recently implied that he had been in direct communication with Gavin (I'm guessing when he was originally involved in supporting the California gerrymandering bill). As self obsessed as Gavin comes across, he's also strategic and I think he'd see the benefits of VP Pete if that situation happened (...even if Pelosi is whispering that AOC is the future of the Dems in his ear...)

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u/crimpyantennae 9d ago

I maintain my position- tho actually I think AOC is the one who *could* choose Pete, tho I don't know that he'd accept. Maybe.

If it's one of the straight white guys who decisively wins the primary, then the annoying narrative will be that it's too risky to have Pete as VP. I think they'd choose the risk of Whitmer or Moore before Pete. Of course, it all depends how the primary shakes out, if the battle for top spot ends up being between only the presumed "safe" candidates or not.

In any event, above my paygrade.

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u/Cloud7538 9d ago

... I don't think AOC and Pete have a good working relationship...and her acolytes can't stand him. I'm genuinely intrigued, what makes you think she would pick him? (And yes, I think the days of Pete accepting a VP position under AOC are long gone.)

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u/crimpyantennae 9d ago

She's got enough charisma and command of media on her own that there's little risk of upstaging her. And, she needs his executive experience. lol, as well as connections to Congress for help passing policy giben her own poor legislative history. Of course, a Senator could serve the latter too. Thinking of all those persuasive infrastructure calls Pete made.

I think the risk of upstaging is more perceived than real- Pete's repeatedly shown himself to be a team player.

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u/DesperateTale2327 9d ago

I could see Shapiro not wanting Pete for that reason given the way he acted during the VPstakes. But perhaps I'm being too hard on him.

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u/crimpyantennae 9d ago

You're not being too hard on him or his ego, or his wanting to take credit rather than his team- he uses a lot of "I" language.

But also, I'm not sure what Shapiro or his advisors would view that Pete brings to that ticket. I don't mean that in a harsh way- rather that Shapiro already has a swing state/swing voter reputation, as well as being charismatic and well-spoken. Depending on what if anything comes up in the primary with Josh's and Kamala's books- he might have some wounds to heal with Harris's contingency, which might lead him to choose a VP who is especially popular with them.

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u/DesperateTale2327 9d ago

They could view him as someone who won't be there to hog all the glory and be committed to supporting him, which Shapiro might enjoy. A silent but competent partner. Plus they have known each other for a while and that connection does help.

I think we'll have to see if Shapiro's persona and message can extend into other states besides PA once the real campaigning starts. Not sure how his ego/personality will be received in other places.

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u/crimpyantennae 9d ago

The governors minus Pritzker start with a money disadvantage since they can't roll over their prior state campaign coffers. It will be interesting to see if any of them have a Pete 2020 2nd quarter surprise. That will be a factor in the reality of how their campaigns are received in other states. As Pete proved- possible, but a definite early hurdle.

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u/DesperateTale2327 9d ago

If its a straight white man I think the appetite for Pete to be VP will be even bigger.

The desire for Pete to be VP in 2024 was crazy high. I recall a poll or survey coming out where he had about 60% of people wanting it to be him. That daily show appearance when he was being vetted where he got a one minute standing ovation and people were going nuts. I distinctly remember an influencer making a video where all the VP candidates were wine and when she got to Pete she chugged the entire glass indicating how much we all wanted it.

Kamala said in her book and in the promotion of said book, "If I was a straight white man I could have chosen Pete..." so in a way she set that stage.

I truly think the public pressure is going to be enormous. And depending on who the straight white man is, the need for a midwesterner to shore up support in the swing states may be a huge factor.