Rahm Emanuel Slams Harris’ VP Pick: “Wrong to Skip Buttigieg, Failed to Trust Your Gut”
Former Chicago Mayor and Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel unleashed sharp criticism on Tuesday against Kamala Harris’ decision to pass over Pete Buttigieg as her 2024 running mate, calling it a failure to follow instinct over political caution. In a CNN appearance, Emanuel argued Harris erred by viewing Buttigieg as a “risk,” especially after revelations in her new memoir that he was her top choice.
The blunt takedown, aired amid ongoing Democratic soul-searching post-election loss, highlights lingering tensions over the Harris-Walz ticket’s viability against Donald Trump. Emanuel, now U.S. Ambassador to Japan, didn’t mince words: “She was wrong… You trust in your gut.”
The Memoir Bombshell: Buttigieg as Harris’ “First Choice”
Harris’ forthcoming book, 107 Days: The Inside Story of My Presidential Campaign, dropped excerpts last week via The Atlantic, revealing Buttigieg topped her vetting list. She praised him as a “sincere public servant” with a knack for framing liberal ideas in ways conservatives could hear—qualities that made him an “ideal partner” for generational change.
But Harris ultimately deemed the pairing “too big of a risk.” As a Black woman married to a Jewish man, she worried America wasn’t ready for a ticket with a gay father of twins. “We were already asking a lot of America,” she wrote, opting instead for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz—a straight, white Midwesterner with family cred—to broaden appeal.
The book, out September 24, 2025, chronicles her 107-day sprint after Biden’s July 2024 exit, framing the snub as a tough but necessary calculus amid Trump’s attacks on diversity.
Emanuel’s Critique: Instinct Over Identity Politics
Emanuel, a Democratic operative known for his no-nonsense style, zeroed in on Harris’ hesitation during a CNN segment. “I think she was wrong to skip him,” he said, emphasizing Buttigieg’s strengths as an “attack dog” with high name recognition and youth (he was 42 at the time).
He faulted her for not “trust[ing] in your gut,” arguing the campaign’s polling obsession overshadowed bold choices. Emanuel tied it to broader lessons: Democrats must lean into authentic picks, not pander to perceived biases. “Pete also knew that—to our mutual sadness,” Emanuel echoed Harris’ words, but insisted the party underestimated voters’ openness.
This isn’t Emanuel’s first post-mortem jab; he’s long critiqued Harris’ messaging, once calling her 2024 run a “masterclass in how not to run a campaign.”
Buttigieg’s Measured Response: “Give Americans More Credit”
Pete Buttigieg, now eyeing a 2028 presidential bid, addressed the revelation in a Politico interview on September 18, 2025. “I was surprised,” he admitted, pushing back on the identity-driven rationale.
“You earn trust based on what they think you’re going to do for their lives, not on categories,” Buttigieg said at an Indiana rally, citing his South Bend mayoral wins and Obama’s 2008 Hoosier upset as proof voters prioritize policy over demographics. He reiterated no hard feelings, calling Harris a friend, but urged the party to “take everyone seriously” in future matchups.
Walz’s camp stayed diplomatic, with a spokesperson hailing Buttigieg as “outstanding” and the party’s “deep bench” ahead of 2028.
Public and Party Reactions: Fuel for 2028 Speculation
On X, Emanuel’s comments sparked a mix of cheers and eye-rolls. Conservative accounts like @thmsm74 mocked Harris as “vapid,” amplifying Fox News links for clicks. Progressive users, such as @jchristian61, shared without commentary, while news aggregators like @InstaBharat pushed #BreakingNews tags.
Democrats are divided: Some see Emanuel’s blast as sour grapes from a Clinton-era hawk, others as prescient advice. Polls show Buttigieg leading early 2028 hypotheticals, but he lags with Black voters—a Harris base staple. The flap reignites debates on identity vs. electability, especially after Trump’s win leaned on cultural wedge issues like anti-trans ads.
Broader Implications for Democrats
This dust-up arrives as the party licks wounds from 2024, with Harris’ book timing its release to shape narratives ahead of midterms. For U.S. politics, it spotlights enduring tensions: Can Democrats win without “safe” tickets, or does boldness alienate swing voters?
Emanuel’s critique, echoed in outlets like Fox and The Hill, pressures emerging leaders like Buttigieg to address electability head-on. As one X user quipped, “Rahm’s gut check: Democrats, stop overthinking.”
In the end, Emanuel’s words crystallize a key takeaway from Harris’ memoir: The 2024 loss wasn’t just tactical—it was a gut-wrenching bet on caution over conviction. With 2028 looming, will Democrats trust their instincts next time? The party’s gut check has only begun.