Buttigieg comments on Harris’s new book: Biden ‘should not have run’

On Sunday, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed that former President Biden “should not have run” for reelection in 2024 and should have stepped back from the race earlier.

“He shouldn’t have run. If he made that decision sooner,” Buttigieg mentioned during an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker.

These remarks followed the release of excerpts from former Vice President Harris’s upcoming book, “107 Days,” which details her brief presidential campaign last year. Both Buttigieg and Harris are seen as potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028.

In her book, Harris reflected, “‘It’s Joe and Jill’s decision,’ we all chanted, almost like we were in a trance.” She questioned whether the scenario was reckless, concluding that, in hindsight, it indeed seemed reckless.

Biden withdrew from the race on July 21st last year, shortly after his debate performance against Trump. On that same day, he endorsed Harris, who quickly gathered enough support to become the Democratic presidential candidate.

Despite this, Harris ultimately lost to Trump in the November election.

Buttigieg, who served as Biden’s only transportation secretary, did not oppose Biden’s reelection campaign prior to or following this discussion. He mentioned to NBC that “it’s not part of the process” when deciding if the president should run again.

Biden announced his intention to run for reelection in April 2023, already holding the title of the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. The Biden administration dismissed concerns regarding his age, even after the debate with Trump.

In May, Biden stated that he didn’t regret his decision to run for reelection. That same month, he was diagnosed with what was termed “aggressive” prostate cancer by his office.

Buttigieg acknowledged that only Biden can decide whether to continue his campaign, but he emphasized the need to look ahead.

Having been a candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary, Buttigieg is currently third in the national polling averages for the 2028 Democratic nomination, trailing behind Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Look, we are where we are as a country and as a party now,” Buttigieg added. “What matters now is how we can create a different future that allows people to see themselves not just politically, but in what lies ahead.”

The Hill reached out to Biden’s office for comments on Buttigieg’s statements.