‘The View’ Debates If America Will Ever Have A Gay Or Female President: “This Is My Problem With Identity Politics”

Though America is just months into President Trump’s second term, the ladies of The View are already debating how Democrats should handle the 2028 presidential election.

During Friday’s (Sept. 19) broadcast, Joy Behar raised the point that Kamala Harris revealed in her book 107 Days that Governor Tim Walz was not her first choice to be her running mate. The former vice president claimed she initially wanted Pete Buttigieg to join her on the ticket, but “she didn’t think it would be a winning ticket since he’s gay and she’s a woman,” as Behar explained. As the ladies debated whether Buttigieg would have made a better running mate, it led them to consider whether America would ever nominate a female or gay candidate for president.

“This is my problem with identity politics,” Sara Haines responded. “Kamala Harris is a Black woman and she’s a lot of other things, Pete Buttigieg is a gay man and he’s a lot of other things.” She added that Buttigieg “captivates” her every time she sees him speak and he is often one of the few Democrats who “regularly” appears on Fox News and “handles questions like a boss.”

“I think reducing people to the one part of them is missing the entire gift,” she concluded.

While Sunny Hostin agreed that Buttigieg could have been a “game changer” for Harris’ campaign, she noted that Harris faced more opposition because she is a Black woman.

“I also know through my lived experience as a Black woman in this country that that is what people see first when people see you,” Hostin said. When someone noted that Americans elected Barack Obama to office twice, Hostin responded, “Yes they did, but not a Black woman. Hillary Clinton arguably was the most qualified candidate for the presidency that we’ve had, perhaps, and they couldn’t get past that. I believe that is one of the reasons. But Black and female? Good luck.”

When Behar later asked if the country will ever elect a gay man to office, Alyssa Farah Griffin speculated that many voters view Buttigieg “as a lot more than just being a gay man.”

“I agree with everything you’re saying but we’re in a lot of trouble in this country right now,” Behar responded. “You can’t really take too many chances because we’ll end up with another term with Trump.”

Griffin fired back, “I think not taking chances is how you lose.”

The hosts will soon have a chance to ask Harris herself when she appears on The View next Tuesday, Sept. 23, to discuss her new book.

The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.