In her new book, former Vice President Kamala Harris explains the rationale behind choosing Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz as her running mate for the 2024 election. She emphasizes his humble demeanor and how he doesn’t seek the spotlight.

Harris’s book, titled “107 Days,” was released on Tuesday and reflects on her notably short presidential campaign. In it, she recounts the selection process for her running mate, which included narrowing her choices down to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Waltz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. While she found Shapiro to be polished, she expressed concerns regarding his political aspirations, contrasting him with Waltz, who she views quite differently.

“When Tim walked into the room, it was clear he didn’t feel he was getting the job,” Harris wrote about their interview. “The first thing he said was, ‘Whether you choose me or not, I’m going to do everything I can to support you.’”

She noted that he was self-critical, mentioning things like, “I’m not great at debating” and “I’ve never used a teleprompter.” Though less polished than Shapiro, she found Waltz to have a genuine charm and self-awareness that is refreshing in politics.

Harris admired his straightforward attitude and his political record. She highlighted his lack of presidential ambition, stating, “His goal as Vice President is to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.” She added that while a Vice President should ideally not harbor ambitions for the presidency, Waltz’s intentions wouldn’t interfere with their partnership.

Before meeting Waltz, Harris recounted her initial encounter with Shapiro, who, though impressive, also prompted her to question his suitability. “I told him how much I admired his work,” she recalled, adding that he was an excellent campaigner, smart and appealing.

During her discussion with Shapiro, they talked about winning Pennsylvania and touched on his statements about her support for Israel. Harris made it clear she needed someone who understood the Vice President’s role well. “At one point, he expressed a desire to be involved in every decision,” she said, before clarifying that such expectations were unrealistic.

She pointed out that letting go of the role of No. 2 was tough for him, which raised concerns for her. Trust was imperative for the partnership, as she mentioned, “Every day as president, I face numerous issues, and I can’t have a Vice President who isn’t aligned.”

Regarding Kelly, Harris’s worry stemmed from his relative inexperience in politics, especially when facing Trump’s potential attacks. “Can he adapt to a national campaign engineered to undermine him?” she pondered.

Ultimately, she revealed that her inner circle generally favored Waltz, including her young Godson, who considered him a significant figure. Though her husband, Doug Emhoff, had a preference for Shapiro due to their long acquaintance, Harris made it clear that the final decision was hers alone. “I didn’t want anyone else’s opinions influencing my choice. Instead, I focused on something practical: cooking. By the time I went to bed, I had made up my mind about Waltz,” she concluded.