Key Takeaways:
- Mark Cuban confirmed he was asked to be vetted as a potential Democratic VP candidate but turned down the offer.
- He said he’s not suited for the role because he’s not a “number two person.”
- Cuban joked about not being good at political tasks like shaking hands and kissing babies.
- He believes his straightforward personality would clash with President Kamala Harris.
Cuban Confirms He Declined VP Vetting
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, famous for owning the Dallas Mavericks and starring on Shark Tank, revealed he was asked to consider becoming the Democratic vice presidential candidate. However, he turned down the opportunity.
This news came out during a recent interview on The Bulwark podcast. Host Tim Miller asked Cuban if rumors about him being vetted for the VP role were true. Cuban admitted it was true but shared why he said no.
Why Cuban Said No to the VP Role
Cuban explained that he’s not cut out for being a vice president. “I’m not very good as the number two person,” he said. He added that he wouldn’t hesitate to tell President Kamala Harris if he thought one of her ideas was bad.
Cuban also joked about not being good at traditional political tasks. “I’m not real good at shaking hands and kissing babies,” he said. His blunt and straightforward personality, he believes, makes him a poor fit for the role.
Cuban Thinks It Wouldn’t Have Worked Out
Cuban thinks his time in the White House would have been rocky. He laughed and said, “She would’ve fired me within six days.” Despite that, he admitted that joining the ticket would have been different from the current situation.
When asked if he thought he could have made a difference, Cuban simply said, “Obviously it would’ve been different.”
How Cuban Differs from the Current VP Pick
Tim Miller wondered what might have been if Cuban had joined the ticket instead of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Miller suggested that Cuban’s unique background and personality would have made the race more exciting.
Cuban agreed that his personality and experiences are very different from Walz’s. “My personality is completely different than Tim’s,” he said. “My experiences, my background are completely different.”
However, Cuban also admitted that being vice president would have been challenging for him. “I’m not a politician,” he said. “I think I cut through the nonsense more directly.”
Cuban Reflects on the Decision
Despite his doubts about being a good VP, Cuban believed Harris would have won the election. “I really thought she was going to win,” he said.
Still, he’s confident he made the right decision. “It would’ve been awful,” he said with a laugh.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Cuban’s honesty about why he turned down the VP role highlights his self-awareness. He knows his strengths and weaknesses, and being a vice president isn’t the right fit for him.
While it’s fun to imagine what could have been, Cuban’s decision to stay out of politics shows he’s content with his current path. As for Kamala Harris, it’s clear she’s moving forward with her current team, and only time will tell how the 2024 election will unfold.
Mark Cuban’s story is a reminder that even billionaires have limits, and sometimes saying no to big opportunities is the best decision.