Yeah, the trouble is that there’s no perfect candidates out there.
If Zeldin could somehow deliver NY in November, maybe him. But I think NY is too far gone. So he’s too risky.
It has to be someone who can win in November above all other criteria (Captain Obvious).
That’s why Scott is still in play.
Demographically, the ideal would be a conservative Hispanic woman from a swing state. But that might be a unicorn.
Trump will be 78 on election day. He should pick someone who can take over for him should he have a stroke or heart attack. Someone who can run the executive branch including the military in what will be a perilous time for the U.S. That should be the pre-eminent qualification. Period!
That leaves out anyone who is picked only because they’re perceived to help him win. Scott is a lightweight. Ditto for Noem and Lake. They’re not presidential timber. He should pick DeSantis who has proven he can govern in a crisis, shares Trump’s philosophy, is a smart lawyer, and has an understanding of the military having served himself. Nobody even comes close to his qualifications.
But Trump won’t do it because he would be afraid as a lame duck president he would be overshadowed by DeSantis, the heir apparent. Plus, his ego wouldn’t allow it. DeSantis probably can’t stand Trump and wouldn’t want to be his understudy, so, this pairing will never happen, unfortunately.
“That’s why Scott is still in play.”
Larry Elder over Tim Scott any day.