Posted on 05/05/2016 6:14:07 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he would consider making Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) his running mate.
“I respect Ted,” he told host Bill O’Reilly on Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor." "He was a very strong competitor. He really competed hard and tough."
“He’s certainly a capable guy,” the presumptive GOP presidential nominee added. "It’s something we can think about.” Trump defeated Cruz in Tuesday’s Indiana GOP presidential primary, making him the presumptive nominee.
Cruz suspended his Oval Office bid shortly afterward, saying that his results in the Hoosier State “foreclose” his path to the Republican presidential nomination.
Trump on Wednesday said that he does not resent Cruz for their often bitter contest against each another.
“It’s an easy thing,” he said of the nominating process. "He said some things and he made some things up and he took some things that were said out of context.”
Reports emerged earlier on Wednesday that retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson would serve on a selection committee for finding Trump’s running mate.
Carson, another former GOP presidential candidate, will help Trump make his pick before the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July.
Trump on Wednesday said that Carson’s involvement stems from his reluctance in becoming the vice presidential nominee himself.
“I don’t think Ben’s looking at that,” he said. "He’s a friend of mine. He’s been so helpful. He’s a terrific guy.”
Trump additionally reiterated that he is also eyeing Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio), who suspended his White House run earlier Wednesday.
“I would certainly consider him,” he said. "During the debates I’d always find myself talking to John. I’ve had a good relationship with him, so we’ll see how that turns out.
“I don’t want to talk too much about it as I am considering a couple of people. We do have a lot of candidates who would be very, very good."
Looks like the Dems will have to research 17 people....at least.
Probably too late to clarify. I was speaking of the rabid subset of Trump supporters when I posted “Trumpsters”.
I think he’s just being polite to woo Cuz supporters over to his side, fine with me. Cruz is not an NBC so he needs to consider him and move him to the NO pile asap.
It’s not going to be Carson or Kasich for VP. Trump said he already has a couple of people in mind. It’s obvious he has his own eye on particular people separate from Kasich. I doubt it will be any of the other primary contenders.
Put Ted on SCOTUS.
Cruz brings nothing to a Trump/Cruz ticket ... Trump is going to win Texas anyway.
He is better off remaining in the Senate and working from that outpost.
The press is trying to create issues that will occupy their airspace, and sidetrack Trump from his message. Imagine the reaction if Trump had said "no."
I think it will be Rubio (to lock down FL) or Kasich (to lock down OH). Trump is likely a one-termer by choice. For VP, the choice needs to be strategic (brings in a needed swing state) and also knows how to navigate Congress. Foreign Policy experience would also be a plus and Kasich has some of that. Dry and dull as dishwater, yes. Brings in Ohio... without a doubt. Rubio also brings youth and a key demographic, needed especially if Shrillary chooses Castro.
Agree. Even if Trump doesn’t really look that hard at Cruz as VP and leans more toward SCOTUS for him, these kind of olive branches to his former opponents (with the very clear permanent diss by Trump of Jeb! and Linda - which I think is great), shows maturity and will do lots to help bring the GOP together to beat the Democrats.
Specifically leaving Jeb! and Linda on the outs is fantastic.
Trump has also permanently got George Will on his loser list as well, which I like a lot!
He's already said he plans to be there 8 years.
I'm sure it won't be Cruz. It won't be Carson because Trump has already said he needs someone who knows what he's doing. My suspicion is that he'll offer it to Kasich because of Ohio, or Rubio because of Florida and because Rubio needs a job come January. But if Kasich thinks Hillary might win in November then he may not want it. He may well finish out the last two years of his term as governor and try again in 2020. So Rubio may well be the chosen one.
“Cave-in” Kasich would be a horrible, terrible choice due to his constant caving in to the Left.
Trump remarked in his victory speech that he has never been treated the way he’s been treated as a politician. And instead of taking it, he struck back. Business is not like politics in that respect and Trump’s character will show this. The Art of the Deal.
A Trump overthrow or deadlier plan is less likely with Cruz as the VP. Cruz, though, doesn’t bring a state that won’t go for Trump anyway, he might help a bit with Hispanics, but I doubt it.
He is an incredible fighter and is very knowledgeable about the law and about legislation.
I’d prefer him on Scotus, because, as you say, his Canadian birth to a Cubo/Canadian father rubs me the wrong way.
Quitters are losers in Trump's eyes. You saying The Donald is a loser?
That meme is old, dude. If Trump selects Cruz as his VP, then can we put that accusation to bed once and for all?
How do you back-pedal on “Lyin’ Ted,” Donald? Perhaps he’s just saying that to try and heal the party.
How does Cruz back peddle on calling Trump voters low info? 5 million or more Texans will vote for Trump. Does Cruz not want their support in the future?
Assuming you believe in Trump as President you should anticipate 8 years of great progress, low unemployment, rapid growth in income and the subsequent solidification of the GOP voter base. If so, another 4 or 8 years of GOP rule should be a cinch. And Vice President Cruz would coast to the nomination.
Seems to me. But of course Cruz might make a somewhat less optimistic calculation.
Politics is a blood sport. He gave as good as he got. Maybe even gave a little more.
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