Posted on 07/12/2024 10:20:01 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Donald J. Trump appears to be giving more weight to political calculations in selecting a running mate, by picking someone who “helps you get elected.”
For much of the past year, Donald J. Trump has described his perfect running mate as someone who could easily take over as commander in chief if needed and help him draw a contrast to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It’s got to be somebody that can be a good president, which Biden doesn’t have,” Mr. Trump said in April during an interview with Hugh Hewitt, a conservative political commentator.
But now, as the curtain closes on his theatrical selection process, his public statements suggest that his thinking has shifted and he’s giving more weight to political calculations.
Mr. Trump said on Monday his top priority remained someone qualified to be president and then quickly added a second criterion: “Somebody that helps you get elected.”
His new focus on someone who can help him win may stem from indecision over his choice, some allies said. Mr. Trump has said he plans to announce his running mate before or during the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday. Some aides have wondered whether he will announce his pick before then, in time for a campaign rally on Saturday in western Pennsylvania.
Two people who spoke separately with Mr. Trump this week said they had the impression he was still undecided. As of Friday morning, he had not called any of his top three contenders to offer them the position, according to two advisers who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Sarah has a young family to consider.
Yes, but then he was an incumbent with an extreme opponent. The more relevant election would be 1968.
That may be true, but I was asking whether Gabbard helps. She won four elections in one of Hawaii's Congressional districts. And I'm sure they know she's not really a Democrat anymore.
A governor would be better or others not currently in office.
Trump needs to pick a woman. I know that checks off boxes, but I think it would be a good idea. That leaves Sanders, Gabbard, Noem, and Haley. Who else?
My biggest complaint about Trump is his apparent inability to differentiate between friend and enemy. A Doug Burgun choice as VP would make me think he hasn’t learned from past bad personnel choices. I’m hoping that isn’t his decision.
Lots of folks here on FR don't like to hear this, but this is usually going to be the single biggest factor for selecting a VP candidate in a tight election.
I think you are 100% wrong on this.
A close look at voter demographics will almost certainly show that Trump never would have won in 2016 unless he had a running mate who helped him overcome a lot of reservations among evangelical Christian voters.
It's not the state of a VP candidate that matters as much as the demographic group(s) they appeal to.
This is why the prospective Trump VP candidates in the conversation have included a disproportionate number of women and minorities.
the ONLY thing Trump should be considering if who will help ensure his election.
He hopefully is doing a TON of internal polling showing which choice will help him secure Georgia and Pennsylvania 100% for sure, which is all he needs for the win.
I think Vance is also capable of carrying the movement forward.
But Vivek or Vance are the only 2 that I see as capable. Hopefully Trump has really done his homework.
I like Gabbard but she is probably better as SOD.
I’m no fan of Chris Christie, but he did this country a great service when he made a fool out of Rubio at that one GOP primary debate in 2016. After watching that clown show unfold, I was convinced that Rubio attended the debate on his way home from the Special Olympics.
And Vivek, like Trump, is the only non-politician capable of substantially implementing recovery of America’s Free Constitutional Republic by DISMANTLING the $3+ trillion, 80%+ unconstitutional portion of the federal government which is ESSENTIAL. Vivek is the only one who talks about it - all the time.
Those guys were told by their handlers to pick DC insiders as VP candidates -- because both of them were groomed by state political machines and needed to be closely handled by the national party apparatus.
It's the same reason why I can almost guarantee you that Trump's VP selection will be someone with close ties to the GOP establishment.
She’s a governor and a governor’s daughter, I bet the family can handle a stint at the Naval Observatory.
She has said she’s staying where she is, but I’ve heard no specific reason; have you?
I was hoping Zeldin would have been a candidate during the Republican primary. That said, I think Zeldin as Trump's VP would probably move Michigan to Biden.
Of these, I think he wins NC anyway, so Mace is out. Take your pick from the other three.
This may be the wrong political calculation. Trump is unlikely to win HI or NY, and if he did, it would indicate a landslide so great that the matter of his running mate would be largely inconsequential. Some candidates may (or may not) attract undecided votes that would otherwise not go to Trump.
A mini-Trump will be limited in their ability to attract votes which otherwise would not go to Trump.
Sarah Huckabee was highly regarded as a press secretary. Elise Stefanik is also an attractive candidate.
Tulsi Gabbard carries the same original sin as Trump and Reagan; she was a Democrat. She is a recent convert to the Republican party and is liberal on some issues. She would not please extreme MAGA Republicans, but she would likely be a net positive on the popular vote, attracting some voters sitting on the fence. Put Tulsi on the same stage as Kamala and she would have a commanding presence. Of course, at this time nobody knows who will be on the Democratic ticket in November. Sarah Huckabee and Elise Stefanik would also contrast well against Word Salad Harris.
Marco Rubio would likely add Hispanic votes. Trump can easily change his primary residence to his 2,000 plus square foot cottage in Bedminster, NJ and run his campaign out of NJ again. Any constitutional problem is a mirage. In July 2000, Dick Cheney traveled from Texas to Wyoming and became a resident of Wyoming to run with George W. Bush in November.
Similarly, Ron DeSantis could go on the ticket.
For a black candidate, the most viable that I see would be Byron Donalds or perhaps Tim Scott.
J.D. Vance may be the front runner with his attractive life story having been told in a bestselling and award winning book, Hillbilly Elegy, and popular Netflix movie. That makes for general name recognization across party or state lines.
If the election is a landslide, the running mate is not a determinative factor. If the election is a tossup or very close, then the first rule of politics comes into play—first, get elected. The object would not be to see who would make the most conservative ticket, but who would make the most electable ticket. That would probably indicate including a woman or minority candidate. Two white guys is generally not the best for outreach. The name recognition of J.D. Vance could make him the exception to that generalization.
Because he’s Jewish?
I think if the deepstate were to do assassinations...they would try to take both Trump and Biden out. The calculus would be that the republicans would be in much more dissaray after the fact where as the internal politburo of the DNC would have candidates up and running the first 1 minute after the funerals. Then again, Pubbies might be allowed to “sort of win” so that we can fix up the economy so the Dems can then spend us into the ground again!
Hillbilly Elegy describes how Vance’s family was destroyed by Globalism, so he understands the problems the middle class and working people face.
Both are articulate but Vivek has more energy. I would be happy with either.
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