For his 2024 presidential candidacy, Donald Trump has chosen his running mate.
At a Philadelphia event on Saturday, Trump disclosed that he had chosen his vice presidential nominee. It sounds thrilling, doesn’t it? There is a small catch, though. Trump gave a clear indication, but he did not specify his choice.
“At an NBC News question during a campaign event in Philadelphia, Trump said, “In my mind, sure,” adding that the vice presidential candidate will “probably” attend Thursday’s debate with President Joe Biden. He went on, “They’ll be there.” I believe there will be a large number of attendees. According to Trump, “nobody knows” what he will do yet. Doug Burgum, JD Vance, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are reportedly Trump’s top choices for the position, according to earlier reports from NBC News.
“The top two contenders are reportedly North Dakota Governor Burgum and Senator Vance of Ohio, according to people involved with the selection process who spoke with NBC News. Although a constitutional quirk would necessitate that either Trump or Rubio acquire residency outside of Florida, Rubio is still being considered. The campaign’s first priority when choosing a running mate, according to Trump senior advisor Brian Hughes, “is a strong leader who will make a wonderful president for eight years after his next four-year tenure expires.”
Trump declared that he would make his announcement “around the convention.”
“It might be at the convention, or maybe a bit sooner,” Trump continued. “However, we have some amazing folks.”
Republicans have frequently mentioned Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.) as a possible choice for Trump’s running mate, but I don’t think he has anything to offer other than devotion. He is from a state where Trump can easily win, and he made little difference in the GOP primaries. It seems unnecessary to have two rich businesspeople on the ticket.
I’ve long believed that Trump would pick a woman, and given his efforts to close the gender gap, that would be a wise choice. Many female competitors, though, have damaged their chances. It was Nikki Haley’s refusal to withdraw from the race and support Trump that cost her. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) made a mistake in her response to the State of the Union, and Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) has personal issues. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is the only woman reportedly still in the running, but given her history of criticizing Trump and the fact that they are both from New York, she is not the best option.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), another unimpressive candidate, has recently received a lot of attention. However, I would feel better about Ohio not having a Senate seat. Ohio is a red state right now, but it could still vote for Trump and re-elect Democrat Sherrod Brown. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is another name that keeps coming up. He would be a favorable pick, especially to win over Latino voters. However, the 12th Amendment adds a layer of complexity as Trump maintains his official residence in Florida, and I don’t see him relocating to make room for a running partner.
What are Trump’s requirements? An insider informed the New York Post. “He wants to know who can raise the most money, who can act as a strong surrogate in front of hostile reporters on television, and who can debate Kamala Harris the best.” Though he is arguably the least likely of the four, Tim Scott is still in the running. Tim Scott or Marco Rubio haven’t provided any information or proof that would increase Trump’s margins among minorities.
Author: Scott Dowdy