The presidential campaign sidekick show returns, revamped for 2024 featuring election doubts.
Considering the bizarre events that unfolded post-Trump's last search for a vice president, with the winner eventually fleeing the Capitol as furious Trump supporters surrounded it, chanting "Hang Mike Pence," the whole ordeal feels rather like a reality show.
This is further corroborated by the astonishing story about South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem potentially being out of contention. Numerous details could derail her chances, including her upcoming memoir where she describes killing her unruly dog and a "demon" goat.
Who could be Trump's running mate this time around?
Despite the ongoing criminal trial in New York, Trump appears to be enjoying the search for his next running mate. Over the weekend, potential VPs joined him onstage at a fundraiser in Mar-a-Lago. Elise Stefanik, Doug Burgum, Tim Scott, and Marco Rubio are some of the names that have been rumored. interestingly, these individuals attempted to align themselves with Trump by denying the results of past elections, despite having once endorsed them.
For instance, Burgum contradicted CNN's 2016 election map by claiming CNN disputed the election. In fact, Trump won that election. Burgum's rhetoric shifted from seeking innovative ideas during his presidential campaign to propagating election conspiracy theories while vying for Trump's approval. In a separate instance on Meet the Press, Tim Scott exhibited reluctance to commit to accepting the results of the upcoming 2024 election. Although he hadn't questioned the 2020 outcome previously, the shift is noticeable.
Similarly, Rubio's stance evolved from opposing Trump in 2016 and referring to him as a "con artist" to now being a staunch Trump supporter. When asked if he would leave his home state to comply with the 12th Amendment's rule, he remained noncommittal.
If past precedent holds, Rubio might be joining a list of regrettable running mate decisions. John McCain, for instance, and his controversial choice of Sarah Palin in 2008, who significantly disrupted his campaign but also made several blunders. Additionally, the notorious 1972 decision to select Thomas Eagleton by George McGovern, who had hidden his multiple hospitalizations for mental health issues, ultimately resulting in Eagleton's withdrawal.
What is Trump seeking in his vice president?
While it's uncertain who will make the cut, one thing seems certain: Trump desires loyalty above all. While J.D. Vance of Ohio is a possible choice, he vehemently defended Trump during a discussion with Kaitlan Collins, insisting Mike Pence's life was never truly in danger.
Based on previous experience, Trump might select a more conservative pick over someone like Chris Christie, who ran for president in 2016 and switched sides in the primaries this year, fiercely opposing Trump. Newt Gingrich was also a contender in Trump's 2016 bid.
However, both Chris Christie and Nikki Haley have been excluded from this years' possibilities, according to CNN's reports. Haley hasn't endorsed Trump yet, which could affect her prospects.
A Lesson from Past Mistakes
After Pence's betrayal, it's safe to say that Trump will be vigilant in finding a loyal running mate to support his cause. In the past, there have been several cases of controversial running mate choices, with mixed results. Having faced this before, Trump must consider these blunders carefully before making his decision. It remains to be seen whether he will avoid making similar mistakes again.
Trump lost in a massive landslide to President Richard Nixon and his vice president, Spiro Agnew. Nixon and Agnew won re-election, but Agnew might be remembered as one of the worst vice presidents since he was forced to resign when the Department of Justice accused him of accepting bribes, including during his time as vice president.
Choosing their running mates, political partners of recent campaigns undergo a thorough selection process.
When will Trump choose his running mate?
Tradition hints that Trump's running mate will be selected around the summer, drawing close to the Republican National Convention scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee. Trump announced his pick of Mike Pence on July 15 in 2016, making the announcement in a tweet. Hillary Clinton revealed her decision for Sen. Tim Kaine a week later, also via tweet, on July 22.
Joe Biden publicized his nomination of Kamala Harris on August 11 through an email to supporters. Similarly, Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee, announced his pick for then-Rep. Paul Ryan from Wisconsin on August 11.
Presidential selections typically happen a few days or a week before the party's national convention, but there are also situations like the Democrats in 2004 and the Republicans in 2012 where the nominee was chosen two weeks before the convention.
The traditional process for selecting a running mate is to do so at the convention, but this practice has not been followed since 1988, as claimed by 538.
What about Biden and Harris?
Although it's not unheard of for a president to switch out their vice presidents, it's been quite some time since it's happened. Franklin D. Roosevelt ran for president four times and had three vice presidents. The first, John Nance Garner, left Roosevelt's ticket after two terms, disenchanted by Roosevelt's attempts to influence the Supreme Court and his refusal to modify parts of the New Deal. Garner even contested Roosevelt in some primaries in 1940.
Roosevelt's second vice president, Henry Wallace, was replaced at the convention in 1944 by Harry Truman.
So far, all signs point to Biden maintaining Harris, the first woman to be elected nationwide, as his running mate.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
