The scheme, fueled by leaks by Republicans openly and secretly running for vice president, is a classic cabaret of media and political intrigue.
Virtually every important name on the mythical “candidate list” (which essentially exists in Donald Trump’s head) has been hyped up in the press by potential strongmen and proxies. It has become a let.
Although Trump’s campaign is perplexed by this scene, they are happy to hold auditions. In fact, in some cases, President Trump wants such tryouts. They range from joint speaking appearances to network interviews to appearances in hush money trials to defend indicted former presidents (for just about anyone seeking a prize).
FOX News invites Trump and Biden campaigns to vice presidential debate
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum urges voters to support Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in the basement ballroom of the Margate Resort in Laconia, New Hampshire, on January 22, 2024. encouraged. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Journalists, on the other hand, have nothing to cover (other than indulge in speculation during the six weeks leading up to the first debate). They are thus creating the closest thing to horse racing and are sensitive to whispers of ostensible fluctuations among aspirants.
The leak did not come from the Trump team. Its members are well aware that various strategists and allies promote certain names. But they don’t really care what the motives are as long as they fight for Trump.
The former president’s camp believes everyone is working together to create a team spirit, rather than cutting each other down. The outlook is that many of those who fail to give consent will end up in cabinet positions or other administrative positions.
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Tim Scott has been publicly seeking the nomination since his presidential campaign rapidly collapsed. But President Trump has taken a dismissive stance, saying the only black Republican in the Senate is a “quality person” who is better at defending him than he is himself. He has accused Joe Biden of pandering to black people, but his mild-mannered demeanor may be detrimental.
Still, the senator is near the top of every media list.
Doug Burgum is an unknown North Dakota governor and technology entrepreneur whose presidential campaign disappeared without a trace. But wait a minute. Rumor has it that Trump likes him!
Washington Post: “Trump allies are discussing Burgum as a possible running mate, although they warn the list is still long.”
Wall Street Journal: “Rich, loyal and good-looking: Why little-known Doug Burgum is on Trump’s running mate.”
Yahoo: “Doug Burgum has unexpectedly emerged as a front-runner to be former President Trump’s running mate.”
North Dakota Governor and former presidential candidate Doug Burgum to lead and center stage at Trump New Jersey rally
Marco Rubio, who lost to Trump in 2016, gained attention after performing well at donor events.
NBC: “Senator Marco Rubio is moving up his list of running mate candidates for former President Donald Trump, according to six people familiar with the Republican nominee’s search for a running mate.”
Financial Times: “Marco Rubio has emerged as a donor favorite to be Donald Trump’s running mate. The former president has broadened his appeal and financed his White House campaign and legal fees. We are looking for candidates who can help with funding.
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio questions Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the State Department’s fiscal year 2024 budget proposal at the Dirksen Senate Building on Wednesday, March. 22, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
The big problem is that the Constitution prohibits vice presidential candidates from being from the same state. But the Florida senator has indicated he may move out of state.
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance visited the Trump trial last week and denounced lead accuser Michael Cohen, garnering major media attention.
The Hill: “Vance challenges Scott for top of President Trump’s running mate list.”
New York Times: “Trump’s potential vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance criticizes witnesses”
Washington Post: “J.D. Vance: From Never Trumper to Potential Vice-Nominee.”
But in 2016, when Vance was still a writer, he warned Christian voters about Trump. “May God help us as we apologize for this man.”
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President Trump said Vance once “said bad things about me.” But he is known for forgiving past critics, including Ted Cruz and the man he once called “Little Marco.”
The height of absurdity came when Axios reported that Nikki Haley, who has not supported President Trump in the two months since dropping out as his last opponent, was being actively considered as a running mate.
The next day, a post on Truth Social read, “Nikki Haley is not being considered for VP, but we wish her well!”
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)
It lasted a long time.
This Sunday’s show became a major battleground for those competing in the Veep Stakes, or those who imagine they are the favorites to win.
Elise Stefanik appeared on “Fox News Sunday” and host Shannon Bream asked her about a 2015 radio interview in which she said Trump “demeans women.”
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“Using anonymous, faceless, false sources to quote the New York Times is disgraceful,” the lawmaker countered.
As the conversation heated up, Bream asked again, “Did she say those words or not?”
“I said the statements that the Democrats leaked in 2016 were insulting,” Stefanik said, emphasizing that he supported Trump in that election.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) speaks on “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Anti-Semitism” during a House Education and Labor Committee hearing on Wednesday, April 17, at the Capitol in Washington. . (AP/Mariam Zuhaib)
Mr. Vance appeared on “Face the Nation” and made the obligatory statement, as everyone does, that Mr. Trump was not discussing the Veepship. “It’s all about getting him elected president. Actually, I don’t really care who the vice president is because ultimately Trump is going to govern,” Vance said.
Rubio gave a high-decibel, heated interview on “Meet the Press,” in which host Kristen Welker asked, “Whatever happens, Senator, are you going to accept the results of the 2024 election?” he asked.
“Whatever happens? No. If it’s an unfair election, I think both sides will fight.”
Marco Rubio faces off against NBC host in 2024 election: Democrats ‘oppose any Republican victory’
When Walker pointed out that he had voted to certify the 2020 election, the senator made a series of baseless claims. “In places like Wisconsin, where there are more than 500 illegal drop boxes, and in places like Georgia, where liberal groups are objecting to elections, we are undermining people’s trust in elections. think. [paying] People, $10 per vote. I couldn’t even talk about it on social media. They will de-platform you. ”
Rubio said Democrats “have opposed every Republican victory since 2000,” and Welker said candidates including Hillary Clinton have conceded the election.
So let’s talk about Ben Carson. Trump has been largely out of sight since leaving office, but NBC reported a few days ago that the former HUD secretary has been “emerging as a likely option,” though he has distanced himself from the scene. Mr. Carson suddenly appeared on “State of the Union” and emerged as a likely choice.
Then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Ben Carson addresses the Republican National Convention in a prerecorded speech at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC, on August 26, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)
“President Trump doesn’t like to be surrounded by ‘yes’ people,” Carson said in a very subdued performance, adding that he agrees that abortion should be a decision for each state.
Carson did not discuss running mate, but said he would “love to discuss” Kamala Harris.
Now, Trump wouldn’t be the first presidential candidate to flatter the person or allow an unrealistic name to come up to please voters. And it doesn’t take long to attract the attention of the press.
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This whole thing is starting to resemble an “Apprentice” contest.
But President Trump has made it clear that he won’t make an announcement until just before the convention, so why spoil the suspense? –This won’t be decided for another two months.
Another factor: Mr. Trump chooses a running mate who won’t be a candidate in four years, so is there no risk of elevating Mr. Trump or someone who will jump right into the running to succeed him? Will you choose?
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One thing is clear: As President Trump has told me and others, people don’t vote for vice president, so ultimately the selection doesn’t matter, it’s all about the top of the ticket issue. That means there is.
