The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board on Wednesday rated North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (Republican) the best choice among those being considered to be former President Donald Trump’s running mate.
Rupert Murdoch’s journal He spoke about President Trump’s choice for vice president. It will be a key opportunity for the former president to reassure skeptical voters and try to broaden his coalition ahead of November.
The publication’s editorial board named Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin as the leading candidate, but acknowledged that Burgum, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were considered potential finalists.
“If this is the case, Burgum is the man for the job,” the editorial board wrote, citing Burgum’s business experience and suggesting he would be loyal to Trump but “not afraid to offer tough advice or tell the unfortunate truth when needed.”
“Mr. Vance and Mr. Rubio bring much less to the race,” the editorial board wrote.
The editorial board criticized Vance, a first-term senator, as “a young man who seems in a rush to fill Donald Jr.’s role when it’s already been given to him” and as a “political opportunist” who opposes U.S. aid to Ukraine.
The editorial board wrote that Rubio “has transformed himself from a 2010 Tea Party insurrectionist into an advocate of income redistribution through industrial policy and taxation. Despite his record as a foreign policy tougher, he voted against aid to Ukraine.”
“In a time of crisis, would either senator tell Mr. Trump the truth?” the committee wrote.
Trump allies and people close to the former president told The Hill that while Burgum, Vance and Rubio are currently considered the front-runners, several others have also received vetting materials, and Trump could make a surprise choice.
Trump has signaled he may announce his running mate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next month, but strategists and Trump aides say the timing is fluid and the announcement could come as soon as early July, before the GOP gathering.
Burgum is not well known nationally, but he has deep pockets and a similar background to Trump, having transitioned from business to politics. Trump and his team like Burgum because he is a disciplined messenger who won’t hide in the shadow of the former president or steal the spotlight. Trump and Burgum also have a good personal relationship, sources told The Hill.
One source suggested that Murdoch’s real estate company was speaking out against Vance. In addition to Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal editorial, Vance made multiple recent appearances on Fox News where he was questioned about past social media posts critical of President Trump.
