The running of the Veeps
Donald Trump finished off the competition in resounding fashion in Indiana. Hillary Clinton technically still has competition in the form of that weird, old communist from Vermont, but I suspect his refusal to give up might be because no one has had the heart to tell him he’s cooked.
Now we get to watch the blood sport move to the next round: The vetting of potential running mates. Both the doddering sociopath and the reality-television game show host have to convince someone to ride shotgun.
Trump’s decision-making process will be more complicated than Nana’s. If he wants his running mate to do more than stand awkwardly behind him at press conferences, a la John Edwards, and/or behave so oddly that they make him look better by comparison, a la Vice President Joe Biden, he’ll have to hit the political bullseye.
For all I know, The Donald has already made The Call. But in case he hasn’t; here’s a helpful little primer I threw together, because I’m a giver like that.
The safe choice: Dr. Ben Carson
Upside: Trump’s affinity for Carson is well documented and was cemented with Carson’s endorsement. And Trump has tapped Carson to lead his VP search committee; which reminds me of Dick Cheney’s role in President George W. Bush’s campaign. Carson’s deep faith will resonate with evangelical voters. His soft-spoken nature complements Trump’s bombast nicely.
Downside: He’s naturally reticent; a borderline character flaw in a national-stage politician. I also suspect he lacks the iron will to make the kind of calls which get people killed; a necessary evil of the top levels of the executive branch.
The money choice: Senator Marco Rubio
Upside: He’s young, whip-smart and puts a bold face on the ticket. His vigor would likely boost Trump’s own already-energetic presentation. He can draw fence-sitting moderates and the wavering GOP “establishment,” and would be the lone Latino voice on either ticket; presuming Hillary sticks with pandering to the fake Native American electorate.
Downside: He lacks conservative credentials; notably on illegal immigration, an enormously important issue to Americans now that Obama’s amnesty has unleashed a wave of illegal alien violence.
The cynical choice: Senator Ted Cruz
Upside: After a brutal primary fight, Trump/Cruz would bring together the two biggest blocs in the GOP. It would theoretically unify the party, turning everyone’s eyes November-ward.
Downside: Trump suggested Cruz’s father aided Lee Harvey Oswald in assassinating President Kennedy. That wasn’t some off-the-cuff remark at a cocktail party three years ago, that was earlier this week. For Trump and Cruz to suddenly implore their respective backers to feel the love insults their intelligence.
The old-school choice: Ohio Governor John Kasich
Upside: Kasich is a moderate from the battleground state of Ohio. He appeals to the GOP insiders, whom Trump needs to bring back in the fold before the final fight with Clinton.
Downside: Not even the insiders are all that enthused about Kasich.
The battleground choice: Florida Governor Rick Scott
Upside: Two wealthy businessmen who ran around the GOP establishment to score big political points would go well together on a ticket. Scott has been vocally complimentary of Trump for months; endorsing him almost as soon as Florida’s Republican primary was in the books. And Trump will probably need Florida to win the big one.
Downside: Scott isn’t exactly Mr. Popular in the Sunshine State. If he can’t deliver Florida, he serves limited purpose.
The thinking choice: New Mexico Governor Susanna Martinez
Upside: Trump could choose Martinez, and just like that, Hillary’s “woman card” would limit out. And who wouldn’t want to watch Democrats tie themselves in knots trying to figure out how to handle a “wise Latina” who doesn’t match their definition thereof?
Downside: Picking relatively lesser-known Governors hasn’t exactly panned out for Republican Presidential candidates of late.
The Trump-iest choice: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Upside: Christie booked an early seat in the past candidates’ section of the Trump Train. He’s a rare Republican who dominates politics in a Democrat state. He’s not only affable, he might be the most underrated public persona of the entire field.
Downside: He has zero credibility with conservatives. It would be like Trump picking the President of the Donald Trump fan club.
The olive branch choice: Iowa Senator Joni Ernst
Upside: She’s scary tough. Her conservative credentials are rock-solid. Her emergence in the 2014 midterms caught the Democrats completely by surprise. She’d be an outright monster on the campaign trail.
Downside: She hasn’t been shy about spanking Trump over his occasionally ill-advised comments about women. Trump clearly doesn’t handle criticism well. Hard to imagine he’d take it any better from his own team.
The say whaaaa? choice: Senator Bernie Sanders
It’s insane. But then again, what about the 2016 race hasn’t been? And it would create the perfect bumper sticker: Trump/Sanders 2016: Go Screw Yourself, America!
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