Trump VP: The 5 Likeliest Picks No One Is Talking About
Trump VP speculation is on now that the Donald is the presumed Republican nominee, who will face off against Hillary Clinton in November.
Many political news outlets are trying their hand at figuring out the mind of Donald Trump, but so far that hasn’t been easy to do.
Often discounted by media and establishment types within his own party, the real estate mogul and former reality television star racked up primary after primary until the improbable turned inevitable.
Now the question remains: Who will he pick to include on the ticket?
Every site from the Washington Post to MSNBC has taken a crack at selecting Trump VP picks, and while some compelling points are raised, it’s difficult to say what the Donald will actually do.
He has demonstrated throughout his primary run that he prizes loyalty as well as individuals who will not overshadow his own larger-than-life personality.
While some of the obvious Trump VP choices have been former running mates like Chris Christie, Ben Carson, and Marco Rubio, it is unlikely they will end up on the ticket for the simple fact that Trump has said in the not-too-distant past, “I don’t like losers.”
All three men lost to Trump himself, and that’s a fact that will likely not be lost on him when the time comes to make his selection.
As the Trump VP pick moves nearer, look for candidates who are riding momentum and who can help Donald Trump with key areas in which he may struggle to find support such as women, Latinos, and Bernie Sanders voters.
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With the right messaging and a shift to the center, which he is already doing, these are the Trump VP picks that could give him the White House.
5. Joni Ernst
How she helps: Ernst, the U.S. Senator from Iowa, can help make inroads with women voters while helping Trump shore up his conservative credentials, which were under heavy attack during the GOP primaries.
Why she may not get it: Trump, at this point, shouldn’t be particularly concerned about playing to the right. Hillary Clinton has already ensured their support. He should instead make a play for the center, and Ernst would not help him do so.
4. Susana Martinez
How she helps: Former Democrat Martinez, the Governor of New Mexico, would help repair some of the major weaknesses that Trump’s campaign has with Latinos. She could also do the same with women while helping Trump establish a “sensible pro-life” position among voters. (Martinez opposes elective abortions but has not taken as hard of a line on abortion as most Republicans.) While opposed to most of the Affordable Care Act, she is also not in favor of gutting the law but keeping its most popular provisions intact.
Why she may not get it: Firstly, she has openly expressed a lack of interest. Secondly, she is for Common Core, which is diametrically the opposite of Trump’s position.
3. Newt Gingrich
How he helps: Gingrich has “political” experience out the wazoo, something that a Trump VP pick would need per the Donald himself. He has also never shied away from a fight with the Clintons, and that could help in a head-to-head matchup with Hillary Clinton.
Why he may not get it: With his marital record, Gingrich would offer no help whatsoever with women voters. He’s also too Republican to sway Sanders’ supporters, a group Trump has said he is interested in going after for their similarities on trade.
2. Rick Scott
How he helps: Scott is a two-term governor from the important swing state of Florida. He has also endorsed Trump.
Why he may not get it: Like Martinez, he has openly said he’s not interested. Also, the final Trump VP should probably be someone who can help Donald repair some of the damage he’s done with women and Latino voters. Scott would make the ticket just two white guys, which would be unlikely to do the trick.
1. Jim Webb
How he helps: For starters, he is currently a Democrat. Also, he has indicated in past interviews that Hillary Clinton is unfit to be President. He has also refused to speak ill of Trump. His inclusion as a Trump VP pick would give the Donald some serious street credit with Independent voters.
Why he may not get it: Webb hates campaigning, and as evidenced in his run for the Democratic nomination this year, isn’t that great at it. He would also bring with him the same danger of turning the ticket into “just a couple of old white guys” (see Gingrich and Scott).
So there you have it, readers: The five most likely Trump VP picks to win the White House. Do you agree or disagree, and which names should be included on this list? Sound off in the comments section below.
[Image via Flickr Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore]
