Donald Trump’s VP List Revealed — See The Names On Republican’s Shortlist
Ben Carson revealed the shortlist of vice presidential candidates Donald Trump is deciding between, according to a recent media report.
According to The Washington Post report, Ben Carson named New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Ohio Governor John Kasich, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as candidates on a shortlist to become Donald Trump’s future VP pick. Carson would not confirm if other names were on the list, only affirming the aforementioned candidates were being considered for a Trump ticket.
Donald Trump’s VP shortlist is “in his mind,” according to a top campaign aide https://t.co/odEX06NsuE | AP Photo pic.twitter.com/aeyncMUuOo
— POLITICO (@politico) May 12, 2016
Speculation over who Donald Trump — the presumptive Republican nominee for President — would pick as a running mate has grown rapidly since a report by MSNBC suggested a shortlist had been created. According to the report, Donald Trump had narrowed the field to “five excellent candidates” as a potential VP for the general election.
What Donald Trump is looking for in a running mate is someone with government experience to push through his legislation. That is one reason — as The Washington Post suggested — Ben Carson is not a potential VP pick. Donald Trump confirmed his needs and aspirations for a VP candidate in a recent interview.
“I’m a business person. And I’ve got that covered. But [in] the political world — although I’ve been in politics all my life in a different sense on the other side — I think having somebody that can get legislation though, and help me with that, would be good.”
The problem that’s apparent since the names were released is how hard of a time Donald Trump will have to fill this role. None of the five names on his shortlist have signaled a desire to fill the VP portion of the ticket.
Two of the individuals mentioned as potential VP candidates for Donald Trump — John Kasich and Marco Rubio — have already signaled they are not interested in the opportunity. While John Kasich reportedly said “never” when asked about becoming VP, Marco Rubio cited differences in beliefs as his reason to decline the role.
“While Republican voters have chosen Donald Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee, my previously stated reservations about his campaign and concerns with many of his policies remain unchanged, As such, I have never sought, will not seek and do not want to be considered for Vice President.”
Sarah Palin has been more interested in the role. However, she politely declined due to negative comments her role in a Donald Trump campaign could bring.
“I want to help and not hurt and I am such a realist that I realize there are a whole lot of people out there who would say, ‘Anybody but Palin.’ I wouldn’t want to be a burden on the ticket. And I recognize that in many, many eyes I would be.”
While Donald Trump could seek to unify the party in picking former presidential hopeful and rival Ted Cruz, the U.S. Senator does not appear to have any interest in the position. According to People, Ted Cruz said that “it ain’t gonna happen” when asked about the chances of running on the Republican ticket this year under Donald Trump. He further said there was “absolutely zero chance” he would become the VP on the ticket.
Chris Christie is not publicly pushing for the spot, either. Citing reports he was on a shortlist in 2012, Chris Christie doesn’t think he’ll be heavily considered as a VP for Donald Trump, according to CNN.
“You’ll have to ask Donald that,” Christie said in a recent interview in response to being on a Donald Trump shortlist for VP. “I was on the shortlist last time too. So it doesn’t mean a whole heck of a lot.”
Other potential candidates have also been mentioned in recent weeks, including a handful of U.S. Senators. That’s in addition to several state governors, especially since a majority of states have elected Republican governors over the past few years.
Donald Trump meets with GOP senators — and potential VP picks https://t.co/qalq1aumMG pic.twitter.com/TGFDubyihp
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 13, 2016
Since becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump has focused on unifying the party by meeting high-level congressional members, including a highly-publicized meeting with Paul Ryan. While potential VP picks may have been brought up during the meeting, Paul Ryan has still not publicly endorsed Donald Trump.
What do you think about the shortlist of VP candidates Donald Trump is considering? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
[Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images]
