Trump Has Several Good Options
When it comes to picking his vice president, Trump has several good options, and his choice may be made in one of two ways.
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One would be to pick a candidate with strong ties to a particular region or demographic group, which could bolster his votes. Or, he may simply choose someone directly aligned with his MAGA legacy, which would sit well with his followers.
Who Will Become the White House’s Next VP?
As reported by Dace Potas for USA Today, Trump’s supposed shortlist features many MAGA candidates, and voters’ interest grows as we inch closer to the Republican National Convention in July.
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According to Potas, “I believe that Trump’s best choice is to pick somebody who can make voting for him more palatable. Moderates who dislike President Joe Biden but are turned off by the Trump persona could be a deciding force in the election.”
Who Can Make Voting For Trump Easier?
In order to win over the one-in-five Republicans who are poised to vote against him, Trump may have to bring in a vice president who aligns with this percentage of voters.
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One candidate who may be able to sway conservative voters who don’t believe in Trump is Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a former South Carolina governor.
Nikki Haley
During Trump’s tenure as president, Haley was offered the position of former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, which she gladly accepted.
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Having formerly served as the governor of South Carolina, Haley has won over the hearts of many conservative voters during her political career and continues to have a strong presence among Republicans that could help Trump’s chances of a second term in office.
Haley Ran Against Trump in the GOP Primary
Haley originally ran as a potential Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Despite winning Washington, D.C., and Vermont, she eventually dropped out and endorsed Trump.
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“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and those beyond it to support him,” Haley said after dropping out. “I hope he does that.”
Why Haley Is the Right Choice
Haley could be exactly what Trump needs to win over the minor yet influential groups of conservatives who will not vote for the former president come November.
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According to Potas, “A Trump-Haley ticket would represent an olive branch extended between the two factions of the GOP at war with each other. Trump’s populist base would certainly take issue with it, but his supporters won’t let any VP choice stand in the way of their vote for him.”
Trump Roasts Haley
Despite the clear benefits of choosing Haley as his VP, Haley has remained absent from the rumored short lists that have been circulating online. One reason for this could be the hostile rivalry between the former governor and Trump during the primaries.
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After announcing she would be pulling out of the race, Trump shared the following to Truth Social. “Nikki Haley got TROUNCED last night, in record-setting fashion, even though Democrats, for reasons unknown, are allowed to vote in Vermont and various other Republican primaries.”
Haley is Still a Great Option
Despite the somewhat bitter rivalry between the conservative leaders, Haley remains a powerful choice for vice president and could sway the election in Trump’s favor, according to several political experts.
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As the former president is now a convicted felon, he has a new problem arising amongst American voters. According to The Hill, more than 20% of moderates and 10% of Republicans now claim they will not vote for Trump after being found guilty.
Front Runner for Trump's VP
Currently, Sen. Tim Scott appears to be the favorite to become Trump’s vice president. He has a proven track record as a legislator and has served in both the Senate and the House of Commons.
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Scott is a black conservative “allowing Trump to parry many of the attacks GOP campaigns face on racial issues. Scott is a quality choice for vice president, especially when you compare him with others,” said Potas.
Does Trump Want a Yes Man?
Several alternatives, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Rep. Byron Donalds may be a good choice if Trump opts for a yes-man.
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“However, if he truly does care for the state of the Republican Party, bringing a more principled conservative to the White House at his side could do wonders for Trump’s ability to bring the party closer together,” wrote Potas.
Haley Can Help Trump Win the Election
As things stand, Trump remains a highly popular figure amongst conservative voters and is very attentive to Biden as far as GOP voters are concerned.
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Undoubtedly, it will be a close election, and many voters may still be on the fence in the months that lie ahead. However, the scales may begin to tip in Trump’s favor should he choose a VP such as Haley, and the decision could ultimately be a deciding factor in this year’s election.