Donald Trump, now the presumptive Republican nominee, is strategically setting the stage for the general election. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of activity, from installing new leadership within the Republican National Committee, including his daughter-in-law, to solidifying joint fundraising endeavors with the party. Whispers even suggest a potential reunion with Paul Manafort, his former campaign manager, to steer the upcoming GOP convention. Furthermore, his legal team has successfully navigated and mitigated immediate legal pressures, notably reducing a substantial bond in his fraud case to a more manageable $175 million.
It appears the pieces are falling into place for Trump’s renewed presidential bid – his fourth, if we recall his brief foray in 2000. With these foundational elements addressed, one major decision looms large: the selection of a running mate.
The selection of a Vice President is a critical juncture, often likened to choosing the right vehicle. Do you require a minivan for broad appeal, or a sports car to make a bold statement? Historically, VP picks serve to bolster perceived weaknesses or amplify existing strengths within a presidential ticket. Trump’s selection of Mike Pence in 2016 aimed to reassure social conservatives and evangelicals. Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris was, arguably, driven by a desire to appeal to Black voters.
Sometimes, the perceived shortcomings of the presidential nominee dictate the VP choice. George W. Bush and Barack Obama, relatively young and inexperienced candidates, tapped into the seasoned political backgrounds of Dick Cheney and Joe Biden, respectively.
As Trump considers his options this time around, he must acknowledge the significant portion of the Republican party – roughly a quarter to a third – that rallied behind Nikki Haley and other alternatives during the primaries. Addressing this divide is crucial. Strategies include winning back these voters, attracting new demographics like working-class Black and Latino voters, or a combination of both.
However, the influence a running mate can exert on swaying voter opinion about Trump, a figure with near-universal name recognition, remains questionable. Unlike 2016, Trump may not need a VP to solidify his base; those Pence once attracted are largely already within Trump’s fold. Those still resistant are unlikely to be swayed by a VP choice alone, even a female candidate hoping to bridge the gender gap. Voters disinclined towards Trump, particularly women concerned about abortion rights, are unlikely to change their stance based solely on a female running mate.
Trump’s priorities have shifted. He now prioritizes unwavering loyalty and sycophancy over broad electoral appeal. Confident in his popularity, he seeks a VP to amplify his perceived strengths, not mitigate his weaknesses.
This leads us to figures like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. While Marco Rubio, who once cautioned against Trump in 2016, now expresses willingness to serve as VP, a more unconventional choice might align more closely with Trump’s current inclinations. Rubio, with his political agility, could appeal to suburban and Latino voters. However, the specter of potential impeachment looms large in a Trump presidency. Selecting a conventional, reassuring VP like Rubio or Tim Scott might inadvertently make removing Trump from office a more palatable option for some Republicans. Trump arguably seeks to avoid a repeat of the Pence scenario, where constitutional principles superseded personal loyalty during a crisis.
Instead, Trump might favor a “Renfield” to his “Dracula” – an utterly devoted and subservient figure. Marjorie Taylor Greene embodies this profile. Her fervent campaigning style and unwavering loyalty are undeniable. Her presence on the ticket would not only energize Trump’s base but also potentially deter any attempts to remove him from office, making the prospect too politically volatile.
While Greene herself might be deemed too polarizing for the VP slot, Trump is likely drawn to a similarly compliant and sufficiently formidable figure. Someone who can campaign aggressively, echoing Trump’s rhetoric, and ensure absolute loyalty. Perhaps Nancy Mace should keep her phone close at hand. The question isn’t just if Marjorie Taylor Greene flies a lot to campaign for Trump, but whether her high-profile and devoted campaigning is a strong signal of the very qualities Trump now prioritizes in a running mate. Her visibility on the campaign trail certainly positions her, or someone of similar mold, as a contender in Trump’s VP considerations.
