The Republican primary campaign has taken on the appearance of a movie casting these days. During his election rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire, Donald Trump gathered to his side a series of contenders for the post of vice-president. Everyone sang his praises and competed in flattery in the hope of winning the leading role. These public hearings serve to put the different candidates in competition, a management method very popular with the former real estate developer who already used it in his game show. The Apprentice. It also allows you to test their oratorical quality, their popularity and… their ability to pass the polishing brush.
These live “job interviews” also maintain suspense and boost ratings. Generally, the winner of the primaries announces the name of his No. 2 in the summer, before the Party convention. But Donald Trump, ex-reality TV pro, is already providing some clues. During a meeting, he declared that he already knew “who it was going to be”. In an interview, he added simperingly that he was “a nice, pretty standard guy” and that “people wouldn’t be that surprised.”
The selection of a running mate is always strategic. He is chosen for his skills or for his ability to attract a segment of the electorate. Joe Biden, for example, called on Kamala Harris, a black woman, younger than him. In 2008, Barack Obama nominated Joe Biden because he had the foreign policy experience that the young senator lacked. As for Donald Trump, he chose Mike Pence in 2016 to secure the support of evangelicals. Above all, he wanted a teammate with total loyalty, who would not try to overshadow him.
A woman’s hypothesis
This year, it is said, he is considering a female No. 2 in an effort to appeal to white, urban female voters. There’s a lot of talk about New York State Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. This ambitious Trumpist recently stood out for her questions during a congressional hearing on anti-Semitism on campuses that led to the dismissal of two university presidents.
She’s “a killer,” Donald Trump exclaimed. Other contenders include Kristi Noem, the vivacious governor of South Dakota, and Kari Lake, a former TV anchor, both of whom ardently defend Trump. Also mentioned were the names of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, his former spokesperson who became governor of Arkansas; Marjorie Taylor Greene, elected from Georgia; JD Vance, senator from Ohio; and Tim Scott, a popular black senator from South Carolina who, after a failed run in the Republican primaries, is now campaigning for Donald Trump.
Nikki Haley, his opponent in the primaries, however, does not appear to be on the list. She “does not have the presidential stuff”, tackles the former president. His selection would be seen as a betrayal by the Trumpist “America First” base. The former ambassador to the UN actually advocates for an interventionist foreign policy. “Nikki Haley wants to engage in every conflict the world has to offer,” Trump’s son Donald Jr. quipped.
A very difficult position
The ex-president could, however, change his mind if the vote promises to be too close. Because Nikki Haley, a rather moderate woman of Indian origin, is likely to attract the centrist, female and educated electorate who, for the moment, are shunning him. “However, it is difficult to imagine that the choice of a No. 2 will significantly change the perception that Americans have of Trump, because everyone knows him,” said Joel Goldstein, specialist on vice-presidents at the University from St. Louis.
Even if he claims that his decision has already been made, nothing is decided. In 2016, he hesitated until the last moment before choosing Mike Pence. The most surprising thing is undoubtedly the number of candidates who are seeking this position, although it is far from being an easy task. “This requires responding tactfully to constant controversies and maintaining a relationship with Trump, which in itself constitutes a complex political and diplomatic challenge,” notes Rich Lowry, director of the conservative magazine National Review.
“Mike Pence’s experience calls for caution,” continues Joel Goldstein. After playing loyal lieutenant for four years, he was called a traitor by Donald Trump for refusing to block the transfer of power in 2020. On January 6, 2021, he was forced to go into hiding to escape the mob that was taking over. stormed the Capitol while chanting, “Hang Pence.” His political career was torpedoed, to the point that he had to abandon the primary race very early. Not very encouraging for his successor!
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