Looking at Trump’s Running Mate Prospects

As Donald Trump tightens his grip on the Republican nomination – even with Nikki Haley still in the race – politicos are ready to play their favorite quadrennial parlor game: Who will be the vice-presidential nominee? 

In 2016, Trump’s selection of Mike Pence as his running mate was a surprise; Pence had supported Ted Cruz in that year’s nomination contest. But Pence had two assets Trump wanted: congressional experience and the ability to lock in social conservatives. This odd couple worked pretty well, until Pence refused to overturn the 2020 electoral vote count, arousing Trump’s ire and stoking his obsession with absolute loyalty.

The number two slot is more important this year than ever. Given the advanced ages of Trump and President Biden, and the uncertainties of Trump’s legal troubles, Republicans need a capable vice-presidential nominee with solid credentials. This is especially true if they want to make Vice President Kamala Harris’ purported lack of suitability for the top job a central issue against the Democratic Party ticket.