There is just over a month left until the Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump will be officially nominated for a third run for the White House. As the battle for the top job becomes more intense by the day, there is increasing speculation about who Trump’s candidate might be. Although the former president seems pretty resilient, it would be a wise decision to select a younger candidate for the vice-presidential post given his age.
As of this week, a few more names have been added to the list of possibilities. The Trump campaign team has contacted three more candidates and asked for test material: These three are Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum and Senator JD Vance (R-OH). It is unclear what exactly Information was requested.
Former President Donald TrumpThe Trump campaign has begun formally requesting information from a handful of potential running mate candidates, ABC News has learned, marking a significant escalation in the process that will ultimately lead to Trump choosing a vice presidential nominee.
Those asked by the campaign to review records include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Senators Marco Rubio and JD Vance, sources told ABC News. Quiet outreach by campaign staffers intensified last month while Trump was preoccupied with his hush money trial, the sources said.
Others are likely being considered for the No. 2 job, but the initial inquiries reflect who is at the top of Trump’s list at this point. Campaign officials say the final decision is up to Trump.
This last sentence is perhaps an emphasis on the obvious.
Prior to this latest document request, several other candidates were also asked to submit verification documents.
Representatives of the Trump campaign team have also requested information from Senator Tim Scott, Representatives Byron Donalds and Elise Stefanik, and Ben Carson, sources said. However, it is unclear how extensive the requests were.
Representatives for Burgum and Vance did not respond to ABC’s request for comment. Rubio denied that he had been contacted by the Trump campaign.
“I haven’t spoken to them about the vice president,” Rubio told ABC’s Rachel Scott on Wednesday.
What conclusions can we draw from this? Probably none.
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There are a few things we can speculate about, though. While Trump isn’t necessarily asking for input, there are a few things he should (and probably will) consider in this upcoming election.
First, age. Ideally, the pick is adolescent, lively, and full of energy. While Donald Trump seems to be in great shape for his age, he is still, well, a man of his age. Having a adolescent vice president who the nation can see is ready to step in should anything happen to the president is a plus.
Second, electability. Whoever Trump picks will have the edge, so to speak, to run as the 2028 presidential candidate. Whoever that person is, assuming Team Trump wins in November (which is quite likely), should enter the vice presidency with that in mind from day one; unless Trump, like Cheney, chooses someone who has no intention of seeking the job.
Third, resilience. A second Trump term will have to endure everything the Democrats and the established media throw at him, and that will be an assshow of gigantic proportions. The Vice President will face every attack imaginable, both professionally and personally, and he better have the stamina to weather it and still head into 2028 with confidence.
Yet there is one name missing from this list: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In many ways, the governor of Florida seems to be an obvious choice: one of, if not The most successful Republican governor in the country; he is tough, confident, capable, and one of the top candidates that comes to mind for 2028. Another intriguing possibility not mentioned here is Tulsi Gabbard, who has been the subject of much speculation but has not been mentioned by Trump himself as a candidate.
The former president has said he will likely announce his choice to the GOP. Conference next monthIf things stay that way, we will know in just over a month – and then things can get started after the party conference.
