How Trump’s VP pick could be decided by Kamala Harris
As the competition heats up around this election cycle’s Veepstakes, Donald Trump is reportedly focused on one skill above almost all others: the ability to debate.
Among the large handful of strong contenders for the bottom of Trump’s ticket, including House GOP Speaker Elise Stefanik, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and Senators Tim Scott and Marco Rubio.
But in a long story article Published last week, the New York Times spotlights Ohio’s freshman Sen. J.D. Vance, a cultural conservative and former Trump critic turned MAGA champion and an accomplished wordsmith.
The Times states that ahead of the presidential and vice-presidential debates – which will begin early in this cycle – “debates have long been of extraordinary importance” to Trump, and that he will therefore look for someone who can speak in that area can perform well. .
His pick will stack up appropriately against Vice President Kamala Harris, whom the Times describes as “a veteran politician and former prosecutor.”
Ohio Senator JD Vance is reportedly among the top candidates for Trump’s running mate, thanks in no small part to his formidable debate skills, which he showcased during a competitive 2022 primary for the seat he currently holds.
To the extent that a formidable debater who can easily defeat the incumbent Veep is at the top of the former president’s list of priorities when choosing a running mate, Senator Vance is an attractive option not just because of his objective skills on stage, but because of his current determination to defend Trump through the media.
Despite criticizing the former commander-in-chief in the run-up to the 2016 election, the Hillybilly Elegy author dramatically changed his tune early in Trump’s first term.
In his 2022 race for the Ohio Senate — his first official foray into politics — Vance earned Trump’s support, weeks after his main opponents, businessman Mike Gibbons and former state Treasurer Josh Mandel, nearly clashed in a dramatic debate came.
Vance remained calm and eventually gained favor by pretending to be the “adult in the room,” reprimanding his peers for their unseemly behavior.
In his endorsement, Trump highlighted Vance’s ability to “destroy” his opponents in debates, a skill the presumptive nominee said could push a campaign over the finish line.
While many of Trump’s potential VP nominees are talented public speakers, Vance likely has an edge over candidates like Tim Scott and Marco Rubio, both of whom struggled in debates during their respective attempts to become president.
Dr. and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson is also a remarkably lackluster debater. His failed participation in one of the 2016 debates may still work against him in Trump’s eyes.
Doug Burgum, a relatively unknown politician prior to his run as a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, reportedly impressed Trump during the Republican debates when he refused to attack Trump and instead tried to focus on his energy and economic policy plans.
Trump’s campaign has emphasized time and time again that only the former president knows exactly what criteria he is looking for in a vice presidential candidate, and only he knows the timeline of his choice.
Trump has not yet decided on his vice president, but has reportedly ordered his campaign to send vetting papers to a number of contenders, including three senators, two congressmen, a governor and a former Cabinet secretary.
Trump’s pick will face incumbent Vice President Harris, who is not particularly known for her public speaking skills but will likely be well prepared to attack Trump at any vice presidential debate this cycle.
“Anyone who claims to know who or when President Trump will choose his vice president is lying, unless the person’s name is Donald J. Trump,” campaign spokesman Brian Hughes said in a recent statement.
He says he will likely announce his final decision at the Republican National Convention in July. At this point, at least a handful of potential VP picks have received requests from the campaign to vet the paperwork, including Burgin, Rubio, Vance and Scott.
Stefanik, Donalds and Carson are also believed to have received requests.
During a recent televised interview evening, Trump was asked about his VP choice. He responded by complimenting Vance, Rubio and Burgum in particular.
He also praised Scott, who “hasn’t run a race as well as he can run for himself… he’s incredible. He was incredible [as a a surrogate].’
“Governor Burgum of North Dakota was incredible. Marco Rubio was great. JD Vance was great,” he concluded. “We’ve had so many great people.”
But voters and potential nominees will have to wait for an official announcement.