Former President Donald Trump has all but won the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, but he still has not chosen a running mate.
Conservative activists attending CPAC on Friday shared their thoughts and predictions about who Trump should be his running mate in November.
John Paul, 20, of Virginia said he favored former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who left the party.
“I think she, especially her foreign policy positions, could also be very helpful with Trump and the upcoming election and as a former Democratic candidate,” he said, adding that he believed a Trump/Gabbard ticket would have broad appeal would have. to the electorate.
CPAC attendees weigh in on former President Donald Trump’s shortlist for a 2024 running mate
CPAC attendees weigh in on former President Donald Trump’s shortlist for a 2024 running mate
Gabbard spoke to a packed ballroom Thursday evening at CPAC. CPAC attendees were also excited by a speech by Trump’s former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson.
Other vice presidential hopefuls, such as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Rep. Elise Stefanik, will give speeches at the conference scheduled for Friday.
Talks about Trump’s running mate got underway in earnest this week after the former president was asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday for a list of possible choices, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Representative Byron Donalds, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Trump confirmed that they were all on his shortlist.
“Honestly, all those people are good. They’re all good, they’re all solid,” he said.
Devin, 20, of Virginia said he would like to see a unity ticket with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
“If she ends her campaign and they can mend ties, I think he can bring back the mood of the establishment,” he said, though he conceded it might be too late for Haley to mend fences with Trump as president . contentious primary continued.
Another young man came forward to support right-wing firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz.
“He did a lot of great things in Congress to get rid of McCarthy,” he said, referring to Gaetz’s successful effort to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the chairmanship. “I’ve never been a McCarthy fan.”
Another North Chicago man endorsed the idea of former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., as a good running mate for Trump.
“Great guy,” he said, citing his campaign skills. ‘I really feel like Lee has the charisma. But he also has the ability to turn around states that could not be changed.”
Luke from Maryland said he liked Tulsi Gabbard.
“I feel like she’s very electable because she’s more independent,” he said.
Charlie from Connecticut said he liked Vivek Ramaswamy or Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.
Charlie said he would never support the idea of Nikki Haley as vice president because of her foreign policy views.
‘We have seven boys. Most of them are military age,” he said. ‘We don’t want wars. I’m looking for someone who will promote peace, like Trump did.
His wife Emma Mae said she liked Ron DeSantis as a running mate, but she didn’t know whether he would join Trump after running for president against him.
Kaity from New Jersey said her three possible choices were Ben Carson, General Michael Flynn and Tucker Carlson.
Charlie from Connecticut said he liked Vivek Ramaswamy or Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.
Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
Dawn and James from Wisconsin said they liked Elise Stefanik and Ben Carson.
Melissa said she thought Trump should choose a woman, so she preferred Gabbard or Kristi Noem.
Terri from Pennsylvania said she preferred Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Trump’s running mate, advancing the idea that Kennedy would end his independent bid to become president to join Trump. That ticket, she explained, would have widespread appeal that could easily win in November.
Kate from Maryland and Amy from North Carolina both said they liked Ben Carson.
“He is measured, calm and contradictory to Trump. And I think he would actually be a great president,” Kate said.
One woman said she favored Sen. Tim Scott, who ran for president in 2024 but ultimately dropped out to support Trump.
“He has a great message, I think he’s a lovely man and I love his story,” she said.
Another woman, Margaret from Virginia, captioned “that girl from Hawaii,” referring to Gabbard.
“I think she’s fierce,” she said. “I think that’s what we need.”
One woman, Marlene, said she liked Gov. Kristi Noem and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, R-Ark., but added that she would hate to see the popular governors leave their states.
Stephanie from New York supported Noem and Gabbard because they were both “excellent fighters.”
CPAC organizes a straw poll where visitors can vote for their favorite running mate for Trump.
The results will be announced at the end of the conference on Saturday at 4:00 PM EST.