It is extremely early in the 2024 race for the GOP nomination for President, but that hasn’t stopped the media from speculating on potential running mates for President Donald J. Trump.
Syracuse.com reported Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene as a potential vice president, but my gut tells me Trump will want a safer choice who will not alienate people much the same way, well, he does.
Yes, MTG has been incredibly loyal to Trump, but more than loyalty, I think Trump wants the “w.” And I’m not sure MTG helps him appeal to voters he doesn’t already attract. Perhaps she has insanely high favorability numbers in Georgia, which will undoubtedly be a key 2024 state, but I tend to doubt it.
Conservative Brief reported that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has been suggested as a viable option for Trump. Reynolds cruised to re-election and was just announced as the leader of the Republican Governors Association.
Reynolds would seemingly be a safe choice for President Trump. I’m not sure how her relationship with consultant David Kochel, who helped her write her response to Biden’s State of the Union and has a strong disdain for Trump, would impact the potential pairing.
Reynolds shares some common traits with Mike Pence, being a governor from the midwest. The question for Reynolds is whether or not she would want to take the risk and then actually serve as Vice President. If asked, I highly doubt she would turn it down.
Kari Lake, who allegedly came up short in her bid for Arizona Governor in 2022, just met with President Trump this week. She too has been a Trump loyalist. However, I would have similar concerns with her as I do MTG. Does she attract a voter Trump doesn’t already have? How does she build his base?
The answer? I don’t think she does.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was mentioned. She was quick to endorse Trump’s 2024 run. She may have appeal to non-Trump voters, but does she have the necessary experience to be trusted to be one heartbeat away from the presidency?
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley were also suggested as potential running mates. Haley had some pretty harsh criticisms of Trump shortly after Jan. 6. And she isn’t a sweetheart for some key conservatives.
Noem is a possibility, but it almost feels like she “peaked” too soon. Noem would be a similar selection to Reynolds. Both from a red state. Neither up for re-election in 2024. Both have executive experience. Both would appeal to more voters than MTG and Kari Lake.
I would be surprised if Trump didn’t select a woman to help blunt some of his struggles reaching those voters. You know, if gender is still even a thing in 2024. What do I know?
If I were a betting man, I think of this group I’d lean toward him selecting Reynolds or Noem. As much as I like MTG, I just don’t see it as a reality. I also don’t know that Kari Lake has proven near enough to be the VP. Although a debate featuring her and Kamala Harris would be a lot of fun. I can’t imagine Trump looking past Haley’s criticisms of him, but I could be wrong.
What do you think? Feel free to submit your thoughts to [email protected] and we’ll get them published!
I think Kari Lake would be a shining star and a great pick for VP. America needs her in this fight. President Trump and Kari Lake would be an unstoppable force against the communist left wing radicals and fake news media. Kim Reynolds unfortunately is too weak and would crumble under the pressure, in my opinion. She’s done ok but could do better, I could see her distancing herself from Trump with any new witch hunts, which would cause more division.
What about Tulsi Gabbard??
If Trump picks Reynolds that tells me he has learned little as far as discerning who is for him and who will SUPPORT him when the going gets tough and who will have his back. Not Reynolds. She has been a huge disappointment.