# Who will be Trump's running mate? (J. D. Vance Has Been Chosen) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 22, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511 "2024-01-22T20:48:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 66
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1302 "2024-08-13T11:10:56Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Does Trump need to blame anyone — or admit anything — if Vance steps down on his own initiative? Or if Vance, y’know, _says_ that he’s stepping down on his own initiative? No need to blame. He might try saying what Biden said — unify the party. I see no harm in his telling the truth — Vance didn’t poll well. As for the last day when Trump can be reasonably sure all ballots will show the new VP name, someone here said September 1. But if Trump wins in November, whatever the ballots said, his electors will vote for the new ticket. All that matters is the name given on the [certificates of ascertainment](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_ascertainment). ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1303 "2024-08-13T11:35:20Z")
Maybe he should just find another running mate who’s also named James David Vance. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1304 "2024-08-13T11:51:50Z")
> [@Win\_Place\_Show](#): > > Would you “step down” and end your political career with this iteration of the Republican party, if you had a 45% chance of being one more KFC bucket away from the presidency? I don’t know; make me an offer. But make me _both halves_ of an offer: tell me exactly what I’ll get if I step down while Trump heaps praise on me — and tell me exactly what fresh hell is in store from me if Trump loses and heaps all of the blame on me. Okay, tell me a little more about the carrot. And then tell me some more about the stick. And then close with the carrot. I kind of like your odds of making the sale. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1305 "2024-08-13T13:37:28Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I see no harm in his telling the truth Well, _that_ gave me a chuckle. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1306 "2024-08-13T13:40:41Z")
It would certainly have novelty value. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1307 "2024-08-13T13:41:52Z")
Regarding Vance needing to step down before Trump replaces him, that’s per current Republican National Committee (RNC) rules. They can have change the rules whenever they want. And I’m seeing a bunch of articles saying that Trump controls the RNC, So Donald can privately tell Vance that we can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1308 "2024-08-13T14:21:19Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > tell me exactly what I’ll get if I step down while Trump heaps praise on me — and tell me exactly what fresh hell is in store from me if Trump loses and heaps all of the blame on me. The only difference would be the false promises Trump makes in the first instance. Once you give him what he wants, you’re no longer of any value to him. In either case, if Trump loses, you’re the fall guy who cost him everything. And even if Trump wins, well, that was all Trump’s doing. You were just the guy who Trump had to keep away from his couches. In either case, your political career is done. When Trump excommunicates you, every MAGA in the county will turn on you. You maybe finish out your term as Senator, and then get primaried. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1309 "2024-08-13T14:40:32Z")
I am constantly amazed at the number of people who have hitched their fortunes to Trump only to end up completely without dignity, credibility and in some cases, a livelihood. Think about Pence, Jeff Sessions, Giuliani and now Vance, they all crawled on their knees to kiss his ass and they all will have nothing to show for it. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1310 "2024-08-13T14:43:50Z")
He won’t be replaced. He doesn’t overshadow Don the Con (has no ‘accomplishments’). He’s loud. He’s a willing and enthusiastic liar (lies matter little to the cult). Hypocrisy, thy name is Vance, is a feature, not a bug. His wife is a ‘distraction’ to the white nationalists but not enough to switch votes or not show up at the polls. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1311 "2024-08-13T14:45:26Z")
No, he won’t be replaced, but he will be a national joke for the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1312 "2024-08-13T14:49:13Z")
And a very highly paid media analyst. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1313 "2024-08-13T15:03:13Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > And a very highly paid media analyst “Mr. Former VP Laughingstock Candidate, on a scale of “Potatoe” to “Couch Fucker”, how much does this latest scandal affect their campaign?” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1314 "2024-08-13T15:11:22Z")
There is no upside for Vance voluntarily withdrawing and too much work for Trump to get the RNC to drop him. Opportunism and laziness make interesting bedfellows. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1315 "2024-08-13T15:17:23Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > The only difference would be the false promises Trump makes in the first instance. I wasn’t counting on a promise from _Trump_ in the first instance; I was counting on a promise from a _Guy You Can Do Business With,_ who’d have the archetypal trait of actually following through when a bargain is struck: someone who (a) sure, offers a straight cash bribe dressed up as a cushy consulting job or whatever; but who also (b) pays up once the offer is accepted — because, as Jerry Seinfeld would emphasize, that’s really the most important part. Is a guy _other_ than Trump standing by to switch things from insecure to sinecure? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1316 "2024-08-13T15:24:31Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > And a very highly paid media analyst. You ever notice how many disgraced fascists go on Dancing with the Stars? That’s weird. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1317 "2024-08-13T15:30:11Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Is a guy _other_ than Trump standing by to switch things from insecure to sinecure? Well, we have no way of knowing that. But how would Trump respond to this? Someone else bribing Vance to stand down makes Trump look even weaker. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1318 "2024-08-13T15:35:18Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I am constantly amazed at the number of people who have hitched their fortunes to Trump only to end up completely without dignity, credibility and in some cases, a livelihood. Think about Pence, Pence ended up crashing on friends’ couches after leaving office. I can’t see anyone letting Vance do that. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1319 "2024-08-13T15:38:23Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Pence ended up crashing on friends’ couches after leaving office. I can’t see anyone letting Vance do that. You won the internet today. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1320 "2024-08-13T15:46:36Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Well, we have no way of knowing that. But how would Trump respond to this? Someone else bribing Vance to stand down makes Trump look even weaker See, I figured the first part there takes care of the second part — that _we_ have no way of knowing who’d actually be bankrolling this scenario, sure as _we_ don’t get to see Trump weakly standing off to the side while someone else bribes Vance to stand down — because _we_ only get to see Vance say some stuff and drop out of the race. And — much like when a CEO or the head of a university or whatever disingenuously explains that he’s stepping down because, gosh, he’d sure like to spend more time with his family or something — we all just sort of give a resigned nod to each other in a manner that says, _look, we don’t get to see any of the behind-the-scenes stuff on this one; but it’s theater, right?_ I mean, yes, the whole thing only hangs together if there are people willing to so pay off folks in situations like this: discreetly and reliably. But I guess I kind of took for granted that we all take for granted that there _are,_ in fact, rich people who fit that bill. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511/1321 "2024-08-13T16:11:01Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > And — much like when a CEO or the head of a university or whatever disingenuously explains that he’s stepping down because, gosh, he’d sure like to spend more time with his family or something — we all just sort of give a resigned nod to each other in a manner that says, _look, we don’t get to see any of the behind-the-scenes stuff on this one; but it’s theater, right?_ Except that most regular people have no stake in such mostly-private affairs. But when it touches on the office adjacent to the most powerful person on the planet? There’s no way Vance shows up with a shiny new 10 million dollars a year job, and someone doesn’t start asking questions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511.md?page=65) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-running-mate-j-d-vance-has-been-chosen/996511.md?page=67)