I don’t think so. I think the Cruzes and Rubios of the world envision a post-Trump world that will return to their version of normal, where people admire high-class statesmen like themselves (ew!), with only maybe a touch of MAGA hijinks just for old time’s sake. I’m not sayin they’re right, but that’s my impression of how these Ivy League “men of the people” think.
I think they’re both very smart and recognize the Trump stink never leaves you once you’re all in, and cabinet position and VP aspirations are best left to those with zero chance of reaching those lofty heights except through Trump. Not necessary for men of greatness like themselves (again, ew!).
Well, I’m not Ted Cruz’ political adviser or therapist, so I can’t say with any degree of certainty what he envisions post-Trump. But even if Trump loses this November, his tens of millions of supporters are not going to disappear or fundamentally change their beliefs. Once Trump has finally, irrevocably shuffled off the political scene, whoever can pick up those supporters will be in a strong position to win the Republican nomination and (after eight years of Democrats in the White House and memories of Trump’s presidency even more faded) the Presidency.
Having been chosen by the man himself as his VP would mark Cruz as the heir apparent instead of just one of a dozen scheming Republican Senators desperate to be President. If he felt he needed to strategically tack on some positions in the wake of the GOP ticket losing in 2024, he’d have plenty of time to do so before 2028.
Also, no one – including himself – has ever conceived of Ted Cruz as a “high-class statesman.” He’s a vicious, driven, political climber who has zero interest in adhering to the decorum and niceties of the Senate.
Sure, but having to cowtow to the Trump for four years in a do-nothing job? He’d never be a Pence, and being an energetic, go-getter VP is not what Donald wants.
Only if Trump wins, and I don’t think Cruz is staking his future on that. So, in addition to the Trump stink he’d then have loser stench to deal with. Best to wait it out. Trump could be dead soon, for Pete’s sake.
I think so, too. Trump would consider the others too unreliable, and they bring nothing to the ticket that Trump doesn’t already have nailed down. Texas? Florida? If Florida doesn’t flip to Dem, it won’t be because of anything Rubio does or doesn’t do.
The name I’m hearing bandied about more recently is Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota. To see what he brings to the ticket, merely Google. It won’t be a surprise.
With the added bonus that Melanie Lynskey can double for her anytime.
I’m wondering if there is added value is having Trump’s running mate be a name that most Americans DON’T automatically associate with MAGA. Would that attract any moderates that get their political news from facebook friends?
He does seem to especially revel in the obeisance of those who have formerly opposed him but now happily sniff his butt like trained dogs, so my guess is closer to a Rubio or Vance than a Greene or Lake (though I don’t think it will be any of them in particular). I’ve also read that he’s a little turned off by people actively stumping to be his VP, though no idea how true that is.
Back on January 22 in post 16 of this thread I suggested it would be Stefanik. Though there are other possibilities I still think she is the most likely.
I don’t think any professional politician would take the role. Cruz isn’t dumb. He knows he can’t be anti-Trump and win but he’s not going to be his partner. Trump had the National Enquirer publish a story saying his father was involved in the Kennedy assassination. If Cruz happened to forget it was just brought up in the trial.
Well like I said, I don’t think that Trump will choose Cruz – it’s not like he needs help with Texas. But any Republican professional politician that Trump decides he wants as his VP will have no choice but to accept, if only because refusal would put them on Trump’s shit list and make them public enemy Number One in the eyes of Republican primary voters.
He could well pick someone whom he likes, and who he thinks will be very loyal to him, but who isn’t particularly experienced – as evidenced by a lot of his Cabinet and staff picks during his first term, he prizes loyalty over relevant experience. But, I don’t think Ayotte is that person.
And, as has been already noted in this thread, I am 100% certain that, if Trump picks a woman, he will pick a woman whom he finds to be very physically attractive. He really is just that shallow and predictable.
I don’t think so. It’s not like the prez candidate asks on national TV, not knowing what the answer will be. A potential VP could easily come up with some sort of reason acceptable to Trump’s baby-man ego (family commitments, I may retire, I’m not worthy) and we might never even know. Not everyone even wants the job, regardless of who is on top of the ticket, nothing personal.
Selecting a VP candidate is a somewhat drawn-out vetting process. It’s not like asking someone to the prom. A potential VP candidate who finds himself in the process can easily manage it to a “he’s probably not the guy” conclusion.
It’s obviously all hypothetical. He won’t ask, but I could easily see Trump simply announcing on national television who his VP will be, without bothering to confirm with him or her.
