# Who will be Trump's VP? \[plus\] Trump's Vice-President choice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 20, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179 "2016-01-20T17:51:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/1 "2016-01-20T17:51:51Z")
I live in the UK, but am following the US Presidential race with great interest (since it will undoubtedly affect the World.) For purposes of this thread, **please assume that Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination**. (If you want my opinion of that, here it is - but it’s not relevant to my question) I think Trump has said some dreadful stuff including lies e.g. our English police are afraid to enter parts of London. I don’t even know how serious he is about the Presidency - I thought he was running as usual for the publicity… **Who do you think he would choose as his VP?** (You’re welcome to make it dependent on who wins the Democrat nomination.) ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/2 "2016-01-20T18:02:44Z")
I think he’s pretty unpredictable. It might tarnish his brand at this point to pick anyone who is a politician. I would probably try to find a general or someone who isn’t a politician but who would have good foreign policy cred. I don’t know who that would be. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/3 "2016-01-20T18:05:29Z")
If he wins the nomination, then the actual Republican party establishment will have to endorse and support him in what would have probably been a contentious party convention. During that convention process, I think it’s likely that Trump would have agreed to choose a VP that the party establishment finds at least somewhat acceptable – which means it could be a young Senator, or a governor, or someone like that. If he wins that means he’ll have savaged the other candidates so badly that it probably wouldn’t be one of them. I’d guess a swing state governor or senator, or possibly congressman. ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/4 "2016-01-20T18:10:06Z")
He should choose by having a special episode of The Apprentice - VP. Using picks from his short list. Seriously. Can you imaging the exposure? NBC would run it in a heartbeat, and probably give Trump a huge boost to funding the remainder of his campaign. He could use base his candidates on the different groups he is looking for support from. Giving each lip service and consideration. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/5 "2016-01-20T18:16:56Z")
As said above, a strategic choice from another part of the country. All the nonsense about Trump now is from his campaign to win the Republican nomination. With that in hand he’ll be looking at a running mate with broader appeal. He doesn’t have a lot of options, the bad economy is hurting all state governors, and there are any good choices in the Senate. Paul Ryan is a possibility, middle American, currently Speaker of the House. Running against Sanders gives him more options, he might go with a well known successful businessman if he can find anyone who’s willing to do it. He would like to have a running mate if Hillary is the opposing candidate but I can’t think of one that would suit his purpose right now. Despite the talk about Sarah Palin she’s an established loser, and Alaska is not a big electoral get. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/6 "2016-01-20T18:31:32Z")
What’s Admiral Stockdale doing these days? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/7 "2016-01-20T18:32:14Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > What’s Admiral Stockdale doing these days? Maybe Oliver North would like the job? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/8 "2016-01-20T18:32:51Z")
Scott Brown. He doesn’t really have a political career to risk any more. He may figure why not take a shot to get some ink in the papers and give him a leg up on the 2020 race. I don’t think Trump will have much of a stable to choose from, most Republicans will think joining the campaign is equivalent to boarding the Titanic. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/9 "2016-01-20T18:33:56Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > What’s Admiral Stockdale doing these days? That was exactly who I thought of, too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/10 "2016-01-20T18:35:08Z")
> [@Keweenaw](#): > > He should choose by having a special episode of The Apprentice - VP. Using picks from his short list… So, it _could_ be Gary Busey? Now, Universe, I know I haven’t been a very good pantheist, but if you could just give me this sign… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/11 "2016-01-20T18:40:38Z")
I think Sarah Palin is a possibility. I am almost 100% certain it will not be a white guy - it will be someone who can claim to belong to at least one minority group. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/12 "2016-01-20T18:41:13Z")
> [@Keweenaw](#): > > He should choose by having a special episode of The Apprentice - VP… One former Apprentice contestant who would make a hilarious VP choice: Penn Jillette. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/13 "2016-01-20T18:43:14Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > He doesn’t have a lot of options, the bad economy is hurting all state governors, and there are any good choices in the Senate. I thought the US economy was humming along pretty good these days. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/14 "2016-01-20T18:43:45Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > it will be someone who can claim to belong to at least one minority group. He could try to find a sane Republican - there’s a minority for you (at least ones currently holding elective office). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/15 "2016-01-20T19:05:20Z")
Dave Mustaine, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/16 "2016-01-20T19:14:15Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > What’s Admiral Stockdale doing these days? [Pushing up daisies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stockdale), alas. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/17 "2016-01-20T19:25:51Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I thought the US economy was humming along pretty good these days. It is. I’ve been sort of continually baffled by the consistent attempt by pretty much all the Republican candidates and their assorted groupies to assert otherwise. Do they really think Americans can’t remember eight years ago? Or is this one of these things we’ll stop hearing about once their nominee pivots to needing to appeal to a general election audience? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/18 "2016-01-20T19:28:07Z")
Sarah Palin. If a Democrat wins the presidency, we’ll file this under “entertainment”. If a Trump/Palin ticket wins, God help us all. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/19 "2016-01-20T20:51:32Z")
I think the question is, would the convention accept Trump’s choice without question? Then again, a vote to accept a Vice-Presidential nominee by acclamation is a voice vote, so anything even close to “aye” would be accepted. That being said…what’s George H.W. Bush doing these days? I was going to mention Elizabeth Dole, but she’s 80. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being Cruz. Then again, when was the last time the Presidential race runner-up got the VP spot on the ticket? (Not 1980; John Anderson finished second.) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179/20 "2016-01-20T21:11:41Z")
Tom Brady’s getting some kinda long in the tooth for football… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179.md?page=2)