It looks like former President Trump has whittled down his VP list to a gang of 8 – although, if you read about it on the Daily Mail (where they can’t count), they say the list has seven folks on it.
Nevertheless, as the Republican Party’s presidential nominating convention looms on the horizon (July 15th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Trump’s campaign is working to finalize the selection of a vice- presidential candidate.
According to Brett Baier of Fox News [1], the campaign has hit the ground running, ramping up the vetting process and casting a wide net over potential running mates.
Who are the likely candidates to be chosen?
Sources have confirmed that documents are being requested from a host of prospective contenders, signaling a shift into high gear for the vetting process. The names that have floated to the surface include (and I am putting them in order of MY preference):
Representative Byron Donalds of Florida
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida
Ohio Senator JD Vance
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum
Candidates aren’t letting the cat out of the bag.
When asked about the vetting process, Florida Representative Byron Donalds has chosen to play his cards close to his chest, telling Fox News Digital “I’m not going to comment on that. I’m going to leave that one alone.”
The choice of a vice-presidential candidate is often seen as a key strategic move, akin to a high- stakes game of chess where each piece must be carefully considered. In this instance, there are two reasons why Trump needs to pick the right person.
Why Trump needs to pick the “right” person.
First of all, Trump is old. Second of all, the Trump campaign is keenly aware of the need to select a running mate who can withstand the slings and arrows of a heated election season – which will be happening everyday.
As the clock ticks down to the convention, the Trump campaign is likely to keep its cards close to its chest, maintaining an air of suspense and intrigue, waiting for the right time to spring the person on us.
The former president himself has hinted that the big reveal might come just before or most likely during the convention, keeping everyone on their toes. The campaign’s senior adviser, Brian Hughes, who stated, “anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump.”