Is Winsome Sears on Trump's Short List for a Running Mate?KAREN TOWNSEND 1:00 PM | May 04, 2024
AP Photo/Steve Helber
Is Winsome Sears on former President Trump's short list of potential running mates? She's an interesting choice under consideration, if true.
With Biden's America in chaos and plagued with crime, a strong proponent for law and order would fit in well with Trump's strong support for law enforcement. Sears is a former Marine and she is tough on crime.
She's a rising star in Republican politics. Like Trump, she is known for delivering unfiltered opinions on controversial topics. At a time when college campuses are being disrupted by pro-Hamas demonstrations, the Trump campaign may be thinking about a strong show of support for law and order to contrast with Biden's cowardice in addressing the problem.
And, she is a black woman. Sears would provide a sharp contrast to Kamala Harris on a debate stage.
She told Neil Cavuto on Fox Business Channel that "We're not doing crazy in Virginia" when asked about campus protests.
One story in NewsNation is that there may be a problem with Sears if she is chosen because she was born in Jamaica.
A hurdle (or not) is that she was born in Jamaica and thus, could never serve as the President of the United States — something my source says Trump sees as a benefit as she would never seek to oust him. But, it is unclear if she would be able to perform the duties of the President should Trump become ill, hospitalized, or die in office due to the country of her birth.
There is the 12th Amendment to consider. "But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States."
Still fun to think about. Sears is pretty great.
Ironically, Kamala Harris's father is Jamaican.
The speculation on a potential running mate for Trump is heating up as we get closer to the Republican convention coming up this summer. A short list of four people popped up in the news this week - Senators Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and J.D. Vance made the list. Also on the list was North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
Tim Scott has been rumored to be a Trump favorite since he suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump. Scott campaigns with Trump on the road. As with all politicians, there are pros and cons with Scott.
Pros: The genial South Carolinian would be the GOP’s first black vice presidential nominee. Victory would set him up well to be just the second black president and would set up a useful contrast with Vice President Kamala Harris. Worked well with Trump during his first term. A solid fundraiser whose optimism might smooth over Trump’s “American Carnage” rough edges.
Cons: Scott’s presidential campaign this year floundered as he struggled to connect with Trump-era Republican voters. His support for criminal justice reform isn’t the positive it was before crime reemerged as a top issue in 2020. Not from a state that is really in doubt in November. While fairly benign compared to the matters being discussed in Trump’s Stormy Daniels hush money trial, the recently engaged Scott’s carefully guarded dating life seemingly fascinates political reporters.
Choosing a black running mate could put an ugly comment Joe Biden made on the campaign trail back into play. Remember when Biden told a predominantly black audience that Mitt Romney would put them back in chains in 2012? Biden is hemorrhaging black voter support according to polls.
In 2012, while he was vice president and campaigning for President Barack Obama in Virginia, Biden told a diverse crowd of 800 that the Republican challenger Mitt Romney wanted to repeal financial regulations and added: “He’s going to let the big banks once again write their own rules — unchain Wall Street! They’re going to put you all back in chains!” While Biden was referring to Republican economic policies, our insider said, “It’s not a good look for him right now. Telling African Americans they will be back in chains, with the slavery reference… and especially since the community feels forgotten by the Biden administration as the migrant crisis gets worse.”
The veepstakes is a fun parlor game. Trump said he will make his choice known closer to the convention. We know one person who is off the shortlist now - South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. She isn't likely to get a cabinet position, either.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem not only blew up her (slim) shot at being Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick when she bragged about shooting a rambunctious puppy in her soon-to-be-released book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” She also blew up any chance she had of being picked to serve on Trump’s cabinet or in another prestigious post, my insiders say.
“She’s done. Out,” a major Republican donor told me. “Trump doesn’t exactly like dogs, but he knows people love them and isn’t going to be associated with this. This is a dumber move than Mitt Romney’s dog story.”
There is a deep bench of potential Republican choices for Trump to consider. The most important consideration is who can follow him and run in 2028 if Trump is successful in winning the election in November.
I Would Have Said; I HAVE Said, "No Way Will I Vote For Trump!"
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