Let The Veepstakes Begin

Podcast Summary

• Choosing a Running Mate: Balancing the Ticket and Addressing Concerns: During a presidential campaign, a nominee chooses a running mate to balance the ticket, bring a specific constituency or state, and address concerns. Trump's pick of Pence addressed his socially conservative credentials in 2016. In a potential 2024 election, age and temperament could be key factors.

  During the presidential primary, a nominee considers various factors when choosing a running mate. Historically, this decision is made to balance the ticket, bring a specific constituency or state, or reinforce a candidate's brand. In the case of Donald Trump in 2016, his choice of Mike Pence was seen as addressing concerns about his socially conservative credentials. Looking ahead to a potential 2024 general election, Trump might consider factors such as age and temperament, as both he and President Biden are around 80 years old and whoever is chosen could potentially step in if needed. The choice of a running mate can significantly impact a campaign and the eventual administration.

• Trump's Running Mate Decision: Balancing Political Pressure and Base Loyalty: Trump's choice for a running mate could be swayed by political advisers and base loyalty, but his past performance with moderate voters raises concerns for broadening appeal in a general election. The vice presidency's role has diminished, and Trump's dominating personality limits the impact of his running mate.

  Donald Trump's choice for a running mate in the upcoming presidential election could be influenced by his need to appease political advisers seeking a more stable or moderate candidate, as well as his base's intensity and devotion. However, his past performance with independent and moderate voters raises concerns about his ability to broaden his appeal in a general election. The vice president's role has diminished over time, and Trump's dominating personality as the definition of the Republican Party makes it unclear how much impact his running mate would have. Despite winning the New Hampshire primary and setting the tone for his nomination, Trump's handling of chaos and instability were major turnoffs for voters in 2020, particularly suburban women. Whether Trump is interested in picking a vice president to address these concerns is uncertain.

• Trump's stance on election results limits VP pick options: Trump's unwillingness to acknowledge Biden's win might force potential VP picks to express doubts about the process instead of the outcome to appeal to Republican voters' unease.

  Donald Trump's insistence on claiming the 2020 election was stolen could limit his options when choosing a vice presidential candidate. Trump's refusal to acknowledge Joe Biden's legitimacy as the President might not allow him to pick someone who openly acknowledges Biden's win. Instead, potential VP picks might have to toe the line by accepting the election results but expressing doubts about the process or system. This approach could help politicians speak to Republican voters' unease about the election without outright denying the results. The idea that "something was off" in the election is a prevalent sentiment among Republicans, and politicians can tap into this feeling without explicitly challenging the election outcome.

• Potential Republican VP picks for Trump's 2024 campaign: Nikki Haley, despite past criticisms of Trump, could strengthen his support among independents and moderate Republicans, making her a viable VP pick for 2024

  Potential Republican running mates for Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign could include those who have previously endorsed him, such as Tim Scott and Vivek Ramaswamy. However, the possibility of Nikki Haley, who has publicly criticized Trump and acknowledged Joe Biden's election win, is intriguing due to her appeal to independents and moderate Republicans. Despite their public disagreements, Haley's potential inclusion on the ticket could provide Trump with stronger support among these voter groups, making her a viable option for the vice presidency. However, her past criticisms of Trump and his accusations towards her may present challenges for their potential partnership. Sarah's reporting suggests that Haley has not explicitly addressed this possibility, maintaining a focus on her own campaign.

• Nikki Haley's potential vice presidential run: Nikki Haley, a possible GOP presidential contender, positions herself as an alternative to Trump and Biden. She's criticized both but may support Trump if he's the nominee. Her addition could benefit Trump due to her appeal and status. However, she must show loyalty and readiness to serve as a deferential VP to earn his trust.

  Nikki Haley, a potential Republican presidential contender, is positioning herself as a viable alternative to both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. She has criticized both leaders but has also expressed her willingness to support Trump if he's the nominee. However, it remains uncertain if Trump would reciprocate and consider Haley as his running mate due to their past disagreements. Historically, nominees tend to have a good relationship with their running mates, and Trump might find Haley's addition politically beneficial due to her appeal to disaffected Republicans and her status as a woman and person of color. Other potential female Republican vice presidential candidates include Tim Scott, Nancy Mace, and Elise Stefanik. Ultimately, Haley would need to demonstrate her loyalty and readiness to serve as a deferential vice president if she hopes to earn Trump's trust.

• Potential 2028 GOP Nominee in the Making: The 2024 Republican VP nominee could shape up to be a strong contender for the 2028 presidency, with Elise Stefanik being a possible choice to counteract Kamala Harris, while Trump might opt for a wild card like Vivek Ramaswamy

  The 2024 Republican Vice Presidential nominee could be seen as a potential 2028 nominee, especially if President Biden does not serve out his full term. The GOP may be considering a strong candidate, like Elise Stefanik, to counteract the perceived influence of Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump, however, may prefer a wild card pick, such as Vivek Ramaswamy, who is younger, a person of color, and from the business world, to continue his theme of disrupting the political norm. The Kamala Harris factor, with Democrats potentially positioning her as the de facto president, adds to the importance of this decision for the Republican Party.

• Trump's Unpredictable Vice Presidential Pick: Trump's choice of VP in 2020 remains uncertain due to his unpredictability, with the nominating conventions being a likely time for an announcement.

  The selection of Mike Pence as Vice President by Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign was an unexpected choice, and speculation is mounting about who could be Trump's running mate in 2020. Historically, nominees announce their vice presidential picks around the nominating conventions in the summer. However, given Trump's unpredictability, it could happen at any time. Tillerson and Mattis, Trump's former Secretaries of State and Defense, respectively, were chosen from the business world and military, but their tenures did not go well. Keep listening to the NPR Politics Podcast for the latest on the 2020 presidential campaign and its potential impact on your finances. Support for NPR comes from Washington Wise, an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab, and Mint Mobile, offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month.