Would Trump Choosing A Woman As His VP Be Beneficial?

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Top VP Choices of GOP Voters

In a recent poll by I&I/TIPP, GOP voters shared their preferences for who should be former President Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leading the pack, followed by former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The poll showed DeSantis with 14% support, Haley at 11%, Ramaswamy at 8%, and Abbott at 7%.

Interestingly, none of these top choices align with the individuals Trump is reportedly considering, as last week’s news revealed that his campaign has been vetting other potential candidates. Among those reportedly asked to submit vetting documents are North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Other potential candidates on Trump’s list include Florida Representative Byron Donalds, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, and Dr. Ben Carson, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump.

The poll results have sparked discussions among Trump’s supporters, with some speculating that the discrepancy between voter preferences and Trump’s list could either be a strategic misdirection or a result of personal motivations, especially given that both DeSantis and Haley have contested Trump for the party’s presidential nomination.

The poll also measured support for other potential running mates, with Scott garnering 6%, Carson 5%, political commentator Tucker Carlson 4%, and former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard 3%. Interestingly, Burgum and Rubio each only received 2% support, matching that of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Arizona U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake.

The survey underscores a significant portion of undecided voters, with 26% of respondents unsure of their top choice for vice president. When asked for both a top choice and a second choice, DeSantis was preferred by 24% of respondents, Haley by 15%, Abbott by 13%, Scott by 12%, and both Ramaswamy and Carson by 11%.

The situation poses a critical question: Will Trump choose a running mate who complements his political strategy and policy initiatives, or will he opt for a candidate who can attract a broader demographic but potentially play a limited role in governance?