Not only has Donald Trump‘s much-awaited announcement of his vice presidential running partner been put on hold due to President Joe Biden‘s dismal debate performance.
The consequence, which has given Biden a never-ending string of bad news, has also given Trump the chance to second-guess possibly the most important choice of his campaign for reelection.
On Monday night, Trump conceded as much. He said he was still considering his options to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, two weeks after telling reporters he had made up his mind. According to Trump, the debate had become a last-minute consideration in his thinking, as had the question of whether Biden will be the Democratic nominee.
Trump stated over the phone for Hannity’s prime-time show, “Though I haven’t decided on a course of action, I have some ideas.” “And to be honest, we wanted to see what they’re doing for a little while. Since it might make a difference, you know. I’m not sure. I’m not sure if it would, but some claim that Trump is holding off until he learns what will happen to the dishonest Joe Biden. We’ll have to wait and see.
At a rally in Doral, Florida, on Tuesday night, Trump continued his rollout tease by visibly criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris, who may face him in the general election if Biden stands down.
The location further stoked rumors that Trump was going to choose Sen. Marco Rubio, whose political stronghold is in nearby Miami, along with Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, who have all surfaced as contenders.
Two hours before Trump mounted the platform, Rubio spoke to the rally attendees. This was shortly after the Trump campaign sent out a fundraising email implying that the announcement might occur during the event.
Even though Trump jokingly mentioned the rumors, it never materialized.
At one point, Trump remarked, “Because that would generate a lot of press, I believe they believe I’m going to announce Marco’s appointment as vice president.”
Since his June 27 debate with Trump in Atlanta, concerns over Biden’s suitability to serve another four years have dominated the political scene. Throughout the 90-minute session, Biden, 81, had a scratchy voice, a slack jaw, and occasionally seemed to lose his thread of thought.
While some Democrats have demanded that Biden resign from his position as the party’s presidential contender, others have countered that he needs to do more to prove to be able to defeat Trump, 78, in a rerun of the 2020 race. Other discussions have centered on potential successors for Biden and how they might be chosen. Should Biden withdraw his run for reelection, Harris and a number of Democratic governors have been floated as potential replacements.
Trump’s remarks to Hannity suggested that the prospect of facing off against a politically debilitated Biden or a whole different Democratic ticket would now influence his choice. In a contest between Biden and Harris, a running mate who makes sense could not make as much sense against Harris or against another candidate who appeals to a different electorate.
Trump paid more attention to Harris—whose first name he frequently mispronounced—during his rally in Florida than he usually does during campaign rallies. He called her a left-wing supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and said that she has underperformed in her role as Biden’s vice president. Additionally, Trump implied that Biden would continue to compete because Democrats would prefer not to field Harris as the head of their ticket.
Trump claimed that years ago, “they would have bounced Joe from office if he had chosen someone even remotely competent.” “But they can’t, they have to make her their backup plan.”
According to a close personal friend of Trump’s who has communicated with him on the selection process, the Biden fallout hasn’t altered the decision-making process, the source stated on Tuesday.
Speaking with Trump over the vice presidential selection process, a different Republican stated, “I simply don’t see that as being a part of this, and I haven’t been told that’s the idea, either.” They seem to know what they want to do and will likely stay with it.
Senior Trump advisor Brian Hughes responded in writing to earlier reports regarding the running mate hunt, saying that “If someone claims to know who or when President Trump will select his vice president, they are lying, unless that someone is Donald J. Trump.”
Vance, the freshman senator from Ohio, has the strongest argument to make in any situation the GOP ticket might find itself in, according to a Republican with close ties to the Trump administration.
“Based on what I’ve observed and my belief, [Democrats] would support Kamala and a governor from the Midwest like Josh Shapiro” of Pennsylvania, stated the anonymous person. When it comes to the idea where it switches to Kamala and someone like Shapiro who can go and bolster the blue wall, someone like JD actually expands the map and acts as a backstop. Because of this, he might be the only one who genuinely brings something interesting, and with his personality and communication style, you might see him simply scorching states.
According to the source, Rubio appeals to Latino voters, but the team is optimistic about its prospects in swing states like Arizona and Nevada, which have sizable Hispanic populations.
According to most, Doug Burgum is safe, the insider stated. “He doesn’t actually do anything; he doesn’t cause you any harm or assistance. He sort of lets Trump take center stage.
Some regard that as Burgum’s selling point.
Rubio and Vance “have been more rhetoric than actual content,” according to a former senior Trump advisor who has talked to him about the running mate hunt and is still close to the president. “has truly succeeded in his roles as governor and CEO, and I believe that Trump finds Burgum particularly appealing since he is not motivated by celebrity or wealth,” says the independently rich former tech businessman.
In an attempt to allay Democratic concerns, Biden has given multiple interviews and campaign appearances since the debate; in contrast, Trump had largely avoided the spotlight until Monday’s chat with Hannity. As stated by a Trump advisor on Tuesday, campaign staff members have been keen to avoid getting in the way of Biden as he garners negative press.
Trump told Hannity that, in accordance with his long-held desire, he would like to hold off on making his decision until the Republican National Convention next week.
Regarding the announcement of the running mate, Trump remarked, “I think probably within the next week.” “I would adore to carry it out at the convention. That seems a little difficult to my people.
According to a person close to Trump world, Trump is relishing the tension and “theatrics” surrounding his choice and is probably considering how best to “To make the biggest impression, take advantage of the situation.”
“It’s been difficult to predict that you really can’t punch through with all of the crazy stuff going on with Biden,” the person stated. “He might choose Jesus Christ, and you’re not going to win this battle just yet.
The source went on, “I do take him at his word that he actually wants to do it at the convention,” as was stated yesterday night. “It would make for excellent f—ing TV if he did it like a WWE walk-out, with smoke and a black screen before the person appears.”