Kari Lake among 4 women Trump's considering for VP pick
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
- Mike Allen, author of Axios AM
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Kari Lake of Arizona kisses a portrait of former President Trump after speaking at CPAC in National Harbor, Md., on Friday. Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters
Former President Trump is strongly considering picking a female running mate — and sees Kari Lake as a model for his vice-presidential pick, according to people who discussed the topic with him.
Why it matters: Trump is already gaming out the general election in November 2024 — and knows he has a massive weakness with the white suburban women he would need to beat President Biden.
Lake, a former TV anchor who lost her race for Arizona governor in November, meets Trump's most important qualification for a No. 2:
- She has shown she's willing to defend him vociferously, no matter the issue or controversy.
- But Trump friends say Lake carries a big downside: He wants no risk that his running mate could outshine him. Lake would be assumed to be angling for president from the day she entered the White House. She made a political trip to Iowa last month.
- And of course losing her winnable governor's race (which she challenged) hurts her mojo.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said: "Anyone who thinks they know what President Trump is going to do is seriously misinformed and trying to curry favor with 'potential' V.P. candidates."
- "President Trump will choose his running mate on his own time, and those who are playing the media game are doing so at their own peril."
Between the lines: The characteristics Trump is most looking for are, ironically, quite like former Vice President Pence, with whom he's no longer on speaking terms.
- Trump wants someone who is unfailingly loyal — and bland enough that they don't steal any spotlight.
Some close to Trump think Nikki Haley — former South Carolina governor, and his ambassador to the UN — might be the best fit.
- She's his best-known declared opponent for the GOP nomination. He calculates she doesn't take a single vote from him.
Another strong fit might be Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was Trump's White House press secretary.
- Trump recently asked her for an endorsement in the presidential race and she demurred, as the N.Y. Times' Maggie Haberman reported.
- But Sanders left an opening to embrace Trump if he looks like a winner.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem also is frequently mentioned by Trump confidants as having strong veep potential.
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Team Trump is confidently vetting his VP picks!
By vetting, do you mean providing a pillow for them so they don't get carpet burns on their knees?
You really think Trump would pay for knee pads? Only if they came free with his Happy Meals.
Great: Deaf and Dumb, a "Honey Bun" for VP! TRUMP IS DESPERATE! Does that CON ever change his strategy, or is he always cruising the streets for new talent?
Look what it did for McCain. In fact, does Trump know that Palin is single and available?
She's too old for him
Oh, let's talk about vetting and the current VP that makes Dan Quayle look like Albert Einstein.
OMG! I actually agree with you!
She was and is a bad choice
Has he picked his choice of prison yet?
His aide told my "sauces" that T-Drump is reviewing all the offers, but prefers the "Executive Suite" at Riker Island.
The FCA Terre Haute, IN has prepared a place.
I hear there's a great Supermax vacation facility in Colorado....somewhere....
canon city.
Thank-you. Is that out in the middle of no where? Seems we went past it when we were driving up I-25 our of Texas. Close to Colorado Springs?
southwest of the springs. it's a prison town with several.
If so, it will be no worse than Conrad Black's digs.
Taking into consideration he was a past POTUS, maybe he will simply be restricted to the Mar a Logo property, so able to live in his home and play golf. Canada was very considerate with the CFO of Huawei when she was detained. She was allowed to live in one of her Vancouver mansions and could go out anywhere in Vancouver provided she wore an anklet GPS transmitter and was accompanied by a police chaperone. I can't see Trump being deposited into the general prison population.
Take her! Take her!
she and ginny thomas can pull the funeral wagon down pennsylvania avenue when the time comes...
Kellyanne and George are getting divorced ... Donald/Kellyanne v. Joe/George 2024?
Kari Lake will have to resign the governorship that she won in AZ before accepting the VP nod. /s
So draining the swamp was not enough… now they must drain the lake.
Is it just me or does it look like Kari is grabbing trmp's ample ass in that photo?
or picking his pocket