Rumor has it that former President Donald Trump is considering selecting former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as his running mate. The primaries are far from over, but the former president still enjoys a commanding lead over the rest of the Republican field, and his likely nomination has prompted many to speculate about whom he might choose to join him on the ticket for 2024. According to a CBS News report, some in Trump’s orbit have suggested that he has been soliciting advice on possibly picking Haley as his running mate.
As the report suggests, folks in MAGA world are not too happy about the prospect of Haley joining the ticket. Some have made their feelings known on X, formerly known as Twitter. If Trump were to select Haley, it might not please his base, but it could potentially help him reach moderates and independents. She could help the ticket appeal to women and suburban voters, a demographic with which the former president has underperformed. Even further, Haley could give Trump an edge over Biden in swing states, according to the findings of a poll released earlier in December.
On the other hand, the base cannot be discounted. These are the people who have been most gung-ho about getting Trump back in office to finish what he started in 2016. To these folks, Haley still represents the establishment. Her hawkish foreign policy stances don’t exactly endear her to the MAGA base either. This could become an albatross around Trump’s neck. The former president will still need to maintain his support with the base in 2024, and having Haley on the ticket might pose a challenge in this regard. Moreover, the move could turn off the more populist types, who are virulently antiwar. Of course, Trump has not made a decision yet as the primaries are still in full swing. Nevertheless, this development has already piqued the interest of the chattering class and will continue to fuel speculation going into 2024. keep your friends close but your enemies closer! |
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