Elder Statesman: Is This GOP Hopeful Just Hoping to be Donald Trump’s VP Pick? – There is already a well-established “shortlist” of potential running mates should former President Donald Trump become the Republican Party’s nominee in 2024.
Clearly, GOP firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia tops any list.
She’s been a loyal – even sycophantic – supporter of Trump, and she could be crucial to ensuring that the once reliably red Empire State of the South wouldn’t go for President Joe Biden again.
There has also been some talk that defeated Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake could be on the shortlist. However, Lake could also be seen as being the GOP’s version of the Peach State’s Stacey Abrams – little more than a “super loser.” Good for rallying and even securing the base, and then good for crying foul after a defeat, but not exactly “winning material.”
He’s pretty much a “long shot” candidate at best. But the former conservative media personality gained national attention in 2021 during his failed bid to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom in the Golden State’s recall election.
Elder Statesman
At 71 years of age, Elder has a long track record reaching out to potential voters as a talk-radio host. He also ran a polished campaign in his bid to become governor of California, and he could help draw away African-American voters from Biden.
Elder’s message of “America is in decline,” while vowing to lead to a “new American Golden Age,” hits the same notes as “Make America Great Again.” He was also quick on Sunday to share a New York Post column by Michael Goodwin to his followers on Twitter, “JUSTICE IS HARDLY BLIND IN THE FEDERAL CASE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.”
Elder may be trailing in the polls, but he knows it, so clearly he also knows something else – could be ready to accept being number two to Trump?
Other Longshots Gunning to be Veep?
Elder is far from the only long-shot who has thrown the proverbial hat into the ring, but in his case, it is likely because he wants to be considered for the VP slot.
The same could hold true for Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor; as well as for Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina – but each is more likely cabinet material than Veep.
Another long-shot who may be gunning to be the number two is Vivek Ramaswamy. A former pharmaceutical company CEO who has sought to take on “wokeness” among corporations and other institutions is a true longshot for the Oval Office. Yet, such an extreme stance could appeal to the MAGA base and even serve to show that Trump strongly believes in the cause even as he has gone on a full-blown attack on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whose platform is almost entirely built around the culture wars.
Ramaswamy – like Scott, Haley, or Elder – may also serve to broaden Trump’s appeal to moderate independent voters, proving that a vote for Trump isn’t a ballot for White Nationalism.
It is obvious that all four of these candidates want to end up in the Oval Office, but it would be hard to rule out that all are also willing to accept the Veep slot.
It just seems as if Elder’s campaign is built solely for that role.
By Gage Skidmore: Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
President Donald Trump at a Make America Great Again rally in Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 26, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch)
Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.