A post-midterm press conference held at the White House earlier this month showed President Trump and Vice President Pence joking about the latter remaining on the ticket in 2020, leading some to wonder – could Mike Pence be replaced as VP for the next presidential race?
“Do you want to lock down your ticket right now, sir?” one reporter asked. “Will the Vice President be your running mate in 2020?”
The laughs came as the President responded, “I haven’t asked him, but I hope so.”
They continued when Trump asked the question, then suggested Pence “raise (his) right hand” and swear to it.
“I’m only kidding,” he said, adding “The answer is ‘yes,’ okay?”
Pence nodded in agreement, but a Roll Call reporter happened to notice Pence never specifically uttered the word ‘yes.’
Shortly thereafter, a New York Times report claimed the President was beginning to question Pence’s loyalty, prompting both men to issue vociferous denials of any rift.
….I can’t imagine any President having a better or closer relationship with their Vice President then the two of us. Just more FAKE NEWS, the Enemy of the People!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2018
“I’m just tempted not to dignify it with a comment,” Pence said when asked about the 2020 ticket. “The president and I have a very close … We’ve got a very strong relationship.”
That correction from a ‘close relationship’ to a ‘strong’ one, coupled with a perceived absence of an affirmative response at the press conference has led many to continue speculating.
So I’m going to join that club … Who would make a good replacement for Pence on the 2020 ticket should he drop out?
Nikki Haley
We’ll start with the most obvious choice in the soon-to-be former Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.
Aside from the fact that she’ll have a clear schedule once the campaign starts rolling, Haley has been a strong voice of support for the Trump agenda and a counterbalance when it seems the President may have gone too far in certain areas.
Her strength, however, has been indisputable during her time in the UN, playing a pivotal role in the historic meeting between the President and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, reminding other nations that America is no longer being guided by a feckless leader, and serving as a stalwart defender of the United States and her closest ally, Israel.
Haley’s presence on the ticket would help tamp down criticism of the Republican Party as misogynist – an argument the Democrat ticket will no doubt make – as her historic role would prove otherwise.
And, perhaps a key to victory in 2020, she has support on both sides of the political aisle.
Lindsey Graham
Who could have even imagined this several months ago? South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has quietly evolved into a favorite of conservatives for his rabid support of Supreme Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
While other Republican senators sat meek and spineless through the Democrat smearing of a good and decent man, Lindsey Graham took a blowtorch to the entire farce.
“UNETHICAL SHAM”: Sen. Lindsey Graham tears into Senate Democrats over Ford, Kavanaugh hearing pic.twitter.com/XCBQ7nf2Ck
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) September 28, 2018
From that moment on, Graham had a swagger about him, taking on any and all challengers from the left. He hammered Senator Bob Menendez for the “bulls***” the Democrat Party tried to pull off. He swatted away liberal protesters with the greatest of ease.
More importantly, he reaffirmed his desire to work with President Trump to make America great again, despite their differences.
Chris Christie
Chris Christie has a ton of baggage for those in-the-know in both New York and New Jersey. From Bridgegate to unwritten truces between he and ultra-liberal NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, Christie leaves a lot to be desired from a purely conservative standpoint.
That said, he was one of Trump’s earliest supporters in the 2016 campaign, serving as an attack dog to help take down ‘Lil’ Marco’ Rubio during the debates.
And few remember that Christie was actually Trump’s first choice for the job in 2016, prior to being convinced otherwise by his inner circle.
Sporting the same no-nonsense approach as the President, minus the charm, Christie’s name recently surfaced as a consideration for another high-profile role in the administration – Attorney General.
Ted Cruz
Sure he forever branded him with the nickname ‘Lyin’ Ted,’ and implied his father was involved in the assassination of JFK, but Ted Cruz has let bygones be bygones, warming up to the President and presenting as an interesting long shot pick for Veep.
Cruz even went so far as to write a glowing entry for Trump in Time’s ‘Worlds’s 100 Most Influential People List.’
“President Trump is a flash-bang grenade thrown into Washington by the forgotten men and women of America,” Cruz wrote, before listing his former rival’s numerous successes and achievements for the American people.
“While pundits obsessed over tweets, he worked with Congress to cut taxes for struggling families,” Cruz continues. “While wealthy celebrities announced that they would flee the country, he fought to bring back jobs and industries to our shores.”
Cruz was also a consideration for Attorney General when Trump was first looking to fill the position, and has been praised by former Reagan aide and current talk show host Mark Levin, who once said he is the best choice when it comes to, “the Constitution, the Republic, individual sovereignty, separation of powers, the Bill of Rights, family, faith, a secure border,” and “our national security.”
With Trump showing a strong penchant for strict Constitutionalists on the Supreme Court, perhaps he’d like something similar by his side as vice president.
Who do you think would make a good choice to replace Pence should he step away?
