The names at the top of ballots nationwide in November will be familiar to Americans who have voted for or against them before. Except one.
Donald Trump has to pick a new running mate. He had a post-2020 election falling out with then-Vice President Mike Pence after Pence declined to help Trump overturn the election. For that cardinal sin, Pence has been excommunicated from the MAGA movement (and signaled he won’t endorse his former running mate).
Trump is due to pick his new running mate by July, when the Republican National Convention takes place in Milwaukee to formally nominate the party’s ticket.
A scatter plot of each potential vice presidential pick with MAGA cred plotted on the x-axis and Helping Trump’s ticket on the y-axis.
More likely
to help ticket
Less likely
to help ticket
More likely
to help ticket
Less likely
to help ticket
More likely
to help ticket
Less likely
to help ticket
More likely
to help ticket
Less likely
to help ticket
As for whom he’ll pick? It might be the greatest parlor game in Washington right now, with upwards of two dozen names floating around. The big question is what criteria he’ll focus on. How important is loyalty? Political help? Picking an electoral winner?
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To give you an idea of who might make the most sense, we’ve crafted a quiz. You can offer your own priorities — the ones you think are important or might belong to Trump — and then we’ll tell you which candidates might best fit the bill.
Question 1 of 10
Trump’s running mate should have to the MAGA crowd.
Strong ties
At least some ties
Of course
This is not important.
Question 2 of 10
Trump’s pick should have governing experience.
Lots of
At least some
Zero
This is not important.
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Question 3 of 10
The nominee should have establishment ties.
Strong
At least some
Weak
This is not important.
Question 4 of 10
The pick can be offered criticism of Trump in their past comments (regardless of where they stand now).
Very little or zero
Some, but not too much
Any amount
This is not important.
Question 5 of 10
When it comes to winning elections, Trump’s pick should have .
Won a high-profile, statewide race
Won a campaign of some kind
This is not important.
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Question 6 of 10
It too for Trump to pick a woman or a racial minority.
Question 7 of 10
The pick’s ability to help the ticket, by appealing to a key group Trump needs or being from a key state, is .
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important
Question 8 of 10
Trump often values media savvy and camera friendliness. This ‘It’ factor too .
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important
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Question 9 of 10
Trump’s nominee should the 2020 election results.
Deny
Be skeptical of
Accept
This is not important.
Question 10 of 10
If Trump picked a Floridian, one of them would have to establish residency in another state to be able to win Florida’s 30 electoral votes. It too that his running mate is not from Florida.
You need to answer every question to see your result. You’re missing questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Tags: Analysis Quiz narrow Trumps vice presidential shortlist
