Like the summer, election season is only getting hotter, and tens of millions of people are ready for a change. Over the past four years, record inflation levels, border anarchy, violent conflict abroad, and an executive branch openly in thrall to divisive identity politics and fringe leftist obsessions have made many voters eager to empower Republicans this fall. While most attention is paid to the front of the ticket, a vice presidential candidate can have a major role in shaping America’s future. The vice president serves not just as the right hand to the leader of the free world, but as a key adviser and tone-setter on the campaign and in the White House. In this election cycle, Trump’s chosen running mate must possess several key characteristics and abilities to help win the election and eventually succeed in the role. First and foremost, loyalty is the most essential quality. Trump’s running mate needs to be devoted to defending and implementing the policy elements of his “America First” agenda without reservation. Upon victory, he or she must also be willing to defend Trump against a reinvigorated and well-funded #Resistance movement, likely on a daily basis. In the face of politically motivated lawsuits and relentless media attacks, the importance of a steadfast, loyal running mate cannot be understated. The second critical quality is the ability to garner the votes of an influential, possibly difference-making constituency. Although political strategists often say that choosing a vice president with ties to a swing state boosts a campaign’s popularity in said state or region, it is rare that doing so sways an election outcome. The key element is not geography but rather resonating with a distinct voting bloc, wherever it may be located. Trump’s decision to bring Mike Pence onto his ticket in 2016 is a perfect example of how that strategy can work well for a campaign. Pence clearly helped Trump win over many religious and social conservatives still skeptical of his commitment to their priorities. These voters then went on to play a significant role in securing his electoral victory that fall. This election cycle, selecting an unabashedly faithful vice presidential candidate would again help the Trump campaign maintain its momentum with religious voters, especially evangelicals, who make up most of the Republican Party. Selecting a running mate committed to defending religious freedom, protecting innocent human life, and supporting our friends in Israel would send a clear signal to Christian voters: Under a second Trump administration, their deepest-held convictions will once again be respected. But religious voters are not the only influential constituency at play this cycle. Another important constituency to consider is suburban, college-educated female voters, whose support Trump needs to increase to cross the finish line. A running mate who can assuage the concerns and earn the trust of this vital demographic could significantly boost Trump’s performance. In 2016, 51% of suburban women voted Democratically, according to CBS News polling. In 2020, Biden won suburban women by 54%, according to the Pew Research Center. This trend is not a good sign for Trump this election cycle, especially considering how the abortion issue weighs on many women’s Election Day decisions. Third, any good vice president should also bring to the table positive relationships with members of Congress, especially in the Senate. This year is set to bring major changes in leadership on Capitol Hill, and a vice president with trusted relationships throughout Congress can help the former president navigate these shifts. With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) set to step down as Republican leader, new dynamics will emerge within the GOP conference that will affect important judicial confirmations, federal agency reform, and legislation. No matter which party is in the majority in Congress, it is imperative that the Trump team position itself for victory in advance of sure-to-be contentious hearings and confirmation debates. Citation source Finally, Trump’s vice president should have the basic ability to get the job done. This entails projecting strength and steadiness on the world stage. In Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden selected for nakedly cynical purposes an incompetent successor, as proven by her dismal track record of ineffectiveness, meandering speeches, blatantly false statements, and historically low approval ratings. Trump must avoid duplicating Biden’s mistake by choosing a running mate legitimately fit for the job and, ideally, qualified to run for the presidency in 2028 to help cement his legacy. This fall, voters will cast their ballots for more than just one person. Among the thousands of people who comprise the executive branch, besides the president, the most important is the vice president. The Trump campaign would be wise to check each of these vice presidential boxes to help seal its victory in November and in the years beyond. Timothy Head is executive director of the Faith & Freedom Coalition.
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