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At the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, it was clear that former president Donald Trump had essentially secured the Republican presidential nomination. This event also acted as a chance for potential candidates to prove themselves as Mr. Trump’s prospective running mate.
Serving as Trump’s vice president can be a risky endeavor. This is due to the fact that the previous individual in this role, the composed and devout Mike Pence, notably clashed with Trump over attempts to overturn the 2020 election, ultimately resulting in threats against Pence’s safety by Trump’s supporters.
Similarly, on January 20th, 2024, Trump will be 78 years old and limited to only four more years of service. If Trump is re-elected, this individual will essentially become his successor, inheriting both the advantages and disadvantages of his presidency. However, if Trump is not re-elected, they will be responsible for rebuilding the fractured GOP. In the event that Trump is charged with a crime during his campaign or passes away while in office, this individual will become the face of the Republican Party.
Being a vice president is a highly regarded but unappreciated role, as former VP John Nance Garner once famously stated that it was not even worth a bucket of warm urine. The fact that Kamala Harris’s approval ratings are lower than President Joe Biden’s serves as an example of the harshness of the job.
However, during the Friday gathering, Ohio Senator JD Vance, New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem competed for the position through votes. Here is a breakdown of their performances.
has signed a bill into law that allows for the carrying of concealed handguns without a permit, making it the 14th state to have such a law
Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota has enacted a legislation that permits the possession of concealed firearms without a license, making it the 14th state to implement such a measure.
The individual from South Dakota has the advantage of being a consistent supporter of Trump during her time as a congresswoman, as well as during her candidacy for governor and in her current role. This puts her ahead of Vance, who was previously critical of Trump but is now a devoted fan, and Stefanik, who used to be more moderate but has now embraced the MAGA movement to gain more recognition nationally. Republican women have typically not emphasized their gender, but it is worth noting that Noem mentioned facing obstacles as a female candidate during her first gubernatorial campaign.
She presented herself as a tough and rugged rancher from a rural area who is at ease wearing jeans and performing manual labor in the heartland. Additionally, she expressed the belief that our leaders should come from outside the political establishment, possibly hinting that Trump should not select a member of Congress or a Senator. However, it should be noted that she has previously served in Congress, which could be seen as hypocritical. Her lack of widespread recognition and less flashy demeanor may not appeal to Trump’s devoted supporters.
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Elise Stefanik, a Congresswoman from New York, has recently…
Stefanik gave an exceptionally strong speech, while Noem discussed job creation, decreased overdoses, and a positive state. However, Stefanik’s speech was more intense and passionate. She emphasized that on January 6th, she defended the constitution and the integrity of the election by voting against the 2020 results. This demonstrated her unwillingness to follow in Pence’s footsteps. She also received applause for taking over as chairwoman of the House Republican Conference from “Pelosi Puppet” Liz Cheney.
She proudly mentioned her role in the resignation of university presidents at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard, where she graduated and maintained her conservative beliefs, during a hearing on antisemitism.
Stefanik also mentioned her success in winning over a district that had previously voted for Barack Obama, highlighting her ability to attract swing voters who are crucial to Trump’s victory. However, her strong support for Trump may ironically alienate suburban voters, who are also key to his success.
JD Vance, Senator from Ohio
Rather than giving a speech, Vance, known for his book Hillbilly Elegy that discusses the struggles of the white working class, chose to have a detailed conversation with Newsmax host Rob Schmitt. Vance, a lawyer and former venture capitalist educated at Yale, primarily discussed his disapproval of Ukraine and criticized Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for prioritizing Ukraine over impoverished rural Americans in Kentucky. He also expressed opposition towards the bipartisan deal that would have traded aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan for immigration restrictions and border security measures along the US-Mexico border.
While Vance’s approach of having a calm and serious discussion about foreign policy did not necessarily energize the audience as much as the other candidates, it is worth noting that he has the least political background among all the potential contenders and still has room for improvement.
Source: independent.co.uk
