There’s a new report out this morning that Trump is considering picking a female running mate and Kari Lake is on the list.
The list is said to have only four women.
Here’s more from Axios:
Former President Trump is strongly considering picking a female running mate — and sees Kari Lake as a model for his vice-presidential pick, according to people who discussed the topic with him.
Trump is already gaming out the general election in November 2024 — and knows he has a massive weakness with the white suburban women he would need to beat President Biden.
Lake, a former TV anchor who lost her race for Arizona governor in November, meets Trump’s most important qualification for a No. 2:
She has shown she’s willing to defend him vociferously, no matter the issue or controversy.
But Trump friends say Lake carries a big downside: He wants no risk that his running mate could outshine him. Lake would be assumed to be angling for president from the day she entered the White House. She made a political trip to Iowa last month.
And of course losing her winnable governor’s race (which she challenged) hurts her mojo.
A statement from Trump’s spox was included in the article:
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said: “Anyone who thinks they know what President Trump is going to do is seriously misinformed and trying to curry favor with ‘potential’ V.P. candidates.”
“President Trump will choose his running mate on his own time, and those who are playing the media game are doing so at their own peril.”
Axios says that Trump is looking for someone who is incredibly loyal but who also someone who won’t outshine him. Lake certainly meets the first criteria but I’m not so sure about the second. Lake was a force to be reckoned with in her run for governor and I have a hard time seeing her any other way.
Axios mentions three other women in the article as possible running mates: Nikki Haley, Sarah Sanders, and Kristi Noem. They don’t say these women are on the list, but I’m guessing that’s why they are mentioned.
I would say out of the four Lake has to be the top candidate. She seems perfect for Trump if they can get her to dim her star power a bit.