Seven years ago, I successfully predicted that Trump would pick Mike Pence as his running mate. I think it is reasonably safe to assume it won’t happen again. Who will get the nod this time?
The average candidate picks someone who can provide a degree of geographical or ideological balance, but Trump doesn’t think that way. His model of politics assumes that it is only the base that matters. On the other hand, he does occasionally show some awareness that he has an issue with female voters. That makes it more likely than not that his choice will be a reactionary woman.
Which woman? It will have to be someone who has never criticized him, and who is on the same ideological wavelength. She will have to meet Trump’s appearance test, which, to be fair, he applies to both men and women. Finally, only someone who lacks a large base of support on her own, but has plenty of ambition, will be willing to abase herself enough to take the job. After all, if you can stand doing nothing but sucking up to Trump for four years, you will probably be the leading candidate for the nomination in 2028.
Who meets these tests? Kristi Noem comes to mind quite readily.