Talk about insurance. The Republicans may have finally found a brilliant way to ensure that everyone in America comes together Donald Trump’s second term, should he win in 2024: Vice President Marjorie Taylor Greene.
“The fantastic thing about the concept of Marjorie Taylor Greene being Donald Trump’s Vice President is that you would actually have someone who would make you worry that Donald Trump might have a heart attack, conservative Jonah Goldberg said at a recent episode of The broadcast podcast. “I mean, all of a sudden you’re telling Trump, ‘Be careful going down those stairs!'”
Joking aside, this is a serious topic. According to NBC News, Greene “wants to be Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024.” One of the sources was former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who confirmed: “She sees herself on the short list for Trump’s deputy.”
If you think the idea that America might vote for a presidential ticket that includes Greene is preposterous, remind yourself that Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016. That is, stranger things have happened.
I have no doubt that Greene is watching herself as dignified and angler for the job. Her recent embrace of Kevin McCarthy, an incumbent Republican, to become Speaker of the House suggests a rebranding effort is underway. And now, winning seats on such committees as the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee would presumably bolster her bona fides.
You have to go back a long way to find someone who went straight from Parliament to Deputy Speaker. Looking at you, John Nance Garner.
But such historical trivialities are now meaningless. The rules have changed. Greene is arguably the most famous Republican in the House, and fame and money (she is, too one of the best fundraisers in the house) means more than old-fashioned credentials such as experience and committee assignments.
The obvious things there should disqualifying Greene has nothing to do with her political resume. I mean, if Jewish space lasers is not enough to shoot down her candidacy, one would think 9/11 trutherism would
Trump should not pick Tulsi Gabbard as his next Veep
Again, however, we must remember that the old rules do not apply. The only relevant question is whether Donald Trump may actually choose MTG to be his vice mate. If we’re being honest, it’s plausible.
Put yourself in his twisted frame of mind. Trump’s selfish criteria will dictate doing a) what makes him look good, b) what makes him happy and c) what will help him win.
In terms of winning, normal politicians usually seek to balance their ticket. Trump’s choice of Mike Pence in 2016 was intended to appease conservatives and normies.
It worked. But Trump thinks so now Mike Pence betrayed him by refusing to overturn the election in 2020. He won’t make that mistake again, and he probably believes that a course correction would involve doing the exact opposite. In so many ways, choosing MTG as his running mate would be the perfect overreaction.
There is precedent for eschewing the conventional wisdom that says veeps should be chosen to “balance the ticket.” In 1992, Bill Clinton chose another young southern moderate Democrat, Al Gore, to be his running mate. This choice strengthened their brand (“Don’t think about tomorrow“).
If Trump wants to double down on his crazy MAGA brand, he can run (in the words of Newt Gingrich) a “two-pirate” ticket. Sure, in terms of age and gender, the ticket would be balanced. But temperamentally and philosophically, Trump and Greene are like peas and carrots.
Still, I wouldn’t bet on Greene for a couple of reasons.
First, I think deep down Trump sees her as being for “low rent,” as Jonah Goldberg put it. Behind the populous facade, you get the feeling that Trump is secretly something of a snob. He would definitely date someone like Greene—but would he take her home to meet his mother?
Second, will Trump Greene to inherit the family silver? Whoever he chooses as his vice mate would inherit his mantle to some extent. This is true because of Trump’s age and because even if he wins, he could only (legally) serve one term. He does not want a successor.
Third, does he want to pick someone who can outshine him with his base? Trump is an attention whore. Deep down, Trump would prefer a straight man (or woman) that he could outshine and later throw under the bus.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, racists and a Newsweek editor walk into a ballroom
Trump cannot trust moderate norms to adopt his evil agenda—but neither can he trust charismatic extremists capable of stealing his spotlight. What’s a thin-skinned, narcissistic candidate to do?
The fact that Greene is now a serious contender for veep is itself a sign that the cancer in the Republican Party is spreading and that its members have become radicalized.
What I’m saying is that it doesn’t matter who Trump picks in 2024. When it comes to hijacking the GOP, the Donald Trump-Marjorie Taylor Greene “ticket” has already won the future.
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