Trump Teaser: Vivek Ramaswamy and Tulsi Gabbard are Among Republican Front Runner’s Potential VP Picks
- The former president described his shortlisted candidates as “all good” and solid” people during a a Fox Town Hall.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is one of Donald Trump’s potential running mates. Speaking at a Fox Town Hall, the former president told Laura Ingraham last night that the Indian American in among six possible candidates he might consider for the post of vice president. Also in contention is former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu American in Congress. The list also includes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Florida Republican Byron Donalds.
Trump described his shortlist as “all good” and solid” people. However, deciding a running mate is not significant, the said, as “the vice president choice always has no impact.” At the same time, he described it as “a very important position,” and mentioned the qualities he wants in his running mate. Someone who “could help you from the voters’ standpoint,” and also with “common sense.”
Conspicuously absent was Elise Stefanik, the New York congresswoman, as well as Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Both had been linked to the post.
Ramaswamy suspended his presidential campaign last month and endorsed Trump. The 38-year-old entrepreneur made the announcement in Des Moines on Jan. 15 after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.
Previously, on the campaign trail in August, he had said that he would reject an offer to become someone else’s vice president if he does not win the GOP nomination in 2024. “I’m not interested in a different position in the government,” he said on Fox News. “Frankly, I’d drive change through the private sector sooner than becoming number two or three in the federal government.”
A new DailyMail.com poll has revealed that New Hampshire primary voters would like to see Ramaswamy join the Republican presidential ticket. Ramaswamy came top with 18 percent, followed by Scott on 14 percent.
On the other hand, Gabbard has said she’d be “open” to a “conversation” about becoming Trump’s next vice president. “I’d be open to that conversation,” she said on “Fox & Friends” earlier this month. “My mission in life is to serve our country and serve the American people and find the best way to be able to do that.” She is also is counseling Trump on “policy proposals, military entanglements overseas, and how the Defense Department should be run in a second Trump term,” The Washington Post reported.
She served in the House from 2013 to the end of 2020, and ran an unsuccessful White House campaign in the 2020 Democratic primary. She has a sizable following among those who identify themselves as Hindu Americans and is said to have close ties with Prime Minister Modi. Gabbard enjoys strong support from several Hindu organizations including the Hindu American Foundation.