20 Donald Trump Vice President Picks
Senator from Arkansas
Cotton is a rising star in the Republican Party. He has been a powerful critic of the Obama administration’s policies, especially the Iran nuclear deal. He is a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and could help Trump with national security voters.
Senator from Tennessee
An experienced politician, Corker chairs the Foreign Relations Committee. He would bring foreign policy expertise to the ticket and could smooth things over with the GOP establishment.
Governor of New Jersey
The cantankerous governor has endorsed Trump and would bring substantial political experience to the ticket. But Christie wouldn’t help Trump with female and minority voters, and he would bring no geographic diversity to the ticket.
Senator from Iowa
A retired colonel in the Army National Reserve, Ernst in 2014 became the first female veteran elected to the Senate. She could help Trump with women voters.
Former Speaker of the House
Donald Trump could use an experienced pol by his side, and not many politicians have more experience than Newt Gingrich. A Gingrich pick would ease the minds of the Paul Ryan crowd who want the next president to have a true conservative agenda. However, Gingrich has many flaws and hasn’t held public office in the 21st century. Interestingly, the two candidates would have had 6 wives between them
Senator from Alabama
An early endorser of Trump, Sessions has strong conservative credentials that could help unite the party in November and also help a President Trump navigate the treacherous waters of Washington. But he probably wouldn’t help much with independent and moderate voters.
Retired Lt. General
Lt. General Flynn, a former military intelligence chief who served under President Obama, is currently an informal adviser to the Trump campaign. In an election year in which national security could be the main issue, he would give Trump much needed credibility and weight.
Former Secretary of State
Rice would check many boxes for Trump. She can help Trump with women voters and close the foreign policy deficit he has with Clinton. However, as one of the architects of the Iraq War she would take away one of his attack lines against Clinton, who voted for the war as a senator.
Governor of Florida
Scott comes from an important swing state that could hand Trump the election. Scott also has executive experience as governor of the third-largest state. Scott made a fortune from the health care industry and having two wealthy men on a presidential ticket could be a problem.
Former Governor of Texas
Perry, who once called Trump a “cancer on conservatism,” has changed his tune and endorsed the presumptive nominee. Having served 12 years as the governor of America’s second most populated state, Perry would bring executive experience to the ticket. But Perry is weak debater and could potentially harm Trump’s candidacy in vice presidential debates.
Retired General
If Trump wants a real soldier at his side, there is no more a military man than Stanley McChrystal. The West Point grad and Green Beret headed the secret Joint Special Operations Command from 2003-2008 when it captured Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. In 2009, President Obama appointed him as top commander in Afghanistan.
SCOTT DAVIS, CIV
Governor of Indiana
Pence would bring both congressional and executive experience to the ticket. He would also help Trump with evangelical voters.
Congressional Representative from Arizona
A former Air Force pilot who retired as a colonel, McSally has an impressive military record. She could help Trump on national security and with women.
Senator from Florida
Rubio could help secure establishment Republicans and unite the GOP going into November. Rubio might also appeal to some Hispanics if he can get Trump to moderate his position on immigration.
Former Senator from Virginia
A veteran and Secretary of the Navy under Reagan, Webb can give Trump credibility on national security issues. As a Democrat, Webb could help Trump reach across party lines. Webb recently stated that he prefers Trump over Clinton.
Governor of Wisconsin
Walker has strong conservative credentials and may be a party unifier. Walker could help with the blue collar voters that Trump will need to win the election. Hailing from a swing state, he might be able to tip the Midwest to Trump.
Congressional Representative from Tennessee
Blackburn could help Trump with female voters in the fall. But her contrarian stances on evolution and climate change could hurt the ticket among independent and moderate voters.
Governor of Ohio
Would he actually do it? He insists he won’t, but stranger things have happened in politics. Kasich would help Trump with the party establishment and could make the difference in the crucial state of Ohio.
Former Mayor of New York City
It would be a lot of New York for America. But Giuliani is well respected in the Republican party and his hard-nosed political style might be an asset on Capitol Hill.
Former Senator of Massachusetts
Brown would be a vice president straight out of central casting. Brown served in the Army National Guard for 35 years, retiring as a colonel, and served as a senator in Massachusetts until he was defeated by Elizabeth Warren. Brown then ran for the senate again but this time in New Hampshire, where he was also defeated. He may be too much of a ‘loser’ for Trump.