A lot of monied donors, Republican illuminati as it were, are scheduled to journey to Palm Beach this weekend. That makes perfect sense, since the calendar just flipped a page into May and midsummer is the GOP national convention. The standard bearer of the party seriously needs to choose a running mate and sooner rather than later.
To that end, we find out that Donald Trump is hosting a VP fundraising event, but the names that are on the ticket do not entirely match up with who pundits are predicting should be on the ticket as his running mate. In fact, it appears that there’s an “A” List and a “B” list.
An insider involved in the planning claimed the Four Seasons resort will be in “lockdown” to keep reporters and “unauthorized visitors out of the beach-front complex” and away from prying eyes.
According to the report, the exclusive retreat will be attended by “hundreds of deep-pocketed GOP backers as well as allies eyeing the No. 2 spot on the Republican presidential ticket,” and contenders for the number two spot include “Ohio Senator JD Vance, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.”
The invitation for the event also advertises possible appearances by GOP Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY), Byron Donalds (FL) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who is currently mired in a firestorm after admitting in her new book to shooting her puppy Cricket years ago in a gravel pit and admitting that she “hated’ the dog.
It makes sense that Kristi Noem is on a “possibies” list. She became political kryptonite last week. Byron Donalds is only on the list at all because this is taking place in Florida. But Elise Stefanik? The supposed golden girl, who has done everything right, from claiming the 2020 election was stolen, from calling the J6 prisoners “hostages” to bringing ethics charges against Jack Smith — she’s on the “B” list? She’s not first string?
This is not expected. Stefanik has been busting it to get Trump’s attention, but a recent CBS article mentioned her dead last. And if she’s only a possible speaker this weekend, something is up with that. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s a New York Representative and Trump hates his home state, even though RSBN is claiming that New York “is in play” to vote for Trump. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s not visually in the MAGA camp. Or, maybe Trump flat out thinks that Tim Scott or Marco Rubio could bring him much needed minority support and that’s where all the emphasis is. Using Occam’s Razor that would make the most sense, so let’s go with that for now.
If that’s how things are going, Stefanik must be devastated. Stefanik has debased herself for Trump. She has destroyed all credibility she might have had at one point about being a rising GOP star and has instead identified with MAGA lunacy, evidently seeing that as the winning strategy. Maybe she trashed herself for naught.
It will be interesting to see what happens in Florida this weekend. I stand by my earlier assessment that Kristi Noem is out, period. If Byron Donald’s speak it will only be because he’s a Floridian and as to Stefanik, color me bewildered. Although, in all truth, if Trump has drifted from Stefanik, this may be something that she will regard as a tremendous blessing in years to come. Everything Trump touches dies and if Stefanik doesn’t get dragged into Trump’s last stand, it’s by far the better route for her to travel.
I’ve long had strong doubts about Stefanik having a chance. On the one hand he only wants the “fun” parts of being President. The ceremonial stuff. As for the mechanics of exacting retribution and tending to the actual business, the day-to-day running of the country he does want someone who’s capable of getting that done. In that sense Stefanik is qualified. However she could do the same as Chief of Staff. At some of that fun stuff Trump needs to appear with his VP. Therein lies the problem. Remember, this is Trump we’re talking about. Stefanik isn’t an ugly woman. However, she’s not “hot”, or even above average looking. I for one wouldn’t call her overweight but plainly speaking she’s not someone Trump would want to see strutting around the pool at Mar A Lago in a swimsuit either. So, for Trump on that basis Stefanik has always been wasting her time, and worse her reputation and future sucking up to him as a possible VP pick. At least that’s my opinion.
It could be that basic that Trump only wants a hot woman around him, as you say. He does need somebody to run interference for him on daily matters. Or, maybe he thinks he doesn’t. At least Dubya had enough sense to get Dick Cheney involved, maybe Trump lacks that basic level of smarts.
If Stefanik is not an “A” list contender, then Trump’s concern is simply getting the minority vote and it will be Rubio or Scott, on that basis. It may seriously be that simple.
I agree with both of you, Denis and Ursula. My first thought while reading this blog was that poor Elise is just not good looking enough, by Trump’s standards. He’s all about show and no substance.
As far as him maybe lacking basic level smarts, it’s not maybe. It’s a given.
also, elise stefanik actually is intelligent—cognitively she is in a different universe than djt. he won’t want that.
No reporters or ‘unauthorised visitors’ but well-heeled donors?
Would Don the Con, perhaps, be considering holding an auction during the event for the position as his putative VP (all proceeds to the ‘Save Donald Fund’)?
I think that’s a possibility. It’s also possible that if Donor X pledges $10M if Rubio is VP, let’s say, then that could persuade Trump to pick Rubio. Maybe Rubio will be in the position of DeFuture that DeSantis tried to nail down.
trump loves to surround himself with eye-candy, but with Noem floating dead in the water he may have to go with someone with a brain and financial resources. That would put North Dakota governor Doug Burgum at the top of the list. With trump’s financial reversals Burgum could actually be richer than him. The problem is, no one with ability will want to be the orangeutan’s side-kick, especially now that his personal and financial life is collapsing. Unless, of course, he drops out of the race and leaves the candidacy up for grabs. With this lot absolutely anything could happen.
You think any of these fools even have the capability to learn from that old saw “You lie down with dogs; you get up with fleas.”?
DUNNO about Stefanik… but here is interesting MAY 2, 2024 LIST
from AXIOS ..just list shared no comments.