Sorry Friends, a Trump-DeSantis Ticket is an Awful Idea

By Dr. Derek Ellerman

Before anyone freaks out, know that this is just one man’s opinion (and the man behind it is no one’s idea of a genius.)

Since the day after Election Day 2020, I’ve heard some of my fellow righties promote the idea of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis being Donald Trump’s VP running mate in 2024.

It’s only been just that so far – rumblings from regular old civilians who just want to win in the next presidential race.

But then I saw the idea break out into the open: Page Six reports that one of those Chatty Cathy “anonymous sources” close to Trump sees it as more than rumblings.

According to them, Trump’s team is looking to convince The Don to pick DeSantis as his VP running mate.

They say Trump is “listening” to the idea. But this is a silly, nonsense idea (and I mean that with absolutely no offense to my friends who support it.)

IS TRUMP CONSIDERING DESANTIS AS HIS VP?

Of course, you may recall this was my original PLAN A, but it appeared Trump’s hubris would not allow it. Hard to imagine after the terrible things Trump has said about DeSantis, but it wouldn’t be the first time former enemies have…

— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) April 26, 2023

RELATED: Florida GOP Introduces Bill to Allow DeSantis to Run for President as Governor

Just Say No to Trump-DeSantis 2024

Let’s get the most obvious out of the way: Both of these men hail from the same state!

It doesn’t get much more obvious than this. Both candidates drawing from the same home support base is a total waste of effort – and likely to be the epicenter of the most contentions rancor between Trump and DeSantis die-hards.

Now, I’ve heard one objection to this: Trump is actually from New York. OK, fair enough, but Trump ain’t winning New York. So why have both eggs in the same basket?

The second reason why this is a bad idea: the two do not compliment each other at all.

Yes, there are going to be major differences on a few issues.

I can tell you right now that DeSantis is not anywhere near as America First on foreign policy as Trump is. Trump stands completely alone on the national stage in that regard. And we all saw what happened when his cabinet included neoconservatives who opposed that agenda.

DeSantis is going to have to answer for his support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump has been adamant about protecting Social Security and Medicare.

But to the average voter, they won’t see a dime’s worth of difference. DeSantis has even taken to emulating Trump’s mannerisms.

And elections come down to the average voter, not those of us who are plugged in constantly.

RELATED: Trump Blasts RNC, Won’t Participate in Debate Hosted by Washington Post CEO

I Hate To Even Say It

There are two more reasons why this partnership doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense.

I’m trying to type this with one hand because the other is knocking on wood – what if Trump-DeSantis were to lose in 2024? Such a thing has the potential to ruin DeSantis’ chances in 2028. Fairness here doesn’t matter. Anything could happen.

Why give the media and Democrats the chance to paint DeSantis with a scarlet letter, when he should have an open runway in 2028?

The last point I’ll make here is that Trump needs help with women. Specifically, white suburban women.

Now I’m sure the ladies love DeSantis just fine, but I think at this point, suburban women will only pull the lever for Trump if he has a running mate that can really soften his image in this regard.

At this precise moment, only South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem seems to fit the bill as a semi-national figure on the right.

I hate to break it to you, dear reader, but a very sizable number of voters will see “woman.” And that’s it. And their vote counts just as much as yours. That’s how democracy works, unfortunately.

But picking Noem would return us to a previous issue: South Dakota is a reliable red state. Can Noem push Trump over the line in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia?

Are there any candidates in those states who could fill the VP role?

Look, it’s very early to be talking about running mates. At the same time, let’s nip bad ideas in the bud.

The post Sorry Friends, a Trump-DeSantis Ticket is an Awful Idea appeared first on The Political Insider.