NEWS AND OPINION:
Likely GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s choice of running mate could tip the 2016 race in his favor. Or maybe not. Everyone has a theory.
“In certain years, the choice for Vice President is considered unimportant. This election year, all eyes are on Trump and his potential running mate. There are several important areas that Trump can shore up with his VP choice,” says Mark Meckler, the original co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, the nation’s largest umbrella group for the grassroots cause.
“First, Trump could solidify the conservative base, by choosing either Indiana Governor Mike Pence, or former Speaker Newt Gingrich. Both have solid conservative credentials, experience on Capitol Hill and have been thoroughly vetted by their many years of public service. Second, in an attempt to bolster his military and foreign policy credentials, he is said to be considering Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. This is an interesting choice - he is a registered Democrat, a political outsider, and a fierce critic of President Obama,” continues Mr. Meckler.
“In the year of the outsider, and a year when the world has been rocked by terrorism, the electorate may be very favorable of a businessman and a retired Lt. General storm Washington, D.C. Finally, it is important to note that Donald Trump may do something completely unpredictable. After all - we are dealing with Donald Trump,” he adds.
DAYS OF YORE
“BE THANKFUL ONLY ONE OF THEM CAN WIN”
— Bumper sticker from the Richard Nixon Vs. John F. Kennedy presidential campaign of 1963.
BERNIETOPIA
”On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will join Hillary Clinton for a campaign event at Portsmouth High School to discuss their commitment to building an America that is stronger together and an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top,” noted a statement released Monday by both campaigns. The press is standing by, breathlessly waiting for the moment when Mr. Sanders will at long last endorse his former rival.
“The phrasing is significant, in that it references both Clinton’s general-election campaign slogan, ‘Stronger Together,’ and the animating issue and the heart of Sanders primary bid — income inequality. The question remaining is how enthusiastically does Sanders endorse Clinton?” asks Tamara Keith, a National Public Radio analyst.
The event starts at 11 a.m. So we should now something by, oh, 11:10.
FROM THE BELTWAY VAULT
“Real estate mogul Donald Trump did “surprisingly well” in a survey of 5,700 small-business owners that gauged their approval of 11 potential vice-presidential candidates. The Donald, apparently, has not lost his charm among plumbers, hair dressers, home remodelers, caterers and other entrepreneurs. That’s according to the “Vice Presidential Poll” released Tuesday by George Washington University and Thumbtack, an online hiring resource for small businesses.”
When asked who would be Mitt Romney’s best running mate, Mr. Trump came in third among Republican respondents in the survey, which also gauged sentiments among independents, Democrats and swing state voters. Mr. Trump was trumped by Condoleezza Rice, who garnered 32 percent of the vote and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida got 21 percent. The billionaire drew 18 percent. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was in fourth place at 9 percent, followed by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin (6 percent) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (3 percent).”
From Inside the Beltway, dated July 31, 2012
KEEP IT LOCAL
A majority of Americans - 55 percent - favor the theory of government that concentrates power in state governments, outnumbering the 37 percent who favor power concentrated in the federal government,” notes a new Gallup poll released Monday. It found that 78 percent of Republicans prefer a strong state government, compared to 32 percent of Democrats.
About two thirds of the Dems favor a strong federal government; a mere 17 percent of the GOPers agree.
“The latest update of this question - asked only twice before, in 1936 and 1981 - is from a June 14-23 Gallup poll. It comes as nearly half of the states sue the federal government over its directive to grant transgender students the right to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. Schools that don’t comply could risk losing federal funding,” Gallup noted.
“Americans’ preference for state power was similar in 1981 - the first year of the presidency of Ronald Reagan, who declared his support for states’ rights on the prior year’s campaign trail. In contrast, Americans slightly preferred federal power in the mid-1930s, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt unveiled a sweeping series of programs that increased the role of the federal government in Americans’ lives.”
POLL DU JOUR
93 percent of likely U.S. voters who support Hillary Clinton say they would “never” vote for Donald Trump
91 percent of likely voters who support Mr. Trump say they would never vote for Mrs. Clinton.
61 percent of voters overall say they feel “alarmed” by the 2016 presidential election.
23 percent are “excited” about the election, 9 percent are “bored.”
Source: USA Today/Suffolk University poll of 1,000 likely U.S. voters conducted June 26 to 29.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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