I havenโt seen this discussed since the debate, and Iโm curious what people think would happen.
(If youโve seen this twice, I first posted it to a community that only allows links to news items, which rule I read only after creating the post. I removed that post)
The idea came from a post-debate discussion on NPR (National Public Radio), where one of the (professional) political commentators was asked if this was possible and they replied, briefly, that it would have to be done soon.
- From the analystโs response, and what I can find online (e.g., here) it seems that itโs not too late for Trump to make this change. Vance would have to voluntarily step down, but I canโt imagine him defying Trump if he was told to beat it.
- Itโs clear Trump isnโt as enamored of Vance as he initially was.
- I think even hard-core conservatives would agree that Vance hasnโt helped Trumpโs campaign, and (as the commentator pointed out) heโs gone off-piste from Trumpโs talking points at times.
- Trumpโs core is voting for Trump; the running mate is a side show, and itโs questionable how much Vance appeals to Trumpโs base. I believe Trump knows all of this, or at least believes it himself.
- Trump prides himself on firing people when he doesnโt like the way things are going, and it would be in keeping character for him to make Vance a scapegoat for the polling reversal and his losing the debate.
Therefore, I think this is not just a purely hypothetical question, but a very real possibility. Trump is chaos at the best of times, and this would be an unsurprising action. Regardless of advice he gets from his handlers, heโll do what he feels like.
So my questions are: first, whoโs the most likely choice for a swap; and second, how do you think itโd impact the election?
It would be the right move for them to swap now, but I donโt think Trump will, because itโll make him look weak, like he made a bad pick, and thatโs all he (and many a Trump voter) cares about. The longer they leave it, the less likely it happens, and the more damage it does to their campaign
Except heโs never accepted responsibility for bad picks before. Heโs known for taking pride in a willingness to hire random people and fire and replace them.
How many people did he fire, or who quit very probably under duress, during his Presidency?
Actually, thatโs thee thing. The only legal way for him to get rid of Vance now is if Vance withdraws. That would make it look like Vanceโs decision, not his, which takes power away from him; males him look like a rat fleeing a sinking ship. Trump has no problem firing people; heโs less keen when they quit on him. And if Vance withdraws and Trump goes on record saying that what really happened is that he fired him, that could be more legal trouble for him, I guess. Heโs probably sick of sitting in court rooms by now.
Even if he could be replaced, his name would still be on ballots. The deadlines for finalizing ballots varies by state, but, at least in some states, have already passed.
You thinking Vance might end up having a serious Scotchguard injury that puts him out of the running?
Trump has him killed, replaces him with a more obedient dog whoโs also named Vance, and tells his people thatโs who he chose all along.
Heโs not going to dump him because: A. He would have to admit he made a mistake choosing him; and 2. He chose Vance cause heโs a bootlicker and he comes with a lot of Silicon Valley tech bro cash.
