Ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, recently expressed his opinion that Donald Trump, should he run in the 2024 Presidential election, would be well-advised to choose Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as his vice-presidential candidate.
Trump, as of now, appears to be the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, with recent surveys indicating that Haley has moved ahead of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, taking the second spot in the race for the GOP nomination.
Speaking at the New York Times’s DealBook Summit, McCarthy responded to a query from Andrew Ross Sorkin about the ideal vice-presidential candidate for Trump. Sorkin presented four options: Nikki Haley, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.
McCarthy emphasized the strategic aspect of choosing a running mate, as reported by The Hill. He suggested that the selection should aim at expanding the voter base rather than mirroring the candidate’s own appeal. “In a purely political move, considering the current dynamics, the anti-Trump sentiment seems to be rallying behind Nikki Haley,” McCarthy noted.
He further elaborated that for Trump to succeed in reclaiming the White House, support from both the core Republican base and independent voters would be essential. In this context, a vice-presidential candidate like Haley could potentially sway voters who are currently hesitant about Trump.
McCarthy added, “If the running mate resonates with the anti-Trump electorate, they might also align with the ticket.” He then identified Haley as his choice but also acknowledged the complexities involved in such a decision, including the willingness of the chosen candidate to serve.
Although McCarthy has been a staunch supporter of Trump, he stopped short of officially endorsing anyone. He mentioned the ongoing nature of the campaign but hinted at a possible endorsement of Trump in the future. “I believe Trump will be the Republican nominee and that he stands a strong chance of winning the election,” McCarthy concluded.
