With his nomination secured, Donald Trump is embarking on the next stage of his campaign journey: selecting a running mate.
Known for his flair for dramatic television moments, the former president is already dropping hints about potential candidates, adding to the anticipation surrounding his rematch with Joe Biden.
“The V.P. selection process is the one time Trump is fully in charge, and watch him work it hard, right up to the announcement,” remarked Scott Reed, who managed Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign.
But even with all the excitement, we shouldn’t expect the vice-presidential choice to make a huge difference in the campaign.
The selection of a running mate has had minimal influence on election outcomes. Given Trump’s commanding presence on the political stage, it’s reasonable to question whether any running mate can truly break through and shift the dynamics of the race.
“The vice-presidential pick is something that generates a massive amount of press coverage but has the most minimal of impacts on the election,” noted Dan Pfeiffer, who served as White House communications director under Barack Obama.
While Trump may orchestrate the selection process with his trademark style, the ultimate significance of his running mate remains to be seen.
As the campaign goes on, people will pay attention to who Trump chooses, but it might not have as big of an effect on the election as people expect.
