Here we go again. If Trump has to replace Pence as VP, who does he pick?

[Lincoln Republican]

I think the world of Mike Pence and believe he will be a great Vice President and a great President if the President resigns.

But let us say for discussion purposes that Vice President Pence finds it necessary to resign from office, let us say, two years into the first term.

This being the case, who does President Trump pick as the new Vice President?

I know, here we go again.

Please discuss.

[Lincoln Republican]

Does it have to be an elected member of Congress?

No, absolutely not.

Strictly speaking, the President would be free to pick anyone he wants, as long as they meet the constitutional requirements.

Although, clearly, the President is most likely to pick someone politically experienced.

And the pick would have to be confirmed by Congress.  So the President would have to be sure he picks someone who would get confirmation from Congress.

[Lincoln Republican]

Good question, Winfield. If Pence resigns to open up an electrocution camp for gay teens or something like that, I could see President Putin choosing longtime confidant Rex Tillerson as his replacement.

Your first sentence is great, wonderful in fact, and I completely agree.

However, your second sentence is completely ridiculous, and pure hackery.

[Lincoln Republican]

Probably his son in law Kushner

Not a serious answer.

[Lincoln Republican]

Omarosa?

Not a serious answer.

[Lincoln Republican]

Stephen Bannon

Not a serious answer.

[Lincoln Republican]

Ivanka will be living in DC, so them both being residents of NY State wouldn't hurt him in 2020. I could see him doing it. And yes, we're talking about Trump, this is a serious answer.

Also, I think Trump might designate Ivanka as First Lady. There have been other cases in the past where the First Lady was actually the niece or daughter of the President.

Trump nominating his son in law as VP?  Not even Trump would do something that stupid.

Would never get congressional approval for one thing, let alone all the other problems that would come along with this.

No, not a serious answer.

Second point, in the event that Melania Trump was unable to fulfill her responsibilities as First Lady, then yes, Donald Trump could have his daughter, Ivanka, fill in for the role of First Lady.

And yes, you are correct, historically, there have been other female family members, and sometimes not even a family member, who have filled in for the role of First Lady.

[Lincoln Republican]

Good question, Winfield. If Pence resigns to open up an electrocution camp for gay teens or something like that, I could see President Putin choosing longtime confidant Rex Tillerson as his replacement.

Your first sentence is great, wonderful in fact, and I completely agree.

However, your second sentence is completely ridiculous, and pure hackery.

I guess you would know a thing or two about pure hackery now, wouldn't you?

How do you think I recognized it as pure hackery in the first place? 

[Lincoln Republican]

Probably his son in law Kushner

Not a serious answer.

Yet, one of the more likely ones in practice.

Where are all of you getting this bizarre notion from?

No, not serious, and not likely.  In fact, not even remotely a possibility.   

[Lincoln Republican]

Probably his son in law Kushner

Not a serious answer.

Yet, one of the more likely ones in practice.

Given that Kushner will likely be one of the last, and thus most influential, opinions Trump would hear on such an issue, it seems all too likely.

I have no idea where you are all getting this science fiction from.

Not probable, not likely, not even remotely possible.

[Lincoln Republican]

Do not post in this thread unless you have a serious answer to my original question.

Kushner is not a serious answer.  It is delusional.

[Lincoln Republican]

In such an event, with Pence resigning from office let us say, for health reasons, I can see Trump picking House Speaker Paul Ryan to become the new Vice President, in spite of their differences in the past.

Ryan has tremendous support amongst Congressional Republicans, in both the House and Senate, and is seen as capable and knowledgeable.

[Lincoln Republican]

In such an event, with Pence resigning from office let us say, for health reasons, I can see Trump picking House Speaker Paul Ryan to become the new Vice President, in spite of their differences in the past.

Ryan has tremendous support amongst Congressional Republicans, in both the House and Senate, and is seen as capable and knowledgeable.

Why would he pick somebody who could be seen as his credible replacement (and, let us face it, the only reason Ryan would agree to take the job is if he thinks that impeachment is likely)? He would pick somebody, who would make most shudder of the thought they could be president. At best, he would take somebody very weak, with no following - and of clearly inferior capabilities. That - or a family member. I can hardly see any other options.

You have just made the perfect argument as to why Ryan would be the ideal replacement VP.

[Lincoln Republican]

In such an event, with Pence resigning from office let us say, for health reasons, I can see Trump picking House Speaker Paul Ryan to become the new Vice President, in spite of their differences in the past.

Ryan has tremendous support amongst Congressional Republicans, in both the House and Senate, and is seen as capable and knowledgeable.

Why would he pick somebody who could be seen as his credible replacement (and, let us face it, the only reason Ryan would agree to take the job is if he thinks that impeachment is likely)? He would pick somebody, who would make most shudder of the thought they could be president. At best, he would take somebody very weak, with no following - and of clearly inferior capabilities. That - or a family member. I can hardly see any other options.

You have just made the perfect argument as to why Ryan would be the ideal replacement VP.

Happy to hear you not only despise the president your party has elected, but also think that your Speaker of the House (who is, in any case, the next in line of succession in case of VP office being vacant) is of "clearly inferior capabilities".  Perhaps, you will next support appointing a certified drooling idiot to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Points to be made

I am very sorry if you fail to understand the points I was clearly making that Ryan is obviously very qualified to be VP.

Please show me in this thread where I have stated that I "despise President Trump", which you have alleged against me.

Please show me in this thread where I have stated that Paul Ryan is of "clearly inferior capabilities".

Should you fail to provide the required proof requested, than I will expect your immediate and unequivocal apologies both to myself and to the readers of this thread for treating myself and the readers of this thread of being stupid and incapable of reading and understanding what I have posted.

And I am not interested in seeing your own interpretation  of statements I have made.  I am interested in seeing your proof of the quotes I have received directly from you yourself.

Come on, don't back out now.  You made the accusations, now prove them.

Ready

Set

Go..........

[Lincoln Republican]

Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III

Thank you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

[Lincoln Republican]

It depends on who in Trump's administration has done well up to that point, who was confirmed with a large number of votes etc.  My guess is an army guy.  It could be Mattis or Kelly.

Thank you for making  serious contribution to this discussion.

[Lincoln Republican]

Nikki Haley, Scott Brown, James Mattis, Jim Webb, Jan Brewer, and Jon Huntsman would likely get the shortlist.

Thank you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

[Lincoln Republican]

Well, good question, although I don’t see Pence resigning in the next four years. He published his tax returns and has no business interests. I disagree with him on virtually all issues, but I don’t think he’s corrupt. The only possible reason to step down would be his health.

I have a feeling the Trumpster would try to get an unconventional choice through. Either a businessman or a general. Maybe Mattis, Kelly or Flynn. Even Tillerson could be an option (he wouldn’t try with Petraeus, because wouldn’t get through). If it’s a politician: Rick or Tim Scott, Scott Brown or Jeff Sessions. But my gut feeling tells me he would try an unconventional candidate. He wanted this already back in summer but he (or his kids) chose Pence to appease the party establishment. Now that he won, he is in a stronger position within the party and congress.

Thank  you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

[Lincoln Republican]

You have proven nothing.

All you have done is put your interpretation to my statements.

Show me where I ever stated in this thread that Paul Ryan is of "clearly inferior capabilities".  You can't.

You yourself are the one who has stated about Trump and Ryan "Why would he pick somebody who could be seen as his credible replacement "

By you making this statement, you yourself are agreeing with me that Ryan is credible.

Show me where I ever stated in this thread that I "despise President Trump".  You can't.

These are your words, not mine.

And by the way, when Trump is sworn into office on January 20, he will be the President of the United States, all the United States, and not the President representing my party.

As for my statements, what is relevant are my statements in this thread, not something I may have said months ago.  

[Lincoln Republican]

His shortlist was Pence, Christie and Gingrich. It would be larger now he is President and not seen as a likely election loser. Haley works. Christie no after Bridge gate,  Gingrich maybe but I doubt he could be confirmed. Sessions was a possibility then and could be now. Maybe Bob Corker. One possibility to consider was that in late October Pence's plane skidded on the runway, but no one was injured. What if the plane was destroyed and Pence died? Who would be the late VP selection?

Thank you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

[Lincoln Republican]

You have proven nothing.

All you have done is put your interpretation to my statements.

Show me where I ever stated in this thread that Paul Ryan is of "clearly inferior capabilities".  You can't.

You yourself are the one who has stated about Trump and Ryan "Why would he pick somebody who could be seen as his credible replacement "

By you making this statement, you yourself are agreeing with me that Ryan is credible.

Show me where I ever stated in this thread that I "despise President Trump".  You can't.

These are your words, not mine.

And by the way, when Trump is sworn into office on January 20, he will be the President of the United States, all the United States, and not the President representing my party.

As for my statements, what is relevant are my statements in this thread, not something I may have said months ago.  

I said that Ryan is credible: sure, he is. I also said that this is the reason why he cannot be nominated: being of "clearly inferior capability" is a necessary condition for such an appointment (unless it comes from the family). You told me, I gave the great reason why Ryan should be appointed. Well, the main qualification for the appointment I gave was being incapable of doing the job. In every normal understanding of your response I can think of this means we disagree on this very fact: I think Ryan could make a credible president, and that is why he cannot be appointed, while you believe that he is, indeed, of inferior capability and, thus, may be nominated.

Perhaps, you meant something else and just had a problem expressing yourself (ever since you have become a Trumpista you are getting to be increasingly incoherent: clear sign of a continuous rape of your own thought process you are forced to be doing), but this is what you said.

I am amused to observe the emphatic repudiation of everything you have said in the past. I hope, the Minitrue of the new administration will take that into consideration. Are you that scared?

You have always despised Donald Trump. I guess, adding the word "President" changes that for you. It changes nothing about the man, though. Oh, yeah, Trump will be the president of the USA. Fortunately, I am not an American.

For me, Paul Ryan is clearly one of the most credible, articulate, and intelligent people in public life today.

I see you are still running away from my challenge, because you know your accusations are baseless.  I have challenged you twice now, and twice you have evaded the issue at hand, and thrown personal insults at me.  But whatever.

[Lincoln Republican]

Pam Bondi.

Thank you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

An interesting pick, but I believe far too inexperienced to be considered for the job.

I would not be surprised, however, to see her become Governor of Florida or U.S. Senator from Florida some day.

[Lincoln Republican]

His shortlist was Pence, Christie and Gingrich. It would be larger now he is President and not seen as a likely election loser. Haley works. Christie no after Bridge gate,  Gingrich maybe but I doubt he could be confirmed. Sessions was a possibility then and could be now. Maybe Bob Corker. One possibility to consider was that in late October Pence's plane skidded on the runway, but no one was injured. What if the plane was destroyed and Pence died? Who would be the late VP selection?

Thank you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

Ok, I appreciate that. Now any thoughts on my contribution?

Yes.

Your knowledge of the situation and your insight are remarkable.

I totally agree with you that there is no way Christie could be confirmed, and Gingrich, I believe, has gone off the rails.  So he would be out as well.

Haley would be interesting, although, personally, I doubt Trump would pick her for the VP job.  Sessions may too controversial, Corker would be a good choice.

You know, I do remember the Pence plane skidding on the runway, but I never gave any thought at the time that if he died, Heaven forbid, as to who would then become the VP candidate.

The dynamics and criteria in that situation would of course be different from a situation where Pence resigns from office during the first Trump term.

In the plane crash situation, I rather believe that Trump would have again gone to someone with solid DC experience as a legislator who could move the Trump agenda through Congress.

So thank you for sharing your thoughts on this hypothetical situation.

[Lincoln Republican]

Ivanka will be living in DC, so them both being residents of NY State wouldn't hurt him in 2020. I could see him doing it. And yes, we're talking about Trump, this is a serious answer.

Also, I think Trump might designate Ivanka as First Lady. There have been other cases in the past where the First Lady was actually the niece or daughter of the President.

Can a male be First Lady?  Why the hell do we need this office anyway?  What a waste of my money.

A male would be First Gentleman.

I have read that Michelle Obama's budget as First Lady is about 1.6 million dollars/year.

The First Lady receives no government pay herself.

[Lincoln Republican]

This is an unlikely situation but I'll play along. I think he'd avoid someone who would be seen as a "Washington insider," so I'd expect a governor or perhaps a youngish/recently elected Senator who shares some of his more hardline views. My shortlist and one wildcard pick:

Scott Walker
Tom Cotton
Matt Bevin
Rick Scott
Joni Ernst
Mary Fallin
Joe Manchin

Manchin is my wildcard pick because his ideological profile isn't terribly different from Trump's, it would open up an additional seat for Senate Republicans, and Manchin could avoid a tough campaign in a state that went over 70% red in 2016. The caveat here being that he would need to change parties. The rest of the picks would maintain his outsider credentials and wouldn't face too difficult a confirmation process.

Thank you for making a serious contribution to this discussion.

Some interesting, and some credible names here, some more so than others.