Why Trump Could Pick J.D. Vance

Playbook: “Trump passed over a high-profile Republican woman (New York Rep. Elise Stefanik) who might have appealed to those suburban moms Trump has bled. He skipped a favorite of Senate Republicans (South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott) who would have been the first African-American on a Republican ticket and boosted the Trump campaign’s fruitful efforts with Black voters. Ditto for a history-making Hispanic running mate (Florida Sen. Marco Rubio). In fact, Trump completely ignored a bit of conventional wisdom that has formed in political circles in recent years: that there would never be another presidential ticket with two white men.”

“But Trump is at the height of his popularity in the GOP with no ideological factions to woo. (Even the pro-life lobby caved to his wishes this week by not mounting a fight over the platform.) At this point in the campaign, a nominee will usually look to a running mate to shore up some political weakness. But there’s not much Trump needs from Vance right now and not much that Vance provides for Trump.”