By Frank J Biga III -
Rumors abound about who Donald Trump will select as his running mate. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich seems to be the early favorite in on-line polls and betting markets. Certainly the Speaker has the legislative background and knowledge of the legislative process to meet Trump’s stated preference that his pick be someone “political” who can help move legislation through the Congress. His recent criticism of Trump’s remarks regarding Judge Curiel have probably taken him out of the mix though, if he ever was in it.
Governor Chris Christie has certainly gone all in behind Donald even being one of the few politicians who recently defended Trump’s comments. Marco Rubio has been mentioned by quite a few talking heads as a great selection because he could help carry Florida and reach out to Hispanic voters but his recent statements regarding pulling back his support of Trump is certainly problematic for his being VP.
But personally I think all of the above is and always has been “noise” by the Trump campaign. None of the above are truly being considered. That’s because Trump made up his mind a long time ago. And unless the convention rebels and takes it upon itself to force a VP nominee on Trump as 19th century conventions often did, I am very certain that Donald Trump only has one person in mind for this crucial office – and that person is Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. And this pick, when made, will be greeted with widespread acclaim by the party faithful.
Sessions has been a Senator since when he won the seat vacated by Democrat Howell Heflin in 1996 so he has gravitas and experience in the legislative process. Sessions has also always been a member of the GOP despite being surrounded by Democrats growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. This is in contrast to the senior Senator from Alabama, Richard Shelby who served as a conservative Democrat until the GOP takeover in 1994. So in terms of party loyalty and bona fides Mr. Sessions has it.
Jeff Sessions is also well regarded in the Senate and throughout the country as a true conservative leader. He has steadfastly argued against mass immigration over the last two decades. He has a mixed record on voting on trade deals having voted for CAFTA and the South Korean free trade deal. But he is against the Trans Pacific Partnership and voted against Trade Promotion Authority for President Obama. In the last decade he has been the tip of the spear of the fight against free trade so certainly his views on trade have developed as the effects of free trade have become more apparent. He also has a solid record of voting for tax cuts and against tax increases. He is a fiscal conservative who wants to balance the budget and has served on the Budget Committee. His social conservatism is unquestioned.
But most importantly, Mr. Trump will be looking for someone who is simpatico with his views on trade and immigration. Trump will want someone he can trust when drafting legislation to return jobs and wealth back to the United States. He will want someone who could take over the helm and move the agenda he is pushing forward if the unthinkable occurs and something unfortunate happens to him.
All modern Presidents want this. Some get it and some don’t. George W Bush certainly got a trusted consigliore as a VP in Dick Cheney. Obama certainly has a solid ally in Joe Biden. But Reagan most likely would have picked someone other than George HW Bush, who in turn, would have most likely picked someone other than Dan Quayle. Who knows with Clinton and Gore? Clinton couldn’t even carry Arkansas for his VP so who knows how they truly felt about each other.
But politics were different back then just twenty years ago. Geographic, experiential, and ideological considerations that expanded the party tent were paramount in most cases. Today, the key issues are immigration and trade and the majority of the party has clearly signaled that it wants action on these issues rather than further parliamentary obfuscation. And picking Sessions would be a clarion call to the party that Trump is absolutely serious about making the changes he has promised. Trump’s biggest promise to the American people has been to build a border fence and finally deal with the porousness of our border. If he is to be a “champion” for the American middle class, he will need a right hand man he can trust.
And Sessions has also led the fight against immigration in general. He has eviscerated the Obama for his executive actions on amnesty and his administration’s lack of border enforcement. His speeches detail the effect of tens of millions of immigrants on the wages and living standards of American workers. Sessions’ endorsement was sought out aggressively by Senator Ted Cruz and other Republican candidates. But ultimately, right before Super Tuesday, Sessions endorsed Trump at a rally in Alabama.
Sessions has also served as an informal advisor to the Trump campaign on electoral strategy and some policy issues. More recently, Sessions was named as his campaign’s National Security Advisory Committee. So some pundits feel this might mean that Sessions might serve Trump in a cabinet position like State or Homeland Security. But once again, I think this is chaff. Trump wants people loyal to him in the most important positions in his administration and there really is no more important post than Vice President as it is an elected and not an appointed office but also because the Vice-President’s duties are pretty malleable and at the discretion of the Commander-in Chief. So, Trump would want someone he could absolutely trust in this position if he is to give his second in command more responsibilities and power.
So, bank on Jeff Sessions as the Vice-Presidential choice of Donald Trump. Loyalty, ideological consistency, and the ability to work together will be the determinative factors in this decision.
