Left to Right: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The Editors of The Wall Street Journal suggest that Joe Biden’s debate performance was so bad that Donald Trump should pick a “safer” choice for his running mate, rather than someone who appeals to Trump’s base of support. The Journal’s picks skew toward establishment-approved options like Glenn Youngkin, Mike Pompeo, and Doug Burgum. They write:
President Biden’s decline and the Democratic Party’s turmoil have remade the dynamics of the election in a way that makes Donald Trump the favorite. The chaos also presents Mr. Trump with an opening to persuade more voters that he’s the safer choice, especially with his decision on a running mate.
As the GOP convention nears, and voters focus on the election, the race remains closer than it should be given Mr. Biden’s infirmities. Swing voters still worry about Mr. Trump and the possibility of four more years of turmoil. The former President can help his campaign, and the country, by projecting stability and calm.
We know many readers will think this is impossible, and maybe it is. Yet he showed admirable restraint after the debate last week, letting Democrats implode, until his profane golf-cart outburst.
The opportunity is there to present a reassuring alternative if Mr. Trump wants to take it. And he has a timely opening to send that message with his vice presidential choice in the next week. Now leading in the polls, he doesn’t need an attack-dog VP or someone to rally his core voters. He needs a choice who shows mature judgment and has the ability to appeal to anxious and undecided voters.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin would bring governing experience in a swing state that may be competitive this year. He has business experience and would speak to suburban voters. Mr. Youngkin hasn’t been on Mr. Trump’s short list, but the race has fundamentally changed since the debate. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has a reputation for competence and broad foreign-policy experience.
Of those on the mooted short list, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum also brings executive experience and a history of business success and knowledge about the economy. Marco Rubio is a more familiar national figure, but as a Senator he has no executive experience and his past criticism of Mr. Trump will play in a loop on TV ads and social media.
The need for stability and experience should eliminate the young MAGA-in-a-hurry types like Sen. J.D. Vance or Members of the House. They lack experience and wouldn’t be a reassuring contrast to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Republicans are understandably giddy about the Democratic troubles, but the country remains closely divided, and the election is a long way from over. Democrats may find a way to nominate a more formidable candidate than Mr. Biden, and they are likely to unite behind whoever it is. Mr. Trump needs a running mate who causes voters to stop and say: Yes, that person could be a good President.
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