"J.D. VANCE IS THE BEST BET on the predictive markets to be Donald Trump’s running mate."
This is my dream. Vance is almost as much of an asshat as Truump [sic] is, and a double dose of Mega MAGA could just push some of the undecided into Pres Biden's camp... and maybe convert the few remaining normie Rs too.
The two others getting a lot of mention are Rubio and Burgum.
* Rubio is meh, at best, with two major drawbacks: his prior opposition to TFG in 2016, before he kissed the ring and proffered butt cheek, and the possible controversy regarding the 12A (which doesn't actually deny Rubio the second slot, but there are interpretations that the candidate for POTUS and her/his running mate can't be from the same state). Trump [sic] has a long memory of those who crossed him, and he doesn't display much forgiveness for them. This puts him in third place.
* Burgum is the equivalent of mass-produced white bread: he's there but he has no real substance to him. IMO, the only reasons he threw his hat into the primary ring was to attempt to garner national name recognition and to audition for the number two job. Aside from Ramaswamy, he showed the most deference to the de facto party leader while occupying space on the debate stages. Since he is the closest to Caspar Milquetoast I put him within a nose of Vance; there is no chance that Burgum can or will do anything as VPOTUS without clearing it with the boss. He would be the most pliable, and would never consider being like Pence on J6. Plus, IDK if this is a bug or a feature to the MAGA oberster Fuhrer, but being Gov of N Dakota is like being Mayor of the 18th largest *city* in the US.
OTOH, Vance has one serious drawback, besides his facial hair, he craves being in the spotlight as much as he who will be at the top of the ticket. I'm not so sure that he will be able to restrain the glory hound in him, but what I think is immaterial; it's TFG who he needs to convince. If he can't then there goes his wet dream of being VPOTUS, and the face of the next generation of the New GOP -- carrying the RINO banner in the 2028 election. Trump [sic] would never let someone who is that ambitious near to or in his inner circle; the paranoid, narcissistic, sociopath wouldn't take the risk of getting overshadowed -- or worse, a potential intraparty coup before TFG is done with his fun and denied access to all of his personal piggybanks, i.e. the RNC.
Trump picking a VP? What a joke. The 2.5 on the short are nothing more than lapdogs at serious risk of losing their reputations. Ask Pence!!! He can go to any pet store and find something that will serve his needs.
Business must be slow in Washington if you guy spend and entire post on which male will appeal to CFT the most, visually, e.g., central-castingwise. Why worry? Or do you feel that Pence #2 has a real chance at sitting behind the Resolute Desk, perhaps as a result of the Double Cheeseburger from heaven we have all been wishing for since the golden escalator?🤞🤞🤞, but before 5 November, please.
Nitpick — Bolton did not replace Flynn. McMaster (clean shaven) replaced Flynn in Feb 2017. Then Bolton replaced McMaster in Sep 2019. So Trump avoided Bolton’s ugly mustache for nearly 3 years of his term…
There's plenty to read about trump's lies, adultery, grift and bullying - but re. his comments on Vance's "Beautiful blue eyes and long eyelashes" - it surprises me that I have never read anyone commenting on how much and how often he appears to be trapped in the closet.
It seems like Vance is a little more svelte than he was while running for Senate. If he lost weight to make himself more appealing, maybe he would shave too. But he does have a baby face.
Thank you, Tim Miller! I started listening to all things Bulwark only recently and was delighted to realize that the author of "Why We Did It" (which I read when it came out) is such a keystone part of the Bulwark group. Your candor and humor are exceptional and I am now working my way back through the older Bulwark podcasts. (So many smart people, so many great discussions.) Weddings in Portugal, live podcasts all over the place, Matt Gaetz event in Florida as well as other similar reporting, keeping up with your favorite sports, raising a young family? Don't know how you do it but I am grateful that you do. p.s. Doug Burgum is the man, nobody else is beige enough to be VP (although I think Ivanka or Jared are who he really wants!)
A Gaetz/Rittenhouse event sounds like a circle of hell
"J.D. VANCE IS THE BEST BET on the predictive markets to be Donald Trump’s running mate."
This is my dream. Vance is almost as much of an asshat as Truump [sic] is, and a double dose of Mega MAGA could just push some of the undecided into Pres Biden's camp... and maybe convert the few remaining normie Rs too.
The two others getting a lot of mention are Rubio and Burgum.
* Rubio is meh, at best, with two major drawbacks: his prior opposition to TFG in 2016, before he kissed the ring and proffered butt cheek, and the possible controversy regarding the 12A (which doesn't actually deny Rubio the second slot, but there are interpretations that the candidate for POTUS and her/his running mate can't be from the same state). Trump [sic] has a long memory of those who crossed him, and he doesn't display much forgiveness for them. This puts him in third place.
* Burgum is the equivalent of mass-produced white bread: he's there but he has no real substance to him. IMO, the only reasons he threw his hat into the primary ring was to attempt to garner national name recognition and to audition for the number two job. Aside from Ramaswamy, he showed the most deference to the de facto party leader while occupying space on the debate stages. Since he is the closest to Caspar Milquetoast I put him within a nose of Vance; there is no chance that Burgum can or will do anything as VPOTUS without clearing it with the boss. He would be the most pliable, and would never consider being like Pence on J6. Plus, IDK if this is a bug or a feature to the MAGA oberster Fuhrer, but being Gov of N Dakota is like being Mayor of the 18th largest *city* in the US.
OTOH, Vance has one serious drawback, besides his facial hair, he craves being in the spotlight as much as he who will be at the top of the ticket. I'm not so sure that he will be able to restrain the glory hound in him, but what I think is immaterial; it's TFG who he needs to convince. If he can't then there goes his wet dream of being VPOTUS, and the face of the next generation of the New GOP -- carrying the RINO banner in the 2028 election. Trump [sic] would never let someone who is that ambitious near to or in his inner circle; the paranoid, narcissistic, sociopath wouldn't take the risk of getting overshadowed -- or worse, a potential intraparty coup before TFG is done with his fun and denied access to all of his personal piggybanks, i.e. the RNC.
fnord
Do you really think trump wants someone smarter than he is? He just wants another fawner. (Is that a real word?)
Can you name five people who are *not* smarter than Trump [sic]?
fnord
Trump picking a VP? What a joke. The 2.5 on the short are nothing more than lapdogs at serious risk of losing their reputations. Ask Pence!!! He can go to any pet store and find something that will serve his needs.
Such an important yet meaningless criteria for leadership and more so for good governance. It’s about the insecurities of a narcisstist.
And what does it say of the narcissist ‘s opinion of his new Bit_h. Oh, I get it. Bend over Rover.
Business must be slow in Washington if you guy spend and entire post on which male will appeal to CFT the most, visually, e.g., central-castingwise. Why worry? Or do you feel that Pence #2 has a real chance at sitting behind the Resolute Desk, perhaps as a result of the Double Cheeseburger from heaven we have all been wishing for since the golden escalator?🤞🤞🤞, but before 5 November, please.
Oh David. I am just scrolling comments because I am utterly exhausted. Thank you for channeling my spirit.
Glad to help🥂
I really couldn't give a shit how magats think and interact amongst themselves.
Don Jr. enough said
Nitpick — Bolton did not replace Flynn. McMaster (clean shaven) replaced Flynn in Feb 2017. Then Bolton replaced McMaster in Sep 2019. So Trump avoided Bolton’s ugly mustache for nearly 3 years of his term…
“White, Christian, Straight, and Republican" - FU*& THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's plenty to read about trump's lies, adultery, grift and bullying - but re. his comments on Vance's "Beautiful blue eyes and long eyelashes" - it surprises me that I have never read anyone commenting on how much and how often he appears to be trapped in the closet.
Props Tim for dropping a couple dead lyrics in there.
Don’t forget the guyliner.
Seeing he'd be a Veep to a man who is airbrushed with orange bronzer every morning
We've got a serious Beard Length Gap in the West. Perhaps, as a matter of national security, we can depend on Vance to help fill it.
It seems like Vance is a little more svelte than he was while running for Senate. If he lost weight to make himself more appealing, maybe he would shave too. But he does have a baby face.
Thank you, Tim Miller! I started listening to all things Bulwark only recently and was delighted to realize that the author of "Why We Did It" (which I read when it came out) is such a keystone part of the Bulwark group. Your candor and humor are exceptional and I am now working my way back through the older Bulwark podcasts. (So many smart people, so many great discussions.) Weddings in Portugal, live podcasts all over the place, Matt Gaetz event in Florida as well as other similar reporting, keeping up with your favorite sports, raising a young family? Don't know how you do it but I am grateful that you do. p.s. Doug Burgum is the man, nobody else is beige enough to be VP (although I think Ivanka or Jared are who he really wants!)