Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is reportedly aiming to become Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election, as per sources who have spoken to her about her ambitions.
She is positioning herself as a politician who can bridge the gap between the party’s hardliners and its establishment wing.
Her recent efforts to rebrand herself are part of her goal to be considered as a potential vice president.
Greene’s willingness to collaborate with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, help him become Speaker of the House, and take on assignments in high-profile committees such as Homeland Security and Oversight and Accountability, align with her strategic approach. Despite alienating some of her conservative allies, she seems prepared to make short-term sacrifices for long-term political gains.
Though Donald Trump has not publicly indicated his consideration of a vice presidential pick at this stage, sources told Variety magazine in January that Greene would be on his shortlist. While Trump remains the favored candidate for the 2024 GOP nomination, Greene’s ambitions to secure the vice presidential spot and her notable fundraising abilities make her a notable figure in the Republican Party.
Greene’s provocative rhetoric has contributed to her significant fundraising prowess, but it has also resulted in her being ostracized by some of her colleagues. Her reputation includes controversial statements and conspiracy theories, such as those involving Jewish space lasers and Muslim congresswomen. Despite previous controversies and removal from legislative committees, she has managed to maintain influence and a platform within the party.
Greene’s recent efforts to collaborate with McCarthy and her new committee assignments are seen as steps to improve her standing and relationships within the Republican Party, positioning her for a potential role on a Trump ticket in 2024.
Would he Dare?
A recent article by Daily Beast senior editor Matt Lewis discussed the possibility of Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene becoming the vice presidential candidate alongside Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Despite some considering this idea absurd, the author points out that unconventional political events, like Trump’s victory in 2016, have happened before.
Greene’s recent moves, such as aligning with establishment Republican figures and winning seats on important committees, are seen as efforts to rebrand herself and bolster her credentials. Although historically, transitioning from the House to the vice presidency is rare, the author argues that fame and money matter more than traditional political credentials in today’s political landscape.
He presents the idea of a Trump-Greene ticket as an overreaction and a strategic move to further embrace the “crazy MAGA brand.” However, the author also points out potential obstacles to Greene’s selection, including concerns about her being perceived as “low rent” and the idea of her potentially outshining Trump with his base.
Yet Lewis suggests the fact that Greene is even being considered for the vice presidency reflects the growing radicalization within the Republican Party.
An Uphill Battle
A Rasmussen poll published in April said that Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s potential as a vice presidential candidate might face challenges. The poll, conducted between April 27 and May 2 with 1,050 U.S. likely voters, presented hypothetical presidential tickets. It found that a Trump-Greene ticket would lose to a Biden-Harris ticket, with 44 percent support for Biden-Harris compared to 40 percent for Trump-Greene.
However, the poll also indicated that other potential pairings performed better against the Biden-Harris ticket. A Trump-Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ticket garnered 51 percent support from likely voters, while only 43 percent supported Biden-Harris. Larry Ward of Political Media Inc. noted that adding DeSantis to the ticket could be powerful for Republicans and could result in a Republican popular vote win for the first time in 20 years.
The poll also showed that if former President Trump were to choose former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake as his running mate, their ticket would win 47 percent support compared to 42 percent for Biden-Harris. Kari Lake, a strong ally of Trump, is challenging her 2022 defeat in Arizona’s gubernatorial race and has announced a forthcoming book detailing her vision for the future of the movement.
Despite Greene’s ambitions, the fact remains that she is unlikely to be as strong as some other candidates against a Biden-Harris ticket, while other Republican candidates like DeSantis and Lake could offer more competitive alternatives.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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