U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) met with Donald Trump over the weekend, and sources close to Trump have indicated that Ernst is on his VP list that he is considering.
Some believe Trump will use his Vice Presidential pick as a way to appeal to unity in the Republican Party. Depending on the pick that he makes it may for some. I’ve seen some friends in Iowa say they could hold their nose with Joni on the ticket.
I could not, no offense to Joni I really like Joni, but my concern lies with the top of the ticket and those concerns don’t go away regardless of who he chooses.
I would like to offer my Senator some unsolicited advice should she be offered the slot.
Decline. Please. For three primary reasons.
1. Experience
Considering Joni was elected in 2014, and sworn in January 2015 she doesn’t have much time on the job yet. Yes U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) ran for President during their first term. I supported Cruz (after Governor Bobby Jindal dropped out of the race), but it isn’t something I would have advised him to do. All three will face the complaint that they were campaigning instead of doing their job in Washington, and all three risked drops in their approval rating.
I would encourage Senator Ernst to stay in office at least one term before considering anything like this. I believe she is a rising star in the Republican Party. I hope she can build a record of achievement and bold leadership so she is better prepared when opportunity knocks.
2. Sarah Palin Redux
Joni Ernst is not Sarah Palin, but that won’t stop the same playbook from being pulled out. Sarah Palin at the time she was tapped to be John McCain’s running mate arguably had more experience to be Vice President. The left has it out for conservative women, and being a running mate to Donald Trump will cause a lot of arrows to be slung her way from both the left and the media.
3. Trump is at the top of the ticket.
One of the primary roles of a running mate is to play the role of attack dog, as well as, an outspoken advocate. It’s one thing to say you’ll support him because Hillary Clinton is so bad. It’s quite another to day in and day out on the campaign trail push his agenda, advocate for his candidacy and defend his character. Every stupid thing he says you’ll have to excuse or defend. Every revelation that comes out from opposition research is something Ernst will have to deal with.
Whether Ernst likes it or not she’ll be linked to Trump. She will have to commit 100% to his agenda as a running mate with all that entails.
This race has been unusual and hard to predict, but at the moment a victory for Donald Trump is unlikely. Granted because Hillary Clinton is an awful candidate, and some scandal could yet break circumstances could change the nature of this race. The same could be said about Trump as well.
I’d hate to see Joni Ernst step onto a sinking ship with the possibility of tanking her career in the process.
Just say no Joni, just say no.