After ruling out Vivek Ramaswamy as his running mate in the US Presidential polls, Donald Trump has shortlisted another Indian American along with five more names for the vice president’s post. Trump is looking for a running mate who isn’t motivated by the limelight, but who will help give him a measurable edge in the race against President Joe Biden, closed sources told Bloomberg agency. Tulsi Gabbard, a former US representative who was once considered a rising star of the Democratic Party, is the potential vice presidential candidate on Trump’s shortlist.
Last month, Trump acknowledged that at least five high-profile Republicans and one former Democrat are on the shortlist for potential running mates in the general election. According to the New York Post, the names included Tulsi Gabbard, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Byron Donalds, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
Tulsi Gabbard, born in Leloaloa, American Samoa, received a B.S.B.A. in business administration from Hawaii Pacific University in 2009. Her father, Mike Gabbard, has been a member of the Hawaii State Senate since 2006. In 2002, she became the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii state legislature, representing District 42 in West Oahu through 2004. Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003 and was deployed for a 12-month tour in Iraq in July 2004. She graduated from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, in 2007, where she was the first woman to finish as the distinguished honor graduate in the Academy’s 50-year history. From 2007 to 2009, Gabbard served as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka. In 2009, she was deployed to Kuwait, training counterterrorism units. In 2010, she was elected to the Honolulu City Council, and in 2012, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Gabbard served as a representative for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District from 2013-2021, the first American Samoan Congresswoman and the first practicing Hindu member of Congress.
Meanwhile, Trump has ruled out Vivek Ramaswamy as his running mate and is instead eyeing the entrepreneur for a Cabinet job, according to Bloomberg news agency. Trump personally told Ramaswamy he won’t be his vice presidential pick but is considering him for posts including Homeland Security secretary.
Trump’s decision-making process for selecting his running mate appears to be focused on finding someone who can enhance his chances of winning against President Biden. The choice of Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic representative, could be seen as an attempt to appeal to a broader base of voters and attract support from across the political spectrum.
Gabbard’s background as a military veteran and her experience in Congress may also be factors in her potential selection as Trump’s running mate. Her positions on issues such as foreign policy and national security could complement Trump’s own views and provide a balanced ticket for the Republican Party.
However, it remains to be seen whether Gabbard would accept an offer to join Trump’s ticket, given her past affiliation with the Democratic Party and her disagreements with some of Trump’s policies.
As for Vivek Ramaswamy, being considered for a Cabinet position in the Trump administration could represent a significant opportunity for him to contribute to shaping national policy. While he may have missed out on the chance to be Trump’s running mate, serving in a high-level government role would still allow him to make a substantial impact on issues that are important to him.
Overall, Trump’s shortlist for vice president reflects his desire to assemble a strong and diverse team that can help him win the upcoming election. With the selection process underway, all eyes will be on Trump as he makes his final decision in the coming months.
