The Republican primary nomination is no longer generating much excitement, and political focus on the right has shifted to discussing who Donald Trump, the clear front-runner, might choose as his vice-presidential running mate. This topic was widely discussed at the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) over the past four days, where attendees cast ballots in a straw poll for potential VP candidates.
The results of the straw poll, which included 17 candidates, were announced on Saturday night and included notable figures like South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, and Florida congressman Byron Donalds.
Several of the top candidates addressed the CPAC audience in what turned out to be an audition for the VP role. Tulsi Gabbard, who has had a political evolution from the Bernie Sanders left to being a supporter of Donald Trump, emphasized the former president’s strength and resilience in her speech.
Kristi Noem highlighted her record as governor of South Dakota, focusing on her Covid response and close ties to Trump, while Elise Stefanik emphasized her long-standing support for the former president and her impressive rise within the Republican Party.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate who has garnered Trump’s favor, delivered a speech at CPAC in which he pledged his support for Trump’s vision of America-first policies. Byron Donalds, a relatively new face in politics, received praise for his solid conservative beliefs and leadership qualities.
JD Vance, a former Trump critic turned supporter, discussed his transition and rise in politics during an interview at CPAC. The discussions around potential VP candidates at CPAC indicate a shift in the Republican Party towards closely aligning with Trump’s policies and vision for the future.