Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is rumored to be on Trump's VP running mate shortlist, shares her views on the qualities necessary for the position.
Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, now an independent, has emerged as a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election. Known for her outspoken criticism of President Biden and her former party, Gabbard recently shared her insights on the qualities she believes are crucial for any potential candidate vying to join Trump on the Republican ticket.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Gabbard emphasized the importance of attracting individuals who may not align with Trump's current support base. She noted, "In order to win, you have to be able to bring in people who may not already be with you or already be a part of your support base."
Tulsi Gabbard Outlines Qualities Essential for Trump's Running Mate
According to Gabbard, the ability to engage with a broader segment of the electorate is paramount not only for electoral success but also for addressing the challenges facing the country. She stated, "It is also important to do the tough work that will follow should President Trump win, to be able to actually root out the rot of corruption that exists within permanent Washington, to root out the deep state, root out those who believe that their function in government is more important than the people of this country."
Gabbard stressed the need to shift the focus of government away from serving the interests of its officials towards fulfilling its mandate of serving the people. She emphasized, "We've got to flip it on its head and remind people that we should have a limited government that exists to serve the people, not the other way around."
Tulsi Gabbard Outlines Qualities Essential for Trump's Running Mate
Some observers believe that Gabbard, with her more moderate and independent views, could potentially appeal to swing voters who may be hesitant to vote for Trump. Her departure from the Democratic Party in 2022, citing its alleged embrace of wokeness and anti-white racism, has resonated with certain voters.
In her book, "For Love Of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind," Gabbard elaborated on her decision to leave the party. She stated, "When I announced I was leaving the Democratic Party, I got a flood of messages and emails and notes and DMs from people who, as you just pointed out, felt the same way that I did."
Tulsi Gabbard Outlines Qualities Essential for Trump's Running Mate
Gabbard believes her book serves as a call to action, given the current state of the party. She explained, "I saw the opportunity to be able to actually go into more detail, not only on the reasons why I left the Democratic Party, but the experiences that I've had that brought me to that decision to leave the party that I was associated with for over 20 years."
While the exact timing of Trump's running mate announcement remains uncertain, he has suggested that it may occur at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee next month. In recent remarks, Trump has indicated that he has already decided who his pick will be, although he has declined to reveal their identity.
Tulsi Gabbard Outlines Qualities Essential for Trump's Running Mate
Several potential contenders joined Trump in Atlanta for his first debate against Biden, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik. Notably, Gabbard was not present among this group.
As the election season progresses, the focus will shift towards Trump's official running mate selection and the impact it will have on the overall campaign strategy. Gabbard's insights into the qualities necessary for the position provide valuable context for understanding the decision-making process and the potential dynamics that will shape the upcoming election.
