Former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway recently offered a rebuttal to calls for former President Donald Trump to select a female running mate, advocating instead for a “person of color.” Conway, known for her role in Trump’s 2016 campaign, argued against choosing a woman solely based on identity politics, highlighting the importance of qualifications and appeal to diverse constituencies.
In her New York Times op-ed, Conway emphasized her previous successful push for Mike Pence as Trump’s running mate in 2016 and cautioned against replicating President Joe Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris, whom she criticized for not taking her role seriously and failing to aid Biden’s governance significantly.
Conway dismissed the notion of selecting a woman as a running mate solely based on gender, suggesting that it contradicts the principles of meritocracy and the need to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. Instead, Conway recommended Trump consider a person of color, not as a token gesture but as a strategic move to broaden the appeal of an “America First” movement.
She listed potential candidates such as Senators Tim Scott, Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, Representatives Byron Donalds and Wesley Hunt, former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, and former presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy. Conway stressed the importance of attracting various demographic groups, including union workers, independents, first-time voters, veterans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and African Americans.
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Conway’s argument centers on the idea that politics is about addition rather than subtraction, emphasizing the need for a qualified running mate who can effectively lead and connect with diverse constituencies.
She underscores the importance of avoiding distractions and selecting a candidate who can navigate the media landscape without overshadowing the presidential nominee. Trump has yet to make a final decision about who will be his running mate. However, the allies said he has been making frequent calls to solicit advice.
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“Every day, everywhere he goes, it’s, ‘What do you think of this person? What do you think of that person?'” one close contact to Trump said, describing Trump’s phone call discussions on the matter of a running mate.
The allies, two of whom have direct knowledge of the inner workings of Trump’s campaign, talked on the condition of being anonymous to discuss the issue more freely. Trump told Fox News in a Town Hall in Iowa on January 10 that he knows who will be his running mate, but allies say his calls for advice on a choice have not stopped since then.
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A former White House official for Trump who still keeps in touch with the former president said that Trump has preferred a woman as a running mate because he believes that it would help his prospects, with Stefanik and Noem high on his list.
Conway’s perspective offers a counterpoint in a political landscape often dominated by identity politics, advocating for a pragmatic approach focused on qualifications, inclusivity, and broad appeal. While her views may spark debate, they highlight the complexities of navigating issues of race, gender, and representation in contemporary politics.
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