Donald Trump is a busy man. Jet-setting from rally to rally, he has an army of aides and advisers fielding questions and requests.
Earlier in the week, ex-GOP candidate Ben Carson remarks suggesting that while he wouldn’t consider being the vice president in a Trump presidency, the job is attractive to many in Washington, D.C. The competition for Trump’s favor may be contentious. His VP pick will indicate how his campaign intends to reframe itself as it pivots toward the general election.
This week, a Midwestern governor has been persistently attempting to get in touch with the hordes surrounding Trump, none other than Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.
The Republican has reportedly been lobbying for a meeting with Trump because he has some essential, sage wisdom for the real-estate magnate and presumed Republican presidential nominee. And it all has to do with the Trump’s vice-presidential pick. Branstad has two words on the subject: Joni Ernst.
Branstad is apparently lobbying Trump and his campaign to choose the junior Iowa senator. The Des Moines Register reported on Branstad’s logic: He believes Ernst’s ties to veterans and two-and-half years’ experience in Congress would be invaluable to the Trump campaign.
Unfortunately, he’s mistaken. An Ernst VP pick wouldn’t only do little for Trump, it could reflect poorly on Iowa. Disrespect is all that the Trump campaign has shown toward many things Ernst stands for.
Ernst’s experience in the military could be informative but wouldn’t serve the campaign Trump has crafted. He has not concerned himself with being polite toward the U.S. veterans he claims to support. Trump’s flagrant disregard toward the realities of war (John McCain and POW statements) shows a lack of respect for the tremendous physical and emotional costs Americans have incurred overseas. Ernst’s duty would be under-respected as Trump’s VP nominee, because the candidate would undoubtedly only present her as the token representative of American servicewomen and -men who he has tried to court.
In addition to military service, Trump has made disparaging comments about women. An Ernst VP pick would undermine what it means to be a female politician who deserves respect equal to that of her peers in D.C.
Finally, Branstad’s own argument has its flaws. His claims that Ernst has experience in Congress are flimsy at best. Ernst spent three years in the Iowa Senate before moving on as a U.S. senator, a position she’s occupied for around one-third of a full term. Ernst has had little experience in actual governing; she’s still in the process of accruing the experience Branstad claims she has.
Branstad should retract his quest to place Ernst by Trump’s side. The man is volatile and unpredictable, as likely to bring shame and dishonor to the nation as he is to bring any positive accolades. The majority of Iowans didn’t support Trump in the caucuses and shouldn’t have to watch an elected Iowan representative dragged through the circus that is the Trump campaign.