Dem
51
GOP
49
A number of Congressional Republicans, including Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), are urging Donald Trump to pick a veep who will actually increase the chances of his winning and who will help Republicans downballot, rather than a fire-breathing Trumpist like Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). Some of them are suggesting candidates like Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND). Others are pitching Nikki Haley. They are thinking of those 20% of Republicans who don't like Trump but who might rethink their position if there were a not-so-Trumpy candidate on the ballot along with him.
All of these have problems. Scott is Black and, sadly, there are Republicans who don't like Black people. Scott could cost the ticket more votes than he gains it. Burgum is white and very bland. Nobody dislikes him. However, a ticket with two billionaires on it would give the Democrats an unexpected windfall: "Vote for the billionaires or vote for Scranton Joe."
Rubio is a one-man problematic doubleheader. First, if the presidential and vice presidential candidates are from the same state, the Florida electors would not be allowed to vote for Rubio for VP. Second, Rubio could move to Georgia and still stay in the Senate, but that would not be popular. Worse yet, if Rubio were elected, then Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) would get to appoint his replacement until Jan. 3, 2027. For example, he could appoint Ron DeSantis to the Senate. Trump probably would not be keen on that.
This talk sounds like members of Congress are afraid Trump will pick some fire-breathing dragon who will hurt the ticket and also down-ballot races. Will Trump pay any attention to what congressional Republicans want? The past suggests he won't. (V)