Former President Donald Trump has been warned about a potential running mate’s constitutional problems that could significantly impact his 2024 election chances. The warning came as Trump had Florida Senator Marco Rubio appear at his rally in Doral on Tuesday.
Rubio’s appearance led to speculation that Trump might be considering him as a running mate. However, the matchup could pose significant issues, with pitfalls large enough to disqualify Rubio as a candidate.
Fox News contributor Byron York mentioned that while Rubio is a valuable surrogate for Trump, he might not be on the final list due to a constitutional problem. The 12th Amendment prohibits the state’s electors from voting for both the president and the vice president from the same state.
Therefore, for Rubio to be on the ticket and for Trump and Rubio to win Florida’s electoral votes, one of them would have to move out of Florida, which would be awkward for Rubio, the senator from Florida. Although Rubio might bring some name recognition and support to Trump’s campaign, the potential loss of Florida’s 30 electoral votes would outweigh these benefits.
Article II of the Constitution, under proscriptions from the 12th Amendment, also details this restriction. Trump moved his primary residence from New York to Florida in 2019. If Trump truly wants Rubio as a running mate, there are options to overcome the constitutional hurdle. For example, Rubio could give up his Senate seat and leave Florida, similar to how Dick Cheney moved his residency from Texas to Wyoming to run alongside George W. Bush in 2000. However, this legal maneuvering does not guarantee a win for Trump and might be too risky.
If Trump wants Rubio on the ticket, it’s his choice, but this pairing could negatively impact a Republican run at the White House, making it a potentially unattractive option.
Additionally, former Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn recently commented on the uncertainty of the 2024 election, raising concerns about whether it will be held as planned. The Western Journal emphasizes the importance of the 2024 election and urges support to continue exposing media bias and corruption.
