Trump’s VP must prepare for ‘radically different election,’ warns Lindsey Graham

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and a Donald Trump ally, warned Sunday that the former president’s running mate must be prepared for a “radically different race” if Vice President Kamala Harris replaces President Joe Biden in this year’s election.

After Biden’s disappointing debate performance against Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, in Atlanta last month, there were growing calls for the president to withdraw from the race and for another leading Democrat, like Harris, to become the party’s nominee. However, Biden has vowed to stay in the race, and Harris has made it clear that she fully supports him.

Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, have faced concerns about their ages, but Biden failed to allay those concerns during the debate, after appearing to lose his train of thought at times and stumbling through his answers. Biden’s team later said he had a cold and was suffering from jet lag.

Last month’s debate has since sparked renewed speculation about Trump’s choice for vice president, leading to several high-profile names being floated.

During an appearance on CBS News Confronting the nation On Sunday, Graham spoke about Trump’s potential running mates, adding that any candidate would have to be prepared for a “radically different race” if Harris were to replace Biden.

“I think before this is all said and done, President Biden will most likely be replaced and Kamala Harris is going to be very strong… But if I were (former) President Trump, I would make sure I picked someone who could add value in 2024, expand the map, continue the case against liberals… I hope Trump is looking for a vice presidential pick who can not only continue the American First agenda after he leaves office, but also win in 2024,” the senator said.

He added: “I think the choice of vice president by both parties, if Biden steps aside, Harris is going to have to pick someone to help him. If she does become the nominee, it’s going to be a radically different race than it is today. I hope people are thinking about that on our end.”

Newsweek reached out to Graham’s office and the Trump and Biden campaigns via email for comment.

When asked who Trump’s potential running mate should be, Graham cited several prominent political figures, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

“There are three people that are being talked about. Burgum, rock solid in North Dakota. J.D. Vance is aligned with (former) President Trump in many ways (and) he could be a good wingman. (Sen.) Marco Rubio, you have a problem in Florida. I think he’s a very articulate conservative who could help (former) President Trump tremendously. There’s someone that’s not being talked about and I think should be, and that’s (Gov. Glenn) Youngkin of Virginia. If we win Virginia, we win, that’s it,” Graham said.

Trump has given no real indication of his choice for vice president, beyond heaping praise on certain individuals and ruling out any possibility that he would choose former Vice President Mike Pence again after their relationship broke down following the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Trump has said he will likely choose his vice president closer to the Republican National Convention in July.

This isn’t the first time Graham has raised the hypothetical scenario of Harris replacing Biden as he talks about her choice as a vice president that could have a huge impact.

“The political debate doesn’t change, it’s the candidate’s abilities that change – all the issues associated with Biden’s physical and mental decline disappear. If she picks a governor from Pennsylvania or Michigan, that’s a game changer,” Graham said. The Washington Post in an article published on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll conducted July 1-5 found that just 42% of voters would strongly or somewhat support Harris for president if she replaced Biden, while 50% would strongly or somewhat oppose her. A total of 4,902 registered voters in seven key swing states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, were surveyed, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point.