At this stage of a presidential campaign, the question is usually, who will be the nominee’s running mate? This year, for the Republicans, the question is, who in their right mind would want to be Donald Trump‘s running mate?
Fortunately for Trump, there isn’t a shortage of GOP politicians who are not in their right mind. Needless to say, some of the party’s leading homophobes are among them.
Related: Despicable Donald Trump Says He Appreciates Congrats For Being Right On Terrorism In Wake Of Orlando
Word is that Trump will pick his choice within the next week. Here’s a rundown on four of the men (and it’s all men, of course) willing to hop on a tugboat to board the political equivalent of the Titanic.
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Christie has been serving as Trump’s political butt boy ever since the New Jersey governor endorsed him back in February. At key moments, Christie has popped up at Trump’s side, looking more like a hostage than a supporter, to lend the veneer of establishment credibility to the reality star. Besides serving as a defender of Trump on television, Christie is also apparently responsible for fetching the candidate’s lunch from McDonald’s. While Christie at least looks more qualified to be Vice President than the candidate at the top of the ticket, he carries a lot of baggage besides Trump’s. Christie was reported on the short list for VP in 2012, but Mitt Romney’s team decided that Christie had a long list of problems in his background. Like Trump, Christie isn’t as ideologically pure on gay issues. He opposed marriage equality, but as governor he signed a bill banning conversion therapy. He is a perfect match for Trump in one sense: both are bullies.
2. Newt Gingrich
You know you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel when Newt Gingrich is high on your list of eligible choices. The former Speaker of the House ran a disastrous presidential campaign in 2012. But he briefly emerged at the top of the pack for a short time, a harbinger of the future that Trump has fulfilled. Gingrich is reflexively antigay. He’s accused the LGBT community of making Catholics outlaws, he funneled money to the religious right’s campaign to remove Iowa Supreme Court justices for supporting marriage equality, and he has complained about “gay and secular fascism.” All this despite a lesbian half-sister, Candace. What’s not to love? The irony is that Gingrich is a serial adulterer whose own attitude toward marriage resembles what the right-wing fears most about marriage equality.
4. Mike Pence
The governor of Indiana is the heartthrob of the religious liberty lobby. Last year, Pence signed a bill that would allow anyone to discriminate against the LGBT community for religious reasons. As a sign of his courage, Pence signed the bill in private and then issued a written statement insisting the law was “not about discrimination.” In the ensuring backlash, Pence’s ratings cratered and he gave multiple not-ready-for-prime-time appearances in the media and town halls. The state eventually had to back down but not before Pence proved that he was really inept.
4. Jeff Sessions
The Senator from Alabama has been staunch supporter of Trump because of their agreement on the fantasy threat that immigration represents. (It’s a problem that has plagued Sessions’ family ever since they came to this country.) Still, he’s had plenty of opportunity to bash LGBT rights. The Human Rights Campaign elected Sessions to its Hall of Shame for his zero rating on LGBT issues. He was a leading opponent of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. When Elena Kagan was nominated to the Supreme Court, he complained about how while at Harvard she ended military recruiting on campus because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Sessions would be a dream candidate for the religious right and ensure that Trump would carry Alabama–as if there was any question he wouldn’t.
There’s always a chance Trump could name someone else. After all, the vetting process is being run by the same guy who recommended Sarah Palin to John McCain.
And we all know how well that worked out.
Bob LaBlah
I say the best thing for the country would be this: ask Obama would he stick around for another four years or if not four more years then at least till both sides could find a candidate that was wanted by the masses of each party. Over half the people who voted for either side during the primaries had no problem saying yes, they wish someone else were running in their place. Yes, it is true that once a president/mayor/governor gets elected for a second term it is during the second year of the second term that people get tired of them (regardless of party affiliation) but in this I think it would be for the better of ALL of us if we accept that and stick to what we already have in place. The security of the world says we should at least consider it.
Kieran
Fun Fact: Queerty’s proud motto is “Free of an Agenda”.
Why are you laughing?
joeyty
The more Queerty attacks Donald Trump, the more sure I am that he’s the one to vote for.
KM201
Where’s #3? There’s two 4’s.
Alistair Wiseman
@KM201:
Not only are their two 4’s they write, “In the ensuring backlash….” How about “ensuing backlash”?
Please Queerty, I beg of you, invest in a proofreader. You look like a bunch of middle schoolers put up a website.
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
There is a problem with your proposal: the U.S. Constitution.
martinbakman
4 more years of Obama works for me. Where we need help is Congress. They are mostly bought and paid for, just like Hillary.
Bob LaBlah
@Alistair Wiseman: “Please Queerty, I beg of you, invest in a proofreader.”
That’s next. The censor had to come first it seems.
gayhope1990
The dream team!Trump and his buddies are enemies for gay people.Don’t forget the GOP is for freedom of religion against us,bigotry and homophobia.Who’s in his right mind could vote for this guy?
zooby
@joeyty: You don’t care if a homophobe like Mike Pence becomes his running mate? Gee, guess some close minded old mo’s hate Mexicans and muslims THAT much.
Alistair Wiseman
@zooby:
Keep watching Rachel Maddow and drinking that Kool-aid.
@Bob LaBlah:
So true. Yet perhaps all their money went to their censoring Marxist overlords.
Dave Downunder
I watched Matt Damon being interviewed on an Australian show last night and he didn’t hold back on how he feels about Donald Trump. He totally called him out on his ridiculous views and impossible promises. Has the tide turned and is this the prevailing view with public figures and political commentators now? I hope so.
Bob LaBlah
@Alistair Wiseman: You might be right. You have said a helluva lot of things about ultra liberals that sure as hell have me beginning to see a different light on a lot of things that they do. One thing I sure as hell am beginning to notice is what happens when you corner a few of them regarding their bullshit posts and they can’t come back with shit because they know it is the truth.
Alistair Wiseman
Thanks for that, it really means something to me.
I should be able to see both sides of an issue as I was a Democrat for many years. I made the same arguments that I receive from most of the posters here. Then I grew up. 🙂
One of my problems is I tend to be a “little” sarcastic and may turn people off to my viewpoint.
I do agree with you when you have previously stated the dire situation this election season with two unlikable and unworthy political candidates. Our country deserves better.
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
Sorry Bob, the above message is directed to you.
joeyty
@zooby: I know Queerty said Northern Ireland is Catholic, so I always assume the opposite of whatever is reported here.
joeyty
@Dave Downunder: Yeah we gotta care what Matt Damon thinks about politics.
joeyty
@Alistair Wiseman: You…you…you mean you’re not protesting with some NYC gay activists (Queer Nation) outside the Trump place because you’re blaming HIM for the Orlando shootings ??
Dave Downunder
@joeyty: You chide me while totally ignoring my actual question but that’s OK seeing as that attacking others rather than debating is what you seem to do here. Sucks to be you I guess.
Kangol
I’m not going to try to argue the demerits of Donald Trump. His absolute debacle of a record as a businessman, his fraud, lies, use of undcomented immigrants, accusation of rape, etc., are all easily available via Google. I’m not a fan of Hillary Clinton’s, but I’m going to vote for her if she’s the Democratic nominee, since she’s running against known r@cist hom0phobe incompetent.
Having said that, every single one of these potential VP picks is absurd. Christie can’t even win in New Jersey again and his been missing in action for a year now; Gingrich was drummed out of Congress for ethics violations and runs through wives like the common cold; Mike Pence has zero credibility in Indiana and is an unappealing personality; and Jeff Sessions is like a Hee Haw character but dumber and nastier.
If Trump has any sense he’ll pick either Mary Fallin, who isn’t tainted like these buffoons, or Ben Carson, which might upset his white supremacist supporters, but then who else is doing to be able to deal with Trump 24/7/365 other than his family and Dr. Sloth?
joeyty
@Dave Downunder: In some ways it sucks to be me, and in some ways it’s great. it’s mixed, like with most people. But….Matt Damon ??
joeyty
@Dave Downunder: And why would you believe anybody on Queerty is going to tell you the truth? Everybody will just tell you what he WANTS the situation to be.
Mo Bro
Um, isn’t the term “political butt boy” a bit homophobic? Or, cisgendered? Or, whatever the PC Police are calling it these days? Come on, Gallagher, you know an apology is in order.
@Dave Downunder: Thank GOD Matt Damon has brought us from out of the darkness and shown us the way. I mean, where would we be without vacuous celebs enlightening us plebeian dolts with their omnipotent insight? (but a better question might be, Why is an Australian so opinionated on American politics, while we Americans couldn’t give two shits about what goes on down under?)
joeyty
@Mo Bro: “I mean, where would we be without vacuous celebs enlightening us plebeian dolts with their omnipotent insight?” Now I just can’t decide who to vote for. Matt Damon puts down Donald Trump, yet Caitlyn Jenner has been praising Trump ! (???!! I’m torn)
1EqualityUSA
A divide between those who caved and supported Trump and those who stood their ground and pulled away from him will unfold. This is a low time in American politics. The fallout will continue to haunt political careers for a while.
Bauhaus
@1EqualityUSA:
Well put!
Bob LaBlah
@Alistair Wiseman: This years National Spelling Bee said a lot about the educational system now in place here in the U.S. Did you notice anything in particular about ALL of the finalist and who/what was NOT present at those finals? Had a foreign power been in charge of education here we would declare war upon them once the reality of the present situation set in.
Alistair Wiseman
@Bob LaBlah:
I only saw the last 15 minutes with the two Indian boys. They were both amazing!
I once dated an Indian guy while I was attending Purdue University. He and his family were very focused on furthering their educational goals.
Attending school today and adhering to the liberal, politically correct bullshit does not win you a national spelling bee.
Bob LaBlah
@Alistair Wiseman: What a shame you missed it. Guess what/who the last five of them resembled? I mean all the way down to the winner. This is disturbing.
DCguy
Oh look, the same two people (And their 4 accounts) come on to attack lgbts for pointing out that the candidate they support is against our rights.
All of their blathering, rambling posts aside. Trump said he would appoint justices to turn back lgbt rights.
End of story, your rants are meaningless, and no matter how hard to try to avoid the fact, gay republicans pushing Trump now are nothing more than anti-lgbt people attacking the community by advocating politicians and a party that have as a plank in their platform, attacking our civil rights, and right to exist as full citizens.
You should be ashamed.
joeyty
@Alistair Wiseman: Don’t bring up Indians in America if you have ANY mercy toward the Social Justice Warriors. The SJWs just don’t know how to deal with a dark-skinned ethnic group that never complains, only succeeds, and still sees the U.S. as a place where hard work is rewarded.
DCguy
@joeyty:
Oh look, the desperation to change the topic continues.
Because of COURSE none of these shills for an anti-lgbt party, with the removal of our rights as a platform plank, can defend the fact that the candidate stated he would appoint judges to remove our rights if elected. (Or the fact that EVERY SINGLE Presidential GOP candidate attacked lgbts).
Of COURSE they keep trying to change the topic, there is NO defense for supporting Trump from an lgbt perspective, and they know that.
joeyty
@DCguy: Northern Ireland is NOT Catholic, you ignoramus. And South Korea is not Communist. (The Queerties need a major overall history lesson).
DCguy
@joeyty:
Does everybody see just how sad the Log Cabiners have become?
My post says, that every GOP Presidential candidate attacked LGBTs and that the gay republicans try to deflect from that topic by changing the subject.
And how do the gay republicans respond? By replying to my post with a post about Ireland and South Korea that has zero to do with what I said….
::::Clapping:::: Oh well done! You really changed the subject there! I mean, of course you had to invent a post that I never put up. But still, good effort BJMcfriskey oh, I mean Joeyty
joeyty
@DCguy: Total craziness on your part. I’m not even Jewish. Not that that would matter either way.
DCguy
@joeyty:
Thank you for proving my point. As a Log Cabiner, you have no defense of your shilling for an anti-lgbt party, so your one goal is to change the topic.
joeyty
@DCguy: I…I…..I’m not changing the subject. You’re just a big fibber!!!
Kangol
@DCguy: Exactly. Note that none of these pro-Trumpites really addresses the subject of the original Queerty post, about the four buffoons under VP consideration.
I saw yesterday that Trump also was considering yet ANOTHER hom0phobe, right-wing Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Will the Log Cabinettes speak out about her and criticize her hom0phobic beliefs and policies? /crickets/
DCguy
@Kangol:
Of course not. They are too busy trying to prove to their homophobic friends or parents that they aren’t “THAT kind of gay” They’re the good kind of gay, the kind that supports anti-gay policies.
joeyty
@DCguy: Yes, I’m a grown man who still must prove something to my parents (because they’re such great brains…lol).
joeyty
@Kangol: Hmmm…but Trump is still better than Hillary. Even if he DID keep promises to the Right Wing Religious Loons (which he won’t) he’d still be better than Hillary Clinton who, at best, is a careless dishonest creature and, at worst, will hasten our deaths by admitting three and a half million Muslim refugees..no questions asked.
DCguy
@joeyty:
And once again, you refuse to.mention that Trump specifically promised to roll back LGBT rights, the every GOP candidate attacked LGBTS, that the GOP platform has an entire plank against our rights.
You are just like a battered spouse telling her friends that it’s ok, he won’t beat her this time.
Hope that baggage you’re carrying from mommy and daddy gets put away eventually.
joeyty
@DCguy: I’ll put mommy and daddy IN some baggage if they get uppity with me. Donald Trump promised to “roll back” LGBT rights and suddenly you believe his promises ??
DCguy
@joeyty:
So your argument to vote for Trump is “Don’t worry, he’s a liar”. Wow, great selling point.
joeyty
@DCguy: He’s a politician. Hilary is too. (AND a worse liar).
joeyty
@DCguy: Actually, I’ll shove mommy, daddy, AND DCguy in a trunk together and ship you off to Africa if you keep messing with me. I like the idea of you three smooshed in there together, screaming like queens all the way across the ocean to….Zimbabwe or wherever..where you’ll then live as slaves.
single4life
Trump cracks me up…he is just really bad entertainment but entertainment none the less. If he wins there will be a lot more entertainment! ..and Hillary, please. Either way the USA is doomed by leadership! Ross Perot where are you now. lol