Dale R. Giovengo: Why Trump needs Haley as VP

We know the history of President Abraham Lincoln choosing political rivals to serve in critical positions in his Cabinet and administration. He chose William H. Seward as secretary of state, Salmon P. Chase as secretary of the treasury and Edward Bates as attorney general, all politicians who opposed him to be president. And even Andrew Johnson, who was a Democrat.

Last I checked, Lincoln, a Republican, has a pretty good presidential reputation and performance perhaps strengthened by the challenges brought to him by the diversity of ideas he kept close. His decision to include rivals held the Republican Party and the nation post-Civil War together.

This situation is pertinent to today. Former President Trump should choose Ambassador Nikki Haley as his running mate.

I’m not sure she wants the job; however, to my knowledge, she has not said no, and even if she has, political denials are easily reversed. She ran an aggressive campaign which was impressive in its doggedness. Some said it was her one and only shot, but careers are easily resurrected in politics after unsuccessful runs (i.e., Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Joe Biden, to name a few. Her running as VP, win or lose, would set her up well for 2028.

Positives are many for both Trump and Haley. Haley is by far one of the most recognized of the candidate possibilities. Despite the characterization of her as a “party” Republican, her campaign exhibited her willingness to challenge the status quo of the party. Trump choosing a party insider — Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Kristi Noem — gains him little electoral traction.

She would guarantee for Trump North Carolina and Georgia and perhaps the suburbs of Philadelphia.

He would exhibit his magnanimity and willingness to be Lincoln-esque, listening and considering alternate views.

The 2024 election will hinge on many groups. Most experts agree that suburban women will be key, especially those concerned with abortion as an important issue. Haley will assuage the concerns women have that Trump and Republicans are too radical to be the guiding force on this issue.

Her expertise and experience in international affairs will be a timely asset to the ticket. The other side has a weakness in full view.

The appeal to minorities and especially minority women is an area Trump can exploit — and needs to.

Trump is supported by veterans in spite of his sloppy comments (i.e., Haley’s husband and the late Sen. John McCain). Choosing Haley will further show support for veteran families and can be exploited on the campaign trail.

I had an interesting conversation with a member of my family recently who despises Trump and does not want to vote for Biden, but admitted to donating to the Haley campaign. This from a very liberal young man teetering on the transition from liberal to conservative views. His vote would be swayed by a Haley choice as VP.

The cons are negligible. There would be the inevitable questions from the press about comments each made about the other. This is a golden opportunity to win votes and further convince voters.

It is time Trump seriously consider working out whatever differences he has with Haley and chose her as his VP. For the country and her future, she should seriously consider accepting.

It seemed to have worked for Abraham Lincoln.