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(NewsNation) — While South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem never really had a shot at being Donald Trump’s 2024 vice presidential pick, Senator Tim Scott did.
But alas (for Scott), with another week comes another favorite.
At the beginning of April when Scott was the flavor of the month, my source said: “(With Scott as the VP) the Republican party will be able to play the ‘Biden in Chains’ clip over and over and over and further weaken Biden’s popularity with the African American community.”
In 2012, while he was vice president and campaigning for President Barack Obama in Virginia, Biden told a diverse crowd of 800 that the Republican challenger Mitt Romney wanted to repeal financial regulations and added: “He’s going to let the big banks once again write their own rules — unchain Wall Street! They’re going to put you all back in chains!” While Biden was referring to Republican economic policies, our insider said, “It’s not a good look for him right now. Telling African Americans they will be back in chains, with the slavery reference… and especially since the community feels forgotten by the Biden administration as the migrant crisis gets worse.”
But Scott has since faded into the background as another candidate with even better qualifications has come forth.
This week, Virginia Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears is the one to watch.
“Republicans want someone in law enforcement,” my source said. “With all this (redacted) going on on college campuses right now, the Republicans want to double down and show they are all about the law. Right now, the Democrats are showing they can not and will not govern. (Sears) is a former Marine and is tough on crime. It doesn’t hurt that she’s an African American woman either.”
Sears served as an electrician in the Marines from 1983 to 1986 and did not re-enlist.
A hurdle (or not) is that she was born in Jamaica and thus, could never serve as the President of the United States — something my source says Trump sees as a benefit as she would never seek to oust him. But, it is unclear if she would be able to perform the duties of the President should Trump become ill, hospitalized, or die in office due to the country of her birth.
Another person who fits the law enforcement, African American mold is Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who switched sides in September 2023 from a Democrat to a Republican.
While other major cities saw crime spikes in the last year, Dallas bucked the trend — earning Johnson national recognition when the Washington Post wrote a blazing op-ed on June 14, 2023, titled: “America’s cities have seen a crime surge. Not Dallas — thanks to it’s mayor.” Three months later, Johnson dumped the Democrats and announced he was siding with the Republicans.
With either Sears or Johnson, the “chains” tactic will likely still be used — but bolstered by the law-and-order theme some Republicans are banking on.