GOP rejects Haley as Trump’s No. 2, wants DeSantis

Republican and independent voters appear open to just about anyone former President Donald Trump is considering as his running mate, with one exception — former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

In a new Economist/YouGov survey, registered voters approved nine of 10 possible picks, with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) at the top of the list, with 68% approving of him as Trump’s running mate.

He was followed by former Trump-era housing chief Ben Carson at 60%, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) at 57%, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) at 56%, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy at 55%, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) at 53%, Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) at 45%, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at 42%, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) at 30%.

All of their approval numbers topped their disapprovals by at least 14 points. For example, the approval-disapproval gap for DeSantis was 48 points, with 68% approving to 20% disapproving.

The one exception was Haley. While 36% approved of Trump picking her, 51% of registered Republicans and independents who lean right disapproved of putting her on the ticket.

While she fits the bill for those wishing Trump would pick an established conservative minority woman, her attacks on the former president during her long-shot presidential campaign soured voters on her, especially in the MAGA world.

The poll did not include other names tossed around, including Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).

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In some settings, Trump has singled out Scott as his leading choice. He is also the top pick of some political gamblers who are already gaming out Trump’s looming decision.

The Economist/YouGov poll showed why voters are already focused on Trump’s pick for No. 2. The survey found Trump leading President Joe Biden by one of the widest margins, 44%-37%, among registered voters.

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