Last week, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump had seemingly narrowed down his vice presidential shortlist to two contenders. But the brash billionaire is known for throwing curveballs — and recent reports have caught political analysts off guard.
According to reports, Trump spent July 4 meeting with a dark horse candidate for his running mate — Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst.
A former state lawmaker and military veteran with a rural upbringing, Ernst has been considered a rising star in the Republican Party since she became Iowa’s first woman in Congress in 2014.
Ernst shot to national fame in 2014 with a TV ad in which she boasted about castrating pigs and promising to cut the pork in Washington and “make ’em squeal.”
In addition to adding military experience to the ticket, Ernst’s inclusion might also help Trump improve his appeal among women voters, with whom he currently lags.
The pair met on Monday and had “a good conversation” about issues concerning Iowans, she said in a statement. Trump tweeted the following —
I look forward to meeting @joniernst today in New Jersey. She has done a great job as Senator of Iowa!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2016
Ernst told Fox News, “I will continue to share my insights with Donald about the need to strengthen our economy, keep our nation safe, and ensure America is always a strong, stabilizing force around the globe.”
Over the weekend, Trump also sat down with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, though a spokesman for the governor said that “nothing was offered.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Joni Ernst is a rookie with a not so great voting record. She has quickly gone from conservative to a beltway insider. I am not impressed
Me neither
I like Jeff Sessions..tough senator of Alabama. Been in Trumps corner from day one!!! Lots of knowledge in military and government and doesn’t take any crap from anyone and totally against the ongoing corruption of DC!!!
I am with you – time to look at people who have been his allies from the beginning, or at least after it was clear he would most probably get the nomination. Newt is too old, Christie shows by his weight his lack of self control and Ernst doesn’t have the experience. Sessions knows how things work in DC, and has been very outspoken about it. Trump needs someone like Sessions who knows how to get things done.
I like Newt the best of all of them, he is definitely the smartest and most experienced in DC! But you guys are right……. he is just too old! I cannot stand Christie! So that leaves Sessions and Ernst. I sort of lean towards Ernst because she would help Trump greatly with the woman vote, which he drastically needs! I think that would cinch it! But ……. Sessions is the best man.
I agree!
I agree. Jeff Sessions would be the best choice for the Republican ticket. Personally I thought a Kasich/Sessions ticket would have been the best ticket possible for the GOP. Maybe in 4. Years!
Agreed, a real conservative American, and great senator, wished we had one here in Alaska.
Joni said she wasn’t interested a while back ago…now all of a sudden she is??? I’m not crazy for her…before this woman I would go for a woman that’s been in his corner the whole time like Jan Brewer..governor of Arizona if he’s dead set on a woman VP. She’s tough and is totally against open borders along with Sheriff Joe.
Jan Brewer is an embarrassment, she doesn’t have s firm grasp of the English language even though it is her native language. Let’s just get the best person for the job! Sessions is terrific as well as Gingrich! Donald Trump is the man to lead us out of this abyss????
I did not put question marks at the end of this memo, perhaps horn news has former Facebook employees!
Newt Gingrich is a self serving, ego maniac slime ball. Put this turd on the ticket and you can flush Trump.
That sounds like a great idea! Flush Trump…
Your comment is strongly good and I support your thoughts,,,, Border is Number one close-off as soon as Trump elected and fast secure the Border and not allowed more Illegal PIG BADIT coming through the border…, also I would like to mention to added “SEEK TO KILL MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT” that would help reduce balance of hispanic population and also ship back the ANCHOR BABIES with them…. Thank you for understanding….
I haven’t heard a peep from her about anything meaningful. She has forgotten her promises to her constituents–those who voted for her. As she was in the military; now would be a great one to at least in pretense, the fix the broken VA, and such as she comes from a rural part of the county and most certainly for her state, (who are being told how much, say corn, that they are able to grow. The government actually pays farmers NOT to grow more corn as they say or less corn, whatever the need as seen by unelected bureaucratic agencies who judges itself, has no accountability, then we have Joni…she must have been handled very early on for she owes big industry and lucrative contracts she will give out for payback for helping her win with their million. She took their money and she and now she is facing an ugly reputation among those who voted for her.
I pray he doesn’t pick Joni Ernst, a phony if ever there was one — there is NOTHING likeable about her. If he wants a woman, he should pick one with a lot going for her. Jan Brewer has guts, and would bring something to the ticket, though I’m not convinced he needs a woman to win. And I’m a woman. I prefer that he choose someone who’s been in DC for awhile. Not sure which one I would select, but Trump seems to have good insights about people. I’m sure he’ll figure it out.
The republican party has nothing credible to offer to the American public in both the presidency & vice presidency. Their high ranking people in the party are mostly devoid of honorable achievements & credible integrity. Putting up Donald Trump as the party’s candidate for president is a big insult to the American public..
How in the world could you ever combine Honorable with Hillarious Clinton? Duh!
13 1/2 million of the American public voted him in to the nomination … pay attention much?
…and 16 million of the American public voted for someone else. Pay attention much?
Herc?..you are a fool!
Really, Herc? Really? Putting Hillary up for anything other than prison is a bigger insult to God and the whole country! I suppose you like liars, cheats, thieves, murderers, greedy people, and totally untrustworthy people. You must if you’re even considering voting for Hillary.
Herc, your opinion is like something else a every human has, need I say more?
who ISN”T a beltway inside once they get inside? no one would qualify then.
Her approval rating in her own state is only 43%. Not very impressive.
Those being looked at for running mate with Donald Trump all look good except Chris Christie who would be drag on the ticket and who would do more harm than good
Christie would not be a good V.P. This lady has smarts and is thinking along
with most of us and I would be for her before any of the others. She seems like
she is someone who will stand up and fight for the right things. Go Joni!
I agree with you Dee. I think this Joni Ernst would be a good choice for Trump, especially this year when it looks like Hillary will remain the Democratic nominee. Joni seems fresh and is a veteran. I think she would be a good choice for Trump.
You Obviously don’t know Newt. I do. He is a lyre and a cheat !
Newt is a member of the Council On Foreign Relations!! He should have stamped on his Forehead, GLOBALIST SHILL!!!
TRUMP/SESSIONS 2016!
I agree. Trump/Sessions 2016.
I disagree..he’s been good to Trump and thanks to him he got rid of Rubio during the primaries. He’s got a mouth on him and not afraid to use it. He’d be good as AG
Newt knows his way around Washington, and would be a good counter to any Clinton antics.
Newt would be a good choice. The media likes Hillary only…..they want to destroy America!
So would Gingrich. He is the smartest Republican alive today but he has too much baggage. Remember he had to resign as speaker of the house. The dummycrats would have a field day with him. Sessions is probably his most knowledgeable but a woman like Brewer might help more. Who can predict?
Yes he has too much baggage and not true to his word
IT IS THE FACT.
A GREAT CHOICE. A PERSON EVERYONE WOULD BE PROUD TO HAVE. SOMEONE WHO DEFENDS OUR GREAT NATION EVERY DAY!
THERE’S NO BETTER MAN THAN N E W T HE BALANCED THE BUDGET NOT DONE I DECADES ! ! !
Newt Gingrich should never hold any public office , he resigned in disgrace as speaker and he was just as much as a whore as Bill Clinton was or still is while in office !!
Christie would be good at secretary of state.
I agree
CHRISTIE WOULD NOT MAKE A GOOD ANYTHING.!!! HE RUINED NEW JERSEY AND HE WILL RUIN THIS COUNTRY.
This seems like a smart pick, many positives with her. The biggest difference between her and Trump is that she thinks before she speaks. I would imagine conservatives as well as the Tea Party would like this pick. This would also set the stage for a real women to run for president after Trump leaves office. Any woman who thinks Hillary is a better person than Joni Ernst, would sell out their gender for a political party.
I was disappointed in Joni’s vote for the BS GMO labeling law. It only took a 1/4 million for Monsatan et el to buy her vote.She’s cheap compared to McCain who received 4 1/2 million from the same crew! The average yes vote cost Monsatan et el $900,000.00. She’s a cheap plutocrat!
Is she a supporter of the FairTax? That’s the only Job Fixer, and Inflation Killer.
Joni Ernst possibly. However, there MUST be a MAJOR spot for Newt. He has massive knowledge, experience and common sense.
Dick Cheney endorsed Trump, he should speak at Convention. Add Joe Piscapo and other Hollywood elites that endorsed Trump; Kristie Alley, John Voight, Kelsey Grammer, etc. to the speakers list. We MUST WIN…… Comey should resign. We are a country of Laws except for the Clintons. ENOUGH, of the I am above the rules politicians. Bring AMERICA FIRST BACK !
Newt and sessions have the most experience without question they would be excellent choices , but if
it’s time to put a woman in , then Senator Joni Ernst would be the best pick for VP , she can get the experience under
the leader ship of Trump , Newt , Sessions !!!!! …….NEVER HILLARY……..!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would Ernst still receive her half million dollars in federal subsidies for her pig farm if she is VP?
Reply
I can’t believe Hillary is getting away with murder (what’s new!!) They’ve even bought off the FBI? No one else would get away with being so lax about our national security. Do you really think they talked about grandchildren on the plane? Too bad a recorder wasn’t playing!!!
No I don’t believe it was an accidental meeting in Arizona. I’m infuriated that Clinton got off the hook on this. Its time to cut the crap and start holding people responsible for their wreckless decisions. If it had been a Republican they would have been locked up all this time and found guilty and spent life in prison.
As Comey said, anyone else would have to face 10 years in prison. So why not Clinton with the golden skates? How is it, that she is above our laws? It sure was strange that Bill waited for Lynch to arrive. Blackmail, bribe? Everyone was sure the FBI would prosecute but whoops she skated off, free and clear.
Donald should look for someone who can get his agenda passed by Congress. There are several Republican women on Capitol Hill who may have the experience needed to carry out that task really well. If women are given the choice between Hillary as president or a competent woman VP they may choose competence over Hillary.
Joni would be great. I like Newt but we must soften Trump if we want to win. While much of his rants sound good to us it doesn’t matter if he can’t win. Independents hate him and we need a lot of their votes to win.
I believe the Democratic party is the most corrupt society of all third world nations in the world today. We are a third world nation now no longer our usual #1. Patreaus was crucified for less than Crooked Hillary. & if any American believes Bill Clinton stood by to talk to PUPPET Lynch about Golf & Grand Children you should see a shrink immediately.
I think that Joni Ernst is a better choice than Christie sine he had very little support during the primary and Newt Gingrich is not someone that would help the ticket might be a good advisor but no more.
I want to know why no one is talking about Col. Allen West? He would make a great VP. Much better than Newt, Christie or Joni.
Do we have a woman like Iron Maggie of GB? If so pick her, if not do your best. An American woman might be willing to rub the muslim’s nose in their persecution of women! Or if like iron Maggie kick some islamic political rear ends and declare mosques illegal because they are govt facilities, supported by foreign govt’s That is illegal in the US. there is a video showing the invasion of Europe by muslims. Not pretty. What was clear is the muslims are not there to become european but they are there hoping to change europe to an islamic state while the fools who are govt officials in europe are acting like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand of multiculturalism. Subjugation is islam’s ideas of multiculturalism. Multi anything is to be eliminated by jihad. They even mentioned the caliphate as their goal for Europe. Fools rush in where arabs tread! And we are next in their global domino effect take over. This is a high stakes election.
In islam it is OK may be preferred to lie for the advancement of islam. Doesn’t this mean the best liars always lie their way to the top? And seems to even be operational in our govt?
Anyone but Christie. He has ruined New Jersey and he will ruin America. Don’ t forget Bridge gate. when a 90 year old woman could not get to the hospital to save her life. He will have to answer to a higher authority one day. He is one disgusting individual!
FAT BOY CHRISTIE IS A BULLY,LIAR AND A KILLER. HE DID KILL AN OLD LADY WHERN HE BLOCKED TRAFFIC IN 2013. CHRISTIE IS A PIECE OF DIRT WHO DESERVES ALL THE SUFFERING THAT LIFE CAN GIVE HIM.
If newt is a liar and cheat…maybe that’s
Just what we need. Fight fire with fire.
I like newt. Think he would be a good
Vp. And talking about liars…anytime
Someone tellsme a lie … I say hey don’t
Tell me a hillary. She is so synonymous
With liar..it’s almost unbelievable.
Donald will choose some who will be
Good. Have faith
There’s only one person who can give legitimacy to a Trump presidency, that person is Rick Santorum!
I agree with Mae the FBI was bought off. That’s what the Clinton’s have done all their political lives. Break the law and buy their way out of it. They may get out of their wrongdoings here, but there is a higher power who will do the judging and they will pay.
I’m sorry Ironlady but am sick of people thinking that the criminals here on earth give a shit about the consequences in the here after. I am a Christian but doubt that GOD cares about politics
Hey Herc, applies to those dems as well
The Donald should choose a VP from a state that has lots of electoral votes Like Ohio, Florida or Texas…get my drift?
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry would be perfect for Donald Trump as his running mate, Donald Trump was born & raised in New York State, the nations 4th. Most loved state & Rick Perry from Texas, the nations 3rd. Most loved state, this is a balance of North-South, East-West, it would bring Donald Trump nearly all of the most important key states in the November election. Newt Gingrich, Chris Christie &
Allen Keyes on the Supreme Court, Mike Huckabee as Secretary of State, Oliver North or Joni Ernst as Secretary of Defense, Sarah Palin as Secretary of the Interior, Carly Fiorina as Secretary of the Treasurery, the Presdient & CEO of the Florida zest Coast Railroad as the Secretary of Transportation, Dan Quayle as Commerce Secretary, Trey Gowdy as the head of the FBI, Pat Buchanan as White House Chief of Staff, Dr. Ben Carson as Surgeon General, Oren Hatch as Attorney General. The country needs Donald J. Trump now. My vote is for Donald J. Trump.
Mr O’Rourke,
Your choices for the party are brilliant; although I would make two suggestions. First, we go with Ollie North for Secretary of Defense, and a Strong 2nd amendment non -politician such as TOM SELLECK as a Supreme.
Condolezza Rice or Colin Powell would be two great picks. Both have integrity and trustworthiness and would help in the African American vote and Condoleeza Rice would help with the woman vote as well.
Due to their skills and experience at managing the business of entire states, governor’s make better VP’s than senator’s do. She may not be from a swing state like Joni Ernst, but I like Governor Mary Fallen out of Oklahoma. Check out her record, she impressive!
If you have ever been involved in a lawsuit, you have been one of the first to know that in the U.S.A. the more you perjure yourself,
lie, cheat, hide or alter the facts, the more likely you are to win the case. Just ask Hillary. She’s the expert! doesn’t say much for her party backers – huh? If she can’t bring Trump down, he darn well better not turn his back. She’s a disgrace to women, marriage & what goes with it. Guck!