Trump--Haley ticket rumors persist despite objections

Former President Donald Trump supporters generally don't support the idea of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as a vice presidential candidate, but the idea has persisted because, on some practical levels, it makes sense, according to a piece in the Washington Examiner.

Picking your main rival to run on the ticket with you is one strategy to unify the party and get more votes. Haley has almost surpassed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in many polls, and she could get there by the time voting actually starts.

The objections come from conservatives and populists who argue that Haley represents the establishment Republican party, which is antithetical to Trump's stance outside the party.

But Haley is female and could help with the suburban women voters Trump largely didn't attract in 2020.

DeSantis has been arguing that Trump and Haley are conspiring to "make the establishment great again" by shutting him out completely.

Trump has reportedly been making inquiries of his supporters to find out what they would think about a Trump--Haley ticket, but he does this often, and it doesn't mean he will necessarily go in that direction, regardless of what they say.