Choice of Running Mate

• Around a week before the party’s National convention, Presidential candidates announced their running mate. The timing is often sued strategically to generate momentum and boost polling numbers
• Factors taken into account when choosing a Running Mate:

  • Balanced Ticket
  • Party Unity
  • Competence and compatibility
  • Electoral appeal
• Balanced ticket: Candidates often select a running mate who balance the ticket in terms of geography, demographics, experience or ideology. This balance is aimed at appealing to a broader voter base
• Example of Balanced ticket: Biden chose Harris who brought diversity as a woman of colour and her prosecutorial background contrasted with Biden’s legislative experience
• Party unity: Choice can be used to unify different factions within the party. Selecting a running mate from a different wing can help in consolidating the party base
• Running mates are often chosen to bridge divides within the party. In 2016, Clinton selected Tim Kaine, seen as a safe choice to appeal to moderates and unify the party
• Competence : The candidate’s ability to assume the presidency if needed is a critical factor.
• Compatibility: In terms of working style and policy views with the presidential candidate is also considered
• Mike Pence, chosen by Trump in 2016, was seen as someone with executive and legislative experience, complimenting Trump’s outsider status
• Electoral appeal: Factors like the running mate’s popularity in key swing states appeal to certain voter demographics and previous electoral experience play a significant role
• Biden‘s selection of Harris was also seen as a move to solidify his support among women and African American voters
• Trump’s selection of Pence was partly to solidify support for Trump among evangelical voters