Tulsi Gabbard: Trump's Running Mate Must Bring in Independents and Root Out Corruption

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard believes the ideal running mate for former President Trump must appeal to moderates and independents while addressing the "rot of corruption" in Washington.

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a vocal critic of President Biden and her former party, has emerged as a potential running mate for former President Trump. While her inclusion on Trump's shortlist is considered a long shot, Gabbard has not shied away from the speculation and has shared her views on the qualities she believes are essential in a vice presidential candidate.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Gabbard emphasized the need for a running mate who can attract individuals beyond Trump's base. "In order to win, you have to be able to bring in people who may not already be with you or already be a part of your support base," she stated.

Tulsi Gabbard: Trump's Running Mate Must Bring in Independents and Root Out Corruption

Gabbard also highlighted the importance of rooting out corruption in Washington. "It is also important to do the tough work that will follow should President Trump win, to be able to actually root out the rot of corruption that exists within permanent Washington, to root out the deep state, root out those who believe that their function in government is more important than the people of this country," she said.

She believes that the ideal running mate should remind Americans that the government should serve the people, not vice versa. "We've got to flip it on its head and remind people that we should have a limited government that exists to serve the people, not the other way around," she asserted.

Tulsi Gabbard: Trump's Running Mate Must Bring in Independents and Root Out Corruption

Those who have suggested Gabbard as a potential option for Trump point to her ability to attract moderates and independents due to her more liberal views on certain social issues and her criticism of the Democratic Party's perceived radicalization.

In 2022, Gabbard left the Democratic Party, stating that it was under the control of "an elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness" that divided people based on race and stoked anti-white racism.

Tulsi Gabbard: Trump's Running Mate Must Bring in Independents and Root Out Corruption

In her book "For Love Of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind," Gabbard detailed her experiences and thought process behind her decision to leave the party that she had been associated with for over 20 years.

"When I announced I was leaving the Democratic Party, I got a flood of messages and emails and notes and DMs from people who, as you just pointed out, felt the same way that I did," Gabbard said in an interview with Fox News.

Tulsi Gabbard: Trump's Running Mate Must Bring in Independents and Root Out Corruption

She believes that her book is a call to action due to the state of the Democratic Party. "I saw the opportunity to be able to actually go into more detail, not only on the reasons why I left the Democratic Party, but the experiences that I've had that brought me to that decision to leave the party," she explained.

It is uncertain when Trump will announce his running mate, but he has suggested the possibility of making the announcement at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee next month.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he had decided on his pick but later clarified that the individual would be present at his first debate against Biden, which was held in Atlanta.

Among those on the shortlist who attended the debate were Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik. Notably, Gabbard was not present at the debate.

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