Trump's desperation for cash is complicating his VP search: report

The dual burdens of funding an expensive presidential campaign combined with funneling enormous amounts of cash to pay his legal teams attempting to keep him out of jail is creating bumps in the road for Donald Trump's choice of a running mate.

Add to considerations over what the number two person on the ballot with the former president brings to the table with regard to voters is Trump's desperate need for campaign cash because he is trailing his opponent, President Joe Biden, by a substantial margin.

According to a report from New York Times' Michael Bender, the former president is asking advisers who best can bring their own collection of donors and patrons with them for what could be the most expensive presidential campaign ever.

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According to campaign insiders, "Mr. Trump has asked several people about the fund-raising prowess of possible running mates," with Bender writing, "It is also unclear among Mr. Trump’s advisers whether he ultimately intends to give considerable weight to a contender’s fund-raising ability, or whether his recent focus is a consequence of his overall concerns about cash. That fixation has permeated both his presidential bid and his costly legal defense in his four criminal cases — and further blurred the line between the two."

One potential candidate who has shown the ability to raise substantial amounts of money is former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) who was the last person standing between Trump and the nomination after a bitter battle.

However, as the report points out, "To some people, he is said to have shown indifference when asked about Ms. Haley’s joining his ticket. To others, he has savaged her with brutal and personal criticisms."

The report adds, "If fund-raising concerns further influence his vice-presidential search, that path could lead toward a pair of former Republican presidential primary opponents, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Ms. Haley, and a coterie of members of Congress, including Representative Elise Stefanik of New York and Senators Marco Rubio of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina and J.D. Vance of Ohio."

The report notes that Rubio as a running mate would be problematic since he and Trump live in the same state, which raises constitutional questions, and that Trump has suggested the Florida senator could simply pack up his family and move out of state, with Bender adding, "Mr. Trump has told these people that it would probably be difficult for Mr. Rubio to move his family but that Florida voters would be too upset to lose the former president as a resident."

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