Image via Wally Gobetz
We’re one week out from Donald Trump’s resounding victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, and some states still haven’t finished their vote count. But despite the delays, the former and future president’s new administration is beginning to take shape.
Trump is reportedly ready to name key cabinet nominees, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Kristi Noem as Secretary of DHS.
However, all eyes are currently on the Senate, where Mitch McConnell is stepping down as the Republican leader, a role he has held since 2007.
A leadership vote is scheduled to take place on Wednesday morning between:
Senator Rick Scott (Florida)
Senator John Thune (South Dakota)
Senator John Cornyn (Texas)
Let’s take a closer look at all three contenders.
This is an opinion, and is not financial advice. The author uses a pseudonym and cannot trade on Kalshi.
Rick Scott on the set of 'Poltergeist II'
State: FloridaAge: 71Favorite Food: Whatever Trump ate two-to-five days ago.Current Senate Support: Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Senator Hagerty, Tommy Tuberville
Scott's finger is firmly on the pulse of the MAGA movement, and his lips are firmly planted on Donald Trump's ass. That's a potent mix that gives him a real edge.
As a result, Scott was recently endorsed by Elon Musk.
Before entering politics, he was the cofounder and CEO of Columbia/HCA, which grew to become the world’s largest for-profit healthcare business. However, in 1997, he was forced to resign when the company was fined $1.7 billion for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid.
Given his track record as the leader of a corrupt medical company, Scott clearly has what it takes to lead the Senate. This, coupled with Musk's support, means his coronation should be a slam-dunk, right?
Wrong!
After the Musk endorsement, Scott’s odds of winning climbed to 75%. But overnight, they dropped all the way to 22% before a slight rebound.
Why?
Because John Thune has a secret weapon…
John Thune: aka 'Old Homelander'
State: South DakotaAge: 63Favorite Food: Raytheon lobbyist shoe polishCurrent Senate Support: Steve Daines, Mike Rounds, Markwayne Mullin, Kevin Cramer
Senator Thune is a more traditional conservative in the vein of Mitch McConnell or George W. Bush, which is just a nice way of saying that in today’s political climate, everyone hates him.
That said, despite pressure from the likes of Elon Musk, Thune has a secret weapon: a secret ballot.
Because votes for the Republican Senate leader are cast in private, Senators are free to vote however they please without fear of retribution.
Many Senators secretly loathe Trump. While most would dare not publicly go against him for fear of angering their MAGA voting base, some are more than willing to screw him over in private.
There’s also the issue of maintaining Senatorial independence.
When Elon mentioned that Thune would be the Democrats’ choice, it wasn’t just hyperbole.
Now that Republicans have control of Congress and the White House, the only possible check on Trump will be from Bush-era Republicans and moderates in the Senate who disagree with MAGA on Ukraine and other issues.
For many in the Senate, voting for Rick Scott would be like giving Trump a rubber stamp. That gives Thune a real shot at winning, and gives McConnell a chance at having the last laugh.
John Cornyn III
He's like Mike Pence without the rizz.
State: TexasAge: 72Favorite Food: MetamucilCurrent Senate Support: Josh Hawley
And of course, there’s Senator Cornyn.
Before being elected to the Senate, he made a name for himself on the Texas Supreme Court as a proponent of state laws prohibiting what Texans could put in their own butts.
As you might have guessed, his conservatism leans more toward the religious, Mike Pence-end of the spectrum. And while he’s been a vocal supporter of President Trump, a feud with the ultra-MAGA attorney general of Texas, Ken Paxton, has proven to be a liability.
While his odds of winning the leadership vote are currently low, he could emerge as a consensus candidate or prove to be a kingmaker by endorsing Thune or Scott.
Follow Terry Oldreal on X: @realoldterry
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