So, who's going to be Trump's running mate?

[Jim Lane]

59. I think it helped Palin

Would she have gotten that nice Fox gig, and would she have been able to scam so much money for her SarahPAC, if McCain hadn't picked her? I'm betting No. Also, if she had chosen to seek the nomination in 2012, she would have had at least some chance of it, much more than if she hadn't made the 2008 run.

A losing VP candidate may later get the nomination (like Dole) or at least be taken more seriously as a contender than would have been the case without the run (Muskie, Kemp, Lieberman).

The main point, though, is that a Trump candidacy would be an unusual event, one not be judged solely by historical precedents. The GOP establishment would be having fits. They'd probably write off the White House and devote all their energy to other races. They'd be grateful to someone like Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) who agreed to run with Trump and give the ticket some veneer of respectability, thus helping other Republican candidates.

Of course, whether Trump would want such a running mate is another matter. He might see that choice as undercutting his "outsider" image. It's hard to figure out what he would do. What about Gov. Gary Johnson, who in 2012 came in third on the Libertarian ticket? He'd bring government experience but still not be seen as part of the current dysfunctional system.