The reason to pick Tucker Carlson for the VP spot is simple. If Trump picks anyone else, the powers that be will just kill him. Tucker is the only person that makes assassinating Trump an even worse option for his enemies than leaving him alone.

Tucker floated the possibility of assassination with Trump in his interview with him last August. “They started with protests against you, massive protests, organized protests by the left, and then it moved to impeachment twice,” he said. “And now indictment. I mean, the next stage is violence. Are you worried that they’re going to try and kill you? Why wouldn’t they try and kill you? Honestly.”

Trump brushed it off, but it’s a good question. Why wouldn’t they? Their desperation is palpable, “they” meaning “permanent Washington, both parties,” according to Tucker. 

The thing that makes Trump such a protean figure in politics is his independence. He has already gotten what he wants out of life, he has too much money to be bribed, and the establishment has very little leverage over him. Tucker has the same self-sufficiency.

He also has something Trump lacks: familiarity with Washington. He has been around this town long enough to know how everything works, including the deep state. 

When Bill Clinton chose another white, male Southerner as his VP, it was a sign that his campaign didn’t feel the need to do the kind of balancing the conventional wisdom recommends. It was a show of confidence. Eschewing the identity-driven picks on the short list and going with Tucker would convey the same message.