White House hopeful Donald Trump will announce his pick for vice president in New York Friday, he said on Twitter, as speculation runs rampant over a handful of potential running mates.
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On Wednesday morning, Trump, along with key staffers, daughter Ivanka, sons Eric and Donald Jr., and son-in-law Jared Kushner, huddled with Pence, the in governor, at the governor’s mansion in Indianapolis.
Newt Gingrich reportedly also flew to IN to meet Trump on a private jet provided by Fox News host, Sean Hannity.
Gingrich was seen in IN this morning, according to the Washington Post’s Robert Costa, who cited two people close to the Trump campaign.
The frenzy of backroom meetings and 11th-hour lobbying comes before the four-day Republican national convention in Cleveland, Ohio, next week when the party formally introduces its presidential ticket to tens of millions watching on television.
“I think Gingrich is the safest bet”, said the attendee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noting that Gingrich can play the role as chief critic of Hillary Clinton as well as help Trump navigate Washington.
“I will be making the announcement of my vice presidential pick on Friday at 11am in Manhattan”, the 70-year-old real-estate tycoon from NY said in a tweet on Wednesday. “But in my own mind, I probably am thinking about two”, he said in a recent interview.
Earlier in the day, Pence compared Trump to Ronald Reagan and used the phrase “make America great again” when he spoke with reporters after an event in Indianapolis. “And I’m not saying anything, and I’m not telling even Newt anything, but I can tell you, in one form or another, Newt Gingrich is going to be involved with our government”, Trump said.
When it comes to immigration, possibly Trump’s biggest selling point to voters, Sessions made it clear long ago he wouldn’t support any bill with amnesty for illegal immigrants. Fox News Channel added to the speculation Tuesday when it said it had suspended its contributor agreement with Gingrich “due to the intense media speculation” about his potential to join Trump’s ticket.
Governor Pence, who faces a conflicting deadline on whether to have his name on the ballot to seek another term, said he was humbled to be considered for Mr Trump’s running mate.
Trump is also closer with Gingrich and Christie, having campaigned with both several times already.
First up was Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
Personal chemistry is also important, he said. There’s still no word on whether Pence will be picked.
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If Donald Trump was going to pick Gov. Mike Pence, you would think this would be the ideal moment to announce it. Not announcing on Wednesday makes me think he’s not picking Pence. After the meeting with Trump, Gingrich was later seen in the same motorcade as Trump’s children, CNN reports. “The character and caliber of his children is truly inspiring, and it was an honor for us, whatever the outcome, to have been able to spend time with them”, Pence said.
