Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are now being vetted as a possible running mates of Donald Trump.
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But someone else who might be on Trump’s shortlist is Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who’s meeting with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee this weekend.
Under an IN law that prohibits candidates from running simultaneously for state and federal offices, Pence faces a July 15 deadline to withdraw his name from his re-election race for governor if he’s to join Trump’s ticket – at least IN IN, a reliably Republican state.
“The Pences enjoyed spending warm, productive time with the Trumps”, said Pence spokesman Marc Lotter in a statement on Sunday.
Pence met with Trump Saturday, according to The New York Times.
“It’s really going to come down to the personal relationship that he and Mr. Trump could have to find out if they could work well together, and if so, if that’s Mr. Trump’s choice, I think Gov. Pence would be a great choice for vice president”, Lewandowski said.
It’s rare that a running mate dramatically shifts the trajectory of a presidential race. The former head of the Republican Governor’s Association, he’s also regularly been in contact with GOP governors on the fence – or off it on the side of #NeverTrump – regarding Trump’s candidacy.
Previously, Trump has also suggested having a “winner’s night” at the convention that would likely include nonpolitical speakers such as famous sports figures.
Trump is expected to name his running mate close to the July 18-21 convention.
Clinton and Trump face fast-approaching deadlines as they evaluate their choices. And he said the honor of being considered as Trump’s pick was an endorsement of Pence’s success as a governor. A source said the 53-year-old governor has emerged as a key adviser to Trump and his campaign team. He is also viewed as a good attack dog who would take on Hillary Clinton in the general election. As a former federal prosecutor, Christie would be a credible voice. “He knows the government, he knows the issues”, said Biden, a Democrat.
“I’m certainly looking at him and I always will”.
“The people who are sick and exhausted of Washington – they don’t want somebody who can manage the table better, they want somebody who will kick the table over”, he said. Wounded by the fallout from revelations related to top aides deliberately closing lanes on George Washington Bridge as a form of political retribution, Christie still mounted a 2016 bid.
Corker, 63, offers Trump deep foreign policy experience as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, like Trump, believes the Republican Party needs shaking up. His stock may have gone down, however, because he has not shied away from criticizing the candidate at times.
With more than 60 percent of voters feeling unfavorable about Trump at the end of June, the right VP pick could help voters feel more positive about the Republican ticket. She tacitly supported rival Marco Rubio during the Republican nominating campaign, though she has promised to support the party’s nominee. Many are seeing him as the top pick for Trump, who is also a tough character and who has already campaigned with the governor.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned for the office of vice president”. Biden laughed and clarified that he’s not endorsing Gingrich, just pointing out that “he’s bright as hell”.
Some Republicans could be considered even if they have not had recent contact with the campaign.
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Despite media speculation, the Trump campaign has not thrown up any hint on his running mate.
