The mystery surrounding Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick has reached new heights as the crowd of candidates has apparently thinned.
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Donald Trump abruptly postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick following a day of rampant speculation, citing the “horrible attack” in Nice, France, that left scores dead.
According to the Times, Trump’s advisers have told Republican officials that he is planning to announce Pence as his VP pick tomorrow. He’s up against a clock: The Republican convention kicks off in Cleveland Monday. Traditionally, the vice presidential choice is used to build enthusiasm among party loyalists.
In Pence, Trump has added a social conservative who GOP strategists say will reassure rank-and-file Republicans that Trump can be trusted to pursue their interests. The New York Times reported the news as well.
Finalists for the slot include New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, and Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, although a surprise candidate is still possible.
He told CNN he was expecting to hear about Trump’s decision around 1 or 2 p.m. Pence would help reassure conservatives, who have had their doubts about Trump, about what kind of president he would be.
Trump’s campaign, meanwhile, said the deal is not yet done. Pence later signed an amendment to the law protecting the rights of LGBT people. Trump has said he opposes abortion, but his views have been inconsistent, and he has said Planned Parenthood provides some valuable services.
Pence also criticized Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the country. “He said I have finally concluded that we have to kick over the table in Washington”.
Pence now serves as governor of in, a position he was elected to in 2012.
The Wisconsin Republican said he didn’t know what Trump would do, and hoped he’d make “a good pick and clearly that would be a good one”. Trump won IN anyway, prompting Cruz to drop out of the party race to be the nominee for the election. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita said they would run for the office against Democrat John Gregg. He was chairman of the House Republican Conference from 2009 to 2011.
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While CBS’ 60 Minutes gets the first interview of Pence and Trump together, Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity will interview Pence on Friday night on his show, Hannity, according to The Drudge Report. He also has “deep ties” with the Koch brothers and other GOP donors, who Trump needs in order to make up fundraising ground against Hillary Clinton.
