Pence, who is running for re-election, faces a noon Friday deadline to withdraw from the race.
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It’s widely reported that Trump has asked Pence to be on the ticket, and Pence traveled to the northeast Thursday.
Fergus Cullen, a former New Hampshire GOP chairman and fierce Trump critic, said Pence doesn’t have any “fatal flaws”, but doesn’t believe he’ll bridge the divide within the party.
Mr. Pence has endorsed free-trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an Asian trade deal that Mr. Trump has described as a “rape” of the American economy.
Mr Trump had also considered former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich (73) and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (53) as finalists. Gingrich, the fiery Republican who helped define the political battles of the 1990s, told The Associated Press that Trump was supposed to let him know something in the afternoon.
Recently, after meeting Trump on 2 July, Pence said: “I’m supporting Trump because we need a change in this country, and I believe he represents the kind of strong leadership at home and overseas that will, to borrow a phrase, make America great again”.
After spending much of Thursday in Indianapolis, Pence flew to NY late in the day, according to a Republican familiar with the process.
On Thursday, despite sources indicating to CNN that Trump was strongly leaning toward Pence, others in his inner circle – including Trump’s son, Donald Jr. – repeatedly urged caution.
His choice was slammed by the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
He’d planned to introduce his pick at a news conference Friday morning in NY, but said on Twitter Thursday evening that he would postpone the event “in light of the disgusting attack”.
Trump is preparing for next week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where he will be formally nominated as the party’s presidential candidate for the November 8 election. Traditionally, the vice-presidential choice is used to build enthusiasm among party loyalists. “But I haven’t made a final, final decision”, said Trump.
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Trump is now up against two clocks: The Republican convention kicks off in Cleveland on Monday, leaving little time for re-scheduling. The billionaire said his selection would “absolutely not” be changed by the France attack.
