Reports emerged July 9 that Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn (Ret.) is being vetted for the vice presidential nomination.
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He said Mr. Trump is a “great listener”.
Picking Flynn could enhance Trump’s projection of strength on national security issues – but the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency stumbled in an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” when pressed on social issues.
FLYNN: I have said that, you know, service to this country is an honor.
Trump associates say that Flynn has been the subject of growing discussions inside the campaign, as Trump himself has signaled publicly that he is exploring a running mate from outside the ranks of politicians, including from the military.
But Trump has a very diiferent attitude about a woman’s right to abortion. “Whomever he picks as vice president will reflect those values”.
When the topic came to the divisive issue of abortion, Flynn gave Americans some insight about why he has been a lifelong Democrat.
For starters, Flynn lacks the political-side Beltway background of other potential Trump running mates, such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, or the traditional state-level government credentials of Govs.
Flynn has been an advisor and a surrogate for Trump, who is full of Islam bashing and all in on the Hillary Clinton email scandal.
‘I have five people, including the general, ‘ Trump told the Post’s Chris Cillizza, despite a formal ban on reporters for the paper covering his rallies.
FLYNN: I vote for leaders. He clashed with Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and the Washington Post reported in 2014 that he was leaving his post a year earlier than originally intended.
Flynn is more to the left than others being considered for the job of Trump’s running mate.
If he were to select a high-ranking military man, Trump, often viewed as a populist who bucks mainstream political orthodoxy, would be following a tradition practiced by the two most recent independent populists with the strongest showings in presidential races: Ross Perot in 1992 and George Wallace in 1968. In an interview with the newspaper, Flynn did not deny that he was under consideration.
Last week, Trump condemned the Supreme Court’s pro-abortion decision striking down part of a Texas law that has saved thousands of babies from abortions.
Trump, who veered from his speech on veterans issues to discuss the violence, also stressed that he is the candidate of compassion.
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Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who’s also mentioned as being on the short list, said she hadn’t been asked for specific documentation, nor talked with Trump staff about being the vice-presidential nominee. “If they lose some tactical turf in Iraq or even in places like Syria, that doesn’t mean that this enemy has disappeared”, he said.
