Corker, who is also chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told The Washington Post in an interview Wednesday that he has taken himself out of the running.
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A few years ago, Corker wondered aloud whether the gridlocked Senate was worth a grown man’s time and considered retiring.
Corker said that he told Trump that he is more policy-oriented than political and that some of the duties that come along with being a running mate weren’t really suited for him.
Ernst told Politico she will “probably participate more as an advocate” in the Trump campaign.
“I like the generals; I like the concept of the generals”, Trump said, “[But] we’re looking to go more the political route in terms of getting legislation passed”.
Trump spent part of his July 4 with Iowa Sen.
CORKER: I wasn’t going to say anything. The two were to travel together to a Trump rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday night. Let me just say this, the reason you love him so much is because he loves you.
Trump met with Pence and his family over the weekend and apparently Pence left a good impression.
Other candidates reportedly under consideration include Gov. Mike Pence, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House speaker Newt Gingrich. Sen. “I am very positive about him as a person”, he said, adding that, “I truly believe he has such an opportunity ahead”. “He is so well-rounded, served as governor, and I think he’s a great conservative”.
A decision is expected before the Republican National Convention.
After the meeting on Monday, Ernst said she had “a good conversation with Donald Trump”.
“If the price for speaking is publicly endorsing Trump that’s a price they aren’t willing to pay”, said Mackowiak.
Kushner has also played an increasingly large role in the campaign – providing assistance with everything from fundraising to speech writing to selecting a vice presidential pick.
Corker broadly praised Trump’s foreign policy speech in April, breaking from many Republican colleagues in Congress who have been in duck-and-cover mode when asked about Trump.
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But in addition to the unpredictability of the candidate himself, the question of whether the VP contenders *want* the job – and the very public vetting of each one in Trump’s audition-style appearances with each candidate – makes this season like no other veepstakes yet.
