Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has begun vetting a potential vice president pick. As recently as May, Trump stated that his VP picks are down to about six people.
Trump, who has no experience in politics, has made it clear that his VP pick would be someone that has that experience, which will be a good fit for the real estate mogul.
“I would want somebody that could help me with government, so most likely that would be a political person,” Mr. Trump stated in Virginia earlier this year, according to Bloomberg .
Trump would also be looking for a running mate that has good relationships with other Republicans in Congress:
“You want somebody that can help you with legislation, getting it through,” Donald Trump stated.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are reported to be on Trump’s list of potential Vice Presidents.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who is also on the list of potential VP picks, was very critical of Trump this week at the Aspen Ideas Festival stating: “Trump’s job is, frankly, to quit screwing up and get the election down to three or four big issues, all of which come down to a single concept. Enough. ”
. @VP asks @NewtGingrich if he’s going to be Trump’s running mate: “It’s a hell of a job!” https://t.co/gqFyBhb9a7 https://t.co/JLj9bommie
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 2, 2016
Whether his criticism of Donald Trump helps or hurts his chances of becoming the Republican Vice President is yet to be determined. Gingrich, however, is well experienced in pushing legislation through Congress and holds a high position in the White House as former House Speaker. Yahoo reports that Gingrich has also defended Trump against the GOP backlash , encouraging party members to unite against Hillary Clinton.
Governor Mike Pence sat down with Donald Trump recently, presumably to discuss being a potential VP candidate. Reports suggest that Trump’s children are in favor of Pence as a VP pick. Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski tells CNN that Pence is someone that can unite the Republican party around Trump. Lewandowski also states that Pence influence in Indiana is important as that is a key state for Trump to win against Hillary.
Governor Mike Pence was also under serious consideration as a candidate to run for president in 2016, however, he decided not to. Pence did not confirm whether he was offered the VP position in his meeting with Trump.
Statement from @mike_pence campaign, regarding his meeting with @realDonaldTrump . pic.twitter.com/GKuylvrUv2
— Marc Mullins (@MarcMullins1) July 4, 2016
Donald Trump confirmed not long ago that Governor Chris Christie is on his short list for VP. The New York Times has described Christie as a powerful figure in Donald Trump’s campaign . The New Jersey Governor was one of the first Republican’s to embrace Trump and has been a fixture in his campaign for about four months.
Christie will help Trump attract moderate Republican voters, raise funds for the campaign and help Trump build a government administration.
How Chris Christie became Donald Trump’s right-hand man https://t.co/gVAkoeaMOo pic.twitter.com/o6JED2uMgV
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 3, 2016
Donald Trump has stated on numerous occasions that his skill as a businessman is suitable for the presidential job. Last month he stated the importance of getting a vice president with a different set of skills.
“I think that’s good for a number of reasons. No. 1, if you win, which hopefully we will. I want help with — you know, I want a hand with legislation, getting things through. And if you bring a business person — we don’t need another business person.”
. @NPRinskeep : Donald Trump will likely completely overshadow whomever he chooses as his running mate. #ThisWeek https://t.co/LaLk4sweU6
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 3, 2016
Donald Trump wants a running mate that has been in the public eye for a long time; therefore, he his repeating his desire for a VP with plenty of experience: “For the most part they’ve been vetted over the last 20 years. In other words, you people have gone to every dinner that they’ve ever attended, one way or another,” Mr. Trump said.
So when does Donald Trump plan on announcing his Vice President pick? The presumptive GOP nominee stated that he will announce his VP at the Republican National Convention this month.
[Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images]
