After weeks of speculation, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump seems poised to potentially announce his running mate this week only days before the Republican National Convention kicks off in Cleveland.
This comes after Trump started to travel around with potential selections over the past week, heightening chatter that the news could come this week.
Recently, focus has centered on former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who campaigned with Trump on Wednesday night in Cincinnati, where he gave a short and sweet, but well-received introduction for the real estate tycoon. When the issue of a running mate came up during Trump’s speech, supporters took to chanting “Newt! Newt! Newt!” Trump replied Gingrich will indeed have a role in his administration.
Gingrich also told Fox News Thursday night that he was indeed being vetted for the spot. Reports have also stated that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is being vetted, although it is considered “unlikely” that he will get the nod.
Others who have been given a look are Sens. Bob Corker, who campaigned with Trump in North Carolina and Tuesday, and Joni Ernst, who met with Trump in New Jersey last weekend. They both pulled themselves out of consideration, leaving Gingrich atop the current field. Some believe that Gingrich could play an important role for Trump and fill gaps in many areas with four months until the election.
“He would play a Cheney-like role. Cheney was the vice president for George W. Bush because he was really more than vice president,” said Rick Tyler, who previously served as Gingrich’s spokesman. “He acted really as a senior adviser, and Trump clearly lacks the depth of knowledge required on foreign policy and military affairs and intelligence. Gingrich has studied those issues and immersed himself.”
Consistently, Trump has discussed the need for his running mate to know the inner-workings of Washington, D.C., with Gingrich certainly filling that void.
“I can’t think of anybody else who would be better,” Tyler said. “I understand that Trump actually listens to Newt. He respects him, and listens to his advice, and is learning a great deal from him.”
Meanwhile, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has emerged a potential dark horse to nab the spot, having met with Trump last weekend. Like Gingrich, he checks many boxes, having served in House leadership during his 12-year tenure on Capitol Hill in addition to his four years as governor. Additionally, he could serve as a bridge to more conservative circles of the party and social conservatives who have not jumped to support Trump.
“He’s a successful governor and a former member of the House Republican leadership that understands how the levers of power work in Washington. Being outside the beltway now and as a leading governor of a red state, he has a lot of exposure and experience to what’s going on in the local level that people care about,” said Ron Bonjean, a GOP operative. “He could also be well suited to be a defender of Donald Trump, a defender against Hillary Clinton or a surrogate as well as someone who could be successful on the offense as well.”
Unlike Gingrich and especially Christie, however, Pence has not been a consistent supporter of the real estate mogul as he supported Sen. Ted Cruz prior to the Indiana primary. Therefore, some Republicans believe he may not be keen on cleaning up after potential gaffes by Trump if his political credibility could be at stake.
If Pence is indeed the choice, the decision would need to be announced by Friday, which is also the filing deadline for the Indiana Republican to seek reelection to the governor’s mansion.
Given the unconventional nature of Trump’s campaign, it wouldn’t shock many if he goes outside the box and away from the from the expected candidates, perhaps someone far removed.
“We should all be prepared for him to be picking someone completely outside Washington who isn’t a skilled legislator. That may surprise everyone,” Bonjean said. “I don’t think it would shock anyone if he named a vice presidential candidate that we’ve never thought of for that position before.”
