Donald Trump declined to show his hand Thursday when asked whether Sen. Tom Cotton and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are on the shortlist for the vice presidency, though admitted they are on the list for potential posts in a potential Trump administration.
Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt that the pair of Republicans are “high on the list for something at least,” if not to be his running mate. Hewitt noted the two in particular for their push against terror — Cotton having served in the Army and Christie as a prosecutor
“Well, I think they’re both great, and they’ve been very supportive,” Trump said, adding later on that they’re both “terrific guys.”
“I can say, I can’t give you any clues or anything right now, because I do have a lot of respect for those two guys. But I have a lot of respect for others, also.
“Chris came out very early and endorsed me. I’ve gotten very good, you know, very good statements from Senator Cotton, who is a, you know, who I know, whose parents I know and met. I think that he is a very talented guy. He’s also very popular. He’s a very popular person,” Trump said. “So these are two names that I have high on the list for something at least, that I can tell you.”
The radio host also floated the idea of Trump naming parts of his Cabinet prior to the November election, name-dropping former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl for secretary of defense and former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman as CIA director.
“I think I might be inclined to do that,” Trump said. “I don’t think that’s that unusual, though. That’s been done before, hasn’t it, Hugh?”
“No, I don’t think we’ve ever had a Cabinet member name,” Hewitt responded. “There was a hint that Colin Powell was going to be W’s secretary of state, but it was just a hint.”
“Well did they wait until after the election and then pick a Cabinet?” Trump asked. Hewitt told him they did. “I would be inclined. I would think it’s no great shakes. I would be inclined to do a lot of it early. You don’t have to do all of it, but a lot of it early.”
