07-14-2016, 02:22 PM
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/287737-trump-picks-pence-as-vp
Quote:Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is Donald Trump's vice presidential pick, according to multiple media outlets.
Trump campaign aides on Twitter said the presumptive GOP presidential nominee has yet to make a decision, but separate media reports said the conservative governor has emerged as Trump's pick.
Pence had been on a final shortlist for the spot along with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to Trump. He was also the overwhelming favorite of GOP lawmakers on the Hill.
Roll Call first reported that Pence was Trump's pick, citing a source with direct knowledge of the decision.
CBS's Major Garrett also reported that Pence is getting the nod from Trump, while the Indianapolis Star confirmed the news a bit later.
In picking Pence, Trump is selecting a candidate who could help his own conservative bona fides with the GOP base.
Pence is a former House GOP leader who served in the chamber from 2001 to 2013.
He would fit Trump's need for someone who could work with Congress from the executive branch, and he would also do much to shore up Trump's relationships with social conservatives and GOP officials.
“What he needs is someone who is credible who can help him govern if he is successful,” Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) told The Hill earlier this week. “There’s nobody with more interesting ideas in Washington than Newt Gingrich, but that’s a different issue than actually governing day-to-day. I don’t see that as his strong suit."
Minutes before the Pence news broke, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) offered praise for his former House colleague, though he said he had no idea whom Trump would choose.
"It's no secret. I'm a big fan of Mike Pence's. We're very good friends. I have very high regard for him," Ryan told reporters at his weekly news briefing. "I hope that he picks a good movement conservative. Clearly Mike is one of those."
Trump's campaign has been seeking to build toward a Friday announcement, and they downplayed reports that Trump had selected Pence.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
