Trump Tweets He Chose Gov. Pence As VP
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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami/AP) — Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump tweeted Friday he had picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate.
Sources said he had offered the job to Pence on Thursday and Pence accepted. The formal announcement had been planned for Friday morning in midtown Manhattan, but Trump delayed his plans after the truck attack in Nice, France, that left more than 80 people dead. A new conference has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The staunchly conservative Pence, who is 57, served six terms in Congress before being elected governor and would help Trump navigate Capitol Hill. He's well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons.
Trump's choice of Pence as his running mate adds political experience — and a dose of unflappability — to the Republican presidential ticket.
Pence has a calm demeanor and deep ties to Washington. His selection signals Trump is serious about addressing GOP concerns about his own conservative credentials and lack of Washington experience.
Trump also seriously considered offering the running mate post to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, according to people familiar with the process.
In a brief interview with The Associated Press Friday morning, Gingrich said he had still not been told by Trump that he would not be the choice.
Trump had little time to re-schedule his announcement. The Republican convention kicks off in Cleveland Monday.
Top party officials are already in Cleveland, where a committee voted late Thursday to rebuff a push to let delegates vote for any presidential candidate they'd like. It was a major blow to Republican foes of Trump who have been working to try to thwart his nomination.
Pence has the backing of GOP leaders and ease some of their concerns about Trump's political inexperience and volatile temperament.
Pence also has influential allies in Trump's inner circle. But some of Trump's children, who have been closely advising their father, were said to favor different candidates.
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