Politics

Trump’s Campaign Manager Drops Hint About VP

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has long said he would likely pick a “political person” with government experience as his running mate.

But appearing Tuesday on “CBS This Morning,” Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski got a little bit more specific.

“I think it’s someone who has federal elective experience so they understand how to make sure that they can get his legislative agenda done,” said Lewandowski, who is a part of the VP selection process.

By specifically citing “federal elective experience,” Lewandowski seems to be hinting Trump will not choose someone that only has been elected governor. That would exclude possibilities like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.

That statement, however, seems to boost the chances of contenders like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Alabama Sen. [crscore]Jeff Sessions[/crscore], Ohio Gov. John Kasich (a former congressman), Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (a former congressman), Tennessee Sen. [crscore]Bob Corker[/crscore] and Iowa Sen. [crscore]Joni Ernst[/crscore].

“Here’s what the decision comes down to and it’s very simple,” Lewandowski said. “Mr. Trump is going to pick the person who is best to partner with him to get his legislative agenda through Congress.”

That agenda, he said, is “tax cuts for the middle class, reducing our debt…creating a better economy, renegotiating our bad trade deals.”

Asked by Charlie Rose if they are vetting Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who conspicuously met with the New York businessman at Trump Tower in New York on Monday, Lewandowski said: “We don’t say who we do or don’t vet.”

“It’s fair to say that there’s one person on this team is going to pick the vice presidential candidate and his name is Donald Trump,” he said.

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