With Pence a favorite, Trump postpones naming running mate

Donald Trump confirmed Friday he has selected Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, having postponed the formal announcement to argue that “new leadership” is needed to fight terrorism in the wake of the attack in Nice, France.

“In light of the disgusting attack in Nice, France, I have postponed tomorrow’s news conference concerning my Vice Presidential announcement”, Trump tweeted late Thursday after a truck plowed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day, leaving dozens dead.

That’s according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the details of Trump’s search for a running mate.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump plans to make an announcement on his vice presidential pick before he heads to the party’s national convention in Cleveland next week, his campaign manager said on Friday.

In what has been an unusually public process, Trump, 70, sat down on Wednesday with both Pence and Gingrich separately in Indianapolis.

“Donald Trump just doubled down on his agenda of hate and discrimination by choosing the notoriously anti-LGBTQ Mike Pence for his ticket”, said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin in a statement released Thursday. He faced a noon deadline Friday to withdraw his candidacy to stand for re-election as governor.

“It’s down to three”, the younger Trump said.

As a running mate, Pence could connect Trump with socially conservative voters. Other than that, though, he’s had a relatively uncontroversial career, which makes him Trump’s Polar Opposite.

Mr Pence has a low profile outside Washington and Indiana. Jeff Sessions and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Now that he’s Donald Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence has withdrawn from the IN governor’s race. “We’re very good friends, I have very high regard for him”.

Trump’s campaign has yet to confirm the vice presidential pick. Pence also has been critical of Trump’s proposed temporary ban on foreign Muslims entering the United States, calling the idea “offensive and unconstitutional”. “Working families in MI need more jobs and higher wages – they can’t afford the risky policies of Donald Trump and Mike Pence”.

Mr. Pence has endorsed free-trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an Asian trade deal that Mr. Trump has described as a “rape” of the American economy.

Minutes after Trump tweeted, one of the governor’s aides filed the paperwork with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.

Pence has been busy on Twitter in recent days – touting his accomplishments as governor.

A long list of ambitious Republicans have already signalled they may seek to swoop in and claim Pence’s spot as the party’s standard bearer, including Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb; Brian C. Bosma, the speaker of the Indiana House; and two members of Congress, Todd Rokita and Susan W. Brooks. He told CNN he expected it “before we get to Cleveland”. He also indicated that he will announce tomorrow when the rescheduled VP announcement will be held.

Jon Thompson, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association, said, “we are confident Indiana Republicans will select a strong new gubernatorial nominee who will win this November and build upon Governor Pence’s successful legacy of sound fiscal management and economic success”.

Pence had already flown to NY before Trump announced the postponement.

The New York businessman had dinner with Pence on Tuesday night after they appeared together at a rally.