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Donald Trump to pick Mike Pence as running mate – politics live Donald Trump to pick Mike Pence as running mate – politics live
(35 minutes later)
8.27pm BST
20:27
Potential running mate Newt Gingrich’s plan this afternoon: reading potboilers and ignoring his phone.
Very exciting! Daniel Silva's new novel, The Black Widow, just came out. I will hide and start reading this afternoon. Gabriel Allon is back
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8.21pm BST
20:21
NBC is reporting that Donald Trump, contrary to other reports, has not settled on Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate:
EXCLUSIVE @DonaldJTrumpJr tells me "It's down to 3." Trump will decide this afternoon.
8.07pm BST
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Donald Trump: Sarah Palin won't speak at RNC because Alaska 'a long ways away'
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told the Washington Examiner that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin will not be speaking at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next week because Alaska is “a long ways away.”
“She was asked,” Trump told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview. “It’s a little bit difficult because of where she is. We love Sarah. Little bit difficult because of, you know, it’s a long ways away.”
Palin, who splits her time between her homes in Wasilla, Alaska, and Scottsdale, Arizona, endorsed Trump in January in a 20-minute speech that praised Trump and expressed her desire to “Make America Great Again”, using the opportunity to go on a rambling and confused attack on both parties. She condemned Barack Obama’s foreign policy and the Iran deal, and went on to say that under the current administration, “we kowtow and apologize and then bend over and say ‘thank you,enemy’.” Instead, Palin said we should “let our warriors do their job and go kick Isis’s ass.” She also attacked Obama for his 2008 “hopey changy stuff.”
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Mona ChalabiMona Chalabi
Indiana governor Mike Pence is not Donald Trump’s best choice of vice presidential running mate, if favorability ratings are anything to go by. According to a new survey by YouGov and The Economist, just 17% of voters have a favorable opinion of the Indiana governor, while 32% said the same of former House speaker Newt Gingrich and 33% who said the same of New Jersey governor Chris Christie.Indiana governor Mike Pence is not Donald Trump’s best choice of vice presidential running mate, if favorability ratings are anything to go by. According to a new survey by YouGov and The Economist, just 17% of voters have a favorable opinion of the Indiana governor, while 32% said the same of former House speaker Newt Gingrich and 33% who said the same of New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
Among Republican voters specifically, those numbers look higher for Pence (his favorability climbs to 29%) but so too does the gap between him and other possible VPs. All in all, 61% of all Republican voters said they had a favorable opinion of Gingrich, and 59% said the same of Christie.Among Republican voters specifically, those numbers look higher for Pence (his favorability climbs to 29%) but so too does the gap between him and other possible VPs. All in all, 61% of all Republican voters said they had a favorable opinion of Gingrich, and 59% said the same of Christie.
But Pence wasn’t the least-popular running mate Trump could have picked, according to YouGov: Elizabeth Warren, Tim Kaine, Sherrod Brown and Julian Castro all had lower favorability ratings among Republicans than Mike Pence - an unsurprising result given that those names are all Democrats. Bottom of the pile among Republicans was Cory Booker.But Pence wasn’t the least-popular running mate Trump could have picked, according to YouGov: Elizabeth Warren, Tim Kaine, Sherrod Brown and Julian Castro all had lower favorability ratings among Republicans than Mike Pence - an unsurprising result given that those names are all Democrats. Bottom of the pile among Republicans was Cory Booker.
Pence’s 12 years of experience serving in the House of Representatives, however, could make him a smart choice. Despite Trump’s anti-establishment rhetoric, most voters think the presidential candidate’s running mate should have political experience according to the YouGov survey. Only 1% of the 997 registered voters that YouGov spoke to said that a vice-presidential running mate was “the most important” issue to them, two out of three said it mattered to them.Pence’s 12 years of experience serving in the House of Representatives, however, could make him a smart choice. Despite Trump’s anti-establishment rhetoric, most voters think the presidential candidate’s running mate should have political experience according to the YouGov survey. Only 1% of the 997 registered voters that YouGov spoke to said that a vice-presidential running mate was “the most important” issue to them, two out of three said it mattered to them.
When respondents were asked about Trump’s running mate specifically, 61% said it should be an individual who “has political experience getting things done in Washington”. And it was an even more important consideration for those who said they planned to vote for Trump in November - 75% said that his eventual VP should be a political insider. Only 15% of Trump supporters said they thought he should pick a woman as his running mate.When respondents were asked about Trump’s running mate specifically, 61% said it should be an individual who “has political experience getting things done in Washington”. And it was an even more important consideration for those who said they planned to vote for Trump in November - 75% said that his eventual VP should be a political insider. Only 15% of Trump supporters said they thought he should pick a woman as his running mate.
After a bad week of national polling for Hillary Clinton (a poll by CBS and The New York Times released this morning suggested she was tied with Trump), Trump’s pick could be crucial for nudging him ahead in the 2016 race.After a bad week of national polling for Hillary Clinton (a poll by CBS and The New York Times released this morning suggested she was tied with Trump), Trump’s pick could be crucial for nudging him ahead in the 2016 race.
7.29pm BST7.29pm BST
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“Whether I’m the person he announces or we have Mike Pence be announced, I’m going to do a Facebook live.” – Newt Gingrich“Whether I’m the person he announces or we have Mike Pence be announced, I’m going to do a Facebook live.” – Newt Gingrich
7.27pm BST7.27pm BST
19:2719:27
Gingrich praises PenceGingrich praises Pence
Gingrich is happily handicapping potential veep picks not-him:Gingrich is happily handicapping potential veep picks not-him:
“Chris Christie is a terrific prosecutor. He has this unique ability to reach out and define a case... in the sense that you’d want somebody to take on Hillary Clinton, Christie is significant.”“Chris Christie is a terrific prosecutor. He has this unique ability to reach out and define a case... in the sense that you’d want somebody to take on Hillary Clinton, Christie is significant.”
“Pence brings the qualities of governing very successfully...having cut spending, having cut taxes, having done things to bring more jobs to the state.”“Pence brings the qualities of governing very successfully...having cut spending, having cut taxes, having done things to bring more jobs to the state.”
7.22pm BST7.22pm BST
19:2219:22
Here’s the Newt Gingrich Facebook Live link.Here’s the Newt Gingrich Facebook Live link.
Newt Gingrich tells @NBCNews that Donald Trump has not called him re: VP. #2016 #VeepstakesNewt Gingrich tells @NBCNews that Donald Trump has not called him re: VP. #2016 #Veepstakes
Newt still holding out hope? On Facebook Live, he says: "We'll find out what Donald Trump decides to do."Newt still holding out hope? On Facebook Live, he says: "We'll find out what Donald Trump decides to do."
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.23pm BSTat 7.23pm BST
7.03pm BST7.03pm BST
19:0319:03
Well that’s not a very nice thing to say about someone!Well that’s not a very nice thing to say about someone!
ay ay ay those Wikipedia editors have fast fingers… pic.twitter.com/38J5H22WkUay ay ay those Wikipedia editors have fast fingers… pic.twitter.com/38J5H22WkU
6.56pm BST6.56pm BST
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Five minutes to Gingrich. Will he dispel with this fiction that he might be Trump’s veep pick?Five minutes to Gingrich. Will he dispel with this fiction that he might be Trump’s veep pick?
Will host @facebook LIVE on vice presidential picks,VP selection process at 2pET. Submit q's https://t.co/c259s6ITqS pic.twitter.com/r0wyqUCwOYWill host @facebook LIVE on vice presidential picks,VP selection process at 2pET. Submit q's https://t.co/c259s6ITqS pic.twitter.com/r0wyqUCwOY
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This is rich: the White House praises Pence for expanding Medicaid in Indiana under Obamacare – which counts as a significant strike against Pence’s conservative bona fides... not that many people seem concerned about conservative bona fides in this annus trumpus:This is rich: the White House praises Pence for expanding Medicaid in Indiana under Obamacare – which counts as a significant strike against Pence’s conservative bona fides... not that many people seem concerned about conservative bona fides in this annus trumpus:
What does Obama think of Pence? @PressSec says he did "important work" w/admin on expanding Medicaid in his state.What does Obama think of Pence? @PressSec says he did "important work" w/admin on expanding Medicaid in his state.
6.45pm BST6.45pm BST
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“We are a nation of immigrants...”“We are a nation of immigrants...”
More oldies and goodies from Pence’s Twitter feed:More oldies and goodies from Pence’s Twitter feed:
We are a nation of immigrants, I want to celebrate the Hispanic community and all the contributions you have made to INWe are a nation of immigrants, I want to celebrate the Hispanic community and all the contributions you have made to IN
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.46pm BSTat 6.46pm BST
6.37pm BST
18:37
Look who came for lunch. Via Bloomberg:
Hillary Clinton arrives at the Senate pic.twitter.com/3uo9l3cPV9
6.36pm BST
18:36
Meanwhile, back in Jersey:
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Former head of airport, bridge agency and mentor to Chris Christie pleads guilty to corruption count
The US attorney’s office in New Jersey had been investigating whether David Samson, former Port Authority Director and a political mentor to Republican Chris Christie, had wrongfully used his Port Authority of New York and New Jersey post to get United Airlines to provide direct air service to South Carolina in 2014 to make it easier to get to his vacation home.
Trump’s passing him over for veep marks another downward turn in the once scintillating career of Chris Christie, who was reelected governor of New Jersey with 60% of the vote just two-and-a-half years ago.
Biggest losers in Trump's VP choice: Sheldon Adelson Sean Hannity Trump's children (who wanted Newt) Newt/Christie (obviously)
(Adelson and Hannity wanted Gingrich.)
Chris Christie clutches Trump's bag of McDonald's against his chest. He weeps as the food grows cold. Is this all life is?He steals a fry.
Updated
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6.30pm BST
18:30
Journey canceled for Republican convention
Journey was supposed to play at a big bash at Cleveland’s State Theatre at the end of the Republican convention, but now that’s not happening, venue sources say:
And in other news, GOP convention organizers and officials at Cleveland theater where JOURNEY was to play confirm they're NOT coming now.
6.25pm BST
18:25
It’s not just whether Muslims should be permitted to enter the United States. Here’s another point of divergence between Pence and Trump: free trade.
Trade means jobs, but trade also means security. The time has come for all of us to urge the swift adoption of the Trans Pacific Partnership
The tweet does not represent temporary thinking on Pence’s part. In his decade in Congress, Pence voted for every piece of free-trade legislation that came his way.
Vice presidential also-ran Newt Gingrich, who shepherded the North American free trade agreement into law, showed some flexibility on the issue when he began to compete seriously for the running mate slot. We’ll see what Pence does.
(h/t @aretting)
Update: good point:
Of course, Trump has contradicted his own policy positions probably even more than Pence hashttps://t.co/9Qb58ucUjt
Updated
at 6.39pm BST
6.18pm BST
18:18
Republicans cut deal to avoid floor fight over Trump
Ben Jacobs
The Republican National Committee has offered a deal to conservative grassroots activists to prevent a floor fight over the nomination of Donald Trump, Guardian politics reporter Ben Jacobs writes:
The RNC has offered to ban independents and Democrats from participating in the first four Republican primaries in the future and to allocate delegate bonuses to states that hold “closed primaries” with only registered Republicans participating.
In return, conservative activists would avoid disrupting the Republican rules committee’s proceedings and not participate in any attempt to deny the nomination to Trump.
Trump’s opponents had hoped to “unbind” delegates so that they would not be obligated to cast their votes by the primary election results. Instead, they would be able to vote their conscience and theoretically vote against Trump.
The deal would likely enhance the role of social conservatives in selecting future nominees and make it more difficult for establishment candidates to become the GOP nominee.
The offer was made to a group led by former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, a former top aide to Ted Cruz. Cuccinelli previously spearheaded Cruz’s delegate operations in preparation for a contested convention. After Cruz dropped out, he switched his focus to an effort to empower the party grassroots in future contests and decentralize power from the RNC.
The potential deal came after the RNC rules committee meeting was recessed shortly after beginning on Thursday morning because of an alleged printer issue. It turned out that was an excuse to enable negotiations.
Conservative activists declined to speak to reporters about negotiations as they left a convention center conference room on Thursday afternoon.
Related: RNC offers deal to anti-Trump activists to avoid floor fight at convention
Updated
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6.15pm BST
18:15
Clinton made an unannounced stop to pay tribute at a law enforcement officers memorial before proceeding to a lunch with Senate Democrats and then an event with Virginia senator Tim Kaine.
Hillary Clinton makes an unannounced stop at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington. pic.twitter.com/UYQm3bHbLj
Updated
at 6.19pm BST
6.12pm BST
18:12
National Review editor Rich Lowry earlier this week identified a potential problem with the Pence pick: will Pence, a practiced communicator but not known for improvisation on his feet, be able to defend the wild things Trump says?
I understand the impulse for Trump to pick Pence — an experienced pol, in good standing with conservatives, and not much of a lightning rod, at least not yet (the Left tends to make any GOP pick a lightning rod). But Trump’s running mate will have to be extremely deft at explaining away and deflecting Trump controversies. There is no reason to believe that Pence will be good at this, and I’m guessing he won’t be. Christie (comfortable at defending anything) and especially Newt (one of the most glib politicians of the last 30 years) would be much better by this metric. They both have downsides. No one will be excited by Christie, certainly not conservatives. Newt is famously ill-disciplined. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the Trump team thinks it’s getting a safe choice in Pence and then when he inevitably has trouble defending Trump (he has never operated on this kind of national stage), it won’t look so safe anymore.
(h/t @benjysarlin)
Updated
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6.06pm BST
18:06
The Trump campaign has issued a statement saying Trump “will be announcing his vice presidential candidate” at an event beginning at noon tomorrow at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Were no Trump properties available?
6.04pm BST
18:04
Mike Pence’s withdrawal from his gubernatorial re-election bid leaves a vacuum in Indiana state politics – one that will not be filled by popular former Republican governor Mitch Daniels.
Daniels, currently president of Purdue University, tells the Journal and Courier that he is not running.
Daniels sent this in an email to the paper this morning:
Ordinarily, it’s neither necessary nor good practice to comment on hypothetical questions. But this year and the current political situation in Indiana is extraordinary to say the least. So I think it is appropriate that I make plain today that, should there be a sudden need to name a new nominee for governor, I will not present myself as a candidate nor would I accept the nomination if offered.
5.59pm BST
17:59
Mike Pence endorsed senator Ted Cruz in advance of the Indiana Republican primary, which Trump won handily.
Last December, Mike Pence called Trump’s proposed Muslim ban “offensive and unconstitutional.”
Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional.
“The Indiana governor and former congressman Mike Pence might seem, in many ways, Donald Trump’s opposite,” wrote the Guardian’s Megan Carpentier before today’s announcement:
The evangelical Christian governor, beloved by the Trump-skeptical Koch brothers, is an unabashed advocate of the free-trade policies which Trump deplores.
He voted to restrict Medicare from negotiating drug prices (which Trump supports) and was in favor of both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (Trump has opposed the Iraq war during the campaign, though his position on Afghanistan is less clear).
And unlike the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, who prefers more visceral appeals to voters, Pence is fond of saying: “I’m a conservative, but I’m not angry about it.”
Related: Mike Pence: potential Trump VP pick could be asset despite clashing views
And on Tuesday night at a joint event in his home state, Pence gave the impression that he was a man who really wanted the job. Describing Trump as “a fighter, a builder and a patriot”, Pence said: “We will not rest, we will not relent, until we make this good man our president.”
If their opposing views on trade, healthcare and war seem to jar, Pence and Trump do have a few commonalities: in Pence’s unsuccessful second campaign for the House of Representatives in 1990, Federal Election Commission disclosures revealed that Pence was subsidizing his personal income with campaign contributions – to the tune of nearly $10,000, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis.
Pence, at the time, told the Chicago Tribune that he’d had to suspend his law practice to take a second run at the congressional seat, and that, according to campaign finance laws at the time, he was “completely legally right, and it is morally right for a man to provide for his family”. (Federal law still, in fact, allows candidates’ campaigns to pay them salaries, as long as they aren’t paid more than they earned immediately prior to their candidacies.)
He added: “And there is a larger principle that, unless we can do this, then only the wealthy and the incumbent can run.”
Updated
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