NTF Reports Trump Picks Pence As His VP

Calm and cool Pence has the experience Trump wanted in a running mate

WASHINGTON – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is Donald Trump choice as a 2016 Republican Party running mate as I reported this morning as has other media outlets including CNN. This despite the Indiana governor has yet to get the call. He will join Trump in New York for the formal announcement Friday at 11 am at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown for the announcement. Meanwhile, the 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.

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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.

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, would bring executive experience as the governor of Indiana, a respected congressional record as someone who served in the House and reassurance to conservatives who may be wary of Trump’s positions on several issues.

Pence’s polite demeanor would strike a stark contrast with that of Trump, who likes to give his opponents names such as Crooked Hillary and Lyin’ Ted.

In January 2015, after months of wrangling with the Obama administration, Pence won approval to expand Indiana’s own brand of Medicaid that injects personal responsibility into the healthcare program for the poor.

Pence said the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0, a revamped version of a program started by then-Gov. Mitch Daniels, went beyond standard Medicaid expansion by requiring that participants contribute to the cost of their care.

Indiana Governor Pence

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.

Pence’s team has gotten word to start preparing to get the official nod Thursday, and the Trump campaign is currently planning for a scenario with Pence as the running mate, according to two sources familiar with the process.

The Pence campaign has all the paperwork prepared and ready to file to take him off the ballot to run for reelection as governor and meet the Friday deadline.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, also under consideration, had no comment when asked about the latest developments by many media outlets.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, also on the shortlist also was not commenting.

Video in this story comes from CNN

Jim Williams is the Washington Bureau Chief, Digital Director as well as the Director of Special Projects for Genesis Communications. He is starting his third year as part of the team. This is Williams 40th year in the media business, and in that time he has served in a number of capacities. He is a seven time Emmy Award winning television producer, director, writer and executive. He has developed four regional sports networks, directed over 2,000 live sporting events including basketball, football, baseball hockey, soccer and even polo to name a few sports. Major events include three Olympic Games, two World Cups, two World Series, six NBA Playoffs, four Stanley Cup Playoffs, four NCAA Men’s National Basketball Championship Tournaments (March Madness), two Super Bowl and over a dozen college bowl games. On the entertainment side Williams was involved s and directed over 500 concerts for Showtime, Pay Per View and MTV Networks.