Pence for gov or VP? 'Who the hell knows,' Trump says
UPDATE 9:30 P.M. TUESDAY: Wrapping up his remarks in Westfield, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised to make America "win at every level."
He jokingly predicted that America was going to win so much that Hoosiers would be calling up Gov. Mike Pence to complain: "Please, please speak to Mr. Trump … we're winning too much.
"I don’t know if he’s going to be your governor or your vice president — who the hell knows?" Trump added coyly, amid speculation that Pence could be his running mate.
Trump's decision is expected by Friday, the deadline for Indiana gubernatorial candidates to withdraw from the ballot. Under state law, Pence can't run for both offices.
UPDATE 9:15 P.M. TUESDAY: There's one thing Hillary Clinton is great at, according to Donald Trump: getting out of trouble.
At a rally in Westfield, Trump repeatedly ripped his presumptive Democratic presidential opponent, calling Clinton an "incompetent" candidate who will give America "four more disgusting years of Obama."
The single greatest thing she has accomplished, he said, was elude criminal charges in the FBI's investigation into her use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state. "She did a great job in that," Trump said. "...Houdini couldn't have gotten out of it. She was so guilty."
In his signature rambling speaking style, Trump hopped from one topic to the next, promising to be "the law and order candidate," and to be tough on terrorism. He also promised to negotiate better trade deals and to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
"We're losing our country," Trump said. "We're like a piece of Swiss cheese at our borders. That's going to end."
UPDATE 8:56 P.M. TUESDAY: Donald Trump said the "hostility against our police has to end," or we'll have a "country in chaos."
Speaking at a rally in Westfield, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee offered his condolences to the five police officers killed last week in Dallas.
"The police are not just part of society, police are best of our society — remember that," Trump said.
"We have to cherish and take care of our police … if we don't, we don't have a country anymore, we have a country in chaos," Trump said.
A lone sniper last week went on a rampage, gunning down police in Downtown Dallas, amid escalating tensions between police and African Americans nationwide. The police had been monitoring a peacefully protest of recent police-involved shootings of African-American men in Louisiana and Minnesota.
Seven other officers and two civilians also were wounded.
UPDATE 8:35 P.M. TUESDAY: At a rally in Westfield, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence gave an energetic endorsement of Donald Trump, comparing him to Ronald Reagan and saying Americans are ready for Trump to be their next president.
"Donald Trump knows that the boundless potential of the American people awaits and we can 'Make America Great Again,' " Pence told a crowd of around 2,000 supporters at the Grand Park Events Center.
After touting his own economic record, Pence adopted a populist tone, railing against the "intellectual elite" in Washington, D.C., and saying Americans are "tired of being told 'this is as good as it gets.' "
He also took aim at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying the presumptive Democratic nominee for president should be "disqualified" from serving as commander in chief because of her response to a 2012 attack on an American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.
"Hillary Clinton must never become president of the United States of America," Pence said.
Pence's introduction of Trump came as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is narrowing his field of vice presidential candidates. CNN today reported that Pence and House Speaker Newt Gingrich are the top two finalists for the post.
UPDATE 7:45 P.M. TUESDAY: Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence have left a GOP fundraiser Downtown and are en route to the Indianapolis suburbs for their first public appearance together.
Talk of Pence as Trump's potential running mate has been steadily building for the past two weeks, setting up what CNN is calling a critical audition for the Indiana governor at tonight's rally.
As they were leaving the Columbia Club, Republicans in attendance at the private fundraiser told IndyStar that Trump spoke warmly of Pence but stopped short of tipping his hand on any decision.
Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said Trump was charismatic and funny but cut the evening short in a rush to get to Westfield for his rally, which was initially scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
Long said the crowd at the Columbia Club roared in support when Trump asked if Pence would be a good choice for vice president.
The clock is ticking on Pence's chances. In order for Indiana Republicans to replace him on the ballot for governor, Pence would have to withdraw by Friday.
If Pence joins Trump, Indiana might not have a Republican candidate for governor until August
UPDATE 7:10 P.M. TUESDAY: Thousands of supporters have gathered in Westfield to see presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump speak at the Grand Park Events Center, with hundreds more in line to get in.
But if the event is truly to be an audition for Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as a possible running mate, he may face a lukewarm audience in Hamilton County.
Among those in attendance, the reviews of a Trump-Pence ticket were decidedly mixed.
Some, like, Brian Bromberk, said Pence would be uniquely suited to the role.
Others like Pence, but prefer former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. A few said Pence would be a turn-off, saying they've been disappointed in his work as governor.
"I will still vote for Trump, I guess," said Martha Christy of Spencer, adding she was disappointed by Pence's record on gay rights. "The VP does not really do much anyway."
For many, the vice presidential pick won't weigh heavily in their decision for president.
Pence on Tuesday had his warmest remarks yet for Trump, telling reporters he "has connected with everyday Americans like no one since Ronald Reagan."
If Pence remains in the governor's race, he would face a tight battle for re-election against Democrat John Gregg, who has consistently been polling behind Pence, but within the margin of error.
UPDATE 6:15 P.M. TUESDAY: Two Republican vice presidential candidates now stand out from the rest of the field, CNN reports: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
Citing sources familiar with the discussions, CNN is reporting that Pence will face an important audition tonight at Donald Trump's rally in Westfield, where the governor is expected to introduce him.
"It feels like Pence," one source said, according to CNN. "But (Trump) likely wants to see the reaction tonight."
CNN reports that the vetting of Pence came back "completely clean," and Trump is likely to make an announcement on Friday, Indiana's deadline to withdraw from the gubernatorial ballot.
UPDATE 5:00 P.M. TUESDAY: As Republicans began to gather for a 5:30 p.m. fundraiser across the street at the Columbia Club, Indiana Democrats called on Hoosier voters to reject both Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Pence, saying they represent a divisive vision for the country's future.
"We must say 'no, no, no,' " said state Sen. Jean Breaux, D-Indianapolis.
Breaux was flanked by around two dozen protesters on Monument Circle, who waved signs calling Trump the "divider and chief," and declaring that "Pence must go."
One of them was J.D. Ford, a Carmel resident who said Trump and Pence shared many of the same divisive qualities. Trump, he said, had gone after women, suggested a ban on Muslim immigrants and mocked a disabled reporter. Pence, he said, had targeted the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
"Mike Pence has made many of us feel like second class citizens and now he wants to be vice president," said Ford, who is gay.
With Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, in town for the Downtown Indianapolis fundraiser and a rally tonight in Westfield, speculation of a Trump-Pence ticket has reached a fever pitch. But in Hamilton County, where Trump supporters are beginning to gather for the rally, a few said they weren't convinced Pence was the best choice.
"I would support any decision, but I think there are better candidates," said Dana Roberson of Indianapolis, wearing a shirt that said "Hillary for Prison 2016."
Nate Russel, 17, agreed. "I'd still support (Trump) but Pence has not really done anything in the past couple of years," he said.
Others said Pence has been a good governor, and would make a good vice president.
"It's a good pick," said Daniel McCullough, 22, of Zionsville. "(Trump) needs someone on the inside."
Pence has emerged as a front runner in Trump's VP search, in part because of his strong support from conservative evangelicals. A six-term congressman, Pence's ties to influential Republican donors and his experience on Capitol Hill have helped make him an attractive pick for vice president, despite his flagging approval here in Indiana.
Trump's VP? 10 things to know about Indiana Gov. Mike Pence
ORIGINAL POST 2:30 P.M. TUESDAY:
Once again, the American political world turns its eyes to Indiana.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be in central Indiana today for his first public visit since Hoosiers gave him a pivotal victory in the state's May primary.
And this time, he'll be joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who has emerged as a front-runner on Trump's short list of possible running mates.
Trump's first stop is in Downtown Indianapolis, where he'll hold a private fundraiser at the Columbia Club on Monument Circle. Then, Trump travels to Westfield in suburban Hamilton County for a rally at the Grand Park Events Center. The doors at the events center, 19000 Grand Park Blvd, will open at 4:30 p.m.
The timing of the visit has generated some speculation that Trump could announce a decision as soon as today, though Trump has said an announcement will come in two or three days.
In order for his party to name a replacement gubernatorial candidate, Pence would have to withdraw from the Indiana governor's race by Friday. The Republican National Convention begins three days later.
Will Pence be Trump's vice president? We'll know soon.
This story will be updated throughout the day as developments warrant.
IndyStar reporters Chelsea Schneider, Chris Sikich, Crystal Duan and Kaitlin Lange contributed to this report. Call IndyStar reporter Brian Eason at (317) 444-6129. Follow him on Twitter: @brianeason.