In Donald Trump VP search, Mike Pence 'rings the most bells'
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is widely regarded as the best choice to become Donald Trump's running mate, several Republican strategists told IndyStar, and his recent visit with Trump signals he is willing to join the ticket.
But Pence's future — and the state's gubernatorial race — could depend on whether the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is listening to anyone other than himself.
"The Republican Party has a deep bench of qualified vice presidential candidates," said Michael Caputo, a former Trump adviser. "Some of them ring certain bells, and others ring other bells. I think Mike Pence rings the most bells of all."
Pence, Caputo said, would bring executive experience, a respected congressional record and reassurance to conservatives who may be wary of Trump's positions on several issues.
Caputo worked as Trump's communications director for the GOP convention until June 20, when he resigned after posting a tweet that celebrated the firing of former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Caputo was not privy to Trump's vetting process for running mates but said he considers Pence to be the best choice in an eight-person field. Other options include U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
"Trump wants to choose somebody who has experience to get things done in Washington," Caputo said. "Not only was (Pence) in Congress, he was a leader in Congress at a time when Republican leadership of Congress was still highly regarded. So that, plus being CEO of a company called Indiana, that means something to Donald Trump."
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Yet Trump also values unpredictability. That's why Susan Del Percio, a Republican strategist in New York, thinks Trump is likely to pass over Pence despite what she regards as the Indiana governor's upsides.
"Governor Pence would be an outstanding VP choice for any Republican candidate," Del Percio said. "I don't believe it's the way Donald Trump is going to go. I think he looks at this more as a casting call — how a VP candidate will look during his speeches — and he wants someone he can send out and who will do what he asks."
Del Percio thinks Trump will select former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown or another wild card who isn't being discussed. Although Del Percio said she thinks Trump met with Pence in earnest, "at the end of the day, I think he's running a completely different strategy."
That might not be a bad thing for Pence, she added.
"The other thing, when you ponder a VP candidate for Donald Trump, is who is going to be willing to pin their future on a run with him, especially if he loses," Del Percio said. "Governor Pence has a very bright future."
When asked June 30 whether he would accept an invitation to become Trump's running mate, Pence said he "wouldn't speak to a hypothetical." By declining to rule out joining the Trump campaign, though, Pence has signaled he is weighing his political future in Indiana against national aspirations.
Pence as Trump's VP? He has 10 days to decide.
His re-election bid for governor is no sure thing. A May poll showed Pence leading Democratic challenger John Gregg 40 percent to 36 percent, a virtual tie when factoring in the poll's 4 percent margin of error. Pence defeated Gregg in the 2012 gubernatorial race by 3 percentage points.
“From every indication, he’s in a real serious race for governor, and he’s going to have a tough re-election," said Republican pollster Christine Matthews, president of Bellwether Research and Consulting. "So, if he’s up for that, then good for him. If he wants some relief from that, then I could see the appeal of hopping on a Trump ticket.”
Pence campaign spokesman Marc Lotter said the gubernatorial race had nothing to do with Pence's meeting with Trump.
"Governor Pence has consistently been leading in this governor's race," Lotter said. "I've never seen any information that would suggest otherwise."
Lotter added that Pence and Trump aren't scheduled to talk again until the Trump campaign hosts a July 12 fundraiser in Indianapolis. If Pence were to join the Trump campaign, he would have to withdraw from the gubernatorial race by July 15 to let the Indiana Republican Party select a replacement to face Gregg.
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David Payne, a Republican strategist and partner at Washington, D.C.-based VOX Global, said enlisting Pence as running mate would be a "coup for the Trump campaign." In addition to nearly four years as governor, Pence proved to be a skilled legislator and fundraiser during 12 years in the U.S. House, Payne said, including two years as chairman of the House Republican Conference. That's valuable experience considering Trump raised just $3.1 million in May.
"Trump has been unable so far to raise money, and this is a huge problem," Payne said. "You cannot field a proper campaign in 2016 without at least a billion dollars, possibly a lot more."
Yet, Payne said, while Pence could bring professionalism to the Trump campaign, his reputation also could be tarnished if he becomes Trump's running mate.
"There's risk," Payne said. "If you hitch your wagon to the wild horses of the Trump campaign, there's a definite possibility that your own personal brand could suffer if Trump doesn't figure out how to run for president."
Caputo, the former Trump adviser, said he thinks Pence already has indicated he'd accept an invitation from Trump to run as the vice presidential nominee.
"I think Mike Pence already voted with his feet by going to visit with Mr. Trump," Caputo said.
The question is whether Trump will settle on Pence. Caputo thinks people close to Trump are advocating for Pence, but it's not clear whether Trump can be persuaded.
"There's only one person who knows who's going to be vice president," Caputo said. "Donald Trump's going to make the decision."
Call IndyStar reporter James Briggs at (317) 444-6307. Follow him on Twitter: @JamesEBriggs.
Call IndyStar reporter Stephanie Wang at (317) 444-6184. Follow her on Twitter: @stephaniewang.
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