Donald Trump has said he wants a vice president with Capitol Hill relationships who can help get his agenda through a divided Washington.
But his options in Congress are rapidly dwindling as Trump approaches the Republican convention. On Wednesday, two top contenders Joni Ernst, the fresh-faced, first-term Iowa senator, and Bob Corker, a top GOP foreign policy hand crossed their names off Trumps list or stopped just short of doing so. That leaves Sens. Jeff Sessions, a staunch immigration reform opponent from Alabama and Trumps closest Hill ally, and long-shot pick Tom Cotton, the youthful and hawkish freshman from Arkansas, as the most prominent names remaining from the congressional pool.
The withdrawals Wednesday further depressed Senate Republicans who are still looking for some measure of reassurance from Trumps unrelenting campaign controversies and who thought his choice for running mate could be a soothing gesture.
I dont need to say any more about the campaign, said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who added that it was disappointing Corker and Ernst declined to be considered. I understand their reluctance, Ill put it that way.
Trump and his GOP critics agree on one thing: A vice-presidential candidate familiar with Congress and the ways of Washington would be a major boost to his campaign. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich would meet that threshold, though its been nearly two decades since he left Congress. Republicans on Capitol Hill are pushing harder for an active legislator, which is why Ernst and Cotton found themselves the subject of intense public lobbying by their colleagues.
...
Republicans being floated for the No. 2 post particularly those who could run for president themselves in the future face a tough call. Theyre weighing the call of duty to the Republican Party against stepping into the great unknown of being forever associated with Trump.
