North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sens. Tom Cotton and JD Vance have all downplayed rumors that they’ve made it onto former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential shortlist.
As of last Wednesday, Burgum, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Vance (R-Ohio) were being vetted by the campaign and exchanging paperwork, according to Fox News.
Trump’s team is also looking at Cotton (R-Ark.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), per the report.
“I’ve had some conversations with the Trump team, but I’ve actually not spoken about the vice presidential thing with the president directly,” Vance told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“Until I do, I sort of assume this is a lot of media speculation,” he added. “I’ve got an important job for the people of Ohio — the United States Senate — that’s what I’m focused on.”
Burgum struck a similar note.
“Well, I know this is a big interest to some folks that are following the process. But I would just defer any questions back to the Trump campaign team,” he told “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
Cotton’s response was in line with the others’.
“I think only one person knows who’s on the short list and that would be President Trump,” Cotton told “Fox News Sunday.”
“He’ll make a choice when he’s ready to make that choice. I’m confident he’s going to make a good choice for the ticket and the party, more importantly for the country.”
Cotton, who tends to advocate for a more aggressive US posture abroad, also downplayed any concerns about daylight between him and Trump on foreign policy.
“I think President Trump and I have long been aligned on foreign policy. We both subscribe to what you might say was Ronald Reagan’s vision, which is peace through strength,” he said.
The Arkansas Republican contended that both he and Trump believe it is important to use military force under certain circumstances and want US partners, particularly in Europe, to pay more of their fair share.
Trump, 77, has been coy about whom he is leaning toward, but he has underscored that his main criteria is selecting someone who will be ready to serve as commander-in-chief on day one.
The 45th president has also indicated that he is not overly consumed with tapping someone who will boost him politically.
“I can’t yet, but we have some very good people. I’m going to do it in the convention,” Trump told TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw last week when asked about who will be his pick.
The Republican National Convention is slated to take place in Milwaukee, Wis., from July 15-18.
That will take place just four days after Trump is set to face sentencing for the hush money case, in which he was found guilty by a jury last month. Trump has vowed to appeal that verdict.
