– Pence for VP? –
Trump meanwhile was campaigning Monday with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in Virginia, where Trump proclaimed himself the only candidate who will be able to keep Americans safe.
“I am the law and order candidate,” the presumptive Republican nominee said in Virginia Beach.
The declaration, reminiscent of remarks made by former president Richard Nixon in his 1968 campaign, came as Trump highlighted recent killings including the horrific shooting deaths of five Dallas officers in a gunman’s sniper-like assault.
“The attack on our Dallas police is an attack on our country. Our whole nation is in mourning,” Trump said, as he pledged to “fight” for law enforcement personnel and ensure they have Washington’s full backing.
“Without safety we have nothing.”
Trump and Clinton both halted their campaigning for a day after Thursday’s Dallas police murders.
But on Monday Trump ripped into Clinton as “weak, ineffective” and hobbled by the criticism about her use of private email during her tenure as top diplomat.
“Crooked Hillary is the secretary of the status quo, and wherever Hillary Clinton goes, corruption and scandal follow,” Trump said.
Christie, a potential vice presidential pick, joined Trump as reports swirled that the billionaire real estate tycoon will choose a running mate in the coming days.
Christie’s experience running a populous state could be seen as critical for a candidate who has acknowledged his own lack of political and government expertise.
Indiana’s Pence would bring executive experience as well, along with a perceived steady hand at the tiller that could help counter the narrative that Trump is too incendiary and quick to provoke.
Former Trump advisor Michael Caputo expressed confidence late Sunday that Trump will announce Pence as his pick during campaigning in Indiana.
“I put all my chips on Pence/VP announcement at this event,” Caputo tweeted. “Right guy. Right timing. Right place. #TrumpPence2016.”
Pence, who made a tepid endorsement of Senator Ted Cruz but switched to Trump when Cruz dropped out, told reporters Tuesday he believes Americans need strong and “clear-minded leadership.”
“I’m prepared to make that case anywhere across Indiana and anywhere across this country that Donald Trump would want me to,” he said.
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