Trump’s VP list shrinks

Donald Trump’s vice presidential options are shrinking now that he’s lost Sen. Bob Corker as a potential running mate. 

The presumptive GOP nominee also appears to be losing freshman Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa), who, according to multiple reports, would rather remain in the Senate. 

{mosads}Speculation has recently swirled around the two Republican senators as the time for Trump to decide on a running mate draws closer.

Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took his name out of the running on Wednesday, a day after campaigning with Trump in the battleground state of North Carolina. It was at this campaign appearance where Trump praised former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Corker did not reference Trump’s comments when he told The Washington Post he was pulling out of consideration. 

“It’s a highly political job, and that’s not who I am,” Corker said. 

The Tennessee Republican has recently been warming up to Trump and in May offered to advise Trump on foreign policy at the real estate mogul’s request.

Asked whether Trump offered him a position in his Cabinet, Corker, who noted they had a “wide-ranging conversation,” said the campaign wasn’t there yet. 

“The two things in front of them are getting a vice president and, secondly, making sure the convention goes off,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s a really lean campaign, I mean very lean, so that’s their focus right now.” 

Now Ernst is also reportedly withdrawing her name from consideration. She told Politico in an interview Wednesday that she plans to help Trump’s campaign but wants to continue as a senator.

Ernst’s office would not comment on her status as a vice presidential contender but pointed to the Politico report that said she had “all but” withdrawn.

“I made that very clear to him that I’m focused on Iowa. I feel that I have a lot more to do in the United States Senate. And Iowa is where my heart is,” Ernst said. “And I think that President Trump will need some great assistance in the United States Senate, and I can provide that.” 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, TV station KCRG reported that it had confirmed with Ernst’s staff that she wants stay in the Senate.

The Iowa Republican had met with Trump on Monday and said they had a “good conversation.” 

Ernst is a popular lawmaker who defeated then-Rep. Bruce Braley (D) in one of the most watched Senate races of the 2014 cycle. 

While she said she would likely be involved with Trump’s campaign as “an advocate,” Ernst has been critical of the candidate in the past. She has criticized his inflammatory remarks about women earlier this year and said they could hurt him among female voters.

Trump has said he will announce his running mate at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, which begins July 18, though CNN reported on Tuesday that he would likely announce his decision next week. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Trump said in an interview on Fox News that he’s “looking at 10 people” who could be his running mate.

At the top of the list are New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.). 

Christie, who was one of the first high-profile Republicans to rally behind Trump when it appeared he would be the GOP nominee, is on vacation with his wife in Italy for a few days. 

Gingrich will reportedly campaign with Trump in Cincinnati on Wednesday night. 

The real estate mogul said in Wednesday’s Fox News interview that two generals are currently being considered. But he noted that he is more inclined to pick a lawmaker. 

“I like the generals; I like the concept of the generals,” Trump said, “[But] we’re looking to go more the political route in terms of getting legislation passed.” 

Other possible candidates mentioned over the past several weeks include Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. 

Trump’s vice presidential pick could be a crucial moment for his campaign and the Republican Party as they seek to become a united front going into the general election against presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who has hit the ground running with a much larger staff and campaign bank account.