Gingrich: Trump down to me, Pence for vice president

“I think Trump has a tough call because he’s got two really good but really different choices,” the former Speaker said.

 

Gingrich was full of praise for Pence and said he could be a "stabilizing force" for Republicans who are "jittery" about Trump.

“Mike Pence is a great personal friend,” Gingrich said. "We’ve worked together on many projects over the years. He had a fine career in the U.S. House and ended up as the fourth-ranking Republican in the House. He’s done a fine job and been a very good governor of Indiana.”

 

Gingrich painted himself as an outsider who is more “oriented toward moving the great base of the party and communicating big ideas."

 

“In many ways, Donald Trump is like a pirate,” he said. "He’s outside the normal system, he gets things done, he’s bold, he’s actually like a figure out of a movie," Gingrich said. "And in a lot of ways, my entire career has been a little like a pirate. I’ve taken on the establishment in both parties. I’ve been very prepared to fight the media."

 

“One very hard question he’s gotta weigh on the way to California – do you really want a two-pirate ticket or do you want to take a very solid guy?” Gingrich continued. 

 

Trump met with both potential VP candidates in Indiana on Wednesday. Gingrich said his meeting lasted more than two hours and also included Trump's children Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric, son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort. 

 

Gingrich said he doesn't think Trump has yet made a final decision, but he expects a phone call with the verdict Thursday afternoon. 

 

Trump said Wednesday that he will announce his choice at 11 a.m. on Friday in New York. 

 

“I’m certainly one of the people that will be sitting by the phone tomorrow to see what he decides," Gingrich said.