Trump 'unlikely' to pick Christie, according to sources
It is highly unlikely that Gov. Chris Christie will be Donald Trump's running mate, according to two sources who are advising the Trump campaign and who requested to remain anonymous.
Instead, the sources said that former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is "the likely pick" to be the tycoon's choice for vice president.
The sources, who have been privy to some of the selection process, have insisted on anonymity because they are not authorized to speak for the campaign.
"The people who've been pushing the Christie narrative are Christie people," said one of the sources, who has heard Gingrich is the likely pick. However, "it's Trump — I doubt anyone really fully knows what he's going to do."
As the first among the 2016 field to endorse Trump last February, Christie quickly rose within the Trump inner circle, helping him with debate prep and soon after, being named the head of his transition planning team.
But a gaggle of other candidates with more federal experience than Christie have been interviewed by Trump, who's said he wants a "somewhat political" VP "who can help pass legislation."
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The reason why Christie was asked to fill out the 100 plus pages of disclosure documents?
"They've been vetting him (because) it would be embarrassing not to be vetted," the source said.
Christie was vetted as a VP candidate by GOP nominee Mitt Romney in 2012, the same year he gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention.
A spokesman for Christie declined comment, and a spokeswoman for Trump did not immediately return a request for comment late Wednesday.
In April, Christie has been circumspect about his desire to become a Trump running mate.
"I say never say 'never' because I love my country," he said. "But I absolutely believe that what will happen is that I'll serve the full eight years of my term (as governor) and then in January of 2018, I'll be getting, hopefully, a well-paid position in the private sector. It's time for me to make some money."
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http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/07/trump_insiders_say_christie_vp_vetting_just_for_sh.html#incart_river_index
