Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has recently emerged as a finalist in the search for Donald Trump’s running mate, said Wednesday that he has taken himself out of consideration for the position.
Corker said that he informed the presumptive Republican presidential nominee of his decision during their day together on Tuesday, when the senator had a series of meetings with campaign officials in New York and then flew with Trump to an evening rally in North Carolina.
“There are people far more suited for being a candidate for vice president, and I think I’m far more suited for other types of things,” Corker said, adding that he is eager to serve as an informal adviser to Trump.
Corker said he told Trump he’s more policy-oriented than political and he did not feel comfortable stepping fully into the role of political attack dog or rousing speechmaker.
“It’s a highly political job, and that’s not who I am,” Corker said. “We had a very open conversation about that, and actually, we have been very candid about it from the very beginning of our meetings. I left there feeling very good about him as a person but also realized that at age 63, I know the things I’m good at doing and knowing what a candidate for vice president has to do. It’s just not the right thing for me, and I don’t think it’s the right thing for them.”
Corker added that he expects Trump to make a final decision on his pick by July 15, three days before the opening of the Republican National Convention.
Over the past month, Corker has been under serious consideration by Trump and had submitted personal documents to attorney A.B. Culvahouse Jr., who is managing the vetting process.
Corker’s sudden departure from the campaign’s high-stakes deliberations over the selection leaves a group of Trump allies still in the running.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence remain near the top of the short list, according to multiple Trump campaign associates.
Corker first came into Trump’s orbit after praising aspects of the candidate’s foreign policy. Both men are not aligned with the GOP’s hawkish wing and found themselves at times echoing each other about how the United States should operate in the world.
Eventually, Corker found his way to Trump Tower in May for a private conversation with Trump, a visit that stoked vice-presidential speculation.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, I just came to visit,” Corker said onstage Tuesday alongside Trump. “But I have to tell you something. The rallies that I have back home aren’t quite like this.”
“Pretty good, pretty tough,” Trump interjected, smiling as he pointed at supporters.
“Pretty cool,” Corker said. “This is unbelievable, isn’t it?”
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