TRUMP'S V.P. POSSIBILITIES – AT 9:21 A.M. ET:  The vetting process for the Trump side has begun.  From the Washington Post:   

Donald Trump’s campaign has begun formally vetting possible running mates, with former House speaker Newt Gingrich emerging as the leading candidate, followed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. But there are more than a half dozen others being discussed as possibilities, according to several people with knowledge of the process.

Given Trump’s unpredictability, campaign associates caution that the presumptive Republican nominee could still shake up his shortlist. But with little more than two weeks before the start of the Republican National Convention, Gingrich and Christie have been asked to submit documents and are being cast as favorites for the post inside the campaign. Gingrich in particular is the beneficiary of a drumbeat of support from Trump confidants such as Ben Carson.

A number of senators — including Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.) — are also being reviewed as viable picks, although the extent to which they are being vetted is unclear. A longer shot on Trump’s radar is Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, a heavyweight on the right who could bolster Trump’s tepid support among some conservative activists.

COMMENT:  Hard to know exactly what's real here.  Trump remains a controversial candidate among many Republicans.  I'm guessing – it's speculation – that he's getting many turn-downs from people he'd like to consider.  I can easily see an adviser saying to a prospect, "Look, he's disliked within the party and will probably lose to Clinton.  Why get involved and get tainted with the Trump label?"

I don't think either Gingrich or Christie will excite anyone.  Gingrich is brilliant and innovative, but a man of the past with no current constituency.  Christie is increasingly unpopular in his home state and comes off the same way Trump often does – as gruff and confrontational.

Trump could use a woman on the ticket, but he insulted two of the best prospects, Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Governor Susana Martinez of New Mexico, during the primaries.  Trump's loose mouth is coming back to haunt him.

July 1, 2016