TRUMP PREPARES – AT 10:58 A.M. ET:  We've not been fans of Donald Trump here, but he'll be covered as we cover anyone else – fairly.  He clearly has a lot of work to do to heal, if possible, some of the wounds he caused in his almost brutal campaign for the Republican nomination.  At least he's starting.  From Fox: 

Donald Trump, after effectively locking up the Republican nomination, is shifting gears to launch a national search for a running mate while teasing the possibility he could roll out key Cabinet picks as well before the July convention.

“I like the idea of doing some of this before we go into Cleveland,” Trump told Fox News’ Bill O'Reilly Wednesday night, when asked about announcing Cabinet posts early. “I could do that and I think it would be well received.”

Considering how packed the GOP field was this cycle – at one point, containing 17 candidates – Trump’s VP “short-list” is bound to be rather lengthy, especially as the campaign says they plan to consider most of his former presidential primary rivals.

Some analysts and observers put Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the top tier of that list, considering he leads the critical general election swing state. Trump said he hasn’t spoken with Kasich since he dropped out of the race Wednesday, but “would certainly consider him.”

One open question is whether many of these potential running mates would, in turn, consider Trump. Personal and partisan tensions flared throughout the 2016 primary, as barbed insults flew between Trump and whichever candidate represented the biggest threat of the moment – and his opponents frequently challenged his conservative credentials.

Several of those vanquished foes have since reconciled with Trump, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, now involved in the running mate selection process.

COMMENT:  I don't see what gain there is in naming people early, including the vice presidential choice.  All a presidential candidate does is produce new targets for the opposition.  Of course, if a nominee can haul in a major star for vice president, it's a different story.  But I don't see anyone out there in that category.  We don't seem to have many major stars right now. 

A great danger for Trump, and the story suggested it, is that Trump may be turned down by some of his choices, and those rejections could go public, diminishing Trump's status as a presidential nominee.  He should tread carefully.  He is not overly loved.

May 5, 2016