Donald Trump and family meet with VP finalists

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Republican Donald Trump has entered the final phase of his high-profile search for a running mate, arranging last-minute meetings with his finalists and family members as his staff prepares for a Friday announcement.

Trump, his adult children and key staffers huddled with one of the prospects, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Wednesday morning at the governor's mansion, a day after the pair campaigned together in the state. They were joined by Trump's three adult children, along with his son-and-law and campaign chair Paul Manafort, who were seen leaving the residence. Hours later, Newt Gingrich, another finalist, was spotted with Trump's entourage at a downtown Indianapolis hotel. Sen. Jeff Sessions was spotted arriving at the same hotel not long after Gingrich left.

Trump's family, including Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, also met privately with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday. The meeting was confirmed by a source with direct knowledge of the meeting, but was not authorized to discuss it publicly.

The meetings have been designed to let Trump's family get to know the candidates better before the presumptive nominee formalizes his decision.

Pence, Chris Christie and Gingrich were said to be the final contenders for vice presidential candidate on the Republican ticket less than a week before the GOP meets in Cleveland for the formal nomination. That's according to a person familiar with Trump's thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the vetting process. Trump said in a Tuesday interview with The Wall Street Journal that Sessions, Trump's top Senate advocate, is also still in the mix.

Pence is a steady, staunch conservative who would help calm nervous Republican wary of Trump's impulsive style. Gingrich is a boisterous rabble-rouser who has spent decades in Washington, including as House speaker. Christie, a one-time rival, has become one of Trump's most trusted advisers.

Trump has spent weeks consulting with friends and family as he weighs the most important decision of his campaign to date. He's also brought his finalists on tour, having them opening for him at speeches and rallies to test their receptions before his crowds.

"It's a little bit like 'The Apprentice,'" Gingrich, the former House Speaker, said in a Tuesday interview with Fox News Channel. "You find out sooner or later who the last one standing is."

Introducing Trump at a rally in Westfield, Indiana, on Tuesday evening, Pence received an enthusiastic reception as he compared Trump to Republican icon Ronald Reagan and dug into Trump's likely Democrat rival, Hillary Clinton.

Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday he is looking for a "fighter skilled in hand-to-hand combat" as his second-in-command, but hadn't seen enough of Pence to measure his fight. Pence's speech appeared to be an effort from the former congressman to show Trump he could take on such a role.

While Trump kept his cards close, he spoke playfully of Pence at the rally: "I don't know whether he's going to be your governor or your vice president."

Pence told reporters Wednesday he was "honored by the attention" and the "opportunity to get to know this good man and his family."

"I think he's giving it very careful consideration and we're humbled to be a part of that. There's a number of other and noteworthy Americans that they're considering and I'm just honored to be on that list."

Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana said he spoke with Pence on Tuesday and was told by the governor that Trump had yet to make up his mind.

"I think he's the front runner at least I think he ought to be the front runner," he said, adding that "Reading Donald Trump's mind is not the easiest thing to do"

Pence and Gingrich would be welcome picks among anxious Republican officials already gathering in Cleveland for next week's convention. Their governing experience and popularity among the party's conservative base would mark a sharp contrast to Trump, whose brand of politics has alienated hard-line conservatives and establishment Republicans alike.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Trump said he'd narrowed his list to four contenders. He appeared to have made progress by Tuesday, when he told Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly that he had "a pretty good idea" of his pick.

Trump's team has been building hype for the decision, including in a text message to supporters that urged recipients to sign up to receive an early notification of the choice. Fox News Channel added to the speculation Tuesday when it said it had suspended its contributor agreement with Gingrich "due to the intense media speculation" about his potential to join Trump's ticket.

Less than an hour later, Gingrich appeared on the network and suggested Trump's decision was imminent.

"My guess is you're going to hear either tomorrow or Thursday," Gingrich said.