Corker reportedly being vetted as potential Trump vice presidential pick

U.S. Senator from Tennessee introduces presumptive GOP nominee at North Carolina rally

Sen. Bob Corker
Sen. Bob Corker

NASHVILLE - U.S. Sen. Bob Corker introduced Donald Trump this evening to a cheering crowd in Raleigh, N.C., amid reports the presumptive GOP nominee is vetting the Tennessee Republican among others as a potential vice presidential pick.

Corker said at the rally that after spending time earlier with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and his family he sees the respect those around Trump have and the love the billionaire businessman has for his supporters.

"Somebody once told me it's not who you know in life, it's how you know them," said the Tennessee Republican, who was first introduced by Trump as a "great friend of mine, someone respected by everyone."

Corker went on to say he "had the incredible privilege today to spend time with this man, to spend time with his family and those who know him so well.

"And I figured out the reason that you love him so much is because" Corker began as the crowd began cheering prompting the former Chattanooga mayor to smile, wait and finally say, "I'm taking up his time. Let me just say this," Corker continued. "The reason you love him so much is because he loves you. He loves you, and he wants the best for you."

Corker then began to introduce Trump as "the president," before correcting himself to say "the Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump."

"Great guy," Trump said as Corker left the stage. "Great guy, great person."

Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is said to be on a short lift of potential vice presidential picks for Trump. The two met earlier today at Trump Tower in New York City and flew together down to North Carolina for the rally

A Corker aide earlier today declined to comment to the Times Free Press on whether Corker was being vetted.

Reporter transcript of address

Here is a transcript of Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Bob Corker this evening as they address a Raleigh, N.C., rally amid reports the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is formally vetting the former Chattanooga mayor, among others, as his pick for vice president. TRUMP: Before I do, a great friend of mine. Somebody respected by everybody. Sen. Bob Corker. Come on up, Bob. Come on up. CORKER: I wasn't going to say anything. I just came to visit [crowd laughter]. But I have to say something, the rallies that I have back home aren't like this. Pretty cool, yeah, unbelievable isn't it? I had a pretty remarkable day today. Pretty remarkable day. You know it says a lot about a person, to meet their family. To spend time with their kids, if you will, Ivanka and Eric and their son in law. And to be around the people that have worked in the Trump organization for 25 and 30 years. To see the respect for the person they've worked with, the father and father in law that they have. To see how he treats the people that are around him. So many times in these campaigns people become caricatures of what the media makes them. And all too often after a race is over, people realize they never knew the person. Somebody once told me it's not who you know in life, it's how you know them. And I had the incredible privilege today to spend time with this man, to spend time with his family and to spend time with those who know him so well. And I figured out the reason that you love him so much is because [lengthy cheer by crowd and shouts of 'Trump, Trump, Trump]. I'm taking up his time. Let me just say this, the reason you love him so much is because he loves you. He loves you, and he wants the best for you, the president, the Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump. TRUMP: Great guy. Great guy, great person.

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