5 Republicans who’d seriously consider being Donald Trump’s VP — and 12 who wouldn’t

Speculation is swirling about whom Donald Trump might pick to be his running mate in the 2016 presidential election.

And a cascade of potential vice presidential nominees have already publicly announced that they don’t want to be considered for the job.

This is slightly unusual because the vice presidency can be a springboard to the Oval Office, but Trump’s scorched-earth primary campaign left his former rivals battered and resentful. Still others undoubtedly worry about what type of campaign the freewheeling billionaire will run over the next six months.

However, other Republican leaders are letting it be known that they would definitely take Trump’s phone call as he thinks about who could join his ticket in the general election.

“It is only the people that were never asked to be VP that tell the press that they will not take the position,” the presumptive GOP nominee mused on Twitter last week.

Here is where some leading Republicans stand about being Trump’s vice presidential nominee, with some selected quotes below.

Trump's potential VP candidates
Trump's potential VP candidates

YES

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

“If a potential president says I need you, it would be very hard for a patriotic citizen to say no,” Gingrich said.

Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer

“I would be willing to serve in any capacity that I could be of help with Donald on,” Brewer said.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry

“I will be open to any way I can help. I’m not going to say no,” Perry said.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions

It would be “an honor” to serve as Trump’s vice president, Sessions said.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin

“If I were to receive a call that said: ‘I need you to help make America great again,’ I’d be happy to take that call,” Fallin said.

HMM…

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst

“No one has reached out, so it’s a hypothetical right now,” Ernst said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

He’d “make that decision if and when there’s a decision to make,” Christie said.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

“I think if someone wanted to choose me, they already know who I am, what I stand for. They wouldn’t be in for any surprises,” Palin said, while also suggesting that a less polarizing nominee could be better suited for the job.

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton

“I wouldn’t rule it in. …,” Cotton said.

Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown

“I’m not looking for anything,” Brown said.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune

“I’ve got a job I like,” Thune said.

Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker

“I just have no reason to believe I’m being considered for that,” Corker said.

NO

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

“Hahahahahahahahaha,” a Bush adviser said.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich

“Never,” Kasich’s spokesman said.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

“Scott Walker has a visceral negative reaction to Trump’s character,” a Walker adviser said.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

“It ain’t gonna happen,” Cruz said.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham

“That’s like buying a ticket on the Titanic,” Graham said.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

She’s “not interested,” Haley said.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez

“The governor has said repeatedly over the years that she isn’t interested in serving as vice president,” Martinez’s spokesman said.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott

“I’m going to pass,” Scott said.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio

“I have never sought, will not seek and do not want to be considered for vice president,” Rubio said.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman

“Rob is not interested in anything but continuing to serve Ohio in the U.S. Senate,” Portman’s campaign manager said.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson

“I’m not interested in doing that for a number of reasons,” Carson said.

Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio

“I’m not interested in vice president,” Arpaio said.