(WTNH/ABC News) — The Republican primary battle is over. Donald Trump is the winner; his only remaining rival is out of the race. Governor John Kasich of Ohio is suspending his campaign, leaving just three candidates remaining. Trump is the only Republican White House hopeful. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are still battling it out on the Democratic side.
Since the Republican field has been cleared, Trump stands alone. He’s now focused on the general election.
“I’d like to see a very high-level policy oriented campaign,” he said
Kasich, Trump’s last opponent, is out of the race.
“As I suspend my campaign…I have renewed faith, deeper faith, that the Lord will show me the way forward,” said Kasich.
Could that way forward include the vice presidency?
“I would be interested in vetting John. I like John,” said Trump.
The hunt for a running mate is on, and Trump says he would consider Kasich or Marco Rubio, as his former opponents become allies. Trump is turning to Chris Christie and Ben Carson to help him find his mate, though he once said Carson suffered from “pathological disease”. They’re looking for someone with legislative experience. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Newt Gingrich are some of the names being floated.
While Republicans have their nominee, former president George H. W. Bush says he will not be endorsing him, a first in five election cycles. At 91 years old, he says he’s out of politics. But George W. Bush‘s spokesperson says he has no plans to endorse Trump either.
Trump is counting on Republican establishment support, which could allow him to pay back the personal money he lent his campaign during the primary.
“We’ll try to raise over $1 billion,” he said.
Hillary Clinton is the likely Democratic nominee who will be battling Trump.
“I think he is a loose cannon and loose cannons tend to misfire,” said Clinton.
Meanwhile, the Democratic primary battle isn’t over yet. Clinton has an unbeatable delegate advantage over Bernie Sanders, who didn’t mention Clinton at all in his last campaign appearance.
