Vice President Joe Biden had a question Saturday for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was sitting in the audience during speech at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.
"Newt, are you going to do it?" Biden called out, referring to his being vetted as a possible running mate for Donald Trump. "That’s all I want to know. I want to get to the important things."
"Should I?" Gingrich shouted back,
The Aspen Times reports.
"I think [Trump] needs the help, yes," Biden responded.
Gingrich, 73, who was speaker for four years beginning in 1995, was among several candidates officially being reviewed by the Trump campaign.
Newsmax reported in May that the former Georgia representative was the leading candidate, according to a Trump confidante.
Biden, the former Delaware senator who served with Gingrich in Congress, later referred to him as "one of the brightest guys I know" — even though "Newt and I disagree.
"He knows the government. He knows the issues.
"I would feel better, even though we disagree philosophically — I'm not being facetious — I feel better knowing that there is somebody there with the depth and gravitas on the issues that Newt possesses."
Trump has said that he was seeking a running mate who could train him in the legislative process and "make nice" with Capitol Hill.
Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson then said jokingly that the world would know in about two weeks — if not before the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next month — "whether your endorsement today of Newt Gingrich as vice president will help his chances or destroy his chances."
Biden quickly retorted: "I want to make it clear — I want to make it clear, Donald — I am not endorsing him.
"I'm just saying he is bright as hell," he added. "I disagree with him, though."
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