Opinion Savvy/Newsmax Poll: Majority Want Gingrich as Trump VP

An overwhelming majority of Americans surveyed for a new Opinion Savvy/Newsmax poll want presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump to pick former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as his running mate.

In the poll, conducted on July 7, the 605 registered voters, selected at random from lists supplied by individual states said of the five most likely to be chosen:

• Gingrich: 338 votes, for 55.9 percent;
• New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie:  79 votes, for 13 percent;
• Indiana Gov. Mike Pence: 57 votes, for 9.5 percent;
• Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions: 44 votes, for 7.2 percent.
• Undecided: 87 votes, for 14.4 percent.

The poll carried a margin of error of 3.9 percent, with 95 percent confidence.

On Thursday, Gingrich admitted he is being vetted by Trump as a possible vice presidential candidate, a revelation that partly confirmed reporting by Newsmax Washington correspondent John Gizzi that Gingrich tops Trump's VP list.

Gingrich told Fox News Channel's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren," that he did not even get "a hint" Trump was giving him an indication that he would ask him to run, but when Van Susteren asked whether the campaign had asked to see his tax returns, Gingrich ended the runaround language, saying flat out, "I'm being vetted."

The former House Speaker also topped all of the poll's other findings by several percentage points, showing he was the clear favorite in the survey.

Voters said that of the four individuals reportedly being considered by Trump, Gingrich would also provide the most experience and expertise in dealing with the federal budget, deficit and the nation's economy:

• Gingrich, 386 votes for 63.9 percent;
• Christie, 56 votes, for 9.3 percent;
• Pence 36 votes for 5.9 percent;
• Sessions 29 votes, 4.7 percent;
• Undecided 98 votes, 16.2 percent.

Gingrich was believed to bring the most experience and expertise in dealing with terrorism and national defense matters. Voters said:

• Gingrich:  308 votes, 51 percent;
• Christie: 90 votes,14.9 percent;
• Sessions: 69 votes, 11.5 percent;
• Pence: 28 votes, 4.6 percent;
• Undecided: 109 votes, 18 percent.

Gingrich would also provide the most experience and expertise in campaigning against Hillary Clinton and debating her as the vice presidential candidate. Respondents said:

• Gingrich:367 votes, 60.6 percent;
• Christie: 95 votes; 15.6 percent;
• Pence: 37 votes, 6.2 percent;
• Sessions:  27 votes,  4.5 percent;
• Undecided: 79 votes, 13 percent;

Most of those polled described themselves as either being very or somewhat conservative.

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