With Trump closing in on nomination, VP audition is now underway

Vice presidential candidates typically aren’t tapped until after a candidate has locked down the nomination. But former President Donald Trump’s decisive win in the Iowa caucuses and the departure of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from the race on Sunday has only heightened what had already been a widespread sense of inevitability. That has given the visits this past week by New York Rep. Elise Stefanik and other Republicans the feel of tryouts for the role reminiscent of Trump’s days as a reality TV host.