INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Gov. Mike Pence met with Arizona Senator John McCain Tuesday, just hours after his running mate Donald Trump said he wouldn't endorse the former Republican presidential nominee for re-election.
According to ABC News political reporter Ines de La Cuetara, the meeting was set up by Pence prior to the Washington Post publishing an interview in which Trump said he wouldn't support McCain or House Speaker Paul Ryan in their upcoming primaries.
Per Pence aide, it was Pence that set up the meeting BEFORE news broke that Trump would not be supporting McCain https://t.co/MG30yJNIKP
— Ines de La Cuetara (@InesdLC) August 2, 2016
Just In: @mike_pence on meeting with Sen McCain via @InesdLC @ABC @rtv6 #PenceWatch https://t.co/XUqO199UUL
— #IndyThisWeek (@IndyThisWeek) August 3, 2016
Taking a page from Ryan's book, Trump told the Post he's "not quite there yet."
“I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country,” Trump said, according to the Post. “We need very strong leadership. We need very, very strong leadership. And I’m just not quite there yet. I’m not quite there yet.”
READ MORE | Trump won't support Ryan, McCain in upcoming primaries
Both Ryan and McCain have been critical of Trump throughout his candidacy – most recently after statements he made about the Gold Star Family of slain U.S. Army Capt. Humayan Khan.
"I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement," McCain said. "I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers or candidates."
While not going as far as McCain, Pence has said repeatedly that Khan is an American hero and has stressed his belief that Trump is the best candidate for veterans.
READ MORE | Hoosier Gold Star Family calls on Donald Trump to apologize | Senate Republicans on the spot over Trump comments on Khan | Bipartisan backlash for Trump after questioning Khan family
