By Eugene Scott and Manu Raju
CNN
Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker withdrew himself Wednesday from consideration as a possible running mate for Donald Trump.
The surprise move comes as sources had told CNN Corker was being “very seriously” vetted by the Trump campaign.
But Corker, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN he is instead open to serving in Trump’s cabinet, perhaps as secretary of state, and will speak at the Republican convention later this month.
Corker’s decision was first reported by The Washington Post.
“There are people far more suited for being a candidate for vice president and I think I’m far more suited for other types of things,” Corker told the Post.
“It’s a highly political job and that’s not who I am,” Corker added. “We had a very open conversation about that and, actually, we have been very candid about it from the very beginning of our meetings.”
Two sources familiar with the vetting process told CNN earlier Wednesday that Corker was “very seriously” being vetted and had submitted a lot of information to Trump’s campaign. He was on a very short list, the sources added.
Corker campaigned with Trump in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday.
The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
