Republicans: Many decline to be considered for the job

WASHINGTON • Mr Donald Trump's claims, controversies and constant criticism of leaders in the Republican party may be drastically reducing his range of options for a vice-presidential running mate.

Influential political magazine Politico says Mr Trump has bashed star Republican Governor Susana Martinez of New Mexico and ignored the advice of senators like Mr Bob Corker of Tennessee, who might have brought valuable foreign policy and congressional experience to his ticket.

It adds that Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who dropped out of the Republican primary campaign in the face of Mr Trump's rise, has ruled himself out.

Another rival of Mr Trump's for the nomination, Governor John Kasich, who might have appealed to voters in his home state of Ohio as well as eased tensions with the party establishment, is not supporting the presumptive nominee.

Almost a third of likely Trump voters, surveyed in the latest Bloomberg Politics national poll, support former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 72, a presidential candidate in 2012, as the best pick.

Mr Rubio is selected by about a quarter of Trump supporters, according to the Bloomberg poll, followed by Mr Kasich.

Politico said Republican sources say the likeliest choice, apart from Mr Gingrich, is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, another rival of Mr Trump's for the nomination.

Both have the political experience Mr Trump lacks, said Politico, which adds that there is another, simpler reason why these two men have emerged as finalists: They actually want the job.

Politico says respected Republican figures who might improve Mr Trump's poor standing among women and minorities, such as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, have ruled themselves out.

But Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has said she is willing to join the ticket and could help Mr Trump with women, three-quarters of whom disapprove of him, according to an ABC News poll.

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina could bring diversity, as the sole African-American Republican senator, backing Mr Trump despite calling his criticism of a judge with Mexican roots "racially toxic".

Democrats: Candidates lining up to audition for the job