Trump asks Pence during press conference to be on 2020 ticket

President Trump on Wednesday asked Vice President Pence to be his running mate in 2020 in an impromptu exchange during a White House press conference.

A reporter asked Trump if he would be willing to lock in Pence as his running mate for 2020, given prospective Democratic presidential candidates are likely to begin jockeying for the nomination now that the midterms are over. 

“Well I haven’t asked him, but I hope so,” Trump said.

{mosads}”Mike, will you be my running mate?” he added, calling on Pence to stand up.

The vice president nodded his head in affirmation as some White House staff in the room applauded.

“That was unexpected, but I feel very fine,” Trump said.

Prompted by reporter’s question, Pres. Trump — mid-press conference — asks VP Mike Pence to be his 2020 running mate https://t.co/ov63X55UM0 pic.twitter.com/wmEsqrPhZZ

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 7, 2018

Trump picked Pence, the former governor of Indiana, to be his running mate in 2016. Pence has since emerged as an unflinching defender and supporter of the president, at times drawing mockery on social media for the ways in which he mirrors the president.

A number of Democrats are expected to declare their intention to run for president in the coming weeks and months. Among the prospective candidates are Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and former Vice President Joe Biden.