Trump camp does damage control after enraging a top Republican
WASHINGTON _ Donald Trump's campaign sent his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, out Wednesday to endorse Paul Ryan in an effort to move past the controversy sparked by the Republican presidential nominee's refusal to back the House speaker.
Pence's endorsement, which came in a phone call to Fox News Channel, came as Trump and his aides struck back against reports of panic inside the Republican Party and word that the Ryan controversy infuriated party Chairman Reince Priebus.
Pence said Trump "strongly encouraged" him to endorse Ryan, who faces a primary next week, and he said Trump's campaign was coming together.
"The candidate is in control of his campaign," top Trump aide Paul Manafort said separately on Fox News. "I'm in control of doing the things that he wants me to do."
"We are organized" and "in very good shape," Manafort said.
_ Bloomberg News
