WASHINGTON (AP) - Donald Trump wants a running mate who has what he lacks - political experience. Hillary Clinton is putting a premium on diversity as she searches for a No. 2.
Yet the presidential rivals are running strikingly similar processes for tapping their vice presidential picks: relying on prominent Washington lawyers to comb through the background of top contenders, seeking guidance from a small circle of trusted advisers and family members, and weighing their personal chemistry with prospects.
Trump, a wealthy businessman who has never held public office, is mulling a small number of political veterans. He's seriously considering former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, according to people with direct knowledge of the vetting process.
"We're vetting a lot of good people and we have a lot of interest in people that want to leave high positions and do this," Trump said Thursday.
The presumptive Republican nominee appears less concerned about diversity. His campaign chairman has said publicly Trump is not interested in choosing a woman or minority for the sake of appealing to a particular segment of the electorate. The confirmed contenders are all white men older than 50 years old.
Clinton has said she wants a running mate who is well-prepared to become president. However, Democrats say she's also giving priority to diversity and has been weighing women, Hispanic and black candidates - a nod to the voting blocs Democrats need to win in presidential elections.
Top contenders for the Democratic ticket include Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of Washington's most prominent female lawmakers; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, a telegenic 41-year-old Hispanic politician; and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, one of two black senators, was also being considered, though it's unclear whether he is still in the running.
It's rare a running mate dramatically shifts the trajectory of a presidential race. Yet it's still among the most important decisions nominees face during the general election, and their choice is viewed as a reflection of their priorities and values.
Clinton has veteran Democratic lawyer James Hamilton overseeing her selection process, with input from longtime confidants John Podesta and Cheryl Mills. Clinton is expected to begin meeting with candidates herself next week, according to two Democrats with knowledge of the process.
Given Clinton's decades in the public eye, her advisers don't expect her selection of a running mate to change her electoral prospects significantly. However, one Clinton aide said it was important her running mate help tell the "story" of her candidacy.
Clinton has increasingly said her campaign is about Americans being "stronger together" - a phrase intended to convey the importance of a diverse country fighting for common goals.
Aides who have worked in senior White House posts under President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton have also been emphasizing the need for personal chemistry, noting a strained relationship between a president and vice president can be destructive in the West Wing.
Clinton and Trump face fast-approaching deadlines as they evaluate their choices.
Trump has said he plans to announce his running mate at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Cleveland in just more than two weeks - but the campaign has also considered pushing up the date. A person familiar with Trump's decision-making process said the one-time reality television star is weighing how to maximize the suspense of his choice. He might do it showbiz-style at the convention.
Trump has spent weeks discussing his options with his adult children, business associates and even friends from his country clubs. A.B. Culvahouse, a lawyer who has overseen vice presidential vetting for previous GOP nominees, sent vetting paperwork to top contenders late this week.