Then someone spotted it: a fluff of salt-colored hair stage right. And a sudden and grumbling chant broke out, stretching the name of the night's guest speaker with knowing affection.

"Neeeeeewt!" They bellowed. "Neeeeeewt! Neeeeeewt!"

Newt it was.

Newt Gingrich, former House speaker and now a finalist in the search for Donald Trump's running mate, quickly stepped up to the lectern. While officially just making a friendly trip with Trump to this swing state, it was also an audition for the No. 2 spot — a chance to showcase his wares and see for himself whether he fits comfortably within Trump's orbit.

Meet Newt Gingrich

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Here's what you need to know about one of Donald Trump's potential vice presidential candidates. (Sarah Parnass, Danielle Kunitz, Osman Malik/The Washington Post)

His brief turn was telling. From the start, Gingrich played the role of party elder. It was a nod, perhaps, to how as the veep pick he might put an emphasis on lifting vulnerable GOP candidates this fall rather than solely playing the part of Trump booster.