NOVAK: MCCAIN VP PICK TO COME 'THIS WEEK'...

[240 is Back]

Sources close to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign are suggesting he will reveal the name of his vice presidential selection this week while Sen. Barack Obama is getting the headlines on his foreign trip. The name of McCain's running mate has not been disclosed, but Mitt Romney has led the speculation recently.

[Dos Equis]

Possibility Floated that McCain Could Name Veep Pick This Week
by FOXNews.com
Monday, July 21, 2008

Very well-placed sources told FOX News late Monday that John McCain’s campaign has had discussions in the recent past about the merits of the expected Republican presidential nominee unveiling his choice of a running mate this week while rival Barack Obama is overseas.

One source with direct knowledge of the senator’s thinking and of the campaign’s machinations said no announcement will be made Tuesday morning but another top insider suggested the media not throw cold water on the idea that McCain could announce his vice presidential pick this week. Still a third source said unless McCain wakes up in the next two days with a decision, chances are “remote.”

Asked about the odds of announcing a vice presidential pick on Tuesday, McCain brushed off the question during a plane ride with reporters to New Hampshire, only giving a mischievous grin.

McCain did tell reporters that he wants to make a choice as early as possible and make sure that the person doesn’t detract from that ticket. He separately noted former rival and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s success in the battleground state of Michigan, in which he beat McCain by 9 points.

But traveling Press Secretary Brooke Buchanan said no announcements would be made late Monday. Senior adviser Mark Salter said he had “no comment and he is not authorized to say anything” regarding the number two pick.”

The speculation prompted by the suggestion takes some of the spotlight off Obama’s foreign trip, meant to showcase his gravitas on national security issues. Diverting the focus is a big part of the McCain camp’s goal this week. Senior McCain aides went behind closed doors most of Monday afternoon and were out of pocket throughout the night.

McCain has scheduled a meeting of his kitchen cabinet in his hometown of Sedona, Ariz., this weekend to lay out the path ahead for top national campaign leaders and surrogates.

In the past, such events have included various vice presidential short-listed names as Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Office of Management and Budget Chief and Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Homeland Security Secretary and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Independent Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman.

Speculation has focused on Romney in recent weeks, but contrary to reports that Romney will join McCain in New Orleans on Thursday, his aides say he is on vacation in Ontario and has had no invitations to join McCain this week.

Click here to read more from FOX News’ Shushannah Walshe on the vice presidential talk on the campaign trail.

FOX News’ Carl Cameron and Shushannah Walshe contributed to this story.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/21/possibility-floated-that-mccain-could-name-veep-pick-this-week/

[24KT]

He's just trying to do something to steal his opponent's thunder and divert attention over to himself.


Poor guy... he's lonely 

[240 is Back]

He's just trying to do something to steal his opponent's thunder and divert attention over to himself.


Poor guy... he's lonely 

this is true.  $5 says McCain doesn't announce sheeit this week.

He has obama winning the hearts and minds of the WORLD, and the only noteworthy thing he does this week is create an Iraq/pakistan border

[Dos Equis]

VP buzz rises around Jindal
Posted: 11:55 AM ET

From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

(CNN) — John McCain is set to meet with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Wednesday, a move that is certain to increase speculation the Arizona senator is seriously considering the 37-year-old Republican for his running mate.

News of the meeting, first reported by the Washington Post, comes amid reports the McCain campaign has mulled the possibility of naming the vice presidential candidate later this week in an effort to steal the media spotlight from Barack Obama's trip overseas. Sources close to the Republican presidential candidate have indicated that scenario is one of several possibilities that have been recently discussed.

CNN's Political Market: Jindal's stock rises

Speculation first swirled around Jindal earlier this summer when he was one of a handful of politicians McCain invited to his Sedona, Arizona ranch. The long weekend was described as purely social, though former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist were also in attendance.

Jindal is considered a boy wonder of sorts within the Republican Party, and has been lauded by several conservatives wary of John McCain — including talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh. But the decision would undercut one of the Arizona senator's chief arguments against Obama: his relative lack of experience. The Louisiana governor is nearly 10 years younger than the Democratic presidential candidate.

iReport: Who should be VP? Weigh in!

Jindal has remained mum on whether he is interested in or being formally vetted for the vice presidency.

Meanwhile, McCain specifically avoided answering any questions about his VP timetable Tuesday morning.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/