McCain's Says No Decision Yet on VP

Aug. 28, 2008 — -- Presumptive GOP presidential candidate John McCain said today he has still not settled on who he will pick as his vice presidential running mate. "I haven't decided yet so I can't tell you," he told KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh this morning.

There has been speculation that McCain may announce his choice as early as this Friday, in an effort to blunt Sen. Barack Obama's high-profile return to the campaign trail after this week's Democratic convention in Denver.

McCain told KDKA that he will campaign this weekend with two people believed to be on his short list, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but he cautioned against assuming that meant either one would be the pick, The Associated Press reported.

Another purported finalist, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, appeared on "Good Morning America" today, but was tight-lipped when questioned about whether he might be McCain's pick.

Pawlenty, in Denver on behalf of the GOP, did take time to take a crack at Obama's experience.

"Barack Obama has good oratory but there's not much else there," Pawlenty said. "The questions for Senator Obama [are]: What have you done and what have you run? His accomplishments are essentially nonexistent and hasn't run anything."

Among the wild cards complicating attempts to handicap McCain's selection process is the question of where the Arizona senator's pick will stand on abortion. Two abortion rights advocates, Ridge and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, are seemingly on the short list as vice presidential nominees despite the perceived risk on McCain's part, should he pick either, of alienating the conservative core of his party.

While Pawlenty who is anti-abortion rights, acknowledged McCain has said he was open to the idea of selecting an abortion rights supporter, he suggested to "GMA" McCain is unlikey to pick a VP who supports abortion rights.

"I think Senator McCain has said he wants an administration — particularly senior leaders — that reflect his values and principles and vision for the country. He, of course, is a pro-life person," Pawlenty said on "GMA."

"[He] does want an administration that reflects his priorities and values. So that will be up to him and I think he'll pick people who share his agenda and his views," Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty, would not discuss whether or not he had been in contact with McCain about being chosen for his ticket.

"I just can't address it, but we'll all know soon," he said. "I've certainly heard it through news accounts he's having a rally in Ohio tomorrow. Speculation is he'll unveil his running mate there. Beyond that I don't have much to add or say about the vice presidential issue."

Serving his second gubernatorial term, the Minnesota native balked at the idea that he would does not have enough experience to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Pawlenty, who is the same age as Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, said his political resume is much more extensive than the Illinois senator's.