July 23, 2008 Jindal: I will not be VP Posted: 04:00 PM ET From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney Jindal said Wednesday he will not be McCain's VP. (CNN) — Has Bobby Jindal ruled out being John McCain's running mate? One day after it was revealed the presumptive Republican presidential candidate was slated to hold a closed-door meeting with the 37-year old governor, Jindal told Fox News there is no way he will fill the bottom half of the GOP presidential ticket. CNN's Political Market: Jindal's stock goes down "I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee or vice president," Jindal said. "I'm going to help Senator McCain get elected, as governor of Louisiana." "Let me be clear: I have said in every private and public conversation, I've got the job that I want," Jindal also said. It's not uncommon for those being considered for a slot on the presidential ticket to deny interest in the position, but Jindal's blanket statement is notable, especially in light of the fact he is widely considered to be on McCain's shortlist. It also came the day the two men were scheduled to sit down at a private meeting the McCain campaign refused to discuss. On Wednesday afternoon, the meeting was postponed due to weather. Earlier: VP buzz rises around Jindal Widely considered a rising star in his party, VP 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 — two other Republicans considered to be top vice presidential possibilities — were also in attendance. Jindal 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. Link
July 23, 2008 Is McCain inching towards Pawlenty? Posted: 09:15 AM ET From CNN Correspondent Dana Bash Is McCain inching toward Pawlenty? ROCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) – It's VP tea leaf reading season, and a Republican source who attended a small private meeting with John McCain Tuesday in New Hampshire tells CNN that the GOP candidate dropped a serious hint about Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. The Republican source said "out of the blue" McCain told the gathering that he thinks they are "really going to like" Pawlenty. CNN's Political Market: Pawlenty's stock on the rise This GOP source noted that McCain also said nice things about Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani, but those appeared to be standard lines he says about former rivals. This source said McCain may have been talking about Pawlenty because the meeting was with New Hampshire GOP delegates, and the Republican convention is in Pawlenty's state. But this source said McCain's praise was effusive, and noteworthy because it appeared to come "totally out of left field." Pawlenty is a long-time supporter of McCain's. He's from a swing state with considerable support across the Republican Party, including evangelicals, and has always been thought by Republican strategists to be on McCain's short list. The Minnesota governor, who is visiting Washington, was at McCain headquarters in Virginia today for meetings, according to a McCain aide. Link
Pawlenty's a nice guy but I don't see how he helps McCain anymore than Mitt does. Minnesota is probably going to Obama, he doesn't balance the ticket like Mitt does. Yes, he's a nice guy and he's younger, but so is Jindal and Mitt. I guess he wouldn't be bad, but I don't think he's the best pick, or better than Mitt that is.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Today's VP buzz: Rob Portman Posted: 06:54 PM ET (CNN) — Another day, another round of buzz surrounding a potential vice presidential candidate. This time it's former Bush administration official and former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, who made an unscheduled appearance aboard John McCain's Straight Talk Express Thursday afternoon. McCain and Portman are headed to Columbus, Ohio where the Arizona senator will participate in a town hall event with biking legend Lance Armstrong. (Portman will not be speaking at the event, CNN's Tasha Diakides reports.) Portman, who served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget from 2006-07, has long been considered a top pick for VP. In addition to his economic credentials — something many political observers believe McCain's ticket desperately needs — Portman remains a popular figure in his home state of Ohio, the perennial presidential battleground that is once again expected to play a key role this cycle. CNN's Political Market: Portman's VP stock on the rise Portman represented Ohio's conservative 2nd district for 12 years, and could help shore up conservative support and working class voters there. Barack Obama lost to Hillary Clinton in Ohio by nearly 10 points in the Democratic primary — largely due to a lack of support from working class Democrats — though recent polls show the Illinois senator now holds a slight lead over McCain in the Buckeye State. But it remains unclear just how high up on the VP list Portman is — Republicans may be wary of putting a former Bush administration official on the ticket, and he remains relatively unknown on the national scene. And there's always the question of whether Portman is at all interested in the job. The former congressman appeared to suggest last month he was not. Watch: Portman explain why he would say no to being VP “Well, you know, I’m happy to be home,” he told CNN's Peter Hamby. “I commuted between Washington and Ohio where we are now for 15 years, and about nine months, so I made the decision to come home and it’s been great. I’ve got three teenagers, so I’m not looking for a way back to Washington right now." “I love public service,” he added. “I want to help him. I think he’s the right person to lead the country at this critical time, but I’m not interested in going back to D.C. right now.”</div> Link
