McCain Flying Solo In Vice Presidential Search

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: John McCain

During the 2000 presidential campaign, Dick Cheney headed up the search for George W. Bush's running mate – and eventually settled on himself.

The person running the vice presidential search for presumptive GOP nominee John McCain won't have that option – since, the Chicago Tribune reports, it's McCain himself who's handling the job.

The Tribune reports that McCain advisor Charlie Black said during a lunch with reporters that McCain is "the chairman of the selection committee."

"He is thinking about names," Black said. "He's not talking to any of us about that." The advisor also said McCain had set no timetables for the search.

One of the people thought to be a favorite for the slot, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, recently distanced himself from McCain's comments that last summer's Minneapolis bridge collapse occurred "because so much money was spent on wasteful, unnecessary pork-barrel projects." McCain subsequently backed off those comments.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by mattcat25 May 5, 2008 3:46 PM EDT: It won''t matter who gets elected for the office the President in 2008, Richard Cheney WILL NOT LEAVE!; Reply to this comment


by jwaldrop3 May 5, 2008 2:31 PM EDT: Dave_1958, in other words, they have to be smarter than you!; Reply to this comment


by abbe91 May 5, 2008 9:08 AM EDT: He needs somebody who will make him look younger and get him the hispanic vote.; Reply to this comment


by homjett May 5, 2008 4:14 AM EDT: Pawlenty is another Quayle type. He barely won re election. He would add nothing to the ticket. Huckabee is another Gomer Pyle. He needs to pick someone who is well known to the nation, vetted, no hidden baggage. Preferably a Gov. Someone with a stong background in business an finances. Someone who can help him win Colo, NV, Mich, Ohio an possibly Calif. Graham will be his AG, Lieberman might be Sec of State. He needs a strong campaigner who can raise money. Unfortunetly Jeb Bush is not available.; Reply to this comment


by petronew May 4, 2008 1:27 AM EDT: Maybe the Elder Gal from NC at the Obama Campaign might be a logical choice becaue she might be older than John but women are known to outlive the men.; Reply to this comment


by dave_1958 May 3, 2008 8:12 PM EDT: VP Wanted

Candidate must be strong, willing to push a wheel chair and finish sentences for his boss when he has those SR moments..

Some diaper handling experience would be a plus..
Apply at the Republican party via bushes GOP cronies

Salary to be negotiated....

Lots of travel benefits. Oil company experience required.

Must have at least a 6th grade education and grades can not be below D''s; Reply to this comment


by dave_1958 May 3, 2008 8:11 PM EDT: Clinton - Yale graduate

Obama - Harvard graduate

McCain - Naval Academy graduate - 894 th of 899, sixth from the BOTTOM of the class; Reply to this comment


by giantrobot2 May 3, 2008 4:22 PM EDT: *** BREAKING NEWS ***

Close friends to John McCain, those of which can not be named have acknowledged McCain''s enthusiasm for Governor Mike Huckabee.

"This is between you and I, but whenever I see John talking about possible VP candidates, he always seems most enthusastic when he talks about Mike Huckabee."

Can Senator McCain convince the Republican establishment Huckabee is the best choice for his VP?

"John is a highly independant person, sometimes he gets very aggitated when others tell him what to do. I wouldn''t be suprised if John chooses Mike Huckabee to make a point that he calls the shots and not others."

It seems the Republican establishment is pushing their own agenda, don''t you think they can persuade the Senator?

"John has the Republican nomination wrapped up now, the ball is now in his court. The Republicans don''t have a choice but to back John''s appoitment to Vice President. John seems most comfortable with Mike at his side."

Social conservatives are elated to say the least when they hear Huckabee''s name in the press. With Huckabee''s quick wit and humor, this could prove to be single most important factor in holding off the Democrats in capturing the White House this year.; Reply to this comment


by memekiller May 2, 2008 8:58 PM EDT: Will McCain follow in the footsteps of the head of George W. Bush''s 2000 VP selection committee, *** Cheney, and choose himself for the VP slot?; Reply to this comment