Suspense About To End On McCain VP Pick

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

(DAYTON, OHIO) -- John McCain is expected to announce his running mate today at the Ervin J. Nutter arena here on the campus of Wright State, but so far he has kept quiet about who that choice is. Mitt Romney is the top choice of Republican delegates for the job, with 38 percent hoping McCain picks him for VP, according to a CBS News poll, but CBS News has learned that Romney will not be in Dayton this morning, which would appear to cross him off the VP list.

Even though he only garnered 4 percent of the delegates polled, Tim Pawlenty's stock has risen in recent weeks, and the Minnesota governor has cleared his schedule for the next couple of days (as have other top VP choices). But Pawlenty told the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis he would not be joining McCain in Dayton today. "I'm not going to be there," Pawlenty said. "I plan to be at the state fair. You can draw your conclusion from that."

So who's left? Alaska governor Sarah Palin has been mentioned, although she is not well-known outside Alaska and has little national experience. McCain's "favorite Democrat" Joe Lieberman has also been mentioned, as has former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, but both of them support abortion rights, which would be a hard sell to conservatives.

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and former HP CEO Carly Fiorina are also seen as dark horses for the job, although neither of them have political experience.

The big announcement comes at noon ET today.

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by starleo146 August 29, 2008 3:13 PM EDT: It is all about oil again Palin was chairmen of the oil and gas conservative commission. Do they ever get over there thirst for oil?Well they say in 10 yrs we will be off oil and then what?; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 August 29, 2008 2:34 PM EDT: Can you see the first debate with Biden and Palin on Foreign affairs?; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 August 29, 2008 2:16 PM EDT: Biden-----35 yrs experience WITH lies and pompacity...supercilious..UGH!

Posted by CarlyLaine at 11:11 AM : Aug 29, 2008
+ report abuse

Lies!!! Oh God I guess you know all about lies we have had 8 yrs of lies. I doubt any republican would know the truth if they stumbled over it; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 August 29, 2008 2:13 PM EDT: It matters not one bit who McSame chooses, because Barak Obama won the election last night. Yes, he can choose a woman as an obvious attempt to court the Hillary vote, but it won''''t work. He''''s toast! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY! We can''''t survive another Bush term. Republicans have almost destroyed our nation; they aren''''t going to fix it. It''''s time to give the other side a chance. I saw the makings of another JFK/FDR last night, and that infuriates the right. But they should rejoice with us on the left, because we now see the light at the end of this long nightmarish eight year long tunnel.

Posted by hakori at 10:46 AM : Aug 29, 2008

I agree what a great inspiring man that we need so badly, so long Republicans it has been a nightmare to know you.; Reply to this comment


by carlylaine August 29, 2008 2:11 PM EDT: Biden-----35 yrs experience WITH lies and pompacity...supercilious..UGH!; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 August 29, 2008 2:08 PM EDT: Palin ----2yrs experience under investagation

Biden-----35 yrs experience; Reply to this comment


by speakman23 August 29, 2008 2:08 PM EDT: Will Sar"h now be changing McLame''''s Depends on the campaign trail? "

Where is the adult comment section? I''ve stumbled across the 5th grader comments.; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 August 29, 2008 2:06 PM EDT: Sarah Palin picks a VP that leaves experience off the table Mc Bush says, now Palin AND HER EXPERIENCE IS OFF THE TABLE, 2 years of experience 44 yrs old, if this is Mc Bushs'' first decision, and voice it as change, it is true he doesn''t get it. I guess he''s depending on getting the Hillary voters. Guess what too late; Reply to this comment


by speakman23 August 29, 2008 2:06 PM EDT: Do some research, thisandthat1. She''s the first female GOV of Alaska as well.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 August 29, 2008 1:59 PM EDT: If McCain were to be elected and then pass away in office (of old age) ..... President Palin? HUH? Who?
Posted by thisandthat1

Richard Cheney and his brother Karl Rove will be (still) running the country anyway, doesn%u2019t matter who has the title of the office, like George W. Bush!; Reply to this comment