Romney's upcoming bus tour probably isn't a VP rollout

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney walks to his bus after a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Friday, June 8, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Evan Vucci

(CBS News) It seems like the perfect setting: presumptive nominee Mitt Romney, rolling through four swing states in a bus decked out with campaign signage, his new vice president by his side being introduced to the country.

Except it would be kind of awkward, with so many also-rans beside them.

The Romney camp's announcement Monday that the candidate would embark on a four-day bus tour this weekend through Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio quickly raised speculation that he was getting ready to introduce his vice president.

But staff members for Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, both potential vice presidential picks, soon confirmed the two politicians would be joining Romney while he was in their home states.

It would be no surprise to see Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has stumped with Romney before and does Hispanic outreach for the campaign, to appear with Romney when the bus tour rolls through Florida on August 13. And former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty could be along for the ride in North Carolina, where he has already campaigned twice for Romney this cycle.

To have Romney parading around his new running mate with the runners-up for the job standing by would demonstrate party unity, but talk about awkward. More likely the confirmed presence of reported VP short-listers means that Team Romney is waiting until closer to the Aug. 27 party convention to announce the pick.

Bus tour attendees aside, it's also worth noting that the London Olympics will still be in full force through Sunday. It's a rare occasion these days that Americans can put aside politics and all root for the same outcome, and who is Romney to step on those good feelings? (Aside from the deluge of political ads during the commercial breaks, of course.)

Related: Romney's vice presidential choice

Related: 10 people who won't be Romney's running mate

[venusvegasvada]

Who cares?

Where are your tax records for the last 10 years you draft dodging, non-tax paying bum.

You want to be President of the US? Show us your #@$@ing tax returns.

[Lindag20]

Will this tour be like the Sarah Palin tour last summer? That was a real hoot.

[Lindag20]

The bus is probably parked next to the house in Arizona bought with PAC money. LOL

[merlgrey]

"He who warned uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed."

still a classic.

[Dan1692]

It is none of your business what Romney made, just like it is none of your business what I or anyone else makes. You libs are just looking for more of other peoples money to spend!!!

[Lindag20]

But it is our business to know if he paid his fair share of taxes like the rest of us. Poor Dan has to pay taxes and whines about it constantly.

[Grandmommy10]

Are u running for President, Dan? If you are, then it is indeed my business what you made, where you made it, what taxes you paid on it and what you did with it? Why is that a problem for a Presidential candidate?

[inbethlehem]

Hey Willard: Clear up the controversy...Release your tax returns!

[Jahzera]

As American households struggle and worry about the rising debt and slow growth of jobs political backers not only rake in hundreds of millions of dollars but gloat about the obscene amounts.

This is such a slap in the face.

We can all see everyday when we read the news or try to watch some enjoyment television, which we pay for mind you, the wonders the Citizen's United ruling did for this country. But I guess something needed to open the window to us seeing just how bought and paid for our politicans and hopeful politicians actually are.

I'm not impressed. I'm disgusted.

[Lindag20]

Yeah the Supreme Court did the country a GREAT disservice with that ruling, allowing elections to be bought by the rich.