Kerry VP Decision Draws Near

Speculation continues to run rampant about whom Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry will choose as his running mate – and when he will make a formal announcement.

The Boston Globe reported Thursday that Kerry's announcement could come as early as next Tuesday in Pittsburgh. But the Kerry campaign has told CBS News that the report is wrong – at least the part about Tuesday in Pittsburgh – since Kerry will be speaking to African Methodist Episcopal leaders in Indianapolis and to the NEA in Washington that day.

A decision is expected soon, however. A source has told CBS News that staffs for the leading vice-presidential contenders have been asked to be ready to clear their schedules for next week, in case the decision is made then.

Kerry is currently holed up at his wife's farm in Pennsylvania, preparing for the Democratic National Convention in Boston at the end of this month, and finalizing his decision on a running mate.

Kerry has shrouded the selection process in secrecy. The vice-presidential candidates most often mentioned are Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri.

The Globe said Kerry is also considering other potential candidates, including Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and former Georgia senator Sam Nunn.

Kerry has also reportedly made overtures to Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona. But McCain has squelched such speculation by denying that he would run with Kerry and campaigning with President Bush.

A recent Associated Press poll conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs suggested that a majority of registered voters want Kerry to pick Edwards.